My experience on Android.

Ever since I made the jump to Android a few years ago, I've really feel that the OS has been improving steadily.

The first device I got, came with Android Gingerbread installed. To be honest, I was a bit doubtful when I made the jump coming from a Blackberry Curve. I really liked the physical QWERTY keyboard, ever since I started using it with a Nokia E63, and being a bit old school sometimes the whole touchscreen didn't attracted me all that much.

But Android quickly won me over, it really made feel at home and easy to use. For the next devices one came Android KitKat, and the other with Android Lollipop. Both felt quite solid, and did more than enough to keep me on the side of Android.

Last year, I got a device running Android Marshmallow. This version of Android made a really great impression for me on the technical side. It felt a lot more solid and stable for daily use, and cemented Android as my go to mobile OS. Yet, with  Marshmallow I still felt a bit jealous of iOS on the looks side of things.

As such, I'm still on the Android side. So, a couple of weeks ago I change my device to one running Android Oreo, the version 8.1 to be precise. And Alas, Android finally came around and it looks just as good as it works. I just changed the stock launcher, since I prefer to use Evie with Flight Lite icons.

Android has become my favorite mobile OS, so much so that the only thing I'd consider changing would the the brand of device I use it on. Android has showed that it the OS that's better suited for how I use my smartphone and that allows me to customize its looks and feel to my personal preferences.

Technology is just a tool.

It's both, interesting and disconcerting how technology is either viewed as what will save or utterly destroy humanity.

At the end of the day, technology is only a tool to be used for an end. Its our responsibility to use technology in such a way that helps move forward, in the best possible way. We'll have to deal with the consequences of its use, and how it is used.

We've to pay close attention how the technology we use affects us, and make decisions depending on the results we are getting. Just because we have a technology doesn't mean that we have to keep using it if we get something better, or if we don't get the results we were hoping for. The idea that we have to use something just because it's there, is not a reason to do so.

In many ways, technology is our best tool to make our lives better and to make changes for the better. It can do so by empowering people getting better education, or getting better information to make the best decision possible. But, it can also make things worse if it isn't used right.

The impact of technology, is directly related to how me make us of it. Its time to start creating a consciousness that it's our responsibility to make the best use of the technology at our disposal.

People are the one who build a better world, and technology is the tool we make build it with. The results we get, are a result of what we build.

I'm back for the long run to Linux Mint.

After coming back to Linux Mint about a month ago back from Ubuntu, I've decided to stick with it from now.

Ever since Linux Mint started using Cinnamon as it's desktop environment, I've been a big fan of it; though I liked Ubuntu's Unity shell a bit better since it did a better job for me.

I've never really liked GNOME 3 all that much, I simply don't finish to feel comfortable using it. As such, Ubuntu going back to using it was an issue for me and one I'm not really willing to live with after about 3 months of using it daily.

Although I can install both Unity and Cinnamon on Ubuntu, its an extra step I'm not willing to make. Also, I had some bad experiences with Ubuntu breaking my Cinnamon install with each upgrade.

Finally, Linux Mint has been one of my 2 favorite Linux distros ever since I started using Linux. So, I see no reason to keep distro jumping when there is no good reason to do so. Besides, when Cinnamon 4 comes with Linux Mint 19.1 Tessa it'll make it even a better option for me.

What I'm looking forward the most is this:

 

It might not be much, but for me is one of those little details that'll make Cinnamon even better for me. And being able to set it so out of a box is something that'll make my experience all that much better.

Linux Mint is now my favorite distro, with Ubuntu on the second place.

Change of strategy to make free and open-source software mainstream.

As a free and open-source software advocate, I try to help people make to the move to software that its at least open-source.

Personally, I run Linux Mint on my personal laptop, Mozilla Firefox my go to web browser, Mozilla Thunderbird my email client, and LibreOffice as my office suite. Rhythmbox is my go to audio player. All this apps work for me, so much so that I consider them indispensable to have on my system and are the ones I recommend the most since I used on daily basis.

Yet, with time I've seen that not everyone would be served as well by these apps because their needs are completely different. Even for me, at work I can't use Linux Mint since we use SAP ERP, and Microsoft Office. As such, I've to use Windows for work. I still use Firefox for when I need to keep track of certain things I need to for my work.

This has thought me that if you don't give people the right app, you are asking for trouble. There are some proprietary apps that doesn't have an alternative open-source app that has at least equivalent functionalities, as such trying to make people switch will make the whole experience a nightmare. We need to avoid this happening, because that experience will make them want to distance themselves from all open-source software.

