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I have tried to de-couple from big tech, and each time I changed something, it has been better. Kagi is much better than google search. I use proton for mail/ca
by mu53 2y ago
I have tried to de-couple from big tech, and each time I changed something, it has been better. Kagi is much better than google search. I use proton for mail/calendar/(vpn sometimes), and no ads with the same features. I have my own domain that I can take where ever I want to take it to without fear for future account access.
Android -> Graphene is also a very nice change. The minimal UI and minimal features are nice. The reality is that smart phones have not had a significant innovation since 2012. Most newer features are net-negative for users except better cpu/memory/camera/security.
I have been on linux for a while, but have backup laptops with windows/osx. The linux experience is just better. Most major distros get out of your way and let you work. I find that if I want to make a complex configuration, I can get it working as opposed to it either works or doesn't on windows/osx. Less telemetry. Less new features trying to creep in. My desktop environment is essentially unchanged for a decade unless I changed it. I have an immense level of control, and I don't wrestle with anyone or anything. Ads are blocked at the OS level. Linux is stable on servers, and its stable for desktop users too. The only app that I missed is photoshop, but learning gimp felt like it was worth it and even more so with recent news.
In some ways, linux has the most innovative/cutting edge desktop experience because developers are entirely unrestricted. I have an i3 configuration and watched those features get backported to gnome then windows. As a developer, I often get the easiest access to newest technologies like docker or rust. Comparing install instructions between linux/osx/windows is often comparing one line of bash to 3-5 steps on the others. Scripting out setting up a new install is easy.
I set up a small wireguard server for a vpn. I clone my files to another server over ssh. I use github to share code and config between different computers.
Learning to own your infrastructure has its benefits. Like learning how your car works or plumbing, electricity, home maintenance. It has a cost, but the results are intangible like knowledge and power.
- Fire-Dragon-DoL 2y agoWhat do you use for gmail? I'm still waiting for a decent email client
- meowster 2y agoIn my de-Googling process, I switched to Fastmail. I think they have a pretty good email, calendar, contacts, and notes interface. It has a quick and easy Gmail importer. I also gave it access to my Gmail account to pull emails whenever someone emails my old email so I can let them know I switched emails. All I get now from my old gmail account is spam, but I'm holding on for at least another year to make sure I don't miss anything or anyone who hasn't updated my address. (I use a personal domain so I won't have such problems in the future if I change providers.)
- Fire-Dragon-DoL 2y agoIt's frustrating that this seems to be the only option. I have a good email service (migadu) but they don't provide a client. I love how their pricing model is based on emails sent/received, since it allows me to have as many users/domains/mailboxes I need
- WorldMaker 2y agoMigadu does have a web client (webmail.migadu.com). It is the barest of bare bones (certainly fewer features than Gmail or Fastmail), but does the job just fine for basic tasks, at least.
- Fire-Dragon-DoL 2y agoYeah, I'm aware but did not consider it, for me being able to snooze-send emails as well as snooze received emails is very important (I'm an old Inbox user), so the bare client didn't pass the default test. It's also not amazing from the usability perspective, but it does the job for occasional usage. I love Migadu and have no intention of dropping it, it's just frustrating that email clients come only bundled with email services with dumb pricing structure (really in 2024 I can only have 1 domain per user for my emails!? What if I have a work email and a personal one?) I often create projects and want domains for those, yes it might end up with garbage and nothing out of it, but it's insane I have to pay some $5/month for an email account that will receive 1 email in its entire lifetime, it makes no sense. With migadu I'm free to experiment, my cost is based on emails sent and received (an actual cost), not on my dummy accounts that I experiment with.
- sigmonsays 2y agoVery similar experiences -- I switched off google photos to photoprism and syncthing -- Android -> GrapheneOS as well -- Linux desktop, i3 window manager. I went from ubuntu to nixos -- Wireguard VPN server hosted remotely -- remote git server / self hosted gitea -- gmail to fastmail There is no more problems to solve, everything just works...