Replicant

Hello, Hello World

I haven't checked the full list of apps that come with Replicant, but you have e-mail and browser applications. If you install F-Droid (https://f-droid.org/) you'll have access to a lot of open-source/free apps. I use K9-Mail for mail and Tint Browser, for instance.

I haven't tried to sync contacts with Outlook, because I don't use Windows, or any other app.

I have installed with F-Droid Orbot (TOR network) and AFWall+ (firewall), so I go anonymous on the Internet and control which apps can access to Internet. I don't know what LBE Privacy Guard does and if what I'm telling you suits your needs. If not, you'll probably find some app in F-Droid's repository

If you're not satisfied with Replicant you can install any ROM you want as long you meet the software requirements of that ROM. I think going back to factory settings would be possible if you have the manufacturer app (Samsung, so I assume it's Kies). Don't forget to backup your data before doing any tests. I assume no responsability if anything goes wrong.

As far as I know, there is no way of installing apps from the Google Play whithout a GMail account, but if you go for Replicant it's because you want to be free, don't you? So there's no point in remaining imprisoned by Google (or any other company) and installing apps from Google Play. Again, use F-Froid. Be free!

Of course you can change the system language and many other settings.

Hope this help you

Hi,

I have installed with F-Droid Orbot (TOR network) and AFWall+ (firewall), so I go anonymous on the Internet and control which apps can access to Internet. I don't know what LBE Privacy Guard does and if what I'm telling you suits your needs. If not, you'll probably find some app in F-Droid's repository

That sounds good. LBE PG gives you the possibility to allow or deny certain rights (access to the internet, the address-book, the GPS-module and so on) for all your apps.

As far as I know, there is no way of installing apps from the Google Play whithout a GMail account, but if you go for Replicant it's because you want to be free, don't you? So there's no point in remaining imprisoned by Google (or any other company) and installing apps from Google Play. Again, use F-Froid. Be free!

Never heard from F-Droid before, but that seems to be a good solution :)

Hope this help you

A lot, thanks!

Just a last question before installing Replicant: Does anyone has a recommendation for a (working) how-to for installing the Wifi/Bluetooth driver on the SGS2? I know about that these drivers aren't free, but a smartphone without wifi is worthless for me...

@ Xan VFR: F-Droid seems to be fantastic!

Thanks for your support!

This is a free software project. As the aim is to give you a system without proprietary software, the installation instructions for these proprietary firmwares will never recommended or even linked. And I personally request that you install them; the project has worked hard to give you a phone without proprietary software, and installing the firmwares defeats that purpose.

Of course, that should read "NOT INSTALL THEM".

Well, be sure, I know the aim. But I think everyone can decide by himself if it's ok to use proprietary software or not. Once there is a free (working) firmware, I'm the first one using it. Until this time I have to live with a proprietary firmware - even better than using a fully google-controlled phone.

Besides that, if I remember correctly, Paul Kocialkowski himself said, that a link to an external page is ok.

Besides that, if I remember correctly, Paul Kocialkowski himself said, that a link to an external page is ok.

That's true, but I think that Linus meant "instructions for these proprietary firmwares will never recommended or even linked" regarding our official documentation, which is true as well, for the reasons he mentioned. The forums are different and when writing here, I'm not writing on the behalf of the project anymore. You can find such instructions at: http://code.paulk.fr/article16/missing-proprietary-firmwares-in-android-systems

Also, "himself" feels a bit like I'm someone important, that's kinda funny :)

Paul Kocialkowski wrote:

The forums are different and when writing here, I'm not writing on the behalf of the project anymore. You can find such instructions at: http://code.paulk.fr/article16/missing-proprietary-firmwares-in-android-systems

Cool, thanks a lot! But I'm not quite sure what to do. I just downloaded

- CM-Installation *.zip 10.1.3 for the i9100
- cm-firmwares.sh
- i9100.txt
- galaxysmtd.txt

If I understand you correctly, I have to copy the CM-Installation *.zip to /system/vendor/firmwares/ on my device, correct? Samething with the other files from the repository. Than run cm-firmwares.sh. Done?

Also, "himself" feels a bit like I'm someone important, that's kinda funny :)

Well, Wikipedia says, that you're mainly responsible for porting Replicant to the Galaxy S devices. In my point of view you are important - otherwise I still wouldn't think about using a smartphone ;)

If I understand you correctly, I have to copy the CM-Installation *.zip to /system/vendor/firmwares/ on my device, correct? Samething with the other files from the repository. Than run cm-firmwares.sh. Done?

Not quite. I did provide clear instructions on how to use it, please follow them:

Start by cloning the git repository: cm-firmwares.git (the branch matches the CyanogenMod release version), connect the device via USB, make sure ADB is enabled, allowed and runs as root. Then, bring the CyanogenMod installation zip in the cm-firmwares directory and use the script as follows, for instance for the Galaxy S 3 I9300 (i9300):

./cm-firmwares.sh i9300

Paul Kocialkowski wrote:

If I understand you correctly, I have to copy the CM-Installation *.zip to /system/vendor/firmwares/ on my device, correct? Samething with the other files from the repository. Than run cm-firmwares.sh. Done?

Not quite. I did provide clear instructions on how to use it, please follow them:

Start by cloning the git repository: cm-firmwares.git (the branch matches the CyanogenMod release version), connect the device via USB, make sure ADB is enabled, allowed and runs as root. Then, bring the CyanogenMod installation zip in the cm-firmwares directory and use the script as follows, for instance for the Galaxy S 3 I9300 (i9300):
[...]

Yeah, I read them, but I think I don't understand them. What do you mean with "cloning the git repository"? and where is the cm-firmwares directory?

Ah, now I know what "git" means...sorry for bothering you. I've installed git, cloned the repository and connected the device. Just one final question: How do I run the cm-firmwares.sh? I think I need to get the branch-files, don't I?

Well yes, this assumes knowledge of git.

How do I run the cm-firmwares.sh? I think I need to get the branch-files, don't I?

… and knowledge of shell as well. Maybe you should learn a bit about all this before attempting to use the script. You obviously lack the knowledge to fully comprehend what you're about to do. Most likely, you'll come next time asking why it doesn't find the adb binary, etc. Perhaps your local gnu/linux user group or any general-purpose online support group related to your distro will do for the help, I don't particularly want to teach the basics of all this here.

Hm, it wasn't as hard as I thought. I had just an error in reasoning regarding the cm-firmwares.sh. Wifi works perfectly now :)

I final question: Are there any known bugs concerning the rotation of the display?

Alright. Rotation works normally, it will just display a black screen while rotating, and may take up to 3 secs, but usually, it's not a particular issue.

Ok, because I've no rotation at all. It's activated (Preferences > Display > Display Adjustment > all angles activated), of course, but neither with K9-Mail nor with the browser there's rotation.

Ah right, I fixed this after the release. Here is a binary built from the latest source: http://download.paulk.fr/replicant/i9100/sensors.smdk4210.so
You can install it using ADB (on the host computer):

adb root
adb remount
adb push sensors.smdk4210.so /system/lib/hw/
adb reboot

Yesss, it works as well, thanks for your support!