F-Droid must be promoted on developer forums

[contributor2Member]

Expanding the good work of F-Droid requires more app developers be aware of alternate channels for spreading their own good work.

When people invest their time into creating FOSS for the community they want to see their work spread far and wide.

I have on several occasions had to email a developer to liberate APKs from the Android Market despite an app being freely licensed. Even many FOSS developers apparently overlook those of us who refuse to have a relationship with Google.

Developers want their FOSS apps to be used. Many of them don’t understand all the different ways people find and acquire their apps. Some of them just like creating software and haven’t given thought to software politics or the movement. I spoke with someone the other day who didn’t think that anyone didn’t have a Market account.

Which communities should we reach out towards?

[hansemilMember]

The more the merrier. Keep reaching out towards all open source developers and communities!

…or take the matter into your own hands and submit the application(s) yourself. It is one of the strengths of the FOSS-model. You have the freedom to share the applications you enjoy with other people who may enjoy them. This includes submitting them to F-Droid!

Of course it would be best if more free software developers became aware of F-Droid and started submitting their work themselves, but we don’t have to idly wait for it to happen.

[contributor2Member]

I don’t come across many apps. I have basically given up on wondering “can my phone do X” because X always seems to require installation of closed source software, registering a Market account, giving up privacy, or consenting to advertising. It’s truly amazing how many calculators, speedometers, and note takers demand to open network sockets and read serial numbers.

I’m almost ready to go back to a dumbphone because I don’t feel like I’m getting my money’s worth out of mobile email.

Google’s efforts to consumerize its users have stunted the mobile software ecosystem. I can’t wait for the much rumored Ubuntu phone.

I wouldn’t know on which forums to start. I want to help out any way I can, before things get too bad. It would be a shame if mobile computers became entertainment/consumption appliances.

[pfalconMember]

There’s already thread about popularizing F-Droid: Spreading the word about F-Droid. It would be nice to keep stuff together, otherwise for quick-looker it may seem that folks only talk what to do but don’t do much .

And well, just doing is what I would suggest – just go to Android forums you registered, be it developer or user forum, and post a topic, then add it here, so we can +1 it .

[daithib8Moderator]

Sadly , pfalcon’s thread on xda got closed because it broke forum rules about promoting other fora. It’s still there to look at though. I’ve sent a pm to Mike Channon the mod, but it could be we need a new thread. There is another thread about going Google-less that is pretty active. Just search for f-droid

[daithib8Moderator]

The mod sent me a polite reply and said that it would be OK to start a new thread about f-droid on xda provided it points straight to the Apk, or Gitorious and not the website.

[daithib8Moderator]

Here are a couple of podcasts that welcome user suggestions

Droid Nation podcast discuss F-droid 5 minutes into episode 20 http://droid-nation.com/forum/droid-nation-show-notes/droid-nations-show-notes-20/ http://frostbitemedia.org/sites/default/files/DroidNation020.mp3

Android Buffet podcast has talked about F-droid a few times including in episode 78 very briefly http://www.androidbuffet.com/2012/01/16/episode-78-who-is-george-gareau/ http://media.techpodcasts.com/androidbuffet/p/files.weneca.com/AndroidBuffet/podcast/AndroidBuffet-78.mp3 . The hosts use Reddit to decide what to cover so head over to http://reddit.com/r/androidbuffet.compact to plug f-droid related news.

[daithib8Moderator]

F-droid gets a mention on the linux podcast with best theme tune http://www.tuxradar.com/files/podcast/tuxradar_s04e16.ogg .

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