Solutions – #ByeByeFacebook31 reasons why (we should quit Facebook).Hugo -- gohugo.ioLouis-Olivier BrassardLouis-Olivier BrassardCC0Tue, 10 Nov 2020 23:46:20 -0500Use a Decentralized Social NetworkMon, 17 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000Mon, 17 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000Louis-Olivier Brassardlouis@loupbrun.cahttps://loupbrun.cahttps://byebyefacebook.loupbrun.ca/en/s/01/<p>One of the most important issues with Facebook is the <strong>centralization</strong> of users’ data from around thte world between the hands of a single, private company.</p>
<p>Can we fix this without locking ourselves out of social life?</p>
<p>Here’s a promising concept: <strong>federation</strong>.</p>
<h2 id="what-is-a-federation">What is a “federation?”</h2>
<p>One of the main advantages of “decentralized” social networks is their ability to communicate between them, thanks to <strong>shared protocols</strong>.
The network of these different platforms is called a “federation.”</p>
<p>Email offers a great example: Alice (<em>alice@here.net</em>) and Bob (<em>bob@elsewhere.net</em>) each own an address on a different domain, but they can still send messages to each other.
Decentralized social networks work in a similar way.</p>
<p>This also allows for closer communities, building relationships around common topics, and makes banning trolls an easier task.</p>
<p>Welcome to the federated universe: the <a href="https://fediverse.party/">Fediverse</a>!</p>
<h2 id="a-few-decentralized-social-networks">A few decentralized social networks</h2>
<p>Pick a philosophy, join a server or an instance, and kick start your new relationships!</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://joinmastodon.org/">Mastodon</a></li>
<li><a href="https://diasporafoundation.org/">diaspora*</a></li>
<li><a href="https://pleroma.social/">Pleroma</a></li>
<li><a href="https://gnu.io/social/">GNU Social</a></li>
<li><a href="https://friendi.ca/">Friendica</a></li>
<li><a href="https://pixelfed.org/">Pixelfed</a></li>
<li><a href="https://scuttlebutt.nz">Scuttlebut</a></li>
</ul>Use a Different Private Messaging SystemTue, 18 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000Tue, 18 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000Louis-Olivier Brassardlouis@loupbrun.cahttps://loupbrun.cahttps://byebyefacebook.loupbrun.ca/en/s/02/<p>Here are some alternatives to Facebook Messenger:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Signal</strong>: robust, privacy-focused messaging platform trusted by experts (<a href="https://signal.org/fr/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>Session</strong>: forked from Signal, the app takes a step further to remove as much identifying information as possible to preserve your anonymity (<a href="https://getsession.org/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>Element</strong> (formerly Riot): a reactive messaging ecosystem, for peer-to-peer communication or for teams (<a href="https://element.io/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>Rocket.Chat</strong>: open-source communications hub (<a href="https://rocket.chat">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>Tox</strong>: an easy to use app with a strong focus on privacy (<a href="https://tox.chat/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>Keybase</strong>: cryptography, simplified (<a href="https://keybase.io/">website</a>). Note: the company has recently been <a href="https://keybase.io/blog/keybase-joins-zoom">acquired</a> by Zoom.</li>
<li><strong>Keyoxide</strong>: Keyoxide emerges from Keybase’s good ideas (distributed proofs and PGP keys), but keeps the platform free, open and decentralized (<a href="https://keyoxide.org/">website</a>). The project is in early stages and for now will speak most to people already familiar with the basic concepts of private/public cryptography.</li>
<li><strong>Mattermost</strong>: group chat software (alternative to <a href="https://slack.com/">Slack</a>). <a href="https://mattermost.org/">Learn more</a> or create a team on <a href="https://framateam.org/">Framateam</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Matrix</strong>: a decentralized communication protocol for software like Element.</li>
<li><strong>XMPP/Jabber</strong>: an open protocol that differs from email and which is better suited for instant messaging.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="and-telegram">And Telegram?</h2>
<p><a href="https://telegram.org/">Telegram</a> is one of the most popular instant messaging services out there, making it an interesting choice if our friends are already on board.</p>
<p>However, Telegram reproduces some prohibitive characteristics, such as <strong>data centralization</strong> in the hands of a private company.
