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@ -9,86 +9,134 @@ Sideband is completely free, end-to-end encrypted, permission-less, anonymous an
This also means that Sideband operates differently than what you might be used to. It does not need a connection to a server on the Internet to function, and you do not have an account anywhere. Please read the Guide section included in the program, to get an understanding of how Sideband differs from other messaging systems. This also means that Sideband operates differently than what you might be used to. It does not need a connection to a server on the Internet to function, and you do not have an account anywhere. Please read the Guide section included in the program, to get an understanding of how Sideband differs from other messaging systems.
## Functionality & Features
Sideband provides many useful and interesting functions, such as: Sideband provides many useful and interesting functions, such as:
- Secure and self-sovereign messaging using the LXMF protocol over Reticulum. - **Secure** and **self-sovereign** messaging using the LXMF protocol over Reticulum.
- Image and file transfers over all supported mediums. - **Image** and **file transfers** over all supported mediums.
- Audio messages that work even over LoRa and radio links, thanks to [Codec2](https://github.com/drowe67/codec2/) and [Opus](https://github.com/xiph/opus) encoding. - **Audio messages** that work even over **LoRa** and **radio links**, thanks to [Codec2](https://github.com/drowe67/codec2/) and [Opus](https://github.com/xiph/opus) encoding.
- Secure and direct P2P telemetry and location sharing. No third parties or servers ever have your data. - Secure and direct P2P **telemetry and location sharing**. No third parties or servers ever have your data.
- Situation display on both online and locally stored offline maps. - Situation display on both online and **locally stored offline maps**.
- Geospatial awareness calculations. - Geospatial awareness calculations.
- Exchanging messages through encrypted QR-codes on paper, or through messages embedded directly in **lxm://** links. - Exchanging messages through **encrypted QR-codes on paper**, or through messages embedded directly in **lxm://** links.
- Using Android devices as impromptu Reticulum routers (*Transport Instances*), for setting up or extending networks easily. - Using **Android devices as impromptu Reticulum routers** (*Transport Instances*), for setting up or extending networks easily.
- Remote command execution and response engine, with built-in commands, such as `ping`, `signal` reports and `echo`. - Remote **command execution and response engine**, with built-in commands, such as `ping`, `signal` reports and `echo`, and **full plug-ing expandability**.
- Remote telemetry querying, with strong, secure and cryptographically robust authentication and control. - Remote **telemetry querying**, with strong, secure and cryptographically robust authentication and control.
- Plugin system that allows you to easily create your own commands, services and telemetry sources. - **Plugin system** that allows you to easily **create your own commands**, services and telemetry sources.
Sideband is fully compatible with other LXMF clients, such as [MeshChat](https://github.com/liamcottle/reticulum-meshchat), and [Nomad Network](https://github.com/markqvist/nomadnet). The Nomad Network client also allows you to easily host Propagation Nodes for your LXMF network, and more. Sideband is fully compatible with other LXMF clients, such as [MeshChat](https://github.com/liamcottle/reticulum-meshchat), and [Nomad Network](https://github.com/markqvist/nomadnet). The Nomad Network client also allows you to easily host Propagation Nodes for your LXMF network, and more.
## Installation On Android # Installation
## On Android
For your Android devices, you can install Sideband through F-Droid, by adding the [Between the Borders Repo](https://reticulum.betweentheborders.com/fdroid/repo/), or you can download an [APK on the latest release](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/latest) page. Both sources are signed with the same release keys, and can be used interchangably. For your Android devices, you can install Sideband through F-Droid, by adding the [Between the Borders Repo](https://reticulum.betweentheborders.com/fdroid/repo/), or you can download an [APK on the latest release](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/latest) page. Both sources are signed with the same release keys, and can be used interchangably.
After the application is installed on your Android device, it is also possible to pull updates directly through the **Repository** section of the application. After the application is installed on your Android device, it is also possible to pull updates directly through the **Repository** section of the application.
## Installation On Linux ## On Linux
On all Linux-based operating systems, Sideband is available as a `pip` package. This installation method **includes desktop integration**, so that Sideband will show up in your applications menu and launchers. On all Linux-based operating systems, Sideband is available as a `pipx`/`pip` package. This installation method **includes desktop integration**, so that Sideband will show up in your applications menu and launchers.
