![Official Website for Dustin Miller PolyInnovator [LLC]](https://www.polyinnovator.space/content/images/2025/03/polyinnovator-logo-2024.png){kind=logo}
Let me start by saying I HAVEN'T done it yet, but sometimes the best time for me to write these mega-posts are when I am in the midst of going down rabbit holes. I want to provide you with all of the information I can/am taking in myself.
Perhaps it will motivate me to fully commit, or to help you get started as well. I think this post will get you on the right track no matter what level you are. We'll start with WHY you should do this, and what to make of the whole thing. We'll go into various tools you can use to DO the things, and while not everything will be "Free and open-source software (FOSS)". I think that for the most part what matters is that things are Local and Offline (unless it is a server or personal cloud you design), and most of all that YOU have control.
A video that really dug me into this mindset/rabbit hole:
https://youtu.be/u_Lxkt50xOg pewdiepie degoogling
There are so many things you can do, and tools you can use. However I'm going to give you what I use, or I am planning to use. Often these both can work together as well. While I haven't fully dived head first into it, these are things I've been looking into for quite some time.
What this post is for, and who can read it:
Now while I'd love to make this openly available, the 👾 PolyPRO members are who I made it for this time. As when I do these mega-value type posts I tend to make them my paid posts, but it only costs $5 to join.
I've been INCREASINGLY more and more concerned about privacy. Most companies make their money not FROM you, but OFF of you... or more specifically the data about you.
If privacy concerns are your motivation as well, then I encourage you to keep reading. If they are not your main concern, the other aspect can be: Control.
I hate how locked down everything is becoming. Google is making it harder to sideload apps (which half of my installs are side loaded), they are making it harder to TURN OFF certain apps (which send data telemetry and diagnostics in the background, even when you terminate). This isn't even just Android, as it is honestly even worse on iOS. Don't get me started on Windows...
Well I'm going to start. "MicroSlop" as they have been referred to as recently, has been continuously making their operating system worse.
From FORCED updates, even when you paused or told it not to, then to ever present AI features no one asked for (coming from a guy who actively likes AI mind you). There are so many things wrong, and that it makes even daily driving windows hard. Let alone gaming nowadays, especially with Linux doing wonders in the gaming department. More on Windows later.
Why do you want to De-Google?
In our lives we produce a TON of data...
From what we like (social media + content), to what we eat (smart fridges + grocery store memberships), what we listen to (spotify/tidal/apple/youtube music), where we go online (our web browser/ISP/etc), and all of them culminate into our online persona. Of which big companies will pay a lot of money for in order to get your information.
Why would they spend money? The platforms we are using are mostly free! I.e. Facebook or YouTube (premium is simply for avoiding ads really). Thus how are they making money, if we are not spending money on the platforms?
We spend our time, create data, and our actions end up going towards later purchases too. We see a video talking about a new computer, we then click on the computer to find out more, we leave, we see another ad about the computer, and then in turn buy that computer.
Google is one of the foremost, if not THE foremost, data collectors on the market. With Facebook Pixel closely behind, and honestly I would say TikTok as well (but half of the platform deleted the app after the buyout in US).
Why it is Time to DUMP Your Big Tech Companies
Well to be honest I doubt anyone can FULLY dump all of the Big Tech, as we are so deeply ingrained into some of them. The real point is to try and minimize the amount of companies you give your data to.
For example I'm deeply ingrained into Google, even using a Google TV and Pixel 9a, and while I can sell my dongle. I'm sort of stuck with this phone for a while, but I can install an alternative operating system onto it.
I'm a big Xbox fan, and I use Windows PC's a lot, and so Microsoft is deeply ingrained too. I sold my Xbox, but even if I switch over to Linux I'll be doing some sort of Windows gaming at some point still, as some of my games are on Xbox store. Even if I rebuy them on GoG or something, its still there.
I hate Apple, and while I now own an iPhone I don't use it, and I only have it to be able to manage my Podcasts on the Apple podcasts; Which I could care less about, and only did it for my listeners.
Finally, there are Amazon and Facebook, both of which are sort of hard to remove fully too. I've downloaded all of my books, and keep things local. I did the same with my Music and dumping Spotify.
I go into various tools you can use in all sorts of categories in the Content Newsletter:
Dustin Miller | PolyInnovator
Now I can't say get rid of ALL of your big tech, as we are so deeply ingrained into them that it would be really really reeallllyyyy hard to do it.
In the end you just need to simply DECREASE the amount of companies you routinely use. Ideally, don't even have an account with them!
You can't just delete your Facebook/Meta, if you want to keep your Instagram and WhatsApp.
For example I personally loathe Apple, so it was pretty easy for me to avoid it. However EVEN I had to make an Apple account due to me having podcasts on Apple iTunes (or whatever they changed the name to again). That is the ONLY reason I was on Apple at all, and I don't use any of it otherwise.
Conversely, I have always been a windows user, and an Xbox user at that. Meaning my Microsoft account has aged like fine wine. I wouldn't want to just delete it right then and there. Maybe shifting to Outlook or something would help me De-Google, but it would then put my data into another devil's hands.
