🏴🏳‍⚧🏴‍☠

https://techtonic.fm/episodes/2026-03-23-janet-vertesi-founder-of-the-opt-out-project/

@cyberlyra made a very compelling argument for ditching Google. i've heard this many times but this was the first time anyone had spoken about where to go to do this.

https://www.optoutproject.net/

I listened to the episode last night and just today switched to Duck Duck Go, set up a proton drive, and moved all my files over. this weekend i'll set up a second, not Google, user profile on my phone and rearrange all my apps. then i'll actually use signal instead of g chat.

Janet Vertesi, founder of the Opt Out Project | Techtonic with Mark Hurst on WFMU

Techtonic’s signoff tells you to “get off Google,” and Janet Vertesi shows how it’s done. Janet founded the Opt Out Project to show people how to switch from Big Tech surveillance platforms to better, community-minded alternatives.

Techtonic with Mark Hurst on WFMU
Mar 26 at 7:14pmWeb
Show thread🏴🏳‍⚧🏴‍☠4d ago

@cyberlyra

update 3/27/26

muscle memory needs to be altered. every time I want to post a photo from my proton drive i automatically click the photo icon and that sends me to my empty Google drive. 🫠

Show threadNix is Ready for Spring4d ago
@coolcalmcollected @cyberlyra replace the icon!
Show thread🏴🏳‍⚧🏴‍☠4d ago

@nixanadoo @cyberlyra

? which one? the photo icon?

Show threadNix is Ready for Spring3d ago
@coolcalmcollected @cyberlyra yeah if it's muscle memory, put the new icon where the photos icon was!
Show thread🏴🏳‍⚧🏴‍☠3d ago

@nixanadoo

it's the photo icon shortcut to make a mastodon/bluesky post/repost which automatically directs me to my google drive. the giant fly in the ointment is I'm on a chrome book. it will always send me to Google apps/services. I need to remember this and just open my proton drive and copy/paste from there.

I have a windows machine but the UI won't load rendering it completely useless. i'm going to try to load Linux on it but that's a project for another day.

Show threadCyberlyra3d ago

@coolcalmcollected @nixanadoo Ohhh once you put Linux on it it will work like a dream and you won't have to worry about it.

Yes though, project for another weekend.

Show threadCyberlyra3d ago
@coolcalmcollected I found this too -- it was like phantom limb syndrome. Took a while. Move your proton photo app over to the spot where the google photos were if you can in the meanwhile? or just leave it as a reminder til you retrain your habits.
Show thread🏴🏳‍⚧🏴‍☠3d ago

@cyberlyra

update 3/28/26

made a separate user profile on my phone and having a devil of a time getting it and proton to connect for my email. but I am learning how email works. installed proton pass in the process. had to reset my signal because I have no idea where my notes are. now I just need to get my brother's signal setup without a complete meltdown. sometimes I wonder who has worse autism, me or him

Show threadCyberlyra4d ago
@coolcalmcollected EXCELLENT! I'm so happy to hear this! :D Keep us posted on your transition and choices -- and enjoy your happy new tech stack!
Show threadHydrojohn4d ago

@coolcalmcollected @cyberlyra Look at getting a riseup.net VPN and email, too.

https://riseup.net/

Home - riseup.net

Riseup provides online communication tools for people and groups working on liberatory social change. We are a project to create democratic alternatives and practice self-determination by controlling our own secure means of communications.