Making the Switch to Open Source

As we all increasingly become aware of privacy and digital safety issues, many of us want to be safer online but this is often hampered by the convenience versus safety battle that comes with this choice.

One of the ways to improve on your digital safety is opting for open source software alternatives but more often than not, this means sacrificing the digital life you’re used to for the ideal one you want.

Some people are able to make this switch against all odds fueled by their political or ideological stance. Having tried to make some of these switches myself, I know how difficult it is, especially when it comes to communications apps due to their inherently reduced reach and audience.

The major questions around open source software are:

What exactly are they?
Why should it matter if it’s open or not?
What are the benefits and drawbacks?
How can you make the switch?

This article answers these questions and gives you information on what you would need to consider if you are thinking of making the switch as well as some useful tips.

Why should you care about open or not?

Most of the programs and software we use are closed source – whether or not they are free or paid. Proprietary or closed source software hides the language behind the application and has been described as similar to buying a house without being able to assess what goes into building it.

“Not being able to view the code of an application is akin to buying a house without being able to get a home inspection. Is there lead in the paint? Is the building structurally sound? You have only the seller’s word.” – Bertel King, Jr. [1]

Why does this affect you? Because when you obtain closed source software, you only get a license to use the software with many restrictions imposed by the company. These restrictions limit what you can use the software for, changes you can make, hardware they can be used on, being able to share it, or any other alterations you might want. [2]

Open source software is a great alternative. They are free and allow you view or modify the source code as you wish! Even better, you don’t need to be able to code or have technical knowledge to use them but if you want to, then you can. Having options never hurt.

Switching to open source is becoming easier and a lot of the usability issues are being fixed. As more people hop on the train, the issue of who you can contact using them is also gradually getting addressed. [3]

For many who worry about their personal privacy and their data where platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp are concerned, open source, privacy-focused alternatives are providing ways to protect from the exposure. Social media alternatives such as Mastodon give you greater control over who can see what you are sharing, content warnings and other privacy settings. [4]

Benefits

Using open source alternatives can help you save money spent on proprietary software.
Open source software are much safer than their proprietary alternatives.
They are made with the aim of addressing not only the legal but also the ethical issues which make them privacy, security and safety conscious.
They are increasingly becoming easier to use.
If you have the technical skills and are looking to explore your options, then open source gives you more power and flexibility to do so.
Open source alternatives give you greater control over your settings, what you share and give away.
You get the chance to create your own network. With many open source software, you can host your own private network or community.

Drawbacks

The reach of open source software is still limited. This makes it difficult to switch to as default or main platforms, especially with regard to personal communication.
It can be time consuming to understand and rework them to your specifications, although once you do, there are huge pay offs.
It can also be difficult to use as it is counterintuitive for many people and different from what most used to. This is one of the main reasons why a lot of people drop out of the process.
Admittedly, open source software can be inconsistent or poorly organized, especially when compared to their big name, corporate alternatives.
They might also require frequent backups, especially before major software updates, but even the big names of today went through phases when a big update could wipe your data.
Finally, you would need to unlearn functionalities you’re used to and lose the associated ease, convenience, and preferred settings. You will have to sacrifice and miss out on some of the more accessible, popular, and easy to use programs or services. Your priorities will have to change.

How to make the switch

Begin with a digital detox program like Mozilla’s. [5]

Be gradual – don’t make these changes all at once. Doing so will result in your software use feeling too different and overwhelming, which might make you want to just quit it all. Pick your priorities to begin with. Implement them in phases, and give yourself time to get used to it. When using the new software feels as natural as your previous one, begin a different phase.

It can take a bit of time to do this correctly but it is better to switch in a sustainable way than to have a bad experience switching. Many people have a transition period where they use both old and new services simultaneously, or try out different alternatives before settling on one of them. [6]

Tell your friends – your social circle can sometimes pull you back to your old practices and old software. You might need to do some converting to get them to make the switch with you. It makes it easier to stay on the path when you have everyone you communicate with on your new app. The biggest obstacle to using these platforms is often getting people to move to them but the more people are accessible on your new app, the more engaging and attractive it is and that new app is more likely to become the default. Remember the rise of BBM, WhatsApp, and FB messenger? Exactly.

You also need to make sure that as you protect yourself, those around you or with whom you often communicate are protected too, or they can also pose risks to your own security. It’s good for them and for you, too.

You do not have to delete all your old apps if you’re worried about losing that data. Keep them while you make the switch and only begin deleting as you feel comfortable. If that feels like never, that’s okay – the reduced use is already improving the situation.

You get to pick and choose. Choice is always important even with open source alternatives to software. You can decide what’s important to switch for you and what’s not. It’s totally dependent on your needs and want. You should be happy with the switch.

Popular software and their open source alternatives

Software	Open Source Alternatives
macOS, Windows	Linux, FreeBSD
Microsoft Office	LibreOffice, OpenOffice
WhatsApp	Signal, Wire, XMPP / Jabber
Microsoft Outlook	Mozilla’s Thunderbird
Google Chrome	Mozilla’s Firefox, Tor, Chromium
Google Search	DuckDuckGo
Skype	Jitsi Meet, Jami
Gmail	Tutanota, ProtonMail
Twitter	Mastodon
Instagram	PixelFed,Textile
Google Docs	CryptPad
Medium	Write Freely, Plume
Amazon Books, Kindle, Audible, GoodReads	Calibre, Hive

These are some of the most popular alternatives and there are many more out there. Ultimately, the choice of how and why to switch is yours! Pick the solutions that work best for your digital safety needs.

I love this quote from Dan Arel’s post on open source social media alternatives:

We create our online communities, and if we can use open source, ethical, and privacy-respecting platforms, the internet and our lives will benefit greatly. – Dan Arel [4]

Have you tried making the switch to open source? What issues or challenges have you encountered? If you’re considering making the switch, what are your biggest concerns and questions? Share them in the comments section!