Linux. Programming. Infrastructure.
In short, making computers do what you want them to do.
First of all, we get rid of the business side. Stop signing up for other people’s platforms. Also get rid of impersonal forms, approvals, meetings, stand-ups. This is about personal digital agency, a general-purpose skillset that will end up liberating users from big tech and company grifts. This is about you and what you want, not about having to conform to whatever happens to be available.
This page is my catch-all review of digital ownership, with enough tools and docs to get back in control.
The Operating System
Is Windows still really yours? Long story short, it’s not. Microsoft has been intensifying their invasive gathering of user metrics. The necessity of a “product activation key” (connected to your “Microsoft account”) is undeniable proof of making you a part of the Microsoft user ecosystem. From that moment onward, they can unilaterally change the terms and push the boundaries in their own favor, because you’re already invested.
How? You start from the bottom and work your way up.
Linux doesn’t do that. You just install the Linux kernel on the hardware you have, and you’re done. You don’t have to declare who you are or pay inordinate fees just to turn on a device in your own house. It just works, and now it’s yours to do with whatever you like. Delete the root directory? Go ahead, it’s your own property anyway.
And that right there is a great jumping-off point for taking back control of your digital property. How?
Open-Source Software
Quick shoutout to Proton for having the right priorities. Look at their solutions for VPN and password management. They offer secure email addresses for those who sign up, as well.
Need to draft a document or a letter?
OpenOffice. All the basics are in there. Word processing, making presentations, calculation worksheets, the whole package.
Need to browse the internet safely, with less advertisements?
Get yourself the Brave browser, or Opera if you prefer that. If you’re an old man who can’t let go of anything, just install Mozilla Firefox again.
That should set you up for most home tasks. Now for the fun part.
DIY Programming
Python is the go-to programming language for beginners. Once you get started with the logic, it’s really manageable. So what is the up-front knowledge you need to wrap your head around?
You’ll probably need a program called an “IDE” to actually write and test the software. PyCharm comes to mind as a great Python-specific default. Another option for an IDE is Visual Studio, a widely supported program with tons of plugins and extensibility.
