Defining Open Source #
- Open source software refers to code that is public, allowing anyone to inspect, modify, and audit it.
- The philosophy prioritizes transparency, accountability, and user control over "blind trust" in closed systems.
Operating Systems & Browsers #
- CachyOS: A Linux distribution based on Arch Linux; the creator uses it on their ThinkPad daily driver for non-editing work.
- Zen Browser: Built on the Firefox Gecko engine, featuring vertical tab organization and a minimal interface with customizable visibility shortcuts.
Productivity & Academic Tools #
- Zotero: A critical tool for organizing academic literature and PDFs; includes a web extension for automated data gathering and syncs across devices.
- AppFlowy: An open-source alternative to Notion. While functional, the creator noted issues with importing Notion formatting and a lack of a commenting feature.
- OnlyOffice: A replacement for the Microsoft Office suite; chosen for its high compatibility with Word and PowerPoint file formats.
- Obsidian: Mentioned as a potential future alternative to Notion due to its reputation, though noted as having a learning curve.
Content Creation & Media #
- GIMP: Used for image editing and thumbnail creation; noted to have a steep learning curve for those transition from other workflows.
- Audacity: The primary tool for recording voiceovers due to its basic and functional nature.
- OBS (Open Broadcaster Software): The standard tool used for all screen recordings.
- VLC Media Player: A long-standing, reliable media player used for video playback.
- Final Cut Pro: Currently a non-open source holdout used for video editing. The creator intends to eventually switch to Kdenlive once they transition their main iMac Pro to Linux.
Utility & System Apps #
- LocalSend: An AirDrop alternative that allows file sharing across different operating systems (iOS, Linux, macOS) over the same network.
- Blanket: A simple application for playing and mixing ambient background sounds.
- Libera: A tool specifically for controlling Apple AirPods features (like noise cancellation) within a Linux environment.
Privacy & Security #
- Internxt: An open-source, encrypted cloud storage service used as an alternative to OneDrive; features zero-knowledge architecture and lifetime pricing plans.
- Proton Pass: The creator's current password manager, though they are considering a move to Bitwarden in the future.
- Proton Mail: Used for business email; the creator prefers the browser-based version over the desktop client.
Remaining Proprietary Dependencies #
- YouTube: Necessary for channel monetization and audience reach despite being closed source.
- Apple Music: Used due to a family subscription; the creator is exploring self-hosting music via a home lab but faces challenges with digitizing physical records.
- Discord: Currently used for community engagement; while not open source, it remains the primary hub for the creator's audience.
Summary #
After 90 days of prioritizing open-source software, the creator has successfully migrated the majority of their daily workflow to transparent alternatives like CachyOS, Zen Browser, and OnlyOffice. While some highly specialized tools (Final Cut Pro) and social platforms (YouTube, Discord) remain proprietary for practical and financial reasons, the experiment demonstrates that an open-source "daily driver" setup is increasingly viable for productivity, academics, and basic content creation.
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