Alright boys, I've been converted to the light side and have installed F-Droid. Now what?

Basically title. I waited on installing F droid for a long time because my phone threw many scary warnings when I tried a long time ago. But now I have it, and I got some fossify apps, but since there is no “Editor’s Picks” on F- droid I dont really know where to go from here.

What apps do you recommend I install first to remove my dependence on closed ecosystems?

What is my vulnerability surface ie, which sort of apps should I watch out for?

Are there any bad faith companies in the open source sphere?

mke, (edited )

What apps you install depends on your needs and preferences. It might help others if you include those in any future requests for suggestions.

I suggest not worrying too much about “removing your dependence on closed ecosystems” immediately. Just do as you did before, changing apps as you find better alternatives—only, this time, considering the advantages of FOSS. Simply by giving F-droid apps a chance before opening (I assume) the Play Store, you’re already doing better than the vast majority of people.

Regarding discoverability and security, I believe participation in the community helps:

  • The Venn diagram of “FOSS app users” and “software enthusiasts” is closer to a circle. People like talking about useful, good software they like. Word of mouth recommendations is how I got into this stuff.
  • You’ll be more likely to hear urgent actionable news (e.g. X app developer sold to bad company, here’s the fork that will carry the torch onwards).

And so that this comment isn’t completely useless… Mozilla are currently working on a mobile version of Thunderbird for Android, built on top of K9 mail. Been using the beta and liking it so far. If you want a FOSS e-mail app, keep an eye on that one.

P.S. I much prefer the dark side, and don’t forget the cookies!

halm,
@halm@leminal.space avatar

Mozilla are currently working on a mobile version of Thunderbird for Android, built on top of K9 mail.

Is that what it is, or is K-9 becoming Thunderbird for Android? My understanding from official announcements was the latter.

mke,

My bad, I forgot you need to be careful using such metaphors when talking about software. It’s as the other commenter said: a rebrand, but they might keep the old identity around for people who like it.

halm,
@halm@leminal.space avatar

No worries, I was genuinely uncertain what the current status is. Appreciate the answers!

Adda,
@Adda@lemmy.ml avatar

K-9 is rebranding as Thunderbird for Android, indeed. But since many users of K-9 expressed their desire to keep the logo and name of K-9, Thunderbird agreed to publish both versions: one rebranded as Thunderbird for Android, and the other keeping its original branding as K-9. We will see whether that will complicate things for Thunderbird team too much yet.

halm,
@halm@leminal.space avatar

I see! I missed that nuance since the announcement that K-9 would become TB Android. Thanks for the update.

I’m partial to the old K-9 logo too, but I love that the two email projects I use are working together for interoperability 🙂

Adda, (edited )
@Adda@lemmy.ml avatar

The Venn diagram of “FOSS app users” and “software enthusiasts” is closer to a circle.

Now this is the quote of the week for me 😂 It is mostly accurate, unfortunately, but I cannot stop giggling about it.

KpntAutismus, (edited )

i use:

  • aves (gallery app)
  • organic maps
  • jellyfin
  • openboard
  • symphony (music player)
  • syncthing
  • nclientV2 (te best way to read 6-digit codes)
  • fair email (easily the best e-mail app i’ve ever used)

also youtube revanced (not entirely open source or available on f-droid, but the best way to watch youtube without ads for my use case)

SnokenKeekaGuard,
@SnokenKeekaGuard@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Yeah i’ve tried libretube and newpipe, also newpipe sponsorblock but returned to revanced

JoyfulCodingGuy, (edited )
@JoyfulCodingGuy@lemmy.ml avatar

My problem with Symphony and other music apps like Auxio is that they don’t work with audiobooks and file types like m4b. Simple Music Player worked for me when playing all my audio files but now I am waiting for the Fossify version to be published.

GrappleHat, (edited )
@GrappleHat@lemmy.ml avatar

These are my main core apps. Not fully divested from closed ecosystems (YouTube & Google Maps are in there with alternative private frontends). But close enough for me.

  • Mull - Private Firefox
  • OrganicMaps & GMaps WV - Maps
  • Eternity - Lemmy
  • Meglodon - Mastadon
  • ProtonVPN - VPN
  • AntennaPod - Podcasts
  • Bitwarden - Passwords
  • Joplin - Notes
  • NewPipe Sponsorblock - YouTube w/o ads or in-video promotions
  • VLC - Music & video
  • Yet Another Call Blocker - Spam calls
  • Geometric Weather - Weather
xlash123,
@xlash123@sh.itjust.works avatar

Development for NewPipe Sponsorblock has ended. They recommend using Tubular instead.

JoyfulCodingGuy,
@JoyfulCodingGuy@lemmy.ml avatar

Thank you! I had no idea development had stopped but I see that now in their GitHub repository.

FQQD, (edited )
@FQQD@lemmy.ohaa.xyz avatar

I can recommend f-droid.org/…/wangdaye.com.geometricweather/ for weather. Otherwise, I dont really use stuff from fdroid.

I’ve heard good stuff about the “fenneck” (?) browser, it’s like android firefox but good.

afk_strats,

Another recommendation for this app weather app with great widgets. I’ve been using it for years.

SnokenKeekaGuard,
@SnokenKeekaGuard@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

I have and like it but it hasnt been updated for over a year. So the breezy weather recommendation is good.

T0RB1T,
@T0RB1T@lemmy.ca avatar

Fennec, it’s a type of fox in the real world, and it’s a perfectly fine fork of Firefox.

And Firefox for android is great, leaps and bounds better than the Chromes and Chromiums that many people use. Firefox for android allows you to install browser extensions!

I never have to leave home without my µBlock Origin again.

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