William Morder wrote:

> So, new thread!
> 
> Just curious whether anybody out there has tried Replicant (a free
> replacement for Android): https://replicant.us/
> 
> There are also replacements for Android apps: https://www.f-droid.org/
> 

"F-Droid is an installable catalogue of FOSS (Free and Open Source Software)
applications for the Android platform. The client makes it easy to browse,
install, and keep track of updates on your device."

I would not understand it as "replacements for Android apps"

> I am still in the research stages myself. I did have to use an Android
> smartphone for a while for work, but I have since abandoned both job and
> phone, and gone back to my dumbphone. (All that I really really need are
> unlimited calls and text; but I have a feeling that not having a
> smartphone will eventually become not only a social liability, but indeed
> a stigma.)
> 

Same problem here, also if you work for a modern company and come to work
with your "grandmas mobile", you probably will be labled.

> Anyway, so I am shopping round for the right phone that I can get cheap,
> and hack to install a free (as in freedom) OS. And it goes without saying
> that I would prefer to install TDE-Trinity for my desktop, but I don't
> know how well it runs with touch screens.
> 
I have never tried TDE with touch screen, but knowing this and that about it
I doubt it works well.
Regarding cheap, I found out that under 200,- for a new device you can
forget it, unless you want to use only phone and text (no touch screen) -
even text is a bit too broad - lets say sms.
But perhaps Sailfish OS or the open source part will have to offer something
to you. I've seen it running on the feature phone or 3310 in the demos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3cyLhoUpc0

> I've been following the threads on phones and other devices, but thus far
> nobody seems to have touched on my specific interests. I'm open to all
> suggestions.

Well lets start with free - I am not aware there was free os for mobile
devices. Few tried more died.
Especially since Nokia left the mobile market, it is only the US/NSA slaves
out there. Nokia was ate least located in Europe and obeyed to some extent
the EU laws, which were not as that bad as they are now.

From my research on phones, if you want freedom, you have to pay for this,
so there are devices like FreePhone etc, but everything costs > 500,-
I know few people using such phones.
To me the cheapest solution was Sailfish - code is to some extent open and
it also works very good for the price.
You could try to buy some second hand sailfish device and see if it is good
for you. The Intex Aquafish for example is pretty good for that, if you can
find it under 150,- US

regards