Beardy Star Stuff
@dennyhenke@social.coop  ·  activity timestamp 2 weeks ago

Think I'll write a blog post for users that are + curious.

If you have ethical or political concerns about Apple, how can you begin a gentle transition? It doesn't have to be all or nothing. Why not dip your toes into what has to offer? Think of it as an experiment in learning. It's FREE after all and much of it can be done from your Mac as it is.

Got an old computer? Take a bigger step, TRY an install without a long term commitment on all your devices.
cwicseolfor
@cwicseolfor@urbanists.social  ·  activity timestamp 2 weeks ago
@dennyhenke I think the biggest gap you might look into, if it appeals, is *accessible,* A-B-C guidance. Yes, many guides exist. Most anticipate people iffy on "folders" can crash-course bootloaders in their copious free time between political horrors & regular life.

I can parse & maybe take initiative on the phrase "try an install," but would need to sink ~30h into self-edu to feel confident - with zero stakes but a disused computer! - & have (sadly) above-average tech literacy. Most don't.
Beardy Star Stuff
@dennyhenke@social.coop  ·  activity timestamp 2 weeks ago
@cwicseolfor It may be that I jumped in recklessly and with too little thought when I installed GNU/Linux Mint back in February. It was easier because I had a 2012 Mac Mini in storage, unused. It was a "back-up" device that had not been turned on in over a year. A privilege many do not have. I was risking little and only committing some time and effort.

As it turned out, in my case, the effort was minimal. It just worked with almost zero extra effort. It's not always be that easy though.
cwicseolfor
@cwicseolfor@urbanists.social  ·  activity timestamp 2 weeks ago
@dennyhenke I have an old Macbook I have wanted to try it on for about six years, but life keeps happening and my computer hobbies have dwindled to participation on a couple less-algo-ridden social media and trying to beg, wheedle and plead my mostly un-techy social circle away from socials owned by Zuck or Musk. At this rate most people are cell-only unless they use a computer for work, so I think a focus on mobile is also likely to help - but how to flash without a computer to connect to?
Beardy Star Stuff
@dennyhenke@social.coop  ·  activity timestamp 2 weeks ago
@cwicseolfor Yeah, I've not begun to look at the mobile options yet. I still use an old iPhone and will continue using until it breaks. But I only use it as a phone and camera. It's not the center of my computing.

By comparison, installing something like Mint is often very easy. In my case the whole process of downloading, flashing it to a usb stick and installing required one app and less than 30 minutes. I was booted with a working install in something like 25 minutes. I couldn't believe it.
cwicseolfor
@cwicseolfor@urbanists.social  ·  activity timestamp 2 weeks ago
@dennyhenke The fact that I thought to myself "oh, right, of course, and you also need a USB drive" is probably somewhat telling about the average person's likelihood to have one of those laying around, either - perhaps local resource groups…

I directed a friend whose old (Google) android is nearing end-of-life to evaluate the Murena Fairphones; my last cell was 8yo, sustaining a charge for ~30m of use when I replaced it recently, but postmarket or eOS might let it function plugged in.
Beardy Star Stuff
@dennyhenke@social.coop  ·  activity timestamp 2 weeks ago
@cwicseolfor Yeah, I've read good things about Murena and the fair phone. I should get another 4-5 years so I've not spent too much time exploring as things could change a lot by then.

Yeah, any 8GB usb stick/thumb drive will work.

I'm cooking up a program with my local rural library to help people do installs and offer a few presentations/small classes on using gnu/linux and free software. It's going to be an adventure!

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