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What non-FOSS software are you using that you wish you could replace? (beehaw.org)

submitted 1 year ago by John_Coomsumer@beehaw.org to c/foss@beehaw.org

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For me its honestly a ton of my work software (digital forensics), shit is too niche to be replaced by good FOSS options. Cellebrite, Magnet Axiom, etc. Autopsy is great and free and has a linux version but it simply cannot get the same level of data without a pretty nutty level of custom code.

And the biggest side effect of this is FUCKING WINDOWS. God I would replace this nightmare OS in a heartbeat if the aforementioned work software would make linux compatible versions. We have legitimately wasted 10k hours dealing with windows bullshit that would not be a problem in linux. Though im sure linux would take a different 10k for its own problems.

What about you guys? Doesn't have to be work related, thats just the thorn in my side right now.

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[–] fulano@lemmy.eco.br 8 points 1 year ago (5 children)

And no, I can't simply stop using or ask friends to move to an alternative. I'm from Brazil and that thing is so popular and mainstream, that even stores or public services use it.

Just this week, I had to report an animal abuse case to the authorities, and the official communication channel I had to use was through whatsapp.

It's sad to see how dependent of a single proprietary service for something so important we allowed ourselves to become...

[–] asap@feddit.de 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

You can use a FOSS app at your end to chat with WhatsApp users, if this isn't something you're already aware of. Element.io plus a bridge. Beeper.com is a turnkey platform that sorts it all out for you.

It doesn't help replace WhatsApp as a platform, but perhaps it would suit you?

[–] fulano@lemmy.eco.br 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I have been looking at this possibility, but running a bridge means that I will need to self host a service, which adds one more point of failure, while not really removing whatsapp from my life, so I'm not convinced it's a good alternative.

[–] asap@feddit.de 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

That's what beeper.com does. It's also open source, but they handle running it for you.

But absolutely I agree that it doesn't remove WhatsApp from your life, and that's a pain point for me also when I'm working with services in Asia, who like Brasil predominantly work from WhatsApp.

If you don't like Beeper, you could try these guys who host a managed solution (means you don't have to deal with any issues), and let's you offer the service to others:

https://etke.cc/

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