If you are looking to become more independent from massive coorporations like Microsoft, Adobe and Apple or just looking for more privacy?
If so, this guide is for you.
I do not claim that this guide is complete in any shape or form, it aims to be a quick guide on how to get more free (Free as in freedom, not as in free beer).
The answer is simple: Coorporations don't care about your privacy. They do not only exploit your data, by doing so, they exploit you directly.
It's a basic human right to have privacy; Big Boys in the digital industry do not grant you that right.
If you had a button which turns off spying, would you press it?
Chances are that you would press it; That's exactly what you are doing by installing this software and using these services. You are actively showing that you dislike any form of surveillance.
Desktop Operating System
Instead of using MacOS or Windows, I highly suggest to use a Linux flavor. For ease of use Linux Mint is probably best. Contrary to popular belief, Linux is not only for the tech-savvy, anyone can use it. To be completely honest, some Linux-flavours are even easier to use than MacOS or Windows; many tools provided aim to make your life easier.
- Download the latest ISO here.
- Install Rufus to be able to "burn" ISO-images onto USB-drives.
- Take a USB-drive, insert it and open Rufus.
- Select your ISO file and the USB-drive and click
START. - Your drive is now ready for installation.
- Backup your important files. After installation, you will not be able to recover them. Be careful!
- With the USB-drive inserted, restart your computer and repeatedly press
DEL. Then select your USB-drive to boot from. - Follow the instructions on your screen.
- Done!
Mobile Operating System
Instead of using Android, GrapheneOS is focussed on privacy while still being based on Android. It only has official support for Google Pixel smartphones.
Informations on how to install GrapheneOS are on their website.
Adobe Products
- Natron | Windows / MacOS / Linux
- Darktable | Windows / MacOS / Linux
- Inkscape | Windows / MacOS / Linux
Office Suite & Mail Clients
- LibreOffice | Windows / MacOS / Linux | Android / iOS
- OnlyOffice | Windows / MacOS / Linux | Android / iOS
- CryptPad | Web
- KMail | Linux
- Thunderbird | Windows / MacOS / Linux
Browsers
Messengers
Desktop Tools
- Dolphin | Windows / macOS / Linux
- Double Commander | Windows / macOS / Linux
Others
- Aves | Android
- Infinity | Android
- F-Droid | Android
- Organic Maps | Android / iOS
- OpenStreetMap | Web
- Orgzly | Android
- Simple Phone | Android
- Simple Contacts | Android
- Simple Calendar | Android
- FlorisBoard | Android
- OpenBoard | Android
- Simple Keyboard | Android
- Psst | Windows / MacOS / Linux
- spotify-qt | Linux / BSD