Amazon is so synonymous with ecommerce and shopping, that many people find it impossible to get off of it. Especially if you're boycotting places like Target and Walmart. You really don't need all three, but modern shopping usually takes those forms unfortunately.
What's left? Google? Both one of the best software stacks you can use, but also at the same time the worst when it comes to data collection.
My point is try to decrease the amount of these big companies as you can.
What Operating System do you use?
Most people use Windows, another significant chunk use Mac, but neither one is actually that good. They both are also shoving features down your throat, with Microsoft being even worse with their AI. #microslop
I think the pretty obvious answer is get off Windows and Mac OS, but then what? Linux is clear, but WHICH Linux do you use? There are countless distros (distributions/versions of linux) that people have made.
More gaming centric, but I think does a good job explaining the challenges.
Zorin OS - Windows Alternative
Now you'd probably want something that isn't super niche, and more than likely similar in visual interface to what you are used to. That is why I have always been fond of Zorin OS, which allows you to change the interface into pretty much most OS styles you'd be used to.
My suggestion for people starting out.
Then there are plenty of other options as well. This great youtube video sort of explains all of the variations, and some of the more basic distros like the one he uses.
Bazzite OS - Steam OS and Windows Alternative
Now I personally wouldn't use it as a full on desktop replacement for Windows, even though it fully can be. I'd rather use Zorin in my own preference, as the interface is just better for productivity.
HOWEVER.
In the idea of using a Linux Distro for GAMING, this is the one to get! I put it on my Lenovo Legion Go (even tried it on my mini pc desktop too), and it was a great experience. Basically treats it like a Steamdeck, which means it feels like a console. Using Proton to let you play all of your Steam games (well most). I even docked it into my TV, so I could play my games on the big screen.
Now can you game on Zorin? Technically the "Proton" layer is on ANY linux distro, but the Steam OS clones like Bazzite or Chimera give you that out of the box experience.
Alternatives to Phone Operating Systems
Now I'm going to take some heat on this section, if I don't already in the Linux part above, as these communities can be a bit opinionated. However while there are a PLETHORA of Android Roms (the iso type install files for Android alternatives). There are really not many anymore
The main one I would suggest at this point however is: Graphene OS. It is super privacy focused, modern updates, and even lets you compartmentalize the apps you may "need" to use. Though you don't want to track you. I.e. Meta or Google apps, so that they can't talk, and they will CLOSE CLOSE when you terminate them.
Quick Note on Android/Chrome OS:
Now while I do support you de-googling, and leaving Android/iOS. There is a major shift happening to Android where it is becoming a merged Desktop/Mobile operating system. Merged with Chrome OS even, and that makes a huge difference in the usability of the platform.
Much like how people rave about the iPad experience, I think that this new Aluminum OS that is the merging of the aforementioned two. That will be an even better experience, however you'll have to use Google. Hopefully one of the Android fork teams making Graphene and other ones will find a way to make an open version of it. Like the did for Chrome OS, with https://fydeos.io/!
Alternative Tools/Apps you Can Use
Now the main premise of changing your ecosystem from big company to open source/alternatives; Is to find the best thing you can use for yourself. I'll get into some creator options in the next section, and let's focus on basic use cases first.
While there are probably many options for each of these use cases. I am going to focus on simply one good choice, that I'm going to use myself, or I could see myself using. Hopefully that will get you on the right track!
Instead of Spotify Use This:
Spotify doesn't pay artists well, they put out an ad for ICE, and they keep raising their prices over and over. Personally I also had a lot of performance issues with things like my liked songs not loading, even though they were downloaded, for 60-90 seconds!
Navidrome is a personal streaming service, you provide the music, and you host it yourself. However it is solely yours to use nothing out of your control.
The Navidrome Authors
Instead of Nest Speaker/Alexa Use This:
Now do we really NEED smart speakers? Sometimes, as they do a great job at making things easier for us. However the alexa and google nest speakers are notorious for listening in, even when the mute switch is turned on. That's CRAZY.
This Home Assistant device is actually a full-fledged alternative, and while you can use their cloud options. You can also completely self-host it all, which is awesome.
Home Assistant
Alternative to Discord
Discord went back on the partnering with the sketchy service to scan your ID's or Facial scans. However they still have had a ton of leaks and issues with data privacy and protection.
A lot of companies are leaving discord, and even regular creators too.
Fluxer Team
Instead of Google/Apple Cloud Use This:
Something I am going to dig more into, and probably make more posts about. Nextcloud is basically the all in one productivity, from calendar to email, to task management, and project management.
nextcloud
Instead of ChatGPT Use This:
OpenAI lost a ton of market share due to their cozying up to the Department of Defense in the US. Uninstalls were up 295% on the mobile app, and many people left the website as well.
In my experience various AI's will get better than the others, and then back and forth. My preferred anyways is Claude, and the company Anthropic also told the Government "no we do not want our AI making life or death decisions", which is the right choice.
Alternatively, I also put Ollama here, or you can insert any locally hosted AI LLM as well. Really just having it locally is key.
