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Re: Handhelds that conviently run Debian

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On 11/08/2017 09:34 AM, David Wright wrote:
> On Wed 08 Nov 2017 at 07:50:21 (-0600), Richard Owlett wrote:
>> On a regional mailing list I had described what I'm looking for as a
>> tablet. That seems to include things that fold.  Although I *DON'T*
>> want a "smartphone", that physical form factor is desirable. It must
>> be available as "new" from a U.S. retailer.
>>
>> I have a preference for x86 processors, that is not a requirement.
>> I would like to use with a USB keyboard.
>> It will be used for simple data collection and data will be
>> transferred to home system primarily via a USB flash drive.
>>
>> I suspect I've some unrecognized assumptions.
>> Suggestions please.
>> TIA
>
> If you want a smartphone but don't want a smartphone, it sounds to me
> as if you want a smartphone with no SIM card.

I didn't know that was still possible. A few years ago a local Staples 
had smartphones of one manufacturer [Lenovo ????] in 3 flavors - with 
SIM, without SIM, and without possibility of installing a SIM card. The 
last was attractively priced [wasn't sure if that was a promotional 
gimmick or factory seconds]. I bought one of the later.

That convinced me to NEVER consider an Android device for many reasons:
1. The hype at the time was that Android was Linux and thus FOSS.
    *NOT*!
    It was supposed to be "free" in the sense of "free speech".
    There is no logical grounds to not pay for value delivered.
    I was paying for a physical device and should be able to use it.
2. The DCMA was used as specious justification for obstructing OWNERS
    from freely using and modifying their personal property. If a SIM
    card could be eventually installed there would be a possible
    justification for preventing a purchaser from using/modifying the
    device in desired manner.
3. At the time Google had an effective monopoly of "free"[*sic*]
    software. It may have been free of immediate monetary cost, *BUT*
    they required you to yield personally identifiable information to
    have access to "free"[*SIC*] software.

> It's possible that this
> device will still be able to dial 911: my Galaxy 4 claims to be able
> to do that, though understandably it's not something I've tested.
> ("They" still come out even if you hang up right away.)

*LOL* I've been a beneficiary of that possibility.

>
> If it's being tracked that you're worried about, then put it in
> Airplane mode to prevent that. (Unfortunately that stops the FM radio
> in the Galaxy from working, but not the music/video players.)

That type of privacy is not a major issue.
Having held a Commercial Radiotelephone Operator's license ~50 years 
ago, I have no particular problem with restricting who can create havoc 
on the airwaves.


> And,
> of course, you can always keep it turned off when not actually
> collecting the data.

No problem. "Airplane mode" and "turning off" extends battery life.
Not aware of any downside.

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Thread

Handhelds that conviently run Debian Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net> - 2017-11-08 15:00 +0100
  Re: Handhelds that conviently run Debian Dan Ritter <dsr@randomstring.org> - 2017-11-08 15:20 +0100
    Re: Handhelds that conviently run Debian Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net> - 2017-11-08 15:50 +0100
  Re: ~ Handhelds that conviently run Debian Jonathan Dowland <jmtd@debian.org> - 2017-11-08 16:20 +0100
    Re: ~ Handhelds that conviently run Debian Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net> - 2017-11-08 16:50 +0100
  Re: Handhelds that conviently run Debian David Wright <deblis@lionunicorn.co.uk> - 2017-11-08 17:40 +0100
    Re: Handhelds that conviently run Debian Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net> - 2017-11-08 19:50 +0100
    Re: Handhelds that conviently run Debian Stefan Monnier <monnier@iro.umontreal.ca> - 2017-11-09 02:40 +0100
      Re: Handhelds that conviently run Debian Frank Weißer <linux@weisser-ol.de> - 2017-11-09 08:40 +0100
        Re: Handhelds that conviently run Debian David Baron <dbaron770@gmail.com> - 2017-11-09 09:20 +0100
          Re: Handhelds that conviently run Debian Stefan Monnier <monnier@iro.umontreal.ca> - 2017-11-09 15:30 +0100
          Re: Handhelds that conviently run Debian David Wright <deblis@lionunicorn.co.uk> - 2017-11-09 15:50 +0100
  Re: Handhelds that conviently run Debian deloptes <deloptes@gmail.com> - 2017-11-08 22:20 +0100

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