Security is not great either, since conversations are not encrypted by default and when they are, Telegram uses a <strong>homebrew protocol</strong> rather than international standards (which have been developed and thoroughly tested by a global community of experts).</p>
<h2 id="and-whatsapp">And WhatsApp?</h2>
<p>WhatsApp is owned by Facebook.
It should therefore be avoided for the same reasons as Facebook Messenger.</p>Use Another Platform For GroupsFri, 21 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000Fri, 21 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000Louis-Olivier Brassardlouis@loupbrun.cahttps://loupbrun.cahttps://byebyefacebook.loupbrun.ca/en/s/03/<p>Facebook groups are so versatile, it seems nearly impossible to replace them.</p>
<p>What tools can we use?</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>A wiki</strong>: a wiki is a platform where the members can make changes to the pages themselves, which is useful for teams working on <strong>knowledge bases</strong>. Wikipedia is the most widely-known example, but there are also smaller initiatives, such as <a href="https://movilab.org/wiki/Accueil">Movilab</a> on third places.</li>
<li><strong>A forum</strong>: forums seem to be a thing from the past century, but they remain very useful to host discussions around given topics (for exemple: the <a href="https://forumsdulibre.quebec/">Forums du libre du Québec</a> around libre digital culture).</li>
<li><strong>Nextcloud</strong>: Nextcloud is probably the most solid free and open alternative to Google’s Suite. With apps such as <a href="https://apps.nextcloud.com/apps/spreed">Talk</a> or <a href="https://apps.nextcloud.com/apps/spreedme">Spreed.ME</a>, most of our collaboration needs will be fulfilled, but it requires hosting it on a server (<a href="https://nextcloud.com/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>Discord</strong>: primarily used by gamers online, Discord works for communities big and small, from a school group to an international gaming league (<a href="https://discord.com/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>GroupMe</strong>: far from an independant initiative, GroupME is part of the Skype family, which belongs to Microsoft (<a href="https://groupme.com/fr-FR/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>Slack</strong>: one of the most widely used communications platforms across all kinds of organizations.</li>
<li><strong>Mattermost</strong>: one of the main alternatives to Slack, to be hosted on your own terms (<a href="https://mattermost.org/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>Rocket.Chat</strong>: another libre and open-source multiplatform communication hub. It can be self-hosted, but the managed services are very affordable (<a href="https://rocket.chat/">website</a>).</li>
</ul>Subscribe Directly to News SourcesFri, 21 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000Fri, 21 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000Louis-Olivier Brassardlouis@loupbrun.cahttps://loupbrun.cahttps://byebyefacebook.loupbrun.ca/en/s/04/<p>It is not difficult to replace Facebook’s news feed by subscribing directly to reliable news sources.</p>
<p>Subscribing to a variety of news sources while removing the intermediaries allows us to increase our own exposure to information, while avoiding the <strong>filter bubble</strong> created by algorithms (which present us with content we already agree with).</p>
<p>News companies offer a wide variety of ways to consume information:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>News websites</strong></li>
<li><strong>Newsletters</strong> (many platforms offer daily, weekly or even personalized email dispatches)</li>
<li><strong>Podcasts</strong></li>
<li><strong>Video series</strong></li>
<li><strong>Interactive articles</strong></li>
<li><strong>Mobile apps</strong></li>
<li>And, of course, good old <strong>printed editions</strong>.</li>
</ul>Use an RSS ReaderWed, 26 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000Wed, 26 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000Louis-Olivier Brassardlouis@loupbrun.cahttps://loupbrun.cahttps://byebyefacebook.loupbrun.ca/en/s/05/<p>What is an RSS feed and how is it so useful?</p>
<p><abbr title="Really Simple Syndication">RSS</abbr> is the acronym for “<strong>R</strong>eally <strong>S</strong>imple <strong>S</strong>yndication.”
