my alt/indie-web and tech stack
Ahoy there!
So, I get asked somewhat frequently (mostly IRL) what I use instead of the more "traditional" social media/tech, so I compiled a list of stuff. I hope this serves as inspiration for some of you that are looking to continue to transition away from the dead/corporate web.
Indie Web Replacements
Social Media: Basically Discord. Which I can't tell if it counts as Social Media or just highly-complex Instant Messaging. I also lurk a bit on the Melonland forums, but that's basically it. I'll also lump Bear and Status Cafe into this realm too as they both serve the purpose of status updates that Facebook or what have you does. Bear in a lot of ways goes back to this sort of looking into the mundane lives of my friends. It's nice to see what normal people do on a day-to-day. Discord also does that for me too as my friends all will just post what they're doing or share memes they find there.
Videos: Youtube is still my go-to as I haven't figured out a better alternative. I do use yt-dlp to just download my frequent watches though, which serves as a "good enough". Keeps me off that platform more. I use VLC for watching videos I download. If I am on Youtube, I use the Unhook extension that allows me to remove parts of the website I want to avoid, like comment sections, recommended, the "home" feed, etc.
Search Engine: I used DuckDuckGo for the longest time, but have since switched to Startpage at the recommendation from Kami in our Discord server. So far I've been REALLY liking it. I debated on using Kagi, but their use of AI just gives me the ick.
Tech Replacements
Web Hosting: I use mostly Neocities for web hosting. It has enough storage, and I just like the ecosystem. I have debated switching to Nekoweb as it's a more in-development project, but I haven't decided yet. Still working on finishing my site and then determining my needs from there.
Operating System: I use Arch BTW.
Communication: Discord, Email, Snail Mail, and using my dumbphone all fill this role for me. I know some people rely on WhatsApp, but that seems to be largely for my European friends. I just text/call people, I've gotten more into sending traditional snail mail, though I wanna do more with it, like sending stickers/polaroid photos or something fun like that with my snail mail. I mailed Kami my family Zuppa Toscana recipe in the last piece of mail I sent her. Discord serves like 80% of my communication needs as well. I'll admit, I'm a LOT harder to get ahold of these days via phone. I hardly ever have it on me, and if I do I'm not quick to constantly check it. I check my email pretty frequently as I see people will reply to posts I write here, which is neat.
Entertainment: I don't use streaming services much, my wife does, but that's mostly because it's bundled with our phone plan so we don't really pay anything extra. I use my aforementioned downloaded youtube videos, downloaded movies (yo ho ho), and DVDs/Blu-Rays on my shelf.
Music: My iPod covers most of my on-the-go music needs. I like being able to just load up music and go. Outside of that, I just like having my records and CDs
Photos: My dumbphone does decent enough photos. I do use a digicam or the photo mode on my sony handycam often though.
That's kinda everything I can think of. If you are looking for a recommendation for something to switch to that I may not have mentioned, shoot me an email.
Pirate is wearing black joggers and dark grey tee
Pirate is feeling tired
Pirate is listening to Warning (album) by Green Day
Pirate is playing DOOM: The Dark Ages
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