a.x61.sh

Made Little Progress in Switching from Google, But Stuck on the root of the problem
from Flmaker@lemmy.world to privacy@lemmy.ml on 09 Apr 13:37
https://lemmy.world/post/27977999

cross-posted from: lemmy.world/post/27977693

Hey everyone!

So, I’ve made some small progress in switching things up on my Android:
Replaced  Gmail app with Thunderbird
Replaced Google Calendar with FOSSify Calendar
Replaced Google Play Store with Aurora & F-Droid
Replaced  Android file manager with FOSSify File Manager
Replaced  Android keyboard with Heliboard

But now I’m hitting a wall trying to find ones on root of problem:
free replacement for Gmail
free Google Calendar alternative that works well
 on both Android and via Thunderbird    Windows 
Self-hosting isn’t really an option for me, so I’d love to hear your suggestions!

If you’ve found something you really like, please share your experiences.

Thanks!

UPDATE

just started a free account with infomaniak so far happy with infomaniak except the free email extensions like @ik.me @etik.com or @ikmail.com addresses whether will be accepted / recognized by institutions like banks etc

also found a community group at www.reddit.com/r/Infomaniak/ will search if any group here as well

#privacy

threaded - newest

shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip on 09 Apr 13:40 next collapse

Proton.me or tuta.com though neither will work with thunderbird (proton offers a bridge for paid subscribers)

asudox@lemmy.asudox.dev on 09 Apr 13:56 next collapse

There’s infomaniak which provides something like the Google Suite called kSuite. They also have a email service that does support IMAP/POP3 which would allow you to use Thunderbird.

Btw will you switch to Linux?

Flmaker@lemmy.world on 09 Apr 15:30 next collapse

I was considering infomaniak until I have read some comment , user cannot get a solution or a response because of some emergency situation Please share your experiences with infomaniak. No to linux since many apps I have depends on windows I am afraid

asudox@lemmy.asudox.dev on 09 Apr 16:03 collapse

I have no experience. I just know that they do provide the kSuite.

Flmaker@lemmy.world on 10 Apr 07:56 collapse

UPDATE just started a free account with infomaniak so far happy with infomaniak except the free email extensions like @ik.me @etik.com or @ikmail.com addresses whether will be accepted / recognized by institutions like banks etc

Xanza@lemm.ee on 09 Apr 14:15 next collapse

There is no viable alternative to Gmail. That’s why its still as popular as it is despite privacy concerns.

warmaster@lemmy.world on 09 Apr 14:19 next collapse

Gmail is not free. You pay with your data. How much is your data worth to you? spend that in a service like Mailbox.org, Posteo.de, or any other that respects your privacy.

Flmaker@lemmy.world on 09 Apr 15:24 collapse

I agree, they would be the last resort for me

[deleted] on 09 Apr 14:48 next collapse

HelloRoot@lemy.lol on 09 Apr 17:11 collapse

swelter_spark@reddthat.com on 09 Apr 16:10 next collapse

I use Nextcloud’s calendar, which works with any client that’s compatible with CalDAV, and my ISP’s email service with AnonAddy and SimpleLogin redirects.

Flmaker@lemmy.world on 09 Apr 16:27 collapse

Nextcloud’s calendar,

Caldav sounds great as I sync my android calendar app ok as well as perhaps I could integrate it into my thunderbird in Windows

do they offer a calendar space for you to integrate or it is a self-hosted option only as Self-hosting isn’t really an option for me

FriendBesto@lemmy.ml on 10 Apr 15:54 next collapse

They do have a a plan for corporations, for other end users the main path is self-hosting. Which is not hard, alternatively, there are known provides that you can sign up with, however. Most of them are paid services. In general, in one way or another have to pay for things, nothing is 100% free.

However there may be some free services but they are likely very limited or there is the issue of whether you want to trust them with your data.

swelter_spark@reddthat.com on 11 Apr 07:58 collapse

Nextcloud offers a free account for home users through one of their partner companies, if you go to their signup page. That includes storage space, calendar access, and the ability to sync your calendar & contacts. If you want to pick your own provider, there are reviews on many in the Nextcloud forum. I’ve used Woelkli’s Nextcloud instance for years and never had any problem with them, but I think they may not currently be open to new accounts.

Flmaker@lemmy.world on 11 Apr 10:43 collapse

Thank you “Nextcloud offers a free account for home users” would be a very good option I have started testing infomaniak at present although nextcloud would also be good choice best

swelter_spark@reddthat.com on 11 Apr 19:08 collapse

I’ve heard good things about Infomaniak. Whatever works for you!

Libb@jlai.lu on 09 Apr 16:14 next collapse

free replacement for Gmail

have you tried infomaniak? They also have a calendar and an online office suite… and their free plan is nice (paid user here) ;)

Flmaker@lemmy.world on 09 Apr 16:21 next collapse

I was considering that until I have read come user comment saying that user could not contact them at all when some mulfunction have you had a good experience as a paid user, please share your experience if you could,

Libb@jlai.lu on 09 Apr 16:28 collapse

Experience is great so far but I have send my very first help request… yesterday evening. Will see when/if I get an answer, but it’s not even about any issue just a question about some stuff I could not understand ;)

Flmaker@lemmy.world on 09 Apr 16:45 collapse

appreciate your response. just created mine and trying to discover the details please keep sharing your experience and or any tips best

Libb@jlai.lu on 10 Apr 20:05 collapse

Got their reply this morning (it’s early evening when I type this), useful but leading to one more question on my part. Wait and see ;)

[deleted] on 11 Apr 06:12 next collapse

Flmaker@lemmy.world on 11 Apr 16:47 collapse

Thanks for the heads up!

I also reached out to support and got a pretty generic reply: “If your question is different, please reply.” So I did, but still no response.

Adding or editing the calendar on Infomaniak through Thunderbird can be hit or miss—sometimes the server is down or just busy. It seems to be working fine now, though.

I already moved my Google Calendar and deleted the calendar on my Google account

I found a bunch of complaints -several pages- from other users about Infomaniak, but then I stopped collecting them. I can share them here if you’re interested!

Most entertaining info : “We never share your personal data with third parties without good reason” www.infomaniak.com/en/…/confidentiality-policy

Flmaker@lemmy.world on 10 Apr 07:55 collapse

Thank you indeed just started a free account with infomaniak so far happy with infomaniak except the free email extensions like @ik.me @etik.com or @ikmail.com addresses whether will be accepted / recognized by institutions like banks etc

pineapple@lemmy.ml on 11 Apr 10:11 collapse

As far as I know there is no good free way to use Thunderbird. Protonmail blocks Thunderbird behind a paywall and tuta doesn’t let you use Thunderbird at all you will probably have to make a compromise there.

Flmaker@lemmy.world on 11 Apr 10:40 collapse

thank you I did that joined free version of infomaniak works on thunderbird

pineapple@lemmy.ml on 19 Apr 22:41 collapse

I’ve never heard of infomaniak before thanks for showing me it looks really good!

Flmaker@lemmy.world on 20 Apr 06:32 collapse

I have been testing it and not sure if I want to move email account It sometimes cannot connect to their server to sync via thunderbird (PC & Android) and I have to try few times on occasions It looks like their server capacity is not as good as the major ones

pineapple@lemmy.ml on 20 Apr 23:57 collapse

Yeah ok. Maybe there is another alternative hiding somewhere else that I have not heard about. Or just try reaching out to customer support.