Incredible how software companies can be actively hostile to customers.

IRC is great. The challenge is picking a client for the family, and getting them set up. It’s not friction free.

Jitsi is good as an ad hoc communication tool, but it won’t replace a “chat / sms” tool. I took a small peek at SimpleX, and it looks quite complex. Not sure if it really is.

OVMS + a model that was built for it is far more responsive than llamacpp.

You can run an LLM, but it will be limited. Look into Open Vino Model Server.

I’d recommend a minimal install distro (Ubuntu server, Arch, Gentoo, etc…), then add the things you need from there.

Document every step. <— important

Thanks. That helps a lot. I think I need to dig a bit deeper, because I’m sure even AOSP is still linked to Google in some form.

Actually looking through carefully, most of the ones that work in my area are Android based. I would avoid those.

That wouldn’t be dumb, but I get your point.

https://dumbwireless.com/collections/phones

How many of these do you suppose run Android. The operating system is listed in the specs. Do you suppose they are not correct?

I find it frustrating that Manny of these projects use discord for communication.

You might go the route of dumb phone with tethering, which opens up your computing flexibility slightly.

I’m from a social work background. Psych major.

Computer stuff was always a hobby.

They should be providing patches then. If so, you can patch a vanilla kernel.

Only because nobody answered with this one:

IRC

Decentralized and an open protocol. Client setup to connect is not so straightforward, but it’s a one and done. Very robust.

I’m allergic to centralized communication schemes, though I do use signal to communicate with one person.

I want to research some of the other suggestions that have been brought up, so thank you for the post!

Btw, do you know a dumb phone that can tether?

This is what my future probably looks like.

It’s Linux-ish under the hood really. No Android device I’m aware of is running the vanilla kernel.

This right here is the answer. Active Directory too, but not sure how much that costs.

What device did you use to post this question?

Use that device to run a web server.

Mopidy-party!

Jukebox for your local digital music!

This will likely not pass, as, at least, it’s against the first amendment.