There have been very very bad experiences with Daniel Mikay, the former (?) lead dev of GrapheneOS.
GrapheneOS is an awesome project. It doesnt suit everyone, as it only focuses on security, doesnt add many LineageOS features, ships no Appstore preinstalled and pretty much promotes hunting down your APKs from Git* releases, doesnt work with microG, …
But its a really valuable piece of software, extremely critical for the opensource community, as its really the only degoogled and secure Android there is.
Now I am close to ditching it… again… as I am pissed off by “the community”, or more these/this weird anonymous people/individual identifying as “GrapheneOS” on their self-controlled Matrix server.
Background
Not wanna cry here, but giving the scenery:
I went into their room and discussed a bit. Points where pretty much:
- Android is a deviation of Linux with its own Kernel and way different release numbers
- it sucks being dependend on a big Corp for their Android Desktop, as there simply is on Custom ROM creating a different one
- Linux is awesome, as it is so free. Android immutable model could totally work with more customizability like desktops, and still be secure.
What happened? I got perma-banned for “doubling down on spreading misinformation”.
Prior I went into a Private chat with this “GrapheneOS” person, and asked what exactly where the points where I spreaded misinformation. They said “Android is Linux. You have no idea what you are talking about but think you do. You cant spread misinformation in our community anymore.”
After these messages and still no explanations, they left the private chat and blocked be from rejoining.
Wow. This is what a self-run server can also look like it seems.
Well, I guess I will be switching to Calyx or DivestOS soon, if I have no community to discuss in.
I would be happy if some critical voices could join the server and do some constructive discussions. Right now its a forced echo chamber.
PS: If that was you Daniel, please just take a pause. You did some great work but personally you act extremely toxic. This is not how to talk to people.
Please don’t advocate brigading. Talking about issue is one thing, but asking people to go attack another community is a completely different thing.
On a second review, you should look at your own well-being. No internet chat should make you cry. Or almost cry.
The opinions of random people online, have little to no bearing on your real life. People tend to be more antagonistic online, where is the same person in person can be polite, understanding, nuanced.
If the internet is getting to you, it’s good to take a break, decompress, do other things. Don’t get focused on an echo chamber
Being upset about being ostracized from a community is s totally normal reaction, what the hell are you talking about lol. It’s normal to be upset you’re kicked out of something. It’s normal to be upset they won’t listen to your explanation and reverse the ban.
They can be upset. As somebody seeing the post on the all-channel, it’s strange that they start and finish the post with pointing out the lead dev when there is no clear sign that he is involved.
I think they didn’t mean “not wanna cry here” literally, but in the sense that they didn’t list the following points just to complain