me/ebook-technology-alternatives
1
0
Fork 0
Code Issues Pull Requests Actions Packages Projects Releases Wiki Activity

Continuing to add content.

Browse Source
This commit is contained in:
Hyperling
2025-10-02 14:15:05 -07:00
parent 70dd4cd0a2
commit 2eaab09328
1 changed files with 202 additions and 15 deletions
Download Patch File Download Diff File Expand all files Collapse all files

217
ebook.md
View File

@@ -50,15 +50,15 @@ keywords:
There is a distinct difference between two methods of hardening (making more protected) a device. One focuses more on keeping your metadata safe, and the other your data. Many [TBD/TODO: solutions?] handle both at the same time, such as using a VPN.
Privacy is the first; it means that you would like to prevent others from seeing what you are doing, keeping others' **eyes** off your data. You would like your web browsing experience to be confidential. Privacy involves using browsers which delete sensitive data, messengers which use end-to-end encryption (E2EE), etc.
`Privacy` is the first; it means that you would like to prevent others from seeing what you are doing, keeping others' **eyes** off your data. You would like your web browsing experience to be *confidential*. `Privacy` involves using browsers which delete sensitive data, messengers which use `end-to-end encryption` (`E2EE`), etc.
Security is the latter; ensuring that your device and its content are not accessible from others. This is more related to keeping others' **hands** off your data. Having proper security prevents your devices from being hacked and your online accounts from being breached. This would be more related to using a passcode on your device, having strong passwords, and [TBD/TODO].
`Security` is the latter; ensuring that your device and its content are not accessible from others. This is more related to keeping others' **hands** off your data. Having proper `security `prevents your devices from being hacked and your online accounts from being breached. This would be more related to using a `passcode` on your device, having strong passwords, and [TBD/TODO].
# Mobile
Android is the only mobile environment covered here. iOS is complicit in data harvesting and cannot be liberated. Some may argue that it's secure, and that may be true, but it is most definitely not private.
`Android` is the only mobile environment covered here. `iOS` is complicit in data harvesting and cannot be liberated. Some may argue that it's secure, and that may be true, but it is most definitely not private.
There are also Linux phones out there, such as the Pinephone and Librem 5, but they will not be covered in this document. Below are their respective websites if they are of interest to you.
There are also `Linux` phones out there, such as the `Pinephone` and `Librem 5`, but they will not be covered in this document. Below are their respective websites if they are of interest to you.
[`pine64.org/devices/pinephone/`](https://pine64.org/devices/pinephone/)
@@ -71,14 +71,15 @@ To have a private and secure mobile experience it will require a degoogled ROM.
Degoogling a phone has two steps and ***cannot*** be done without wiping the device, so be sure to make a backup.
1. Install a custom ROM (operating system).
2. Do not install GApps (Google Apps).
- MicroG can be installed instead and is covered later in this document.
- At this point you may choose to root the device or not by flashing `Magisk`.
2. Do not install `GApps` (Google Apps).
- `microG` can be installed instead and is covered later in this document.
Alternatively, a degoogled phone can be purchased online or you could have a friend
Alternatively, a degoogled phone can be purchased online or from a friend.
### LineageOS
My favorite ROM, and time tested as the successor to CyanogenMod which I was using back in the early 2010's. The design is simple and sticks mostly to stock Android with optional extra features. After trying other ROMs I always end up coming back to this one, mostly for the network indicator and seconds which can be displayed in the status bar.
My favorite ROM, and time tested as the successor to `CyanogenMod` which I was using back in the early 2010's. The design is simple and sticks mostly to stock Android with optional extra features. After trying other ROMs I always end up coming back to this one, mostly for the network indicator and seconds which can be displayed in the status bar.
[`wiki.lineageos.org/devices/`](https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/)
@@ -96,23 +97,69 @@ One of the best ROM installation experiences I have ever had. It suggests a list
## microG
An alternative to Google Play Services which mimics the proprietary services Google provides without actually hitting their endpoints [TBD/TODO SOURCE?].
This is flashed after a custom ROM is installed and can be added later if desired without wiping your device. [TBD/TODO Once it is installed, it cannot be removed?.]
Useful if you need to use proprietary apps which depend on non-free networks.
