And how can they find out how well it meets that need other than receiving (respectful!) feedback?
> Yes, but do these enthusiasts care at all if it meets some need for the users? ... And how can they find out how well it meets that need other than receiving (respectful!) feedback?
What makes you think they don't? Can you point to any instances of them ignoring the community at large?
You can open an issue in any of the open source repositories and request a feature. Others can vote and comment on it. Or you can discuss it in the very lively forum. All methods used to steer the project towards the desires of the users.
In case you can't find them: https://github.com/GrapheneOS https://discuss.grapheneos.org/
This whole conversation just feels weird and specious to me.
Their lack of device support means I am still running Google's Android and will continue to be until a GraphineOS-supported device that meets my needs becomes available. This means I'm not just lacking in security, but I'm also stuck with Google and all of their anti-consumer practices.
Running GraphineOS without all the security features they want would be better for me than what I currently have.
> Running GraphineOS without all the security features they want would be better for me than what I currently have.
But then it would be like running LineageOS, which is a great (but different) project. Why not using LineageOS?
You're free to fork it to adapt it to your device.
The expectation that the entire project brand must be diluted (by lowering the security) to support you specifically, or you feel wronged, is a little, my apologies -- absurd.
I personally believe the project would achieve more overall good if they supported more devices - assuming they are capable of doing so without sacrificing software quality. That includes support of devices which do not meet the project's current security standards.
When did I make any demands of GraphineOS? I have no expectation that they support me. I'm not entitled to benefit from the work they've done. My opinions are merely opinions and those who maintain and contribute to GraphineOS are not obligated to value them.
Graphene does everything you're asking, except for the niche fixed location feature you specifically want, which you're welcome to request, or just implement yourself and make a PR.
I'm going to be a bit snarky here, but I always find the entitlement around features in open source software baffling. This isn't a multi billion dollar corporation selling you something. It's enthusiasts making you something (honestly, incredible), for free, in their spare time, outside of their daily jobs. They're doing their absolute best here.