The Sovereign Computing Show
The Sovereign Computing Show
Podcast Description
The Sovereign Computing Show is a podcast where we teach you how to take back control of your devices. Sovereign Computing means you own your technology, not the other way around. Hosted by Jordan Bravo and recorded in Atlanta's freedom-tech hackerspace, this show teaches you about topics like self-hosting, privacy, and other digital freedom tools.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The show explores themes of self-hosting, digital privacy, and technology control, with episodes covering topics like implementing privacy-focused AI assistants, the realities of VPNs, alternatives to app store censorship, and practical steps to enhance smartphone security.
The Sovereign Computing Show is a podcast where we teach you how to take back control of your devices. Sovereign Computing means you own your technology, not the other way around. Hosted by Jordan Bravo and recorded in Atlanta’s freedom-tech hackerspace, this show teaches you about topics like self-hosting, privacy, and other digital freedom tools.
Not all software is created equal when it comes to digital sovereignty. In this episode, Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme break down their framework for evaluating software that respects your freedom and privacy. They cover why open source isn’t always a guarantee, how to spot healthy vs abandoned projects on GitHub, the importance of data export capabilities, and sustainable business models that won’t disappear overnight. Plus, news about Samsung killing bootloader unlocks, EU age verification requirements, and reviews of new authenticator apps from Proton and Ente.
Show Notes: https://atlbitlab.com/podcast/how-to-choose-sovereign-software
00:00 Jordan’s Opening Quote on Software Choice
00:27 Introduction and ATL BitLab Sponsorship
01:45 Welcome and Contact Information
01:55 News: Samsung Kills Custom ROM Support
02:53 – No More Bootloader Unlocks on Samsung Devices
04:48 – Security Trade-offs with Unlocked Bootloaders
05:50 – Samsung’s Motivations: Security vs Control
07:43 News: EU Age Verification Requirements
08:40 – Digital Sovereignty Alarm from Privacy Advocates
09:42 – EU’s Contradictory Privacy Stance
12:39 – Decentralized Identity vs Google Monopoly
14:52 Proton Authenticator: Google Authenticator Alternative
16:32 – Open Source 2FA with Zero-Knowledge Sync
18:04 – Security Concerns of All-in-One Solutions
22:50 – Standalone App, No Proton Account Required
23:41 Ente Auth: Self-Hostable 2FA Alternative
24:55 – F-Droid Support and Open Source Commitment
25:48 Main Topic: How to Choose Sovereign Software
26:11 – Open Source as a Starting Point
26:56 – Cross-Platform and Alternative App Stores
27:36 – No Vendor Lock-In and Data Export
28:35 – Why Software Choice Matters Long-Term
29:48 Stephen’s Framework for Evaluating Software
30:17 – Investigating “Open Source” Claims
31:38 – Checking GitHub Activity and Maintenance
34:58 – How to Evaluate GitHub Projects Live Demo
38:11 – Understanding GitHub Issues as Health Indicators
42:27 – Contributors and Community Health
43:38 – Open Standards and File Formats
46:29 – UI/UX Quality Matters for Daily Drivers
50:32 – Sustainable Business Models and Monetization
54:34 Conclusion and Future Episode Tease
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.