I’ve been an open-source purist again over the years, and that’s meant using a lot of Linux – but whether you’re looking for a phone OS, a desktop alternative, or just a little fun, desktop Linux isn’t the only option for those of us who like software to be “free as in freedom.”
/e/OS
The ultimate open source mobile companion for your free desktop
Sorry, I’m “well, actually” myself, but /e/OS, like all other Android-based operating systems, is technically based on Linux. But when most people think of Linux, they think of computers and servers. Even when talking on the phone Linux phones are a different thing than Android phones.
Among the various de-Googled, open-source Android operating systems, /e/OS has become my favorite. I especially appreciate that you can simply buy a phone that comes with /e/OS pre-installed. I bought Murena Fairphone 6 which can be repaired. No need to get your hands dirty Learn how to install a custom ROM using ADB and risk bricking your phone in the process.
- Brand
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Murena
- Screen
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6.31 inches
Murena Fairphone (Gen. 6) is the perfect choice for combining privacy and durability. Powered by the /e/OS operating system, Fairphone (Gen. 6) always protects you and your data, while protecting the planet.
The accessibility of /e/OS isn’t just limited to where you can buy it. The ROM comes with general usability features that are in some cases notable improvements over stock Android. /e/OS/ App Lounge provides access to apps from the Play Store without the need for you to sign in, but also has added privacy features such as blocking app trackers by default and the ability to optionally spoof your location.
/e/OS may be a version of Android, but Android is no longer just a mobile operating system. Depending on your needs, an /e/OS tablet is a solid PC replacement when paired with a keyboard and mouse, and the option can be even better. Android’s new desktop mode possibly dropping in future versions of /e/OS.
FreeBSD
Linux for people who want an alternative to Linux
If you feel like you want a Linux-like experience, but are tired of the passions of the Linux community, there is a ready-made alternative for you that you can install on your machine. This alternative is FreeBSD.
We believe that Linux is in everything. It powers most of the world’s smartphones and servers. Most startup hardware projects run either Linux or something Linux-based. But the code from FreeBSD also found its way into some household devices, namely every PlayStation since the PlayStation 3. The FreeBSD code is also found in Darwin, which is the basis for all of Apple’s operating systems, including macOS and iOS.
In some ways, FreeBSD may actually be superior to Linux. The FreeBSD program is more centralized, with a core team distributing the kernel and software on top. This contrasts with Linux, where there are many different distributions with competing visions of Linux to combine all the different parts into a cohesive package.
FreeBSD’s differences from Linux are mostly under the hood, and many advantages won’t matter unless terms like “native ZFS” and “hypervisor” excite you. You will use the same free desktop environments as GNOME, KDE Plasma or Xfce. You’ll also find access to most of the same desktop applications, such as Firefox and LibreOffice. In other words, FreeBSD is not Linux, but even most computer geeks can’t tell by looking over your shoulder.
Haiku
It can be a small desk
As someone who practices Ikebana and loves poetry, I consider Haiku to be one of the greatest names for a software project of all time. Not only that, but Haiku has continued to evolve over the nearly twenty years I’ve been a Linux user. Unfortunately, I can’t recommend Haiku as anything more than a curiosity. It is, in a sense, a living history lesson.
Unlike /e/OS and FreeBSD, Haiku is intended only as a desktop operating system. It is an open-source sequel to BeOS, a closed-source operating system that disappeared after its assets were sold to Palm in 2001. Unfortunately, a quarter of a century later, Haiku doesn’t look so different now than it did before. Unlike Linux, there aren’t many developers flocking to the platform to continuously improve it.
On the plus side, Haiku isn’t dead. When you visit the main page, all announcements from this year will be displayed. A significant number of them are related to the Google Summer of Code program, which is not surprising when you consider that for such a small project, this time volunteered by students contributes at least a little to the quality of the project.
While I can’t recommend that anyone use Haiku as the foundation of their digital life, it’s an interesting look at a possible alternative future for desktop computers.
If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em
I run Fedora Silverblue on my desktop and continues my Star Labs StarLite 2-in-1 tabletso I’m very used to the Linux ecosystem. However, my Murena Fairphone 6 came with /e/OS instead of Google’s Android and Apart from the lack of RCSI have few complaints. However, I’m glad FreeBSD is available in case something serious suddenly crashes Linux.
