Proton launches privacy-focused Google Docs alternative: Docs in Proton Drive is an open-source, end-to-end encrypted collaborative document editor (proton.me)
from mox@lemmy.sdf.org to privacy@lemmy.ml on 03 Jul 2024 22:57
https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/19067157

#privacy

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mayra@lemmy.world on 03 Jul 2024 23:14 next collapse

Very cool but Proton Drive for Linux when?

TCB13@lemmy.world on 03 Jul 2024 23:15 next collapse

They don’t care.

mayra@lemmy.world on 03 Jul 2024 23:22 next collapse

That might be it. Whatever the reason, it seems like a missed opportunity. Especially when they go out of their way to provide direct APKs to Android users who do not use Play Store.

TCB13@lemmy.world on 03 Jul 2024 23:27 next collapse

They might have done their stats and figured out that only 0.0000001% of their users would benefit from it and there weren’t much profit there to make.

meldrik@lemmy.wtf on 03 Jul 2024 23:33 next collapse

One of the reasons for me not to switch, is because there is no Linux client.

Twitches@lemm.ee on 04 Jul 2024 02:16 collapse

If they had a contacts app for Android and a proton drive Linux client I would be 1,000% on board. I would switch basically everything over and be more than happy to pay for it. Useless to me otherwise

sunzu@kbin.run on 03 Jul 2024 23:35 collapse

Use that linux mail web app... maybe they will change their minds.

Linux crowd is hard to appease tho

Hopefully one day when we finally hit the year of Linux Desktop this changes.

Currently, gamers are on boarding. I think once critical mass joins with their buying power, things should change.

TCB13@lemmy.world on 04 Jul 2024 00:36 collapse

. I think once we critical mass joins with their buying power, things should change.

Yeah me too, but for that to happen you need to get: Adobe CC, MS Office, Autodesk and a few others the masses use as native desktop apps. The Linux Desktop year will not come until those exist… and until GNOME fixes their shit and stop thinking their users are stupid and desktop icons are useless.

jabathekek@sopuli.xyz on 04 Jul 2024 01:03 collapse

Adobe CC

GNUMPY (GIMP), Kdenlive, Audacity

MS Office

Libre Office

Autodesk

BricsCAD, FreeCAD, etc. ->https://alternativeto.net, www.bricsys.com

Also Autodesk might work on Linux since .NET was recently integrated to major distros, though I’m merely thinking .NET = .NET for AutoCAD which might not be true, or is not the whole picture^1,2,3^.

  1. learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/core/…/linux

  2. wiki.archlinux.org/title/.NET

  3. forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-forum/…/7927396 (AutoCAD requires .NET frameworks)

TCB13@lemmy.world on 04 Jul 2024 11:00 collapse

Those are alternatives not the 100% compatible solutions that professionals who spend 8h/day in front of those tools need.

[deleted] on 04 Jul 2024 18:53 collapse
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halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world on 04 Jul 2024 02:26 collapse

Especially when they go out of their way to provide direct APKs to Android users who do not use Play Store.

They already had to make the APK for the Play Store, providing it directly doesn’t require extra dev work.

bloubz@lemmygrad.ml on 04 Jul 2024 07:19 collapse

They stopped doing that unfortunately, I think. I struggled to find all 6 apps

JCreazy@midwest.social on 04 Jul 2024 01:45 next collapse

They need Linux developers to help.

somethingsomethingidk@lemmy.world on 04 Jul 2024 04:55 collapse

Where’s the source code? Seriously, the only thing I can find for drive & calander are repos that were archived in 2021

sudneo@lemm.ee on 04 Jul 2024 08:45 collapse

github.com/ProtonMail/WebClients/…/applications

They use monorepo for the web clients, at least.

Here the mobile apps:

github.com/ProtonDriveApps

AProfessional@lemmy.world on 04 Jul 2024 11:15 collapse

I started working on one but don’t have much time.

The interesting repos:

Unfortunately they don’t publish any api docs.

RmDebArc_5@sh.itjust.works on 04 Jul 2024 11:46 collapse

I don’t think they don’t care, they have been adding Linux versions for all of their apps (except drive of course). The CEO themselves said in an interview that a Linux client for drive is inevitable and they will make one, but one of the hardest clients to develop.