As such, there are a couple of things that need to happen to bring more people to make use of free and open-source software.

First of all, we need to start to actually listen what the average user needs, and wants, from the software they use. It's the only way we can give them the software they need, and want, to use for their daily use.

Secondly, and the hardest part of it, open-source apps need to be created with which proprietary ones can be easily replaced with.

I'd add that there is a need to stop trying to shove open-source down people's throat, and stop pontificating about how good it is. What we need to do, is to show them that open-source software is at least as good as proprietary software, and can be better. This is usually the best selling point.

At the end of the day, for free and open-source software to became mainstream we need to change how people think of it. Android and Mozilla Firefox have already proven that it is more than good of it, now it's time to make people conscious of it.

Some reminiscing on headphones for when I'm on the move.

Since I got some Otium Beats Bluetooth headphones about a mouth ago, they have become one of my favorite headphones. The sound rather good, and they are comfortable to wear.

Yet, I still find myself going back to my wired headphones from time to time. Those are Miniso berry edition, which I got because they are hands free which is a nice thing to have when on the move. I fall back on them when I want to extend battery life, specially when going out for a walk.

Yet, the best thing both have in common is that both are in-ear headphones. I find this to be the go to solution when I'm picking headphones to pair with my mobile device. I find them more comfortable to wear on the move, and more practical to store on my bag. All this while packing quite a nice sound, which is a nice thing to have.

Still I continue to feel strongly about the 3.5 mm jack on smartphones. Personally, its a must have on my device as an option to be able to continue to listen to music if my Bluetooth headphones run out of battery and I'm not able to recharge them for whatever reason. Or simply to have the choice of which one to use depending on the situation at hand.

I'm really happy with both of my pairs, I choose which one to use depending on what I'm doing at the time. Now that I've experience with some Bluetooth headphones on daily basis, I can say they are worth having them if they fit your needs.

It has become harder to discern information from misinformation.

With the advent of the Internet, and the proliferation of smartphones, we got access to a wealth of knowledge and knowhow like it has never been seen. Almost any tidbit of information we might need to know, or be interested in, is at the tip of our fingers.

Yet, this ease of access has also allowed misinformation to be as easily distributed. Sometimes, its hard to know if the information we are accessing is reliable or not.

It used to be that how information was distributed, was heavily controlled a few interests. Today, while some of those gatekeepers still hold a strong influence on how information is distributed, its a lot easier to access more sources to be able to get a wider view on whatever issues you are interested in. The main problem now, is how to make sure that the content you are accessing is reliable and the sources where they got the information from.

This is why critical thinking is becoming ever a more important tool to understand the content you're interacting with. While there are some source we can trust, still we need to be able to process the information in order to be able to use it effectively. In order to understand the content we access, we need to be able to manipulate it to analyze it.

There is truth out there, but there is also a lot of falsehood to contend with as well.

Just found my favorite headphones for when I'm on the move.

I've wanting some Bluetooth headphones for a while, and recently I got a pair of Otium Wireless Sports that a family member gave me.

I'm rather pleased with them, since I've found them to be rather comfortable to wear and the sound quality is quite good. The best thing for me, is that they are the form factor I prefer when I'm out. Being in-ear, I find them a lot more comfortable to carry when going out. Not to mention that they are far easier to store on the bar I usually carry, and are that much lighter.

Pairing them to my Android device was as painless as it can be, just took me a couple of minutes to do so. Another feature I like, is that it clearly announces when I turn them on or off, and when the connection is made. This not made by some tone, but its announced with a voice recording making it hard not to know what action just happened.

Until now, I've always relied on in-ear headsets with the traditional 3.5 mm jack. They did the job for me, but I wanted to try some Bluetooth ones to see which ones where better suited for my needs. And, I seem to have move to the Bluetooth camp for when I'm on the move. The best thing about them, is not having to worry about how the cable interferes with my movements.

So, time will tell if time cement this headset as my favorite.

I'm on Android's side all the way.

I really enjoy the experience that Android gives me as an user, which has been getting better with time. When I first made the jump to Android about 4 years ago, from Blackberry, I was somewhat weary about the whole thing.

I've been a Nokia fan for quite some time, and only moved to Blackberry Bold because it was the only device available when the battery died on my Nokia E63. While the Bold was quite good, I preferred by far Nokia's experience as a whole.

To be honest, I was planning to move to a Nokia C3 or a Nokia N8.

