Excellent advice, Fabian, thank you. Just what I needed. I will
now attempt to trade the iPhone for an android smartphone.
BTW, there's dual booting for the iPhone (see here -
http://vimeo.com/2373142 ) but I expect you don't approve of that
either?
Sustain

On Fri, Jul 13, 2012, at 07:46 AM, Fabian Rodriguez wrote:

On 07/12/2012 09:29 AM, [1][email protected] wrote:


Hello all/Bonjour à tous!

Just acquired an older 3gS iPhone, used but needs to be
re-registered via iTunes. Should I consider using android,
instead?

Thanks for asking here. I'd disagree with Stefan regarding this
being off-topic. Trying to use any device with GNU/Linux is very
much on-topic, which is the underlying question (since iTunes
does not work in such an environment).
I'd say yes, try avoiding Apple products, specially if you're
trying to use free open source software (as GNU/Linux)
elsewhere/with it. Android will play nicer with your GNU/Linux
box.
It's a losing battle to obtain *and maintain* compatibility or
even basic functionality with such devices. A basic search online
will support this. Apple will provide "security" updates to
iTunes that will block your device once a method to make it work
w/o Windows/MacOSX is publicized - you *will* attempt at some
point in the future to apply such updates from Windows or MacOSX
against all advice. :) You'll also be advertising your support
for Apple and its anti-freedom practices everytime you use it in
public. It's business as usual, not my personal "this is evil"
opinion. I can talk forever about the implications but I won't
bore subscribers in the list. Ultimately your
ethical/technical/political (yes, even political) choices are
yours. If you can't go without an iPhone/ipod/ipad for some
reason, go for it, try it for a few weeks. If anything, you'll
end up a better informed person as a result.

I have a year remaining on a Fido contract linked to an LG flip
phone that's not a smart phone.
So I'm thinking of not switching the SIM card (does Fido care?),
but using the iPhone with WiFi, only.

Any phone would need to be SIM-unlocked (unless it comes from the
same company). Fido won't care, the original provider of the
phone will. If the phone was originally bought with Fido/Rogers,
it should work without unlocking. Mind you, the previous owner
will probably have unlocked it already.


Yes, there's an app for the iPhone for Ile Sans Fils
([2]http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/id363223622).
Is there one for Open Source? -
[3]http://octade.virtuelnet.com/ilesansfil  but it's not working
right now.

Even using free open source software on the iPhone has its
limitations and hurdles. As I mentioned before, it's a losing
battle, and in my opinion, a complete waste of time. You will
also find that the chances your local GNU/Linux developer /
enthusiast / professional has contributed bug
reports/documentation to fixing/hacking Android software is a bit
higher given both communities intersections.
Cheers,
Fabian Rodriguez
[4]http://fsf.magicfab.ca

References

1. mailto:[email protected]
2. http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/id363223622
3. http://octade.virtuelnet.com/ilesansfil
4. http://fsf.magicfab.ca/

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