One of many largest attracts of transferring to open-source software program is the cost-cutting and freedom it gives. I, like many others, don’t need to at all times depend on pricey software program subscriptions, prolonged and complicated phrases of service agreements, and the hope that software program suppliers will honor their privateness insurance policies.
So I attempted switching all my Home windows productiveness apps, from note-takers to activity managers to browsers and e mail purchasers, to open-source alternate options for per week. I wished to see if they could be a viable possibility for escaping the trimmings of proprietary software program.
There have been some main positives, however I additionally realized in regards to the hurdles one faces when going totally open-source. It is positively not one thing you need to do calmly, particularly in the event you worth the net options of the apps you are at present utilizing.
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All my favourite apps had an open-source different
They usually had been all fully free!
For this experiment, I used free open-source apps like OnlyOffice, Firefox, Joplin, Thunderbird, and Nextcloud. I put in all the things on my Home windows pc—aside from Nextcloud, which required Docker and a specifically created picture for it. The apps dealt with core productiveness duties fairly properly, since that they had all the fundamental options I wanted.
ONLYOFFICE dealt with spreadsheets and displays adequately, Joplin organized my notes with its minimalist interface, and Firefox with privateness extensions gave me a safe looking expertise. Thunderbird effectively managed a number of e mail accounts and calendars, and regardless that Nextcloud was a posh setup, its file synchronization labored reliably as soon as I configured it (as greatest as I might).
The apps had been additionally extremely customizable, with varied choices for themes, plugins, and scripts to increase performance. However since I approached this from the non-technical perspective, I relied on less complicated tweaks. I knew I might have managed the deeper customizations with neighborhood assist and documentation.
Additionally, I have to admit that the sensation of being in full management of my information was superb. Not having my private info on company servers gave me peace of thoughts, regardless of my having to take care of all the things myself. There is no such thing as a entity controlling entry, gathering person information, or doubtlessly promoting it to advertisers.
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There are some trade-offs
However nothing is a deal-breaker
Screenshot by Chifundo Kasiya—No attribution required
My largest gripe is that the open-source expertise felt disjointed. When utilizing Microsoft Workplace, as an illustration, it is properly built-in inside its ecosystem, with OneDrive for cloud storage and Copilot for AI. In one thing just like the OnlyOffice desktop app, you must arrange the AI your self (this requires an API key) and use Nextcloud or ownCloud for cloud syncing.
Open-source instruments usually prioritize stability and safety over flashy options and polish. Which means fancy UIs, AI assistants, seamless cloud syncing, and even cell integration normally take a backseat. The most recent buzzworthy options could also be added later or require guide configuration (extra on this later). Evidently, you will not discover Microsoft Workplace’s superior automation and formatting choices in OnlyOffice.
Additionally, with open-source instruments like Joplin, I missed the seamless out-of-the-box expertise of notetakers like Notion. Significantly, their cloud syncing works effortlessly, whereas utilizing Joplin with Nextcloud requires making certain the Nextcloud server is operating and the server port is free earlier than syncing notes throughout units.
Moreover, the neighborhood is your major supply of assist in the case of open-source, with no devoted groups obtainable. Within the case of OnlyOffice, I’ve to get assist by going by Reddit and GitHub, and the outcomes had been combined. It bought a bit irritating since I wanted fast options, however I knew that when I had them, it could all be value it ultimately.
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The worst a part of going full open-source
With nice freedom comes nice complexity
Screenshot by Chifundo Kasiya—No attribution required
Freedom, as a rule, begets complexity. This was an enormous eye-opener for me throughout the experiment. Among the options I took as a right with proprietary software program required IT professional-level data to arrange when utilizing open-source alternate options.
As an illustration, getting Nextcloud to sync between the desktop server and cell app is just not so easy. I put in Nextcloud on Home windows utilizing Docker, however after I tried to attach the cell app to the server, I bumped into errors. The massive drawback was that the server on my Home windows machine was utilizing HTTP, and the cell app requires the safe HTTPS protocol, rejecting the insecure connection.
Resolving this might require data about tweaking configuration recordsdata and managing certificates—properly past my experience. Ultimately, I as an alternative accessed the Nextcloud server on my cellphone utilizing a browser. However even then, this required me to tweak a configuration file to make my pc’s IP deal with a trusted area.
It is also doable to arrange OnlyOffice in Nextcloud and allow real-time collaboration. For units on the identical community because the server, that is as straightforward as utilizing the pc’s IP deal with. However for public or distant entry, it may well get sophisticated, since this requires info like domains, SSL certificates, and configuration know-how.
My largest takeaway is that transitioning to open-source alternate options of proprietary software program ought to be performed one app at a time. It won’t at all times be doable to totally transition, relying in your setup. It will likely be simpler for some apps than others, for certain, but it surely’s the easiest way to not completely disrupt your workflow. And if you may get help from somebody who is aware of easy methods to set these apps up, particularly in the case of cloud syncing, all the higher.
As soon as all the things you want is about up, you may uncover that the fee financial savings, freedom, and suppleness of open supply are value it. Even in the event you do not plan on contributing to growth, it helps to analysis how a lot neighborhood assist the app has and if it is being actively developed to keep away from complications down the road.
