RCS is a pile of garbage for many reasons. On Android, it’s locked behind Google’s proprietary, privacy-invasive Messages app, and there is no API for third-party RCS clients (like with SMS). The encryption is also implemented in that proprietary client, offering no transparency and meaning that it’s probably backdoored. No one should ever trust encryption software if its source code isn’t public. People should use actual private messengers like Signal, with open source applications available for all platforms, as well as all of the features you mentioned. The only thing it obviously lacks is SMS fallback, but it’s really unnecessary, because Wi-Fi or cell data are literally available everywhere nowadays.

Just use Signal. It’s private and secure, available on every platform (including desktop), you can send photos, voice messages and all kinds of other files.

Oh man, I just looked up the Xperia Z4 and noticed that it’s like 10 years old. Can’t say that I’m surprised that there are basically no ROMs.

I don’t recommend installing random builds from forums like XDA. GrapheneOS definitely doesn’t have an official version for anything other than Pixels, you might want to try LineageOS if you want to throw the tablet out anyway

Don’t let this misleading Wired article fearmonger you. I recommend this thread, which provides some nuance to this drama: https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/112967805820394815

GrapheneOS doesn’t include this, along with many other unnecessary carrier apps

It’s only compatible with modern Pixel devices, so unless you’re old tablet is a Google Pixel Tablet, you can’t install it anyway. But the installer is super easy to use (if you have a compatible device). It’s literally all in your web browser.

The GrapheneOS guys also explained why this isn’t nearly as bad as it sounds, and how Wired is simply fearmongering: https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/112967309987371034

The story isn’t nearly as dramatic as it seems. Maybe this thread can offer some nuance: https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/112967309987371034

You can actually unlock LUKS from another machine over SSH: https://www.cyberciti.biz/security/how-to-unlock-luks-using-dropbear-ssh-keys-remotely-in-linux/

I’m pretty happy with this solution

I think the Pixel Fold might be the best option for a foldable phone, because (just like all other Pixels) you can flash it with a private, secure, open-source ROM like GrapheneOS.

I haven’t tried Haveno yet, but LocalMonero had an option called “Cash by mail”. It’s exactly what it sounds like: You mail cash to a Monero seller, and get your XMR in exchange. This is perfectly legal in the EU, it only might be an issue in the US, since mailing cash is technically not allowed by the postal service. Seems like Haveno also has this option: https://haveno.exchange/faq/#how-can-i-exchange-monero-for-fiat-without-involving-banks

You can use Roundcube for web mail

Oh, I missed that then. I’m excited to try it out.

It hasn’t been officially launched yet. I’m eagerly waiting for it 👀

Just want to mention that TrueNAS is FOSS and unRAID is not. And I wouldn’t necessarily say that unRAID is much easier.

• Home Assistant
  There’s no fucking way I’m using a cloud service to control parts of my home, that just feels so wrong to me on so many levels

• Nextcloud
  There’s no way I’m saving my files on someone else’s computer (the Cloud). Even with encryption, it’s expensive. Hard drives are cheap. Put them in a server, install Nextcloud and you have your private, cheap, independent cloud service.

• Immich (currently migrating to Ente) for my photos

• Jellyfin + arr Stack
  I’m not paying $100/month for 5 different streaming services to have access to all the content I like.

• Navidrome for my (pirated) music

• Audiobookshelf for audiobooks and podcasts

• Pi-Hole with Unbound set up as a recursive resolver, cause why should I trust someone else with DNS?

I also self-host Matrix or Revolt servers as well as game servers for me and my friends, because it’s much cheaper than getting VPS or a hosted option, and I already have this server that I use for a bunch of other stuff, so I can also just use it for that.

Common Rust superiority

It’s still slow and written in Bash/Python

I used to buy Monero/Bitcoin with Paysafecards on LocalMonero/AgoraDesk, but it was recently shut down. I’m waiting for Haveno, a new, decentralized Monero exchange. That way, you can use almost any seedbox provider, because they usually have an option for crypto payments.