G is for Goodbye Google

In my ethical living journey with Sam, the next step is to #degoogle.

I had already made - what I think is probably the most important - step by changing my search engine. For several months I have now been relying on #Ecosia (planting trees with each search!), occasionally supplemented by Kagi (free 100 search trial). Also using the Ecosia browser for work (Chrome compatible) and #Firefox for home/personal. So Google hasn't been able to compile data on me that way for awhile.

I've also signed up for #Filen data storage at an amazing lifetime rate - I hope they stick around. German company that runs on renewable energy. I also did a trial with #Sync (Canadian company) and would highly recommend them if syncing and sharing data is important to you.

I use the Maps app on my iphone rather than Google Maps for driving because I find it gives better instructions without changing routes on me. But for planning trips, I have to say I still use Google Maps. Open Street Map looks great but it doesn't seem to have the Giving Directions feature - am I wrong?

In my work I use Google Earth Engine - a platform for processing satellite data - can't degoogle that unless they quit providing the service and am forced to.

Trying to remember to go through #Invidious to view videos on YouTube.

Google Chat - Again my workplace is all Google and I have to use it. Otherwise, Zoom is a well known alternative. Sam's page also also brought my attention to #Jitsi, which looks very easy to use - you don't have to make an account or anything.

I looked into private email alternatives and found some great options, but I decided to continue to use my gmail as it would be too much hassle to change. However, I am going to access it through the #Thunderbird client on desktop instead of the gmail website. This has the advantage of my mail being backed up on my desktop instead of just in Google's cloud if I do decide to switch emails in the future.

So not completely degoogled but that's the amount that makes sense in my life for now. When retired I can degoogle more. LIke I said, I do think the Search and Browser are the most important and painlessly replaced. #Google Search definitely used to be the best but kind of sucks now with the bloat of sponsored results.