Instead of Kindle Use This:
I have all of my books in Obsidian, and there are plenty of plugins that you can use to read pdfs/mobi/epub. There's also tools like Readest too!
Bilingify LLC
Dustin Miller | PolyInnovator
I share a bunch of knowledge in posts similar to this in my Technology Tag:
Dustin Miller | PolyInnovator
You can also find more tools on websites like this:
Sometimes I like to go on these Subreddits and see if they have something unique too!
https://www.reddit.com/r/SideProject/
https://www.reddit.com/r/microsaas/
How do you still use the Internet?
Well like Pewdiepie said in the video at the start of this post you need to switch your search engine right away. Go use https://duckduckgo.com/ simple as that. Alternatively, there are just ways of doing things in incognito mode, vpn, and using proxies if you have to use the main search engines.
We also need to talk about internet providers. Firstly, let's talk about your browsing experience.
Pick the right Browser...
Okay hear me out, I can't stand Firefox anymore, and it isn't compatible with a ton of tools I use. It also started tracking a ton of your stuff, and also deeply embedding AI into your browser.
I'm not against AI, and if you want to use it then by all means. However I think there are better choices when it comes to AI browsers. I digress.
It seems to me that the only options for web browsers are chromium based. I personally use Opera, which has a lot of features I like, and it doesn't track everything you do (edit: it does. It is owned by Chinese company that is tracking just as much as Google!). It also doesn't eat the same amount of ram as Chrome.
Some people really like Brave, but I find that it is too weak on features for the tradeoff of privacy.
HOWEVER - Update:
I am actively thinking about, and maybe by the time this post launches. Switching to Vivaldi. It is still Chromium, but I have been hearing more and more about how Opera (specifically Opera GX) is very bad for privacy due to their Chinese parent company now. Very profit oriented, and that's why Opera GX was so heavily marketed.
Vivaldi is another safe choice from what I can tell!
Taggartmttaggart
Non-Chromium
Finally, if you can't make yourself use a Google sourced "Chromium" browser, then use https://www.firefox.com. However might I suggest instead: https://zen-browser.app/ which is a more modern version forked off of Firefox.
What Internet Providers do you use?
The problem with ISP's is that you really don't get a choice. In my experience you can go with cable based internet, which I think is just the copper wiring - coaxial cables, or you can go with one other provider.
That is usually it. Either cable or DSL/Fiber, now the cable company in my town is laying down fiber, and switching to it for internet finally.
There's two cable companies, and two DSL/Fiber companies. Each of them have their territories, and sort of overlap in some places. The best thing to do is to look at a territory map.
NOW, some of you may be thinking, well you can just use Cellular based internet (even proper 5G in some places). However the reason I didn't mention it before, even though their coverage maps often overlap with the traditional ISP's giving you more options. The actual quality of the connection is very hard to tell.
Some people will get great service, and others won't.
Additionally, there are satellite options like Starlink or Amazon Leo, but they aren't the greatest choices either. Starlink is owned by a maniacal Elon Musk, and Amazon is one of the big companies you're trying to escape from with this post.
However depending on your location, travel time (as in if digital nomad), and other factors those might be your best choice. I can't give you an opinion here, as everyone's situation is different.
OpenSource or Alternative Content Creator Tools
Now I could probably sit here and tell you about Kdenlive or Openshot, which are free open alternatives to Premiere or Davinci Resolve. However as someone who uses Davinci myself, it is already the FREE option for any creator to use. I've been a youtuber for nearly a decade, and I never felt like I had to pay for their studio version. What I might do is just give you an alternative tool, and an open source tool. That way you have a choice.
Open Source Video Editing
OpenShot Studios, LLC
Alternative Video Editing
Blackmagic Design
Open Source Photo Editing
Pat David
Jason Polak
Not my area of expertise, so here's a blog post.
Alternative Photo Editing
Unfortunately it is owned by Canva, and while I still use it. It has now become one of those big companies that might be worth avoiding. I personally paid for the Affinity Photo and Designer products.
Now the all in one Affinity app is a great piece of software, that is an alternative to Adobe suite.
How to do Knowledge Management
While there are plenty of open source tools out there, most of them suck, or some of the new tools (I'm not sure if FOSS) such as Affine/AnyType/Appflowy just sort of suck. Affine stands out, and seems to have gotten better. However I still wouldn't back it myself.
What I use is Obsidian, and while it isn't Open Source, it is free to use. Most people who use it tend to modify it with plugins too. Making it unique for each person.
I've gotten pretty advanced with it, and have tried to make it my all in one productivity system!
Dustin Miller | PolyInnovator
Dustin Miller | PolyInnovator
Where to go next?
I'm sorry I couldn't make a how to type of post, and here is what you should do. This, this, and this. However I'm still on the journey myself, and I sometimes make my best PolyPRO posts in this learning state.
I shared even more videos below to try and offset some lack of info. I also suggest going down the rabbitholes, there are so many things you can do. Even download Wikipedia, or going completely offline.
While this post is something of a starter for you, I'm sure I'll have more how to posts in the future!
