John MeadowsSeeing the boycott US vibe spreading in Europe now as well as Canada. I am also thinking this is a worldwide opportunity for us all to rethink our spending habits, and try to move away from mindless consumerism, which destroys our bank balances, our planet, and our souls. #boycottusa
Alison Wilder@Jgmeadows as a really pissed off USian, I'm totally for this. In fact, I think I'm going to boycott us too. Or at least all Fortune 500 companies.
@alisynthesis Boycotting large corps who bend the knee to Trump is always a great idea!
@Jgmeadows I'm focusing on the tech companies. In fact, I'm teaching a seminar at my local library soon to help other people do it too!
Flyover blue@alisynthesis @Jgmeadows I want to know how to do it too. Can you make it simple enough for olds?
@flyblue @Jgmeadows I'm going to try. I don't think there is any getting around that people will have to sacrifice a little convenience to go in that direction. But I'm certainly not going to try to force people to be technical when they're not!
Once I have the series written, I'll probably try to put something online. I don't know if it will be in video or blog post form, but if you keep an eye out, I'll eventually say something about it.
For now, check this out:
https://www.optoutproject.net/the-cyber-cleanse-take-back-your-digital-footprint/
@alisynthesis @flyblue Thanks for posting that link! I will definitely have a look!
I am on a mix of Apple (not ideal) and Linux. At least it's not Windows!
Left Twitter very soon after Musk took over, and also left Instagram.
The trick will be leaving Gmail; I have been on it so long! I will need to chose a new provider and then start the painful process of migration. It certainly happen overnight.
Then there is Facebook. (Sigh) I can't convince all my relatives to leave overnight!1/2
One thing I find deliciously subversive is that fact that there is a huge (over 800k) Buy Canadian / Boycott US group on FB, using the enemies resources to fight back and organize. 😃
Leaving streaming services is tougher. I have left a couple since I am on the only one using them, but others are used by by the family and I can't just lay down the law.
Canadians will do what they can, and to hell with those who prescriptively demand perfection.
2/2
@Jgmeadows @flyblue My mom is having a really hard time with Facebook for the same reason. I haven't ever been on it, so I didn't have that problem.
To leave Gmail, here's what I did. I forwarded my Gmail to a new email service. (I chose to not let the new emails stay on Google servers.) Then I just started using the new email. I didn't migrate anything and I didn't delete my Gmail account. I know that's not canon in terms of deplatforming, but that was the way it worked for me.
@alisynthesis @flyblue Exactly my plan for Facebook!
Great minds think alike!! 😃
@Jgmeadows @flyblue If you're just a little bit techy, I recommend setting up your own domain for email so that you're not locked into any service.
I didn't actually migrate my old emails, and it has turned out that I have not gone back to find an old email in gmail once since moving. Same as dual booting a Debian/Windows system. I just have never booted back into Windows, LOL.
One thing I want to look at is using Thunderbird to download all my Gmail in Mbox format, so it can be stored locally, and be searchable, without need to keep the account active online. Need to do some reading.
@Jgmeadows @flyblue Yep, that should be very doable!
@alisynthesis @flyblue I switched to Vivaldi for my browser some time ago (but still have half a dozen browsers installed, lol). I love its great blocking/anti-tracking and workspace features.
@alisynthesis @Jgmeadows I started using tutanota, and duck duck go. Would Vivaldi be a better choice? I don’t use any social media but this, so I have that part down. I’m still using a little bit of windows. Which Linux is easiest/best. I used it many years ago but that seems like a previous life at this point.
@flyblue @alisynthesis Which Linux is best such a religious argument. A lot of people suggest Linux Mint as a good intro. At least they are all free to try!
As for browsers, there are quite a few, and it can be personal preference. I do like Vivaldi myself but I would never presume to say it's the best. I'd say it's worth a look (and it's also free of course!)
@Jgmeadows @flyblue I love my Debian 12/Gnome! But yeah, you just gotta try some distros out. Don't be afraid to wipe and reinstall!
@alisynthesis @flyblue I like Debian 12 (on my Thinkpad) too! But I like KDE; I hope we can still be friends. 😃