[TBD/TODO app location]
## App Stores
There are many ways to install an application (app) on Android, including downloading the APK (TBD/TODO) manually and running it. This section covers the most common and practical methods.
### F-Droid
Open-source app store hosting open-sourse apps! Easy to use and helps to manage any
Table: F-Droid \label{stores-fdroid}
| App Source | URL |
| -- | --------- |
| Obtainium URL | [TBD/TODO] |
| F-Droid | [TBD/TODO] |
| Aurora | [TBD/TODO] |
### Obtainium
Not an app store in itself, but an app manager. Add the location of the APKs you commonly use and it will manage installing and updating them as needed. The configuration can be copied between devices, and makes wiing and restoring a phone much quicker. It does ***not*** handle backing up local app data though, only installing the applications.
If any apps listed in this document can be used with Obtaiumiun, a URL to its APKs (installation files) will be provided so that it may be added to the app manager.
Table: Obtainium \label{stores-obtainium}
| App Source | URL |
| -- | --------- |
| Obtainium URL | [TBD/TODO] |
| F-Droid | [TBD/TODO] |
| Aurora | [TBD/TODO] |
For a video explanation of using Obtainium, please see this:
[`TBD/TODO Cahlen's URL`](https://cahlen.org/obtainium)
### Aurora Store
### Obtanium
An open source and anonymous front end for the Google Play Store. This allows installing normal apps like any other Android device can. Please be aware that if you did not opt for microG that some apps installed from here may fail to work, such as Planet Fitness or Whatsapp.
Not an app store in itself, but an app manager. Add the location of the APKs you commonly use and it will manage installing and updating them as needed. The configuration can be copied between devices, and makes wiing and restoring a phone much quicker. it does ***not*** handle backing up local app data though, only installing the applications.
If you use this store, be sure to blacklist any apps which have been installed via F-Droid or Obtainium. Otherwise if the app is updated from this store it may prevent the other app stores from keeping it up to date properly.
Table: Aurora Store \label{stores-aurora}
| App Source | URL |
| -- | --------- |
| Obtainium URL | [TBD/TODO] |
| F-Droid | [TBD/TODO] |
| Aurora | [TBD/TODO ???] |
## Navigation
For a list of definitions, please see see table \ref{my_table} below..
For a list of definitions used in this section, please see see table \ref{} below.
Table: (Title that I want) \label{my_table}
Table: Common Abbreviations \label{nav-abbr}
| Abbreviation | TBD/TODO | Definition |
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Definition |
| -- | --- | ------- |
| OSM | Open Street Maps | Online database of open source map elements. |
| POI | Point of Interest | A spot on the map, such as a park or business. |
@@ -123,16 +170,40 @@ While not open source, this is the recommendation for those who simply want a ne
This is the best option of you are navigationg to addresses, such as *123 Oak Street*, as OSM alone does not have a complete list of building numbers.
Table: Magic Earth Sources \label{nav-magic-earth}
| App Source | URL |
| -- | --------- |
| Obtainium URL | N/A |
| F-Droid | N/A |
| Aurora | [TBD/TODO] |
### Organic Maps
Simple app with a few moderate and advanced features.
This is the best option if you want a simple experience while purely using OSM data.
### OSMAnd
Table: Organic Maps \label{nav-organic}
| App Source | URL |
| -- | --------- |
| Obtainium URL | [TBD/TODO] |
| F-Droid | [TBD/TODO] |
| Aurora | [TBD/TODO] |
### OSMAnd[TBD/TODO: +]
Quite an advanced application. This app is even worse at navigating to building numbers, as it seems to have a preference for finding intersections. Searching for POIs.
Table: Open Street Maps Android \label{nav-osmand}
| App Source | URL |
| -- | --------- |
| Obtainium URL | [TBD/TODO] |
| F-Droid | [TBD/TODO] |
| Aurora | Not Free Here |
## Map Editors
There are mobile apps availabl for adding to and editing Open Streep Maps, which is what all of the navigation apps above are based on.