VerseAndVermin@lemmy.world on 05 Jul 2024 09:28 collapse

The guy who made the Backblaze software said it was already done and was easy for their standard client to work with Linux but never got rolled out because Linux users are power users. I wonder if that is the real reason when it comes to Proton. It’s not unlimited but maybe there is some power user use that they anticipate and don’t want to deal with.

barcaxavi@lemmy.world on 04 Jul 2024 00:03 next collapse

I feel like their goal is more close to providing a privacy-minded alternative to Google’s G-suite to “regular” users, so for me it totally makes sense. But yeah, I’m also really waiting for the Linux drive app.

psvrh@lemmy.ca on 04 Jul 2024 00:09 next collapse

Doesn’t rclone work?

wuphysics87@lemmy.ml on 04 Jul 2024 02:00 next collapse

I’m gonna try to see if you can use a windows vm with proton drive and a shared folder with the host system. Kinda a pain, but if it works it works. What I’d really love is an api for this kind of asshattery

asap@lemmy.world on 04 Jul 2024 06:35 collapse

Rclone now works:

rclone.org/protondrive/

refalo@programming.dev on 05 Jul 2024 02:31 collapse

It doesn’t make financial sense to spend money on supporting an entire new platform that’s used by <3% of the population.

TCB13@lemmy.world on 03 Jul 2024 23:18 next collapse

“After years of pushing their proprietary and closed solutions to privacy minded people Proton decided that it was in their best interest to further bury said users into their service as a form of vendor lock-in. To achieve this they made yet anoter non-standard groupware feature - a document editor.

bloubz@lemmygrad.ml on 03 Jul 2024 23:37 next collapse

I want Proton to replace Google. I wish for that. And during this time we can use open source software as well

eager_eagle@lemmy.world on 03 Jul 2024 23:51 collapse

Exactly. At this point idk why anyone bothers migrating to things that are not backed by open standards. The price of vendor lock-in always comes.

sudneo@lemm.ee on 04 Jul 2024 08:52 collapse

Until I can easily export the data, where is the vendor lock?

Vendor lock means that migrating away has significant cost or technical challenges.

Take this case: documents saved are first of all easily downloadable from drive (in bulk), and also exportable in markdown.

They change pricing/add features that I don’t want/sell off the company (hard now that it’s managed by a nonprofit but still) etc.? I make a nice bulk download and move everything in whatever other system I want. I can do the same for contacts, email (I use my own domains) and calendar. Basically, 1h + the time to download files and I am moved to another provider.

Can you elaborate in what you think the vendor lock looks like?

Churbleyimyam@lemm.ee on 03 Jul 2024 23:26 next collapse

What would be the benefits of this over Nextcloud, apart from not having to set it up?

Dymonika@beehaw.org on 04 Jul 2024 00:20 next collapse

I don’t think it’s Nextcloud competition so much as Google Drive competition, which is certainly closed-source.

delirious_owl@discuss.online on 04 Jul 2024 01:53 collapse

Nextcloud doesn’t do end-to-end encryption

Dymonika@beehaw.org on 12 Jul 2024 22:09 collapse

Interesting, thanks for sharing. I wonder if anyone has made a fork of it that does.

delirious_owl@discuss.online on 12 Jul 2024 23:29 collapse

I think it would be easier to start fresh. Almost everything in nextcloud would break if it couldn’t read your data

chris@lem.cochrun.xyz on 04 Jul 2024 02:07 next collapse

Lack of true open cooperation? Oh wait, you said benefit… Ease of use? Maybe? And slightly less buggy?

sudneo@lemm.ee on 04 Jul 2024 08:55 collapse

Over nextcloud probably the e2ee. I suppose soon they will also integrate this better with email (like you can attach directly and save directly from email), so the seamless integrations with the rest of the products will probably amount to other benefits over time.

sunzu@kbin.run on 03 Jul 2024 23:38 next collapse

Has anyone used it?

How did you get to it?

Clicked the link:

At that time, if you go to drive.proton.me(new window) and click on New in the top left, you will see the ability to create a New document

delirious_owl@discuss.online on 04 Jul 2024 01:53 collapse

Proton Drive requires Javascript. Enable Javascript and reload this page to continue.

[deleted] on 04 Jul 2024 03:48 collapse
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Swarfega@lemm.ee on 04 Jul 2024 07:25 collapse

Did you just respond to your own comment?

Eril@feddit.org on 04 Jul 2024 08:36 collapse

Username checks out

FuryMaker@lemmy.world on 04 Jul 2024 01:09 next collapse

Nice.

This might just be the push to fully switch over from Google.

Eggyhead@kbin.run on 04 Jul 2024 04:38 collapse

I would need spreadsheets and slideshow presentations as well.

JCreazy@midwest.social on 04 Jul 2024 01:49 next collapse

I need an android app

Tubulous@beehaw.org on 05 Jul 2024 02:25 collapse

You sort of have one but not really. You can launch it from the Android Proton Drive app. Granted it then launches it into a web browser, but GrapheneOS/Vanadium seems to handle it well. Would also prefer an app, or allow me to use Standard Notes as the client and sync with my Proton account.

JCreazy@midwest.social on 05 Jul 2024 04:29 collapse

I can’t seem to find the option in the proton drive app.

Tubulous@beehaw.org on 05 Jul 2024 05:29 collapse

Ah you are right - I had created the Proton Doc on the web and launched it after from Android after. I did not actually create the file in Android. Just checked and the option is not there for me either. Maybe next update? Still would prefer the ability to use Standard Notes as the client, similar to how I can with SimpleLogin today.

