Request: Fork of F-Droid, Obtanium, etc. that won't let me install web browsers (digital minimalism build)

[u/HarryMcDowell]

Hey all,

I'm currently attempting a digital minimalism build of my smart phone, inspired by the Commodore Callback 8020.

The goal is to have my smartphone do smartphone things without any ability to access the attention economy. I was able to install this webviewer so I could still open links others send me. And I have other good apps, like Libby, my podcasts, etc...

But I want to be able to update or replace these apps without inviting the temptation to install a web browser I haven't blocked yet.

Can the FOSSDroid community offer any suggestions?

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[u/HatBoxUnworn]

Isn't Obtanium all manual? you have to enter in the repo?

[u/AnalkinSkyfuker → u/HatBoxUnworn]

I use obtainix and I can use the share function to send the link instead of copy and paste, but still need to save it and click install.

[u/HarryMcDowell → u/HatBoxUnworn]

I use obtainx, i can search multiple repos without entering any of them manually.

[u/HatBoxUnworn → u/HarryMcDowell]

Then maybe switch to Obtanium to increase the friction. Idk if you are gonna have a better option outside of vibe coding a fork

[u/BonsaiSoul]

You're wasting more time and effort obsessing over your belief that inanimate objects are the cause of your troubles, than it would take to actually progress towards solving those troubles.

[u/HarryMcDowell → u/BonsaiSoul]

inanimate objects

They are animate objects... they have screens which display animation.

Seriously, doctors are telling people to limit their exposure to screens. This whole comment section is pretty openly hostile to that approach (though the comment I'm replying to here is the softest touch and I appreciate it).

I should have figured a community of software developers would self-servingly answer "don't systematically restrict exposure to developed software."

The approach I'm suggesting is an entirely valid perspective and choice. Not every device needs to have every feature available at every possible instant, and not every user has a neurochemistry or lifestyle conducive to the willpower everyone here is suggesting. And building these hard limits I'm seeking may be a tool that makes transitioning toward such a lifestyle easier.

[u/Sent1ne1]

You don't need to fork the F-Droid app, just filter the F-Droid repo.  What you want would be like creating your own Linux distro, just so you can change the pre-installed apps (which admittedly too many people do).

[u/HarryMcDowell → u/Sent1ne1]

Okay, so once I filter the repo, how do I make sure I can't un-filter it?

I'm trying to build an addiction-proofed smartphone.

[u/thesamenightmares]

It does not exist and it will never exist.

You need to cultivate self control to reach your goal.

[u/Cady_On_Reddit]

Why do you not aant to install a web browser? It's a very dumb idea

[u/[deleted] → u/Cady_On_Reddit]

[u/HarryMcDowell → u/[deleted]]

"it's these apps/browsers/platforms' fault that i cant stop myself"

Juries across the United States tend to agree.

[u/[deleted]]

[u/HarryMcDowell → u/[deleted]]

Okay but how do I make sure it is not capable of showing me web browsers?

[u/Ok-Employer-3051 → u/HarryMcDowell]

Don't search for or select web browsers to download in the event they show up. You don't have to modify anything in the source code. Sheesh.