A List of Apps and Software that I Use
Earlier this month, I wrote a description of the devices I use and I how I use them. I am well aware there are numerous blog posts like this, but for completion's sake, here's a post that lists the specific apps and software packages that I use today.
While this blog is intended as a privacy journey diary rather than a privacy guide, most of the choices below are carefully considered, based on the advice taken from privacy experts and the final choice after a lot of experimentation with potential alternatives.
Desktop
| Function | Application |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Linux, Pop!_OS |
| File manager | Files |
| Thunar File Manager | |
| Notes | Standard Notes for Linux |
| Browser | Firefox, with uBlock Origin extension, see article |
| Brave Browser | |
| Chrome Browser (only for Google accounts) | |
| Tutanota Desktop, see article | |
| Calendar | Tutanota Desktop |
| Terminal | GNOME Terminal |
| Password manager | KeePassXC |
| Music production | Reaper |
| VPN | Mullvad VPN |
| Encryption | VeraCrypt |
| Crypto wallet | Monero Wallet GUI |
| eBook library | Calibre |
| Office suite | LibreOffice, see article |
| Writing | LibreOffice Writer |
| ghostwriter (for Markdown) | |
| Text Editor | |
| Cloud storage | pCloud for Linux |
| Nextcloud Desktop Client | |
| Gaming | Steam |
Online
| Function | Application |
|---|---|
| Cloud storage | pCloud online |
| Nextcloud (self-hosted) | |
| Planning | Nextcloud Deck |
| Bookmarks | Nextcloud Bookmarks |
| Video conferencing | Nextcloud Talk |
| Jitsi Meet | |
| RSS, news | Protopage |
| Search | A self-hosted instance of Whoogle |
| DuckDuckGo | |
| Blogging | Bear Blog (see very bottom of page) |
Google Pixel Smartphone
| Function | Application | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | CalyxOS | |
| Messenger | Signal, see article | |
| Browser | Mull | |
| DuckDuckGo | ||
| (see Updates) | ||
| App Store | Droid-ify (F-Droid) | |
| AuroraStore | ||
| Password manager | KeePassDX | |
| Two-factor authentication | Aegis | |
| Podcasts | AntennaPod | |
| Crypto wallet | Cake Wallet | |
| VPN | Mullvad VPN | |
| Cloud storage | pCloud | |
| (see Updates) | ||
| Keyboard | OpenBoard | |
| (see Updates) | ||
| Music | Tidal | |
| Meditation | Waking Up |
Light Phone 2 Feature Phone
| Function | Application |
|---|---|
| Alarm clock | Alarm |
| Music player | Music |
| Notes | Notes |
| Podcasts | Podcasts |
Problems
Privacy and security-wise, there are a couple of apps that you probably won't see recommended by the experts, namely Steam, Protopage, Tidal and Waking Up.
I do like to steer people who enjoy reading towards The StoryGraph as an alternative Amazon and Goodreads, because it is a small company run by three people who will reply to you in person.
There is an element of trust involved in using pCloud as your cloud service. I wrote about this compromise in cloud storage here.
Current use and looking ahead
I have only listed applications that I actually use. I tend to delete any apps I don't use, so the above is a fairly complete list. I sometimes have to use video conferencing apps like Zoom or Skype because other people use them, but I turn them off by default.
As mentioned here, I run a parallel Windows 10 operating system on my laptop, but I only log into that for sound production work.
My work software and online environments are completely separated from my personal ones. I don't log into work accounts on devices for personal use and vice versa. I will write a post about this in future.
Documentation
Most of my device, software and operating system decisions were informed by privacy and security experts. Please see my Links page for an overview.
For anyone interested in Whoogle, see this page.
I have published a couple of post about how I use my smartphone:
- Keeping Your Smartphone Out of the Bedroom
- Reducing the Number of Apps on Your Smartphone
- De-Googling Your Smartphone (as a beginner)
- My Experience with the Nokia 8110 Dumbphone and KaiOS
Updates
August 2023: Stopped using Thunderbird and now just use a PWA (Progressive Web Application) for hotmail. Also experiencing trouble with using the AuroraStore, now that Google is paying more attention to anonymous logins on Google Play.
February 2023: Just deleted the mail app Geary. It wasn't updating from my hotmail account. Now testing out Thunderbird Mail.
January 2023: After reading Cal Newport's book Digital Minimalism, I decided to delete a few more apps from my smartphone, including email. It is kind of surprising how much the latter has reduced the urge to check my smartphone. The only remaining addictive app on there now is Signal.
Discussion: Reddit
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