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!
1. The digital node we've been avoiding for too long
Beginning in October 2025, Microsoft will discontinue support for Windows 10. Millions of users will soon have an operating system that no longer receives security updates. The logical step seems to be: Switch to Windows 11. But wait a minute. This choice is not without consequences. Not every machine can run Windows 11, and the system requires a Microsoft account and integration with the cloud. This is not desirable for everyone, let alone necessary.
EAn upgrade that forces you into dependency is not progress but a pitfall.
2. An old laptop, a new beginning
A good friend of mine put it to the test. His old laptop, log and slow under Windows 10, got a second life with Zorin OS, a user-friendly Linux alternative. Within half an hour he was operational. No login obligations, no cloud push – just speed and control. And the best part? That laptop is now his favorite, despite the modest hardware.
Sometimes you have to renew something old to discover what freedom really means.
3. Linux is not what you think it is.
The days when Linux was synonymous with ‘nerds with terminal windows’ are over. Distributions like Zorin, Ubuntu and Linux Mint offer a user experience that is even friendlier to many than Windows. Do you want to know which variant suits you? Give it a try Distrochooser — a handy tool to get you started.
User-friendliness is no longer an exclusive Windows right.
4. Alternatives to Everything You Know
Are you afraid of losing your trusted software? No need for anything. Via Alternativeto.net You can find a Linux variant for almost any Windows program. From Office to Photoshop, from Teams to OneNote – alternatives are plentiful, often free and privacy-friendly.
You only miss alternatives if you think you have no choice.
5. Freedom, security and sovereignty
By switching to Linux, you consciously opt for digital autonomy. You decide what you install, what you share and what you don't share. No mandatory cloud storage, no tracking by big tech, no updates that interrupt your workflow without permission. In a world where technology is increasingly affecting us, digital freedom is no longer a luxury, but a right.
On 5 May We celebrate our freedom in the Netherlands. But let's not forget that freedom in the digital domain must be fought and protected just as hard. Freedom starts with conscious choice – also for your software.
Freedom is not only a memory of the past, but a task for today.
English (UK)