De-Googling the mighty Goog?

g33zr · 2017-07-15 15:00:52

Although Google and it's apps are sometimes convenient, I'm tired of how intrusive it is. Recently, while overseas, I had difficulty accessing my gmail. Consequently, I'm in the process of degoogling my ChromeBook and will install Linux on it. As for my Android phone, I've added non-Google apps and trying to avoid anything linked to Google. Of course, I'm kind of stuck with Android, which is a Google creature, but you get the drift. Meanwhile, I'm also removing as much as I can from Google Drive and use perhaps more than one cloud alternatives. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Last edited by g33zr (2017-07-15 15:11:50)

Steve · 2017-07-15 15:09:49

Ive got an android smart phone that i have disabled most of the google stuff on exept for the play store and youtube.

I just dont use email or have any web based logins on my phone, i have disabled the absolute crap out of it. It is a phone and a web browser to me, not a social media tool.

g33zr · 2017-07-15 15:16:05

It's not a social media tool for me, either, but I like to be able to check email and messages when traveling. I also need access to certain docs, but I don't install any apps that I don't use regularly.

martix · 2017-07-15 18:12:33

All I can say: Wise decision. I read some positive reviews about Seafile, but there are several good alternatives. And you might like to check out this site or Jolla with SailfishOS. Degoogling one's life is a great learning process too.

g33zr · 2017-07-15 20:04:36

Nice link.

If I lived in Europe, I wouldn't hesitate to use Jolla and Sailfish.

KrunchTime · 2017-07-20 23:22:23

@g33zr: For an email alternative, check out Fastmail. The service isn't free though. Google Drive...I only put stuff on there that I want to share, mostly pictures. I don't keep anything sensitive there and if I did, I would encrypt it.

I've been a big fan of Google Voice, but every time I email them about an issue, I never get a response. Unfortunately, there were no good alternatives for personal use the last time I checked.

Last edited by KrunchTime (2017-07-20 23:26:16)

martix · 2017-07-24 21:29:52

Have a look at this fantastic project:

https://degooglisons-internet.org/?l=en

After visiting this site I just discovered a new search engine: framabee.org

If you like to check your e-mails without a mail client on the desktop (i.e. via browser) or on the mobile phone via an app, have a look at protonmail too. There is also tutanota or mailfence.

Jimbo_G · 2017-07-27 15:26:07

I didn't know about any of the Frama... websites, there are lots to try out (to replace Doodle, Maps, Skype, Dropbox, even Twitter!).

Fastmail provides a good service and also includes some file storage.

KrunchTime · 2017-07-28 09:12:54

^ One thing I don't like about Fastmail is the support. I emailed them awhile back about their reliance on searching through a list of alias email addresses. I asked if they could provide the ability to sort the list in alphabetic order. They told me no, just use the search feature. Well, what if you forget what the alias is/was? Doh!

However, I've researched email providers a number of times and Fastmail, despite their luke warm customer support, is still the best service for my needs.

Last edited by KrunchTime (2017-07-28 09:14:56)

martix · 2017-08-10 16:16:29

As a sidenote let me add an android alternative to this thread: Fully open source rom called Paranoid Android. Promising development...

Sector11 · 2017-08-10 20:14:08

martix wrote:

Have a look at this fantastic project:
https://degooglisons-internet.org/?l=en
After visiting this site I just discovered a new search engine: framabee.org
If you like to check your e-mails without a mail client on the desktop (i.e. via browser) or on the mobile phone via an app, have a look at protonmail too. There is also tutanota or mailfence.

-= BOOKMARKED =-

Vive la France!

ohnonot · 2017-08-10 20:15:40

there's only one answer:
don't have a gmail account.
once they got you by the balls, they don't let go.
and once you got rid of it for good, you'll be surprised how much you can still do... run an android device for example.

ok, there's more than one answer:
just use other search engines, and don't let the disillusionists tell you that none of them is as good as google.
use other services for google's other services.
etc.

but, in the end, there's only one way to get rid of google completely: don't connect to the internet, never use the www.

Sector11 · 2017-08-10 20:35:23

ohnonot wrote:

there's only one answer:
but, in the end, there's only one way to get rid of google completely: don't connect to the internet, never use the www.

OH ain't that the truth. Even if you install a browser that doesn't 'phone Goo!' and use a search engine that doesn't 'report to Goo!' sooner or later you hit a www·youarehere·com that has a cookie, a tracker, or something, that very quietly grabs your info and without telling you, is screaming at Goo! "He's here!"

WAYBACK MACHINE: before the Internet days when QWK mail packets roamed the phone lines between BBS's, an RCMP officer, from the Computer Crimes Division, once told me:

The only computers that don't have pirated software on them are the ones that have not been plugged in yet.

Today, he's probably saying, The only computers "TheGoo!" doesn't know about are the ones that have not gone online yet!

#1 2017-07-15 15:00:52

De-Googling the mighty Goog?

#2 2017-07-15 15:09:49

Re: De-Googling the mighty Goog?

#3 2017-07-15 15:16:05

Re: De-Googling the mighty Goog?

#4 2017-07-15 18:12:33

Re: De-Googling the mighty Goog?

#5 2017-07-15 20:04:36

Re: De-Googling the mighty Goog?

#6 2017-07-20 23:22:23

Re: De-Googling the mighty Goog?

#7 2017-07-24 21:29:52

Re: De-Googling the mighty Goog?

#8 2017-07-27 15:26:07

Re: De-Googling the mighty Goog?

#9 2017-07-28 09:12:54

Re: De-Googling the mighty Goog?

#10 2017-08-10 16:16:29

Re: De-Googling the mighty Goog?

#11 2017-08-10 20:14:08

Re: De-Googling the mighty Goog?

#12 2017-08-10 20:15:40

Re: De-Googling the mighty Goog?

#13 2017-08-10 20:35:23

Re: De-Googling the mighty Goog?

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