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I like the idea.... but this doesn't make sense. I'm all for not using Google Analytics- I don't use it on my site. But why would you then use Google Sheets to

I like the idea.... but this doesn't make sense. I'm all for not using Google Analytics- I don't use it on my site. But why would you then use Google Sheets to hold the info? That's ridiculous. That's like telling people how to make an apple pie without sugar, and the last step before baking is dumping in a pound of sugar! If you want an easy data store, use something like SQLite. There are plenty of options that are easy to self host, and a lot of libraries have been written to make it easier for you.

epicide 8y ago
The article isn't about removing all traces of Google from your site/stack. It's about removing 3rd party tracking from your site. Specifically, it focuses on removing Google Analytics. Using Google Sheets doesn't add 3rd party tracking back in. Even if you don't trust Google to not take a look at your spreadsheet, it's unlikely anybody or anything at Google would treat your spreadsheet like analytics data. All that being said, it is a little funny seeing them funnel the data right back into Google. Personally, I would also prefer a different storage method.
- dalbasal 8y ago
  I actually liked it. It seems like a good place on the spectrum between ideologically obsessed and practical. Google sheets is convenient.
pcmaffey 8y ago
For sure, there are a bunch of reasons not to use Google Sheets. For this, it's just an easy, free, and temp way to get a new site up without needing to setup a backend. It's not really a hard requirement for me to get off Google though, just to avoid using their ad-tech. For privacy concerns, using Google Sheets isn't all that different from using MySQL on Google Cloud, etc.
- dalbasal 8y ago
  I think it's a sound, practical decision.
- troymcclure 8y ago
  When looking at solutions, did you consider using a private git repo? On that thought, you could potentially hook it up to Google Sheets or editors that integrate with remote git repos. Skipping 3rd party hosts, you could host your own git server for cheap too. Awesome project nonetheless! I'm a hypocrite still using GA but want to move off of it this year, so reading your solution has me thinking about my own.
  - pcmaffey 8y ago
    Lots of ways to skin this cat ;). Figuring out the best way that works for your setup is half the fun. Thanks and good luck!

epicide 8y ago

The article isn't about removing all traces of Google from your site/stack. It's about removing 3rd party tracking from your site. Specifically, it focuses on removing Google Analytics. Using Google Sheets doesn't add 3rd party tracking back in. Even if you don't trust Google to not take a look at your spreadsheet, it's unlikely anybody or anything at Google would treat your spreadsheet like analytics data. All that being said, it is a little funny seeing them funnel the data right back into Google. Personally, I would also prefer a different storage method.

dalbasal 8y ago
I actually liked it. It seems like a good place on the spectrum between ideologically obsessed and practical. Google sheets is convenient.

pcmaffey 8y ago

For sure, there are a bunch of reasons not to use Google Sheets. For this, it's just an easy, free, and temp way to get a new site up without needing to setup a backend. It's not really a hard requirement for me to get off Google though, just to avoid using their ad-tech. For privacy concerns, using Google Sheets isn't all that different from using MySQL on Google Cloud, etc.

dalbasal 8y ago
I think it's a sound, practical decision.
troymcclure 8y ago
When looking at solutions, did you consider using a private git repo? On that thought, you could potentially hook it up to Google Sheets or editors that integrate with remote git repos. Skipping 3rd party hosts, you could host your own git server for cheap too. Awesome project nonetheless! I'm a hypocrite still using GA but want to move off of it this year, so reading your solution has me thinking about my own.
- pcmaffey 8y ago
  Lots of ways to skin this cat ;). Figuring out the best way that works for your setup is half the fun. Thanks and good luck!