JCreazy@midwest.social on 05 Jul 2024 06:03 collapse

I’m still figuring out proton. I’m trying to switch most of my account over to proton. You use the simple login app? Doesn’t proton pass have that ability as well?

Tubulous@beehaw.org on 05 Jul 2024 11:44 collapse

Yes - you can use your Proton account to log directly into Simplelogin via web, browser extension, or Android app. I suspect the Proton Pass feature is related to their partnership with Simplelogin but not sure? I actually just noticed the email generation Pass feature this week. Having that integrated into the password manager is really handy. May be time to start using it but migrating password managers is a pain.

delirious_owl@discuss.online on 04 Jul 2024 01:52 next collapse

Is it FOSS?

wuphysics87@lemmy.ml on 04 Jul 2024 01:57 collapse

I imagine it is. Developing something like that in house would take a lot. Probably Collabora or something.

delirious_owl@discuss.online on 04 Jul 2024 03:47 collapse

Looks like its based on Standard Notes

github.com/standardnotes

delirious_owl@discuss.online on 04 Jul 2024 01:57 next collapse

Looks like its based on Standard Notes

github.com/standardnotes

als@lemmy.blahaj.zone on 04 Jul 2024 15:29 next collapse

That’d make sense, given that they recently joined forces

sour@feddit.de on 04 Jul 2024 20:29 next collapse

It probably IS standard notes, given that Proton acquired them.

refalo@programming.dev on 05 Jul 2024 02:33 collapse

Source? This looks like a note-taking app, not a google docs replacement.

0oWow@lemmy.world on 04 Jul 2024 03:44 next collapse

FYI this does not include spreadsheets, so if you’re hoping to replace an office suite, it’s not there yet.

ohlaph@lemmy.world on 04 Jul 2024 04:53 next collapse

However, subscribing is aiding in their funding, and that could help get them there quicker.

Roopappy@lemmy.ml on 04 Jul 2024 06:37 next collapse

Spreadsheets are life. I think in spreadsheets. I hope it comes soon.

krash@lemmy.ml on 05 Jul 2024 07:04 collapse

Have you tried a low-code database, such as nocodb? I tried satisfy my need for structures data that way and it works for simple usecases. There are formulas too, but they (like spreadsheets) require some knowledge to set up.

dRLY@lemmy.ml on 04 Jul 2024 07:32 collapse

Maybe Cryptpad would be a good option if you need spreadsheets more than documents.

Drm12@lemmy.zip on 04 Jul 2024 05:09 next collapse

I am still waiting for contacts app😔

pyre@lemmy.world on 04 Jul 2024 12:13 next collapse

wasn’t proton revealed to be bullshitting about privacy recently?

edit: swiss courts compelled protonmail to log IPs, keep fingerprints of browsers and disclose them to authorities. there is no privacy.

lambalicious@lemmy.sdf.org on 04 Jul 2024 16:56 collapse

And they specifically logged and delivered data about freedom fighters and environmentalists, so there’s some bias on Proton’s hand there.

tuhriel@infosec.pub on 05 Jul 2024 13:37 collapse

If I have to choose between a company that freely sells and uses all my data versus a company that e2e encrypts my data and only complies with police and intelligence agency if it is specifically mandated by a swiss judge (and are fighing against it[1]), my money is definitely on the later

Is it perfect? Probably not. - Does it match my thread model? Definitely yes!

Also their privacy policy [2] allows to make a pretty well informed decision and map it against your thread model

And by the way, here’s the statement of the ceo regading the activist: proton.me/blog/climate-activist-arrest

[1] www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/…/47052196 [2] proton.me/legal/privacy

wagoner@infosec.pub on 04 Jul 2024 15:12 next collapse

For every proton post, can we please get a bot that auto posts these, to save everyone the effort:

  • proton isn’t private / yes it is / they never claimed to be
  • wasnt there a case when they shared that activist account / you have the facts wrong, here’s what actually happened
  • [insert proton app name] for Linux when? / Linux is only x% of user base
  • proton needs to finish [insert proton app name] before starting something new / they are different teams so not relevant
  • proton needs to make X / no they don’t
  • people shouldn’t put all their eggs in one basket / don’t use the service then

Thanks!

Zetta@mander.xyz on 04 Jul 2024 17:12 next collapse

also SaaS is cancerous shit

sour@feddit.de on 04 Jul 2024 20:28 next collapse

Not for 99% of the population…

unrushed233@lemmings.world on 05 Jul 2024 12:13 collapse

No one forces you to use it

refalo@programming.dev on 05 Jul 2024 02:32 collapse

You forgot proton is glowing / no they’re not

refalo@programming.dev on 05 Jul 2024 02:32 collapse

So… where’s the source?