It is a standard format which allows subscribing directly to the news feed of a website, without having to visit each site individually.</p>
<p>An <strong>RSS reader</strong> allows aggregating different sources in one place, in the same app.
The reading experience is also greatly simplified: only the content of each article is displayed, without pop-ups or advertisements.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Feedly</strong>: one of the most popular platforms, offering paid plans along with a free tier (<a href="https://feedly.com/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>The Old Reader</strong>: another popular solution based on freemium/premium subscriptions (<a href="https://theoldreader.com/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>RSS.app</strong>: online RSS aggregator service (<a href="https://rss.app/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>NetNewsWire</strong>: lightweight, simple and minimal app for MacOS (<a href="https://ranchero.com/netnewswire/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>Winds Reader</strong>: multiplatform, open-source app, also available as a web service (<a href="https://getstream.io/winds/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>Reeder</strong>: simple, minimal and privacy-aware app, for Apple devices (<a href="https://www.reederapp.com/">website</a>).</li>
</ul>Use an Event-Hosting PlatformThu, 27 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000Thu, 27 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000Louis-Olivier Brassardlouis@loupbrun.cahttps://loupbrun.cahttps://byebyefacebook.loupbrun.ca/en/s/06/<p>No single application will replace the connected events on Facebook, but when we have the chance, it’s possible to use alternative solutions.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Mixily</strong>: a platform to manage your own events, with an excellent privacy policy (<a href="https://www.mixily.com/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>Mobilizon</strong>: a free and federated tool to get events off Facebook, still in active development (<a href="https://joinmobilizon.org/en/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>Meetup</strong>: a popular platform to discover and organize events (<a href="https://www.meetup.com/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>Eventbrite</strong> a well-known platform to discover and organize events (<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/">website</a>).</li>
</ul>
<p>As an organizer, we can simply send out invitations to our contacts (by email for example) or use an app like <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/paperless-post/id489940389">Paperless Posts Invitations</a>.</p>
<p>To gather our friends’ availability, we can use a serice like <a href="https://doodle.com/en/">Doodle</a> (or a libre solution like <a href="https://framadate.org/">Framadate</a> or <a href="http://kyela.net/">Kyèla</a>).</p>
<p>To keep an eye on the cultural calendars, it is easy to subscribe directly to our favourite rooms (through their website, newsletter, or seasonal programs by mail).</p>Publish on Your Own SiteFri, 28 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000Fri, 28 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000Louis-Olivier Brassardlouis@loupbrun.cahttps://loupbrun.cahttps://byebyefacebook.loupbrun.ca/en/s/07/<p>A personal site gives us the freedom over our own means of expression:</p>
<ul>
<li>a blog around a topic we’re passionate about</li>
<li>a photo portfolio</li>
<li>an online notebook documenting a trip or a short-lived project</li>
</ul>
<p>If we’re going to express ourselves publicly on the web, why not do so on our own terms, and disseminate it on our social accounts afterwards?
This technique is known as <abbr title="Publish on your Own Site, Syndicate Everywhere">POSSE</abbr>, which stands for <strong>P</strong>ublish on your <strong>O</strong>wn <strong>S</strong>ite, <strong>S</strong>yndicate <strong>E</strong>verywhere.
