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Req. skill tree input: saying bye to big tech (lemmy.world)

submitted 2 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

NSFW 12 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I don't have to explain to this audience why one would want to avoid "big tech", that is your Google, Amazon, Facebook, and so on.

I'm working with a group to create a skill tree for dropping big tech, but could use some more ideas. A skill tree is a chart with actions and skills, ordered from easy to advanced, where you can check which skills you already have and be inspired with other skills. An example: https://github.com/sjpiper145/MakerSkillTree/blob/main/Makerspace%20Skill%20Trees/Makerspace%20Skill%20Tree.png More Maker skill trees: https://github.com/sjpiper145/MakerSkillTree

We want to make it easy for people to switch, and motivate people towards a more open and ethical (tech) world. We already have a list of general actions for the tree, ranging from general concepts like "learn what Open Source means" to specific actions like "search with DuckDuckGo".

I want this to be a good list that actually helps, that is fun and interesting, easy to use, and inspiring, which is why I'm asking you for help. Can you think of things that should definitely (or definitely not) be on this list? I would appreciate all the help I can get.

(x-post from Ask Lemmy since this might be a good audience for the topic)

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 days ago (8 children)

It would help to know what you already have on the list. Then we can find what's missing.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 days ago* (last edited 23 hours ago) (7 children)

Here's a list:

learn about federation and decentralisation
understand the Free Software Definition
find out the difference between "Open Source" and "Proprietary."
learn the difference between "free" and "libre"
research how popular free services make money
find a recent list of privacy-respecting software or Open Source applications
switch to a privacy-focused search engine like DuckDuckGo and set it as your default
install an ad blocker in your browser
try a privacy-respecting email provider
use a privacy-friendly browser
start using a privacy-focused messaging app
install LibreOffice for office documents
download an Open Source app from F-Droid
share a document using the OpenDocument format
find and follow friends on the fediverse
delete accounts on big tech platforms
talk to a friend about why they should try Open Source
experiment with chat solutions like IRC, XMPP, or Briar for offline mesh communication
host a small group video call using Jitsi
organise a "Switch Party" to help friends adopt new platforms
de-Google your phone by installing a custom ROM (e.g., GrapheneOS, LineageOS, /e/OS)
use an encrypted email client
set up your own cloud storage with NextCloud
compare two privacy-friendly email providers
discover how to report issues in Open Source projects
write to a company or government agency asking for documents in OpenDocument format
host your own Mastodon server
develop or contribute to Open Source tools
find and explore the source code of an Open Source project
replace the battery in your phone
bring an old device back to life with Open Source software
try a "dumb phone"
find a device manufacturer who shares the source or design of their hardware/software
spend two days without social media
shop at a physical store instead of online
use cash instead of digital payment methods
convince a coworker to share a document in an open format
convince your employer to share documents in an open format
give a talk about the importance of public services and open technologies
write or share a guide for switching to privacy-respecting software
organise a local meetup or workshop to help others switch

I forgot one: "brush Richard Stallman's beard".
That probably goes in the "advanced" area. ;-)

[–] TheOSINTguy 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I would add how to use censorship circumvention tools like Tor.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

Will do, thanks.

There's more options there, from Tor to ad-blocking yet privacy-respecting VPNs to mirrors of websites and paywall circumvention tactics.

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