Depending on your system, you may need to install the `python-pyaudio` or `python3-pyaudio` package for audio messaging support. Make sure you have Python and `pip` installed (default on most modern distributions), and run: You will first need to install a few dependencies for audio messaging and Codec2 support to work:
```bash ```bash
# Depending on your distribution, you may need # For Debian, Ubuntu and derivatives
# to install the pyaudio package via the package sudo apt install pipx python3-pyaudio python3-dev build-essential libopusfile0 portaudio19-dev codec2 xclip xsel
# manager included in your distribution, with
# a command like one of the following:
pamac install python-pyaudio # Manjaro # For Manjaro and derivatives
sudo pacman -Sy python-pyaudio # Arch pamac install python-pipx python-pyaudio base-devel codec2 xclip xsel
sudo apt install python3-pyaudio # Debian and derivatives
# Install the Sideband application: # For Arch and derivatives
pip install sbapp sudo pacman -Sy python-pipx python-pyaudio base-devel codec2 xclip xsel
# If you intend to run Sideband in headless
# daemon mode, you can also install it without
# any of the normal UI dependencies:
pip install sbapp --no-dependencies
# In this case, you will still need to manually
# install the minimum RNS and LXMF dependencies:
pip install rns lxmf
``` ```
**Please Note!** If you are using an operating system that blocks normal user package installation via `pip`, it's easy to permanently return `pip` to normal behaviour by editing the `~/.config/pip/pip.conf` file, and adding the following directive in the `[global]` section: Once those are installed, install the Sideband application itself:
```text
[global]
break-system-packages = true
```
You can also simply add the `--break-system-packages` directive on a per-installation basis. For example, on a system that blocks normal user package installation, you can install Sideband by running `pip install sbapp --break-system-packages`.
After installation is complete, you can either run Sideband from your launcher or applications menu, or from the command line:
```bash ```bash
# Finally, install Sideband using pipx:
pipx install sbapp
```
# Find the Sideband application in your launcher, After installation, you can now run Sideband in a number of different ways:
# or run it directly from the command line:
```bash
# If this is the first time installing something with pipx,
# you may need to use the following command, to make your
# installed applications available. You'll probably need
# to close and reopen your terminal after this.
pipx ensurepath
# The first time you run Sideband, you will need to do it
# from the terminal:
sideband sideband
# You can also run Sideband with more verbose # At the first launch, it will add an application icon
# log output enabled: # to your launcher or apps menu. You may need to log out
sideband -v # of your session, and back in for the application to
# show up in your launcher, depending on your distro.
# You can also run Sideband in headless daemon # You can also run Sideband in headless daemon
# mode, for example as a telemetry collector: # mode, for example as a telemetry collector:
sideband --daemon sideband --daemon
# You can also run Sideband with more verbose
# log output enabled:
sideband -v
``` ```
## Installation On macOS You can also install Sideband in various alternative ways:
```bash
# Install Sideband via pip instead of pipx:
pip install sbapp
# Or, if pip is externally managed:
pip install sbapp --break-system-packages
# Or, if you intend to run Sideband in headless
# daemon mode, you can also install it without
# any of the normal UI dependencies:
pip install sbapp --no-dependencies
# In the above case, you will still need to
# manually install the RNS and LXMF dependencies:
pip install rns lxmf
```
## On Raspberry Pi
You can install Sideband on all Raspberry Pi models that support 64-bit operating systems. Since some of Sideband's dependencies don't have pre-built packages ready for 64-bit ARM processors yet, you'll need to install a few extra packages, that will allow building these while installing.
Aditionally, the `pycodec2` package needs to be installed manually. I have provided a pre-built version, that you can download and install with a single command, or if you don't want to trust my pre-built version, you can [build and install it from source yourself](https://github.com/gregorias/pycodec2/blob/main/DEV.md).
