Sideband/README.md

# Sideband

Sideband is an LXMF client for Android, Linux and macOS. It allows you to communicate with other people or LXMF-compatible systems over Reticulum networks using LoRa, Packet Radio, WiFi, I2P, or anything else Reticulum supports.

![Screenshot](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/raw/main/docs/screenshots/screenshot_1.png)

Sideband is completely free, end-to-end encrypted, permission-less, anonymous and infrastructure-less. Sideband uses the peer-to-peer and distributed messaging system [LXMF](https://github.com/markqvist/lxmf "LXMF"). There is no sign-up, no service providers, no "end-user license agreements", no data theft and no surveillance. You own the system.

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.

The program currently includes basic functionality for secure and independent communication, and many useful features are planned for implementation. Sideband is currently released as a beta version. Please help make all the functionality a reality by supporting the development with donations.

If you'd rather want to use a terminal-based LXMF client, you may want to take a look at [Nomad Network](https://github.com/markqvist/nomadnet)

If you want to help develop this program, get in touch.

## How do I get started?

You can download a pre-compiled APK for your Android device on the [latest release](https://github.com/markqvist/Sideband/releases/latest) page.

On Linux and macOS, you can install Sideband with ``pip``.

```bash
# Install Sideband and dependencies
pip install sbapp

# Run it
sideband

```

## Support Sideband Development
You can help support the continued development of open, free and private communications systems by donating via one of the following channels:

- Monero:
  ```
  84FpY1QbxHcgdseePYNmhTHcrgMX4nFfBYtz2GKYToqHVVhJp8Eaw1Z1EedRnKD19b3B8NiLCGVxzKV17UMmmeEsCrPyA5w
  ```
- Ethereum
  ```
  0x81F7B979fEa6134bA9FD5c701b3501A2e61E897a
  ```
- Bitcoin
  ```
  3CPmacGm34qYvR6XWLVEJmi2aNe3PZqUuq
  ```
- Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/markqvist