John Fastman
Scientist, blogger, hacktivist and all-round computer whizz-kid. In my spare time I'm a model (mainly for pathology textbooks).
- Grandmaster
Opinions
Wrote a positive comment on Mozilla Firefox as an alternative to Google ChromeChrome is closed-source and part of Google's privacy-invading business model, which works by harvesting user data. Firefox is open source, so you can check what it's doing under the good. It's also more configurable (about:config) and its Nov 2017 update made it faster than its competitors.
Semaphor is built around zero-knowlege encryption to prevent their parent company employees, government agencies and hackers from getting at user data. Slack is nothing like as secure or private because they don't build in such encryption. Other encrypted products in this space are Stackfield and Peerio.
The whole point of iDrive, Tresorit, SpiderOak and Sync.com is that they offer a zero-knowledge model based on encryption which prevents even the company from viewing user files. iCloud is NOT like that; files stored with iCloud can be viewed by Apple, subpoenad by the US govt and stolen in readable format by hackers. Go with encryption if you value your privacy.
Thinks Confluence is an alternative to Quip
Thinks AppImageKit is an alternative to Flatpak
Wrote a negative comment on macOS as an alternative to Arch LinuxArch linux is an extremely versatile, flexible, free (as in beer) operating system for experienced Linux users. It runs on huge varieties of hardware. MacOS is closed, proprietary, inflexible, made especially only for Apple's hugely over-priced hardware, and Apple pursue people who don't follow their philosophy with aggressive lawsuits. MacOS also has key features stripped out (e.g. right click cut? Forget it!) Arch = shaving with razor blade. MacOS = shaving with a bowling pin.
Evernote is proprietary, closed source and stores user data in unencrypted format on web-facing US servers, which is terrible for privacy and security. They have been hacked in the past and are subject to US laws that force them to disclose data with authorities. They also refuse to support Linux operating systems. Their clients on Mac and Windows are very different and both lag significantly after about 500 notes are in the database. Evernote are the past.
Wrote a positive comment on Turtl as an alternative to Google KeepGoogle Keep invades your privacy; it's one of Google's ways of harvesting your private data: you are the product. The answer is to use encrypted, trustworthy, open source apps. Turtl is such a project. Recent development has been slow, but it's the most similar (to Keep) end-to-end encrypted note-taking app. Protect your privacy!
Nasty, closed-sourced, privacy-invading app by a company whose business model is based on selling private user data to the highest bidder. Stay away if you value your online privacy and security (where will your data be in 20 years and how could it be used against you then?). Telegram, Signal and Wire are hugely preferable because they use encryption.
Hangouts is not end-to-end encrypted. Google, who own it, make money by spying on users (every bit of info they can get) and selling it to advertisers. That's appalling. Telegram is not perfect but it is end-to-end encrypted, which means that only the intended recipient can read your messages - not the case with Hangouts. Google can see everything, and others can force them to give that info up (e.g. by subpoena).
Facebook Messenger is a privacy-disrespecting app. I gathers as much data about users as possible so that Facebook can sell it to advertisers. That's a disgrace. The whole point of Signal is that it's not based on a business model that violates user privacy. Signal is end-to-end encrypted and gathers as little info about users as possible. Signal is hugely preferable. It's also open source (more trustworthy; you can check what it's designed to do).
Hangouts is not end-to-end encrypted and is part of a suite of products by Google, whose business model is to harvest people's personal data for profit. That makes it much less secure or private than signal. If it's video you want, try Wire or Jitsi Meet. Free, open source, encrypted, private and un-Googled.
Wrote a positive comment on Boost Note as an alternative to InkdropCurrently (2018-05-23), Boostnote is the best markdown-based note-taking app for desktop: allows any file format to be attached and is entirely local, leaving sync options in your hands (use Tresority, Sync.com, Spideroak, or Cryptomator for max privacy). It's open source, free I expect it to overtake Inkdrop in the next 1-2 years.
Wrote a positive comment on Standard Notes as an alternative to InkdropStandard Notes uses markdown and offers multi-platform sync with end-to-end encryption. It's also open source and extensible. Inkdrop is similar, except it has NOT got end-to-end encryption (read their forum; user data touches US-based servers unencrypted) and it's aimed primarily at software developers. Inkdrop is twice the price.
Wrote a negative comment on Qubes OS as an alternative to Linux MintQubes is fantastic for security freaks. It runs programs in disposable VMs so that things can't cross contaminate/infect each other. But this is a hassle and far from what the average Ubuntu user will want from their system. Huge thumbs up for Qubes, but just not as an Ubuntu replacement.
Wrote a positive comment on Kubuntu as an alternative to Linux MintKubuntu = Ubuntu - the Gnome desktop + the KDE Plasma desktop. It's Ubuntu with a different face. Which desktop you like is a matter of preference. There is also KDE Neon, which is like Kubuntu but you get the very latest KDE Plasma updates as soon as they're out.
Wrote a negative comment on Windows 10 as an alternative to Linux MintMicrosoft is outright hostile to the privacy of its users: Windows 10 collects EVERYTHING it can about you, right down to what you type (yes, passwords included) and how much time you spend in which app. Updates often revert your settings and install software you don't want. It's also expensive and closed source and far more vulnerable to malware than any Linux distro.
Thinks Sunsama is an alternative to Sunrise Calendar
Wrote a positive comment on Antergos as an alternative to Arch LinuxIf you want Arch without the laborious installation procedure, Antergos its for you. It's based on Arch, has an excellent installer that lets you choose desktops and apps to install, doesn't come with any bloat, and supports the AUR (Arch User Repository). Even more user-friendly is Manjaro, which is better sorter out-of-the-box for most users, is also Arch based but comes with one installer per desktop and pre-installs much more guff.
Wrote a positive comment on Storj Object Storage as an alternative to SiaStorj follows the same philosophy of data storage: Your data is encrypted and backed up to multiple places. You rent that space from other people or can rent out your own hard disk space for other people to use. This is the future of secure, private and reliable data backup and sync.
Wrote a negative comment on ACS ChemWorx as an alternative to EndNoteChemWorx is specifically designed to do Endnote's job, integrate with the wider ACS ecosystem with chemists in mind. In reality, it's clunky, ill throught-through software with a counterintuitive interface. The support staff haven't got the foggiest for how to offer Linux support, even just for Ubuntu.
Wrote a negative comment on Google Docs as an alternative to CryptPadGoogle's products, including Drive, are designed to harvest your personal data. That involves storing your data in a readable format, which means it can (and is) given away to government surveillance and can be read by successful hackers. Cryptpad encrypts your data, cannot read or give it away.
Dropbox does not offer end-to-end encryption and so does not protect your data from ransomware or any hackers that might breach their servers (and this has happened before). Dropbox also stores your data in a way that's readable to them, which means they have to hand it over when asked for it for government surveillance. This is not a problem for iDrive if you use the private key option because then only you can read your stuff.
