I’ve been trying to get rid of my cellphone for awhile now. I switched to JMP.chat, I have Pidgin set up to make calls/texts, etc.

I use Trisquel GNU/Linux on my Libreboot laptop, my boss is fine with it.

My strategy looks something like this:

  • Use earpiece that’s connected via Bluetooth, have narrator software read out notifications (notifications from Microsoft Teams, Thunderbird, etc.)

  • Put laptop into sleep mode, maybe use a script to put it into a special sleep mode to make sure I’m connected to WiFi while walking around warehouse so I can receive calls/texts timely.

  • Forward all notifications from Teams to my email, so that I’m not relying on the web-based version to be open.

  • For travel on the road, I have a USB modem that’s connected to my LibreCMC router. I also have my laptop set up in my car on a stand.

Any suggestions?

TIA!

  • BaumGeist@lemmy.ml
    221·
    4 months ago

    may I ask why? Different hardware is designed for different tasks, and using even a Linux phone will beat out most laptops for energy efficiency to make the same call using the same apps

    • Time@sh.itjust.worksOP
      9·
      4 months ago

      I’m only using hardware that allows the Intel Management Engine to be fully disabled (e.g., ThinkPad X200, T400, etc.).

      The PinePhone seems nice, but its firmware cannot be freed to the same extent as that of one of the older ThinkPads.

      The reason why is because I want to escape from non-free software.

      • utopiah@lemmy.ml
        2·
        4 months ago

        How about Purism Librem 5?

        PS: I do have a PinePhone and PinePhone Pro, used both with a USB-C adapter to have screen, mouse and keyboard and was a quite convenient solution but I understand that some of the firmware limitations might go against your goal. I hope they’ll be fully open if they do a newer model.

    • Time@sh.itjust.worksOP
      7·
      4 months ago

      I signed into my JMP.chat account via XMPP on Pidgin. I can make calls and texts just fine.

      Edit: Pidgin (installed from Trisquel repos) can be used for texting, but as of right now, calling seems to be bugged. I’m currently using Dino (installed from Trisquel repos), both calling/texting work fine on there.

  • Eugenia@lemmy.mlEnglish
    8·
    4 months ago

    If you’re trying a less “smart” phone experience, just buy a dumb phone. They still exist. Phones are needed for emergencies.

    • Time@sh.itjust.worksOP
      12·
      4 months ago

      Unfortunately, the flip phone route for doing daily calls/texts won’t work because I use multiple phone numbers, and those phones have proprietary operating systems/firmware. Though, I still keep one in a Faraday bag if needed for emergencies.

  • friend_of_satan@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    4 months ago

    I did this when traveling internationally in 2009. I used Skype-in to forward my USA phone number to my Skype account, but I think I made like 3 phone calls. I only used WiFi at cafes and hotels, no mobile internet service. Phones are overrated. Being offline is great.

  • chemicalprophet@lemm.ee
    1·
    4 months ago

    I have a friend who’s never gotten a cell phone. Computer science PhD candidate. At this point I think he’s avoided it as we seem to be coming out the other side. He rocks a MacBook pro and uses Google voice. It’s possible…

  • Jo Miran@lemmy.ml
    1·
    4 months ago

    I have “mained” a Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme running Pop!_OS for over two years now. I run a company and interact with clients all the time, so I’m not just browsing PornHub all day. My Thinkpad has not let me down yet.

    I have a Mac for my music production and graphic design hobbies, but only because I own software for it that only supports Mac or Windows. That said, I rarely use it since Bitwig and Renoise run on Linux. I’ll only boot the Mac if I need some plug-in or Abelton. All that’s happened is that I have slowly started to gravitate towards DAW-less production.