Tech Blogger Unplugs from Cloud for a Week: Here’s What Happened
A technology blogger recently undertook a bold experiment by disconnecting from cloud services for an entire week. This decision aimed to explore alternatives and assess the impact on productivity and personal data management. The result was both enlightening and challenging, revealing insights about reliance on digital platforms.
Preparing for Disconnection
The first step in this cloud-free journey involved meticulous preparation. The blogger sought to replicate the convenience of cloud-based services by setting up self-hosted alternatives for everyday tasks. This process required extensive research, configuration, and technical troubleshooting. After evaluating various options, the blogger selected tools designed to fit seamlessly into their workflow.
For photo storage, the choice fell on Immich, a self-hosted backup tool that allowed for automatic uploads without data mining. This shift provided a sense of ownership over personal memories. The self-hosted mobile app proved user-friendly, making it easy to access photos on the go.
Finding Alternatives for Productivity Tools
In terms of document management, the blogger transitioned from Google Docs to a combination of Obsidian and Logseq. This setup offered structured note-taking and journaling capabilities while enabling easy file access through plain markdown text. However, collaboration remained a challenge, particularly when working with clients unfamiliar with these tools.
To manage tasks, the blogger opted for Kanri, an open-source Kanban board that operates on a local server. This switch eliminated the distractions of notifications from shared boards, allowing for focused work on individual projects. The simplicity of Kanri provided an effective solution without sacrificing productivity.
For email communication, the choice of Mozilla Thunderbird marked a significant departure from Gmail. The desktop application provided offline access to emails, contacts, and calendar data, ensuring a permanent backup and complete control over personal information. Despite the benefits, the convenience of Gmail was sorely missed.
In the realm of music, the blogger reclaimed an old MP3 collection, streaming it through self-hosted Jellyfin. This experience brought back a sense of personalization, as playlists were shaped solely by individual taste, free from algorithmic influences.
The final piece of the puzzle involved replacing Google Drive with a self-hosted Nextcloud instance. This solution allowed for secure file syncing across devices, giving the blogger complete control over data storage.
The Impact of Unplugging
During the week without cloud services, the blogger also experimented with self-hosted large language models using an Ollama setup. This approach ensured data privacy, as prompts and information remained on their local machine. While the performance of these models varied, the peace of mind regarding data sharing with larger companies was invaluable.
The experience prompted a significant reflection on productivity. Initially perceived as a boost, the convenience of cloud services transformed into a source of distraction. The absence of constant notifications allowed for longer, uninterrupted work blocks. The blogger discovered a new kind of productivity centered on deep focus rather than a reactive approach to communication.
This week-long experiment illuminated the importance of digital self-sufficiency. While the blogger does not plan to completely abandon cloud services, they intend to establish clearer boundaries. For personal data, self-hosted solutions will take precedence, while cloud tools will continue to play a crucial role in collaborative work.
The outcome of this unplugged week serves as a reminder of the balance between convenience and control in our increasingly digital lives, fostering a more intentional relationship with technology moving forward.
