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.