Alternatives

Posted on by Morgan

In the recent years, as I feel powerless facing the enshittification in mainstream tech and social media, I've opted for alternatives to many of my previous favorite digital places and tools, namely:

  • Google search engine ➡ DuckDuckGo.
  • Chrome browser ➡ Brave.
  • Google Calendar ➡ Fastmail.
  • Gmail ➡ Fastmail.
  • Google Tasks ➡ TickTick.
  • Google Office ➡ Obsidian.
  • Google Reader ➡ InoReader ➡ FreshRSS ➡ Miniflux.
  • Google Authenticator ➡ Aegis and Vaultwarden.
  • Google Play Store ➡ F-Droid, Aurora Store.
  • YouTube ➡ SkyTube (Android).
  • Browser* Passwords Manager ➡ Vaultwarden.
  • Trello ➡ Google Tasks ➡ TickTick.
  • Spotify ➡ Navidrome, Seeker (Soulseek client), DSub (Navidrome client), AntennaPod (Podcasts).
  • WordPress ➡ After looking for SSGs, I'll likely go raw HTML/CSS.
  • Wallabag ➡ Shaarli and with my own tool, Tapas.
  • InvoiceNinja ➡ Replacing with my own invoicing software.
  • Netflix, Amazon Prime Video ➡ Plex.
  • Windows ➡ Linux, MacOS.
  • GitHub ➡ Gitea.
  • LinkedIn ➡ Account closed, didn't attempt alternatives.
  • Facebook ➡ Account closed. Attempted Mastodon, didn't like it.
  • Instagram ➡ Account closed. Attempted Pixelfed, but it's too buggy.
  • WhatsApp ➡ I use it mostly because everyone is on it, but I use Signal with security concerned minds.
  • SensCritique ➡ Account closed due to their authoritarian moderators.
  • Lobste.rs ➡ Account closed due to their elitist culture.
  • Twitter ➡ Account closed due to their enshittification. Attempted Mastodon, didn't like it.
  • OVH ➡ Account closed. Hostinger.
  • Docker Hub ➡ Docker Registry self hosted.
  • Dropbox, iCloud ➡ Replacing some of it with Syncthing.
  • Zerobin ➡ Privatebin.
  • Most Newsletters ➡ Kill the Newsletter! + Miniflux, alternatively Changedetection.
  • Last.FM ➡ ListenBrainz / MusicBrainz.

This is an ongoing list and non exhaustive, plus it's only about my digital life. I have a lot to say about work and housing as well. Opting for alternatives has also expanded my technical knowledge and independence (see also https://sive.rs/ti).

The main lesson: diversify, stay in control of your life, stay curious and choose freedom, privacy and security over convenience.

Soulless code

Posted on by Morgan

Code isn’t just a tool—it’s a reflection of the coder’s mind, a part of their soul turned into logic. When I write code, it becomes mine. I take care of it, I understand it, I think about it. Even when I stop working, the code stays with me, like a thought I can’t let go. It feels alive, like something I’ve created, something that matters.

But when the code comes from an LLM or someone else, it’s different. I might use it, but I don’t really make it mine. I don’t take the time to fully understand it. I let others—or the machine—do the hard work. And often, it feels easier to just start over or forget it.

This kind of code feels distant, like it has no home. It’s less work for me, and that can feel good, like letting go of something heavy. But at the same time, it feels empty—like something is missing.

Maybe when we stop owning our code, we lose more than just control. Maybe we lose a piece of what makes coding human.

// Functionally correct. Morally bankrupt.  
// Just like the rest of us.

Writing

Posted on by Morgan

Today is international logic day, and I really want to read logicomix comic strip someone offered me for Christmas.

I realize as a logician that I can perfectly organize some stuff and as ADHD I feel completely stuck with some tasks yet to have my attention drained by completely unrelated events.

Often the fix or the way to disconnect from my mental paralysis is to write, walk, climb, talk, tell, draw or code.

It's a form of calm expression of self, an escape from news, emails, todo lists, code problems, mental load and daily stress for all the code and life bugs I can't unsee.

Like this blog where I write without caring if anyone is reading, and with no other purpose but the act of writing.

Flow

Posted on by Morgan
  • Cannot really stop coding while in a task. Coding is fun.
  • Cannot really stop improving after solving a task. I'm in the flow and each improvement unlocks another.
  • Cannot really stop bug fixing before solving it. Interruption is frustrating and I need to kill this problem.

Related

Continuous improvement is addictive because of the desire to reach perfection and repair the broken window (cfr Broken window theory).

Thanks to Vincent L. for the thoughts that inspired this blog.

Sans

Posted on by Morgan

Can you live a day at work and at home "sans"?

Sans smartphone?

We used to boot a computer and even a modem and be actually productive and enjoy life without checking for news, notifications, or email every 15 minutes.

Sans version control conflicture crap due to using Git-ware conflict-friendly patterns?

We used to just work together on code and discuss code, without focusing on the version control tooling.

Sans CI/CD tools to validate your work?

We used to validate our work before committing, in the old days.

Sans markdown?

We used to be able to read and write text without non-sense formatting, HTML was even a thing.

Sans proprietary note taking digital tools (Obsidian, Notion)?

We used to take notes on paper or in our own text editors in the past and format our notes in "raw" HTML.

Sans LLM for coding?

We used to reason about code and go read a programming language book or ask for help from colleagues in case of doubt.

Sans daily upgrades and ads and other modern web crap?

We used to have nice experience with computers.

In a world that used to be simple, what other "sans" would you can think of?