From the Nokia C3 I liked that it had a physical QWERTY keyboard, at the time something really important for me. From the N8, it was a way to tryout a smartphone with a touchscreen from a company I trusted using and Symbian, my favorite mobile OS at the time. But time, and money, conspired against that. 

So when the time came, I decided to give Android a chance. It was a Mobo MB405, and it cemented Android as my go to mobile OS. It ran Android 4.4, and I found it a joy to use. Now I've a Mobo MB520, running Android 6.0, and as a whole it has gotten better.

As a whole Android gives what I want in a mobile OS, while Mobo gave me the correct hardware to make the whole package work for me. Sadly it seems that Mobo is on its way out making its own smartphones, but on the positive side it means that I'd be coming back to Nokia now that they offer Android devices.

Smartphones are have become much more than just a way to stay in touch.

As time has gone by, smartphones have become both a fashion statement and a way to stay connected with what matters to us.

In more than one way, it has filled the niche that many said would been filled by tablets. And is easy to see why, the form factor of the smartphone is better suited to be carried around a lot easier, while giving us a quick way to access information or share with others with ease. Smartphones allow not only share existent content, but to create content to be shared in real time without having to be physically at the same place with those we want to share it with.

Just as important, it allows to do it in an asynchronous way if we choose. There is no need to be connected at the same time to be able to share the experience, since we can access the content later on.

Why I consider smartphones fashion statements as well? Because, we choose what model of smartphone we'll buy considering its design. So much so, that in from the entry levels models to the flagships there is a level of choice that has only being increasing as time goes on. Though we might be at the limit of the number of designs available, I think that its a trend that won't disappear any time soon.

Just as our favorite pair of sneakers, or jeans, our smartphone has become an extension of our personality. It tells people about what kind of person we are, what we like, and how we like to communicate.

Smartphones are here to stay, so let's make the best use of them.

KaiOS, a nice third option for mobile phones.

Browsing though YouTube, I ran across KaiOS. Its a new OS for feature phones, that allows Internet connectivity.

KaiOS can be be seen like somewhat of a successor to Firefox OS, which is now discontinued by Mozilla. The main difference between them, is that KaiOS is squarely designed for feature phones, while Firefox OS was designed for low end smartphones.

Personally, I really hope the project is successful. It brings a solid option for those who don't want, or can't afford, a smartphone; while it allows them to remain connected. And being 4G capable, the devices that run it will be supported by carries since it runs on the same networks that smartphones do.

Several things give me some hope KaiOS will become an option. To begin with, it already was the support of at least manufactures, including Alcatel and Nokia.

Also that Google invested $22 millions on KaiOS. I know that we'll have to wait and see how all it plays out, but this gives me a bit more reason to hope that KaiOS has a shoot of becoming a success that will benefit consumers by giving us a solid option.

Though they are not as many as they used to be, there still many people who prefer a feature phone over a smartphone for many reasons. And the success of KaiOS might give those users the reassurance that feature phones will stay around for a long time, but that carriers will start giving them a better service again. Who know, we might see some users migrate back to feature phones now that they could have access to the apps they like on smartphones, but wanting something simpler.

The Linux desktop is a viable option for more users.

As a long time Linux user, this article on Forbes by Jason Evangelho about his experience using Ubuntu after ditching Windows is a great example that the Linux desktop is more than good enough for most users.

Personally, I would rather go for Linux Mint, but his overall experience comes to show how much the Linux desktop experience has come usability wise. Nowadays, the main reason to use Windows or Mac is mainly specific apps that don't exist, or have a replacement on Linux. Which, is less common thing to happen nowadays.

Ever since I moved to Linux, I haven't missed Windows. Skype, Firefox, Spotify, and Dropbox have native support on both Linux Mint and Ubuntu. As such, I still can use them as I did on Windows.

The only two apps that didn't have direct replacement where Songbird mainly because it was discontinued, and the Microsoft Office suite. The former was replaced by Rhythmbox, which has become a favorite of mine, and the later with LibreOffice, which while its closing the feature gap with Microsoft Office is not quite there, its still a great option for most people. LibreOffice has bonus points on that its free to use on Windows, macOS and Linux, making it easier to work and share between people without worrying on what platform they work on.

To be honest, I use Windows at work because we use SAP. And though I don't mind using Windows, I feel more at home using Ubuntu or Linux Mint since they fit me workflow a lot better than Windows does.

Slowly but surely, the Linux desktops is becoming an option for the users led by Ubuntu and Linux Mint. Odds are that it won't be as big as Windows, yet it'll be something that will be used by more people than just the geeks or IT professionals.