@@ -147,18 +218,134 @@ F-Droid : [`f-droid.org/packages/de.westnordost.streetcomplete`](https://f-droid
Aurora : [`play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.westnordost.streetcomplete`](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.westnordost.streetcomplete)
Table: StreetComplete \label{edit-street-complete}
| App Source | URL |
| -- | --------- |
| Obtainium URL | [`github.com/streetcomplete/StreetComplete/releases`](https://github.com/streetcomplete/StreetComplete/releases) |
| F-Droid | [`f-droid.org/packages/de.westnordost.streetcomplete`](https://f-droid.org/packages/de.westnordost.streetcomplete/) |
| Aurora | [`play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.westnordost.streetcomplete`](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.westnordost.streetcomplete) |
### Organic Maps
This navigation app also allows adding and editing businesses!
This navigation app also allows adding and editing businesses! It is a very easy to use interface with minimal fields. Advanced level editing is not possible, such as adding the Suite# to an address or tagging a house number to a building.
Table: Organic Maps (again!) \label{edit-organic}
| App Source | URL |
| -- | --------- |
| Obtainium URL | [TBD/TODO] |
| F-Droid | [TBD/TODO] |
| Aurora | [TBD/TODO] |
### Every Door
A more advanced editor, only handles points though, no drawing of ways or regions.
Table: Every Door \label{edit-every-door}
| App Source | URL |
| -- | --------- |
| Obtainium URL | [TBD/TODO] |
| F-Droid | [TBD/TODO] |
| Aurora | [TBD/TODO] |
### Vespucci
Fully functional map editor, allowing roads to be mapped and regions to be added. Can move locations around as well, which is not as easy or even possible in most other mobile editors.
Table: Vespucci \label{edit-vespucci}
| App Source | URL |
| -- | --------- |
| Obtainium URL | [TBD/TODO] |
| F-Droid | [TBD/TODO] |
| Aurora | [TBD/TODO] |
## Messengers
Apps are rated on three concepts:
1. End-to-end Encryption (E2EE)
1. Private Conversation List
1. No "Know Your Customer" (KYC)
### Simplex
- [x] End-to-end Encryption
- [x] Private Conversation List
- [x] No "Know Your Customer" (KYC)
Has `E2EE`, does not require a phone number, and who you are contacting is `private`.
May be considered difficult to use by some users, but as of 2025 it has made large strides towards become more user-friendly compared to back in 2023.
Somewhat small user base, not very well known.
Table: Simplex \label{msg-simplex}
| App Source | URL |
| -- | --------- |
| Obtainium URL | [TBD/TODO] |
| F-Droid | [TBD/TODO] |
| Aurora | [TBD/TODO] |
### Signal
- [x] End-to-end Encryption
- [ ] Private Conversation List
- [ ] No "Know Your Customer" (KYC)
Requires a phone number. Service provider may snoop at who is contacting who, and may provide this information to inquirers, which would be enough to build webs of influence that could get someone convicted. Otherwise, message content is `private` and `secure`.
Pretty well known. You likely already know people using this!
Table: Signal \label{msg-signal}
| App Source | URL |
| -- | --------- |
| Obtainium URL | [TBD/TODO] |
| F-Droid | [TBD/TODO] |
| Aurora | [TBD/TODO] |
There's also an alternative frontend to the `Signal` protocol which is said to be more `secure`.
Table: Molly \label{msg-molly}
| App Source | URL |
| -- | --------- |
| Obtainium URL | [TBD/TODO] |
| F-Droid | [TBD/TODO] |
| Aurora | [TBD/TODO] |
### Telegram
[TBD/TODO is there an option other than blank box or x'd box for E2EE here?]
- [ ] End-to-end Encryption
- [ ] Private Conversation List
- [ ] No "Know Your Customer" (KYC)
This app does not use `E2EE` by default, you must initiate a Secret Chat for that, and unfortunately that is only only allows 1-on-1 conversations. Normal chats and group chats are server-side encrypted, meaning the service provider could decrypt message content, so they should not be considered `private`.
Very well known, large user base.
Table: Forkgram \label{msg-forkgram}
| App Source | URL |
| -- | --------- |
| Obtainium URL | [TBD/TODO] |
| F-Droid | [TBD/TODO] |
| Aurora | [TBD/TODO] |
Table: Telegram Official \label{msg-telegram}
| App Source | URL |
| -- | --------- |
| Obtainium URL | N/A |
| F-Droid | N/A |
| Aurora | [TBD/TODO] |
## Document Editors
### Collabora