I second the Debian recommendation, with one caveat: if ever you need to install software that is not maintained by Debian (I.e. it is installed using a command like make install instead of apt install) then you could run into significant problems.

Debian uses a system (called APT) to manage the logistics of all your apps and libraries. This is wonderful until you add a program using a different method that APT doesn’t know about. In that case you can “end up in dependency hell” where your system can no longer update or install new packages.

Advanced users can work around this limitation to install things safely, but for a user just starting out I suggest to only ever install packages that exist in the Debian repositories (that is, can be installed with APT or one of its various frontends). This can mean the programs are a little outdated or not available.

Debian has a document that explains this in greater detail, which I suggest every Debian user reads: Don’t Break Debian

The other day I saw “P00P” and “P00R”. I gave a chuckle but I didn’t have anyone to share it with

It feels just like a regular phone to me. If I handed someone my phone they wouldn’t know it was GrapheneOS. The only thing they would fund weird is my launcher (KISS, which is certainly not for everyone) but that was something I installed myself.

One pain point is that my banking apps didn’t work out of the box. That was solved by checking an unassuming box in the individual app settings. For some banks it might still not work (mostly for countries that have security key devices, I believe).

I don’t have the adaptive battery charge feature that Pixels normally have, where it slows charging in certain conditions, to improve battery longevity. GrapheneOS’s version of this is just a simple option to stop charging at 80%.

Probably my camera is less good that stock Pixel, but I can’t tell. It seems fine to me

I have the PineNote by Pine64. I really like it but there are a lot of caveats to consider, mostly related to the limitations of an e-ink display.

Pine64 states

The first batch of the PineNote will be great to write software for, but not great to write notes on. Wait for a later batch with better preinstalled software if you just want to use the device as an e-reader, e-note, or your everyday computing device.

What’s good?

Open source software and hardware, cool e-ink screen.

What’s not so good?

E-ink screen has many severe limitations. Any animations work terribly on it. Not just video but page scrolling, navigation, and banner ads are all painful. I often use a wireless keyboard and make ample use of various shortcuts. It is best used to look at static images such as text.

It also has phantom battery drain, losing around 15% per day while suspended.

What’s worth mentioning?

The price seems to have gone back to normal. For a bit they were going for over $600 but they should be around $460 with shipping. Speaking of, Pine64’s default shipping from Hong Kong is unbearably slow. You may want to consider express shipping.

The PineNote is not just not for everyone, it’s actually not for almost anyone. It’s a Linux-based (Debian <3 ) tablet with an e-ink display, which has a single-digit refresh rate and is only black-and-white. It uses only FOSS software and you’re expected to know how to customize it yourself.

If you are like me and that sounds amazing, then yes it is great. Just be sure that you know what you’re buying.

Final thought: the actual warranty is listed as only 30 days - that is ridiculously short. It’s hard to recommend the PineNote because it will be terrible for most people, but if you’re a Linux enthusiast who likes to use cutting edge tech which respects your privacy and freedoms then it is really great

In addition to others’ answers here, I suggest reading over this document whenever you get frustrated by Debian: Don’t Beak Debian

Debian has a particular philosophy for its design choices. Using non-standard sources.list entries, for instance, can break your system in the future. You’ll have a much better time in the long run if you come to understand why Debian is the way it is

7-packs of hot dogs make we irrationally angry

TIL about soy chorizo and it sounds amazing 🤤

Be careful that she’s not sensitive to the metal. A lot of metal items contain nickel or tin that can cause an allergy-like reaction called contact dermatitis if left in contact with the skin for a long time.

Some people are more sensitive to it than others so maybe it will be fine, but I sure wouldn’t want a surprise in my underwear

In addition this was back when airlines had strong restrictions on wireless being used on planes, so many devices had physical switches to turn WiFi/Bluetooth off. Maybe it’s still turned off

I have some bad news for you - any random idiot with a driver’s license and a two-ton death machine already puts your ass at risk, all the time. We call it “traffic” because we’ve just gotten used to it

That stuff is great but always be sure to clean your tools right away when you’re done. When it’s wet you can just clean it with plain tapwater but once it sets it is impossible to get it out of the mixing bit, for example. Also, never mix too much at a time because it sets so quickly

I came to the comments to mention that exact experience. There must be historical reasons that SCP uses -P and SSH uses -p but I certainly didn’t expect it since they’re both from the same package (openssh)

What is this sorcery? My electronics corner is a fire hazard. Some of the cables are weight bearing

Somehow, I have learned this same lesson dozens of times. She has incredible restraint when it comes to saying “I told you so”

On mine (ca. 2016) all the rubber has degraded to a slimy goo.

I really liked it but it doesn’t work as a controller on Android devices so it went for long periods of no use.

My Xbox Series X|S controllers however all have stick drift even though they’re much newer

That disc has super cow powers

Not to mention, OP didn’t specify where they live. Who knows defamation law for the whole world?

[Borat voice: wife!] right now

“an sequel”? Tell me I haven’t been saying it wrong this whole time 💀

I was going to disagree with you by using AI to generate my response, but the generated response was easily recognizable as non-human. You may be onto something lol