The install instructions below assume that you are installing Sideband on 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS. If you're running something else on your Pi, you might need to modify some commands slightly. To install Sideband on Raspberry Pi, follow these steps:
```bash
# First of all, install the required dependencies:
sudo apt install pipx python3-pyaudio python3-dev python3-cryptography build-essential libopusfile0 libsdl2-dev libavcodec-dev libavdevice-dev libavfilter-dev portaudio19-dev codec2 libcodec2-1.0
# If you don't want to compile pycodec2 yourself,
# download the pre-compiled package provided here
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/markqvist/Sideband/main/docs/utilities/pycodec2-3.0.1-cp311-cp311-linux_aarch64.whl
# Install it:
pip install ./pycodec2-3.0.1-cp311-cp311-linux_aarch64.whl --break-system-packages
# You can now install Sideband
pip install sbapp --break-system-packages
# Restart your Raspberry Pi
sudo reboot
# Everything is ready! You can now run Sideband
# from the terminal, or from the application menu
sideband
```
## On macOS
A DMG file containing a macOS app bundle is available on the [latest release](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/latest) page. A DMG file containing a macOS app bundle is available on the [latest release](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/latest) page.
@ -110,7 +158,7 @@ sideband
If you have not already installed Python and `pip3` on your macOS system, [download and install](https://www.python.org/downloads/) the latest version first. If you have not already installed Python and `pip3` on your macOS system, [download and install](https://www.python.org/downloads/) the latest version first.
## Installation On Windows ## On Windows
Even though there is currently not an automated installer, or packaged `.exe` file for Sideband on Windows, you can still install it through `pip`. If you don't already have Python installed, [download and install](https://www.python.org/downloads/) the latest version of Python. Even though there is currently not an automated installer, or packaged `.exe` file for Sideband on Windows, you can still install it through `pip`. If you don't already have Python installed, [download and install](https://www.python.org/downloads/) the latest version of Python.
@ -126,28 +174,6 @@ The Sideband application can now be launched by running the command `sideband` i
When running Sideband for the first time, a default Reticulum configuration file will be created, if you don't already have one. If you don't have any existing Reticulum connectivity available locally, you may want to edit the file, located at `C:\Users\USERNAME\.reticulum\config` and manually add an interface that provides connectivity to a wider network. If you just want to connect over the Internet, you can add one of the public hubs on the [Reticulum Testnet](https://reticulum.network/connect.html). When running Sideband for the first time, a default Reticulum configuration file will be created, if you don't already have one. If you don't have any existing Reticulum connectivity available locally, you may want to edit the file, located at `C:\Users\USERNAME\.reticulum\config` and manually add an interface that provides connectivity to a wider network. If you just want to connect over the Internet, you can add one of the public hubs on the [Reticulum Testnet](https://reticulum.network/connect.html).
## Installation With pipx
While I wouldn't generally recommend it, you *can* use the `pipx` tool to install Sideband, but on Linux you will have to launch Sideband from the command line, or create your own launcher links, since `pipx` does not support desktop integration. Unfortunately, it does not seem like `pipx` will be adding desktop integration in the near future, so restoring the original `pip` tool to its proper behaviour is recommended for now.
The `pipx` installer also has trouble with including distribution-installed Python packages, so you will need to install additional packages on your system that will allow `pipx` to build required dependencies from source. In general, it will require a working build environment and header files for PortAudio. On Debian and derivatives, this would look something like `sudo apt install build-essential portaudio19-dev`. On Manjaro you would want something like `pamac install base-devel portaudio`.
If you want to use `pipx` anyway, and after the necessary dependencies are installed, you can simply do:
```bash
# Install Sideband on Linux:
pipx install sbapp
# Install Sideband on macOS:
pipx install "sbapp[macos]"
# Optionally install Reticulum utilities:
pipx install rns
# Optionally install standalone LXMF utilities:
pipx install lxmf
```
## Example Paper Message ## Example Paper Message
You can try out the paper messaging functionality by using the following QR-code. It is a paper message sent to the LXMF address `6b3362bd2c1dbf87b66a85f79a8d8c75`. To be able to decrypt and read the message, you will need to import the following base32-encoded Reticulum Identity into the app: You can try out the paper messaging functionality by using the following QR-code. It is a paper message sent to the LXMF address `6b3362bd2c1dbf87b66a85f79a8d8c75`. To be able to decrypt and read the message, you will need to import the following base32-encoded Reticulum Identity into the app: