Category Idea: "Off The Grid"

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Hi, I see that recently f-droid got more categories.
I found like to propose a catergory called “Off The Grid” or “Offline” for any App that works without the Internet.

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List them too… :slight_smile:

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But that certainly won’t be shown as category in the f-droid app just because someone has it in the category list of their metadata yml file.
And if anybody chooses a slightly different category for the same thing, then it will be of no use.

Well, this is only an idea. I do not know if there is a process to get a new category added. :slight_smile:

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I’m still discovering F-Droid, but this is an interesting idea. What apps would you know that would come under this category?

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@shaz iteresting question, I think about maybe Rumble, Briar, Meshenger and later on (when available) BitChat, Qaul. But there are probably more - otherwise the catergory does not make sense.

But of course there are many non-connectivity apps like games and such. They might or might not be expected to be in an Off-the-grid category.
Personally, I think about Off-The-Grid Connectivity here.

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I can see the use in this. For example, I am always promoting Osmand to people who complain of Google maps not working when their connectivity goes away. Usually when you most need a map.

So I would allow apps that need or use some sort of connectivity as long as they have an offline mode. Again, using Osmand, you need to download maps but it operates very well without connectivity once you do.

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possible categories: Communication off the grid, other apps which are useful without an internet connection, apps of use without a power grid (blackout).

There are differences, how often an app needs an internet connection and how much features are available without this connection. Some statement may be valid at the same time:

  • never needed, fully functional
  • mandatory in the beginning (osmand~ has nearly no use to me without downloading maps)
  • once in a while for updates (Kiwix has less purpose if the zim files get stale. w/o updates osmand~ may give wrong routes)
  • some games may be useless without internet connectivity, some have a local game play.

Apps:

Kiwix isn’t available at the moment in the F-Droid repo. With Obtainium | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository it is possible to load it from GitHub.

Trail-Sense can share lists and notes using QR codes. F-Droid can distribute apks. Osmand~ and kiwix have no offline connectivity but are imho very useful off the grid.

With iTracing2 | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository , maybe an additional old phone and a bluetooth button (iTag) you can have a door bell without a power grid.

https://search.f-droid.org/?q=offline&lang=de

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So, the categories could be:

  1. [Always offline] - ru.playsoftware.j2meloader/, com.github.thewierdnut.endless_mobile/
  2. [Offline after setup] (First install or update) - com.termux/
  3. [Local network only] (Does not require internet, but accesses Wifi/ethernet to find/connect to other devices) - io.github.kitswas.virtualgamepadmobile/, org.videolan.vlc/
  4. [Offline with limited features] - com.github.catfriend1.syncthingandroid/ (Syncthing can sync over LAN only, not use relays, without internet)

I had to strip the links partially due to the only 2 links for new users rule, prepend https://f-droid.org/en/packages/

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Any updates? @Licaon_Kter

Discovery of offline apps would be much easier if we have this.
Offline apps (and games) are a lifesaver when travelling. LAN/Local apps provide privacy and peace of mind.
And going offline is underrated and underappreciated.

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I thought you’d take care of it, list the tested apps that fit, open a merge request, etc :person_shrugging: :slight_smile:

umm adding one ok, but 4? seems too much

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How about adding 2 categories: “totally offline” and “useful while offline, but needs more or less internet”.

Edit: “Always offline” and “Useful without an internet connection”. That is more like a tag not a category. Any player that can play local files is of use without any connection.

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I thought this is useless. Instead, please open an MR to the client to support filtering apps with the permissions.

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There’s a “survival manual” app that almost fits on a floppy…

Maybe instead of making a category, there should be some sort of community vote every few months like what Mojang and the Google play store do to promote apps and mobs.

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A community vote can be attacked by bots. Who wants to do the work to
sort them out?

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