log of Logfish.net

The 5 real reasons to avoid OpenMoko phone:

* OpenMoko software will block calls for free. Some developers are paid, but nobody is the sole authority over what should and shouldn't be fixed.
* OpenMoko endorses and supports none of the used technologies. Essentially nothing works.
* OpenMoko won't expose your whereabouts or provide ways for others to track you. It has no social features what so ever.
* OpenMoko doesn't play patent- and DRM-free formats like Ogg Vorbis and Theora.
* OpenMoko is not the only option. There are better alternatives that respect your time, play free media formats, and let you use software -- like the IPhone 3G.

Further more, even if you can still buy the hardware, all company backed distributions have stalled in their development. Even though the list of distributions is growing, the list of problems (phone locking up, calls failing, messages disappearing) is not shrinking. The OpenMoko company has started yet another project that, what ever it will be, is probably going to fail because of the same problem: you can create, distribute and sell the hardware but it will do nothing without good software. With the FreeRunner they have shown that they don't have the expertise to pull that off. At the hart of this problem, is a proud community which aims to be open and free. This community will never be able to serve normal users because they think freedom and choice should always win over usability and stability.

Many thanks to the FSF for a template to rant about the OpenMoko FreeRunner.

PS In five years or so, I'll use my OpenMoko phone with as much joy as I now use my Linux Desktop and then I'll post a comment saying that all is well in OpenMoko land.