FreeBSD Friends,
I've resisted entry to the world of modern mobile devices (smart-phones and tablets) for as long as possible! My only "mobile device" at the moment is a T-Mobile pre-paid non-smart cell phone. I like how dumb it is, and I hardly ever use it.
I now have incentive to pick up a mobile device, with these characteristics:
I have seen iOS devices and poked around at them. I strongly dislike their user interface. But I also suspect that they may be the best way to "get the job done," and I do like that they're not Linux.
I realize that I could run FreeBSD on a ThinkPad X series and a cellular networking card, and possibly get Android "apps" running on it, but I'm concerned that making it work smoothly would be a long, tedious road, and that ultimately, it just wouldn't be anywhere near as convenient as a purpose-made "tablet."
I suspect that many of you have experience with either Android or iOS, and have spent much time getting it to "mind meld" with FreeBSD in one way or another.
So, what's the best path?
On the poll, I'd appreciate it if y'all chose the FreeBSD-based option only if you have recent personal experience with really making this work, and are able to provide specifics. Guesses about it are easy for me to whip up on my own hahaha.
Thanks so much for y'all's opinions.
Robroy
I've resisted entry to the world of modern mobile devices (smart-phones and tablets) for as long as possible! My only "mobile device" at the moment is a T-Mobile pre-paid non-smart cell phone. I like how dumb it is, and I hardly ever use it.
I now have incentive to pick up a mobile device, with these characteristics:
- It should be able to run either iOS or Android "apps" (I'm not sure I'm capable of ever using that term without the quotes around it).
- It should have both wireless Ethernet and cellular networking; I'll probably seek out an unlimited usage cellular service for it.
- It should be "a friend to FreeBSD." What I mean is, my purchase and involvement with it shouldn't promote anything harmful to FreeBSD.
- It should be as easy as possible to couple together with my FreeBSD servers and workstation, in terms of access to my data in Unix, and maybe even remote access to the device from my workstation.
- If it were possible to use OpenSSH on it with a key, to make a quick'n'dirty "VPN," using the SOCKS proxy stuff, that'd be way easier for me than having to learn about configuring IPSEC.
I have seen iOS devices and poked around at them. I strongly dislike their user interface. But I also suspect that they may be the best way to "get the job done," and I do like that they're not Linux.
I realize that I could run FreeBSD on a ThinkPad X series and a cellular networking card, and possibly get Android "apps" running on it, but I'm concerned that making it work smoothly would be a long, tedious road, and that ultimately, it just wouldn't be anywhere near as convenient as a purpose-made "tablet."
I suspect that many of you have experience with either Android or iOS, and have spent much time getting it to "mind meld" with FreeBSD in one way or another.
So, what's the best path?
On the poll, I'd appreciate it if y'all chose the FreeBSD-based option only if you have recent personal experience with really making this work, and are able to provide specifics. Guesses about it are easy for me to whip up on my own hahaha.
Thanks so much for y'all's opinions.
Robroy