Publish your content once, then share it to the rest of the world through all your other channels!</p>
<p>You’ll also remain more in control over the <strong>content you own</strong> and have to rely less on third parties, such as Facebook, for the stuff that matters the most to you.</p>
<h2 id="cms-to-consider">CMS to consider</h2>
<p><abbr title="Content Management System">CMS</abbr> stands for <strong>C</strong>ontent <strong>M</strong>anagement <strong>S</strong>ystem: software that allows you to write things on the web without coding skills.</p>
<p>Here are a few notable ones (but there are hundreds more out there):</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Wordpress</strong>: the most popular platform in the world to manage content on a website. With a global community and an abundance of resources, you’ll feel in good company (<a href="https://wordpress.org/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>Ghost</strong>: a widely used platform with a seamless editing experience (<a href="https://ghost.org/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>Kirby</strong>: excellent software for managing website resources, lighter and faster than the most popular solutions (<a href="https://getkirby.com/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>SiteJS</strong>: a promising solution for the “small web”—or a web manageable at human scale, against the current of bloated, complicated software like Wordpress (<a href="https://sitejs.org/">website</a>).</li>
</ul>
<p>Other CMSs:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://craftcms.com/">Craft CMS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grabaperch.com/">Perch</a></li>
<li><a href="https://processwire.com/">ProcessWire</a></li>
<li><a href="https://typo3.org/">TYPO3</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="federated-platforms-and-micro-blogging">Federated platforms and micro-blogging</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Write.as</strong>: a simple, minimalistic and privacy-first blogging platform (<a href="https://write.as/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>Plume</strong>: a <a href="https://byebyefacebook.loupbrun.ca/en/s/01/">federated</a> blogging platform (<a href="https://joinplu.me/">website</a>). There is an <a href="https://plume.fedi.quebec/">instance</a> in QC, Canada.</li>
<li><strong>Telegra.ph</strong>: publish an article instantly and share it with anyone (<a href="https://telegra.ph/">website</a>). You’ll probably find the minimalistic format very appealing.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="static-site-generators">Static site generators</h2>
<p><strong>Static site generators</strong> are a little more technical, but they can ultimately lead to much leaner solutions.</p>
<p>Instead of <em>dynamically</em> regenerating a page each time a visitor lands on the site, a static site is served as-is, like a simple document, which makes it a reliable, fast and secure solution.</p>
<p>A few generators:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Jekyll</strong>: one of the most widely adopted generators, loved by bloggers from all backgrounds (academics, professionals and hobbyists) (<a href="https://jekyllrb.com/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>Hugo</strong>: one of the most popular site generators, very versatile and incredibly fast (<a href="https://gohugo.io/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>Eleventy</strong>: a fast, simple and versatile generator, Eleventy is one of the hottest generators right now (<a href="https://11ty.dev/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>Pelican</strong>: a generator written in Python (a simple and widely used programming language) (<a href="https://blog.getpelican.com/">website</a>).</li>
</ul>
<p>…and <a href="https://www.staticgen.com/">dozens</a> of others!</p>
<h2 id="hosting">Hosting</h2>
<p>Your site must live somewhere: you’ll need a little hosting spot on the Internet.</p>
<p>Here are a few platforms which can be used to host static sites conveniently, for free:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.netlify.com/">Netlify</a></li>
<li><a href="https://vercel.com/">Vercel</a></li>
<li><a href="https://pages.github.com/">GitHub pages</a></li>
<li><a href="https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/pages/">GitLab pages</a></li>
</ul>
<p>…or else, bring your own server or share one with a friend!</p>Use a Password ManagerSat, 29 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000Sat, 29 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000Louis-Olivier Brassardlouis@loupbrun.cahttps://loupbrun.cahttps://byebyefacebook.loupbrun.ca/en/s/08/<p>Many apps and services allow logging in using one’s single Facebook account instead of creating a new password for each service—which we will (probably) not remember.</p>
<p>Is there an equally convenient solution that would allow us to connect everywhere without trading off security?</p>
<p>Indeed, there is: a <strong>password manager</strong>,</p>
<h2 id="a-password-manager">A password manager</h2>
<p>A password manager allows us to securely save our login information.
