Hills and valleys: My Journey Away from Big Tech
I will take you on my adventure to switch from Big Tech software to more reliable, European or open-source alternatives. I share my experience with you frankly: successes, setbacks and challenges. Along the way I encounter all kinds of obstacles, such as hardware that does not work, services that cost money and incomprehension from people around me. I will share everything with you so that you can learn and enjoy this journey. Come with me!
The Difficult Farewell Letter to Microsoft
The decision was taken: I wanted to break away from Microsoft 365 and put my data and work processes in an open and independent system. Nextcloud seemed like the ideal alternative. But although the concept was promising, the practice turned out to be a lot more unruly. Even as a single-player, I struggled to make the switch. And that says it all.
“You don’t get freedom as a gift. You have to pull her out of the clutches of laziness.”
Hanging and Strangling: The first steps
After the initial installation, it felt like I was creating more problems than solving them. Files were not in the right place, synchronization was unreliable and the workflow I was used to no longer looked like anything. I had traded in all my Microsoft services, but got a lot of frustration in return. Why did I do this to myself? But the real problem turned out not to be Nextcloud itself, but the party where I had housed it. When I decided to switch SaaS provider, everything suddenly fell into place. The migration went smoothly, the functionalities worked as promised and the feeling of dissatisfaction disappeared.
“The right tool in the wrong hands is useless. The right hands make even the simplest tools powerful.”
Nextcloud as a Workplace: The Reversal
The real test came when I used Nextcloud not only for myself, but also for collaboration. When I added a second user – my partner in EduNEX – I really noticed the power of the system. File sharing, calendar management, project management with Deck, integrations with Miro and Notion - everything worked seamlessly together. Email is missing, but that's a conscious choice. Proton.me offers the privacy I want, and that means that the system cannot be linked by definition. That doesn't bother me. I have learned by now that Nextcloud does not try to be everything – and that is exactly its strength.
“Not everything can or should be done in one system. This is an addiction we need to get rid of.”
A Philosophy That Requires Wenning
The transition to Nextcloud is not only technical, but also mental. We have become accustomed to the all-in-one solutions from Microsoft and Google. Nextcloud forces you to think about what tools you really need. There are countless integrations available, even for Microsoft tools, but the question is: Do you still want to? I've learned that Nextcloud is perfect at what it does, and that it's no problem to use other software for what it can do better. But that mindset requires a reset. I can imagine that companies without a technical background will not make this step quickly.
“Digital independence starts with a simple question: do you want control, or do you want convenience?’
The next step: Helping Others Switch
My experience has taught me not only how to organize my own digital freedom, but also that many companies will need help with this transition. That is why I decided to use my knowledge and experience to help SMEs migrate to sustainable, European software solutions. Ambitious? Maybe it is. But I start small. First the SMEs, especially the K of them. Because if I had trouble as a technically savvy user, then it is an even bigger challenge for companies without an IT department. And that's exactly where the opportunity lies.
“You can keep complaining about Big Tech, or you can just get out.”
Do you want to make your company less dependent on Microsoft and escape the grip of Big Tech and Big Bad Bully America, When you choose a privacy-friendly, European solution? I'm happy to help you with the migration.
English (UK)