u/Lone_Wolf5002

A major theme of this podcast is that tech has generally lost the plot and is no longer making the products that people want due to being taken over by business idiots. Keeping that in mind I have been trying to move away from intrusive, invasive, or otherwise apps that don't act in favor of end users. But honestly, correct me if I am wrong, sometimes that’s not so easy.

Not necessarily because there aren’t alternatives but, because modern platforms become deeply tied into everyday life. Sometimes the alternatives don’t fully fit your needs. Other times, the platform itself has too much leverage to leave behind.

For example, take YouTube. One can use ad blockers or various other extensions but, the platform itself is nearly impossible to replace. Due to the vase library of videos and dedicated community, forcing you to stick even if you don't want.

That made me curious about other people’s experiences. What’s a app you wish you could move away from, but realistically still can’t? And if alternatives exist, what’s stopping the switch for you?

Over time I’ve been trying to reduce my dependence on intrusive, invasive or otherwise apps that don't act in favor of end users, as much as possible. And honestly, the more I do it, the more I understand a lot of the concerns people in communities like this have raised for years. But honestly, correct me if I am wrong, sometimes that’s not so easy.

Sometimes you can’t find a free/libre alternative that fits all your needs. And sometimes, even if you do find one, the proprietary software still has too much leverage over you to leave.

For example, take WhatsApp. I know there are better alternatives like Signal, etc. But where I live, almost everyone uses WhatsApp — friends, family, work, local groups, etc. So even if I personally want to switch, it becomes difficult when the people I need to communicate with aren’t there.

That made me curious about other people’s experiences here. So for what use case, you can't find a better free/libre alternative that fit all your requirements? And, if you can't make the switch even after finding one, what's your reason for that?

I strongly support the goals of FOSS, and over time I’ve been trying to reduce my dependence on proprietary apps and services wherever possible. But honestly, correct me if I am wrong, sometimes that’s not so easy.

Sometimes you can’t find a FOSS alternative that fits all your needs. And sometimes, even if you do find one, the proprietary software still has too much leverage over you to leave.

For example, take WhatsApp. I know there are better alternatives like Signal, etc. But where I live, almost everyone uses WhatsApp — friends, family, work, local groups, etc. So even if I personally want to switch, it becomes difficult when the people I need to communicate with aren’t there.

That made me curious about other people’s experiences here. So for what use case, you can't find a better FOSS alternative that fit all your requirements? And, if you can't make the switch even after finding one, what's your reason for that?

I strongly support the goals of free software, and over time I’ve been trying to reduce my dependence on proprietary apps and services wherever possible. But honestly, correct me if I am wrong, sometimes that’s not so easy.

Sometimes you can’t find a free software alternative that fits all your needs. And sometimes, even if you do find one, the proprietary software still has too much leverage over you to leave.

For example, take WhatsApp. I know there are better alternatives like Signal, etc. But where I live, almost everyone uses WhatsApp — friends, family, work, local groups, etc. So even if I personally want to switch, it becomes difficult when the people I need to communicate with aren’t there.

That made me curious about other people’s experiences here. So for what use case, you can't find a better free software alternative that fit all your requirements? And, if you can't make the switch even after finding one, what's your reason for that?

Ever tried to do something simple and ended up frustrated with an app due to stuffs like: ads every second you use, forcing signups and then subscriptions, doesn't cares about user privacy and sells their data confidently, used to be good but has worsen it's user experience, etc? Then congrats, you just got a glimpse of enshittification.

Now, the real problem is that, not everytime we are able to find better options. For which we are forced to stick with the crappy apps even if we don't like them.

That's why I thought, why don't we help each other, who are stuck with this problem?

So, share if you have a problem for which you want better options or, name of apps that you want better alternative for. And others (including me) will try help you find non-enshittified, better options (if possible open source, since I think most us prefer that only).