RPi & postmarketOS

Introduction

As the name implies, I'm trying to install postmarketOS on a Raspberry Pi 3 and a Raspberry Pi 4.  So another experiment.  Right now, I'm motivated to try it as part of my other nightstand project.  I'm not sure what will come of it.  

Installation

This was extremely easy!  As of 7/3/2023, I used their process to manually build the installation on postmarketOS's website.  There is no real reason to duplicate that information here.   I did use the plasma-mobile desktop in each case.

One thing of note that isn't completely clear on their wiki is that the pmbootstrap init command can be used to change your destination device/config.  I did it first for the Pine Phone, then the RPi3, and finally the RPi4.  I did not see a way to "store" different "sets" for different choices.

Another thing for folks new to Linux, be thoughtful about pmbootstrap install.  I have my RPis all booting from USB; I used the --scard parameter.  I also used sudo fdisk -l to make sure I'm choosing the right device (run command before and after inserting the USB drive).  Oh, one more thing for newbies; if you're reusing a USB drive, you may need a new/empty partition table.

First Boot

The first thing of note is that the touchscreen is flipped using the usual case.  

The second thing of note is that it took a long time to actually boot the login screen.

The third thing of note is that after the first boot, I need to shut it down & reboot.  If I put in the passcode, it would go to a blank screen for a while and then revert back to the passcode screen.  After shutting it down and rebooting, I could then log in from the passcode screen.  

General Impression

Besides that the screen being upside down, what else do I have to say...?  The mouse pointer is always there, centered.  So two things that might need adjustment.  

More importantly, though I got it connected to Wifi, I tried to launch Angelfish, the built-in browser.  That just stayed on the splash screen for a long time.  Nothing against postmarketOS; it works great so far on the Pine Phone I have.  

Eventually, I will try the same thing on the RPi 4.  I have to get it in the case with the touchscreen I bought.  It might work better with better hardware.