With or without Facebook, a password manager is an essential part of a good digital hygiene.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>1Password</strong>: an excellent multiplatform solution that offers tons of functionality with an intuitive interface (<a href="https://1password.com/">site web</a>). 1Password is a Canadian company based in Toronto.</li>
<li><strong>LastPass</strong>: superb competitor to 1Password, with beautiful integrations across all platforms (<a href="https://www.lastpass.com/">site web</a>).</li>
<li><strong>Bitwarden</strong>: a robust, libre and open solution that works on all devices (<a href="https://bitwarden.com/">site web</a>). Use it for free or host it at home!</li>
<li><strong>KeePass</strong>: an old-timer in the password manager world, this open software is available on almost every operating system (<a href="https://keepass.info/">site web</a>).</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="to-use-or-not-to-use-ones-true-email-address">To use or not to use one’s true email address?</h2>
<p>Services often require an email address solely for signup purposes, but we don’t have to give it away: we can use a middleman such as <a href="https://relay.firefox.com/">Firefox Relay</a> to mask our real address or a <strong>disposable mail</strong> service like <a href="https://temp-mail.org/">Temp Mail</a> for a one-time use.</p>Using a Privacy-Aware Web BrowserSun, 30 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000Sun, 30 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000Louis-Olivier Brassardlouis@loupbrun.cahttps://loupbrun.cahttps://byebyefacebook.loupbrun.ca/en/s/09/<p>Facebook creates <a href="https://byebyefacebook.loupbrun.ca/en/r/14/">hidden profiles</a> on users who do not even have an account on the platform, thanks to its presence on millions of websites.</p>
<p>Is it even possible to prevent Facebook from following our behaviour on the web?</p>
<p>Yes, by choosing the right <strong>web browser</strong>.</p>
<h2 id="a-web-browser-shortlist">A web browser shortlist</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Firefox</strong>: with strict privacy mechanisms enabled by default, Firefox treats users as a first-class citizen regarding their privacy (along with plenty other features) (<a href="https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/browsers/">website</a>). Firefox is open source software developed by the Mozilla Foundation.</li>
<li><strong>Brave</strong>: this browser takes on issues related to the widespread of advertisements, such as long loading times, online tracking, and the loss of revenue for creators (<a href="https://brave.com/">website</a>). Those familiar with Google Chrome will find themselves at home, since both use the same source code.</li>
<li><strong>Min</strong>: this browser offers a simplified browsing experience through a minimalist interface. It blocks ads by default, which speeds up loading times, reduces cognitive overload, and helps protect online privacy (<a href="https://minbrowser.org/">website</a>).</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="extensions-to-go-further">Extensions to go further</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Facebook Container</strong>: this extension allows isolating our online activity from our Facebook identity (<a href="https://addons.mozilla.org/fr/firefox/addon/facebook-container/">website</a>).</li>
<li><strong>uBlock Origin</strong>: a highly effective, low footprint extension that blocks ads and trackers (<a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ublock-origin/cjpalhdlnbpafiamejdnhcphjbkeiagm?hl=fr">website</a>).</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="what-about-mobile-apps">What about mobile apps?</h2>
<p>Facebook apps downloaded to our phone operate like <strong>black boxes</strong> and offer absolutely no control or visibility over their internal functions.
Web browsers allow for certain restrictions on the user’s end and should thus be preferred.</p>To Use or Not to Use Social Media for Our Friends?Mon, 31 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000Mon, 31 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000Louis-Olivier Brassardlouis@loupbrun.cahttps://loupbrun.cahttps://byebyefacebook.loupbrun.ca/en/s/10/<p>Facebook set itself as the default medium for our social relationships, but we may not need it.</p>
<p>Facebook claims that its platform allows us to keep in touch with our friends—but in what way, exactly?
In the long run, relationships between individuals are often reduced to a superficial form of contact, like seeing public photos or statuses appear in a non-personal way, lacking the intimacy of authentic connections.</p>
<p>These ghostlike relationships could be described as <strong>“extimate friendships”</strong> (by contrast to “intimate”).
Are they really worth it?</p>
<p>With friends and close ones, it is instead by <strong>initiating</strong> truly personal contacts that we can manage to keep these valuable relationships.
Social media such as Facebook allow us to do so, but they are definitely not the only way.</p>
<p>Some suggest trying lost art of giving a <strong>phone call</strong> (see <em>What replaces Facebook?</em> in Salim Virani’s <a href="https://salimvirani.com/facebook/">Get your loved ones off Facebook</a>) or exchanging (paper, electronic) mail to catch up on each other.</p>
<p>In the end, what matters most is that we <strong>take care of our relationships ourselves</strong> in order to keep them—something no social media will replace on its own.</p>