OPEN SOURCE alternatives to the MOST POPULAR productivity apps!

The Linux Experiment
22 Sept 202315:36

TLDRThe video script discusses various popular proprietary applications and their open-source alternatives. It highlights the features and benefits of using open-source software like Obsidian, Notion, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Trello, Acrobat Editor, and Visual Studio Code. The script emphasizes the importance of supporting open-source projects and provides recommendations for alternatives such as Logseq, AppFlowy, AnyType, and others. It also mentions the recent update of Thunderbird, an all-in-one open-source suite, and its new features. The video encourages viewers to explore and share open-source options for productivity and collaboration tools.

Takeaways

  • 🌟 Open source alternatives exist for popular proprietary apps, offering users freedom and flexibility.
  • 📚 Obsidian's open source counterpart is Logseq, which supports note-taking with bi-directional linking and a knowledge graph.
  • 📊 Notion is a versatile tool for note-taking and project management, but its open source alternative could be AppFlowy or AnyType.
  • 🤖 Mattermost is a self-hostable, open source alternative to Slack and Microsoft Teams, with similar features and integrations.
  • 🎯 Focalboard is a Trello-like open source tool for project management with templates and real-time collaboration.
  • 🖋️ For PDF editing, LibreOffice Draw can be a suitable alternative when the necessary fonts are installed on the user's system.
  • 💻 Visual Studio Code's open source equivalent, VS Kodia, removes telemetry and proprietary components while maintaining compatibility with plugins and extensions.
  • 🌐 Nextcloud is a fully open source platform for file storage, collaboration, and communication, integrating with various office suites.
  • 📧 Thunderbird is highlighted as a comprehensive, open source email client with a recent redesign that enhances productivity.
  • 💼 Tuxedo Computers offers Linux-compatible laptops and desktops, supporting the open source community and providing customizable options.
  • 📝 The video encourages users to explore and share open source alternatives to proprietary software for the benefit of the community.

Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the video?

    -The main focus of the video is to recommend open-source alternatives to popular proprietary apps and discuss their features and benefits.

  • Which email and calendar client is sponsored in the video?

    -Thunderbird is the email and calendar client sponsored in the video.

  • What are the key features of the new version of Thunderbird?

    -The new version of Thunderbird features a full redesign, making it easier to set up accounts, customizable interface, multiple choices for interface density, view modes, panels, and the ability to place any button in the top bar.

  • How does Logseq compare to Obsidian in terms of note-taking and linking capabilities?

    -Logseq is an open-source alternative to Obsidian, offering similar note-taking and linking capabilities, including bi-directional linking, markdown file storage, a plugin ecosystem, and a visual knowledge graph. It also allows users to create queries to generate tables based on links and data in notes.

  • What are some differences between AppFlowy and Notion?

    -AppFlowy is an open-source alternative to Notion, with a simpler interface and fewer templates. It allows users to create their own structure with pages and sub-pages, and supports various page types like calendars, boards, tables, and documents. However, it lacks mobile apps and some advanced features found in Notion.

  • What open-source alternative to Slack and Microsoft Teams is recommended in the video?

    -Mattermost is recommended as an open-source alternative to Slack and Microsoft Teams, offering self-hosting capabilities, channel creation, chat with side threads, file sharing, screen sharing, audio calls, and integration with developer tools.

  • How does Focalboard differ from Trello in terms of features and customization?

    -Focalboard is an open-source alternative to Trello, offering real-time collaboration, comments on cards, mentions, permissions, and a variety of templates for projects and planning. It supports custom attributes for each board and file sharing in cards. However, it lacks mobile apps, integrations with other services, and some templates compared to Trello.

  • What are some limitations of Adobe Acrobat Pro when editing PDF documents?

    -Adobe Acrobat Pro is not designed for editing PDF documents, and while it can be used to modify PDFs, it may not preserve the original formatting or layout. Editing text is generally handled line by line, and it is recommended to edit the original document or request an editable format from the sender if possible.

  • What open-source alternative to Visual Studio Code is mentioned in the video?

    -VS Kodiak is mentioned as an open-source alternative to Visual Studio Code. It is built on the open-source parts of VS Code, removing tracking, telemetry, and proprietary components, while maintaining compatibility with VS Code's plugins and extensions.

  • What is Nextcloud, and how does it function as an open-source replacement for services like Office 365 and Google Workspace?

    -Nextcloud is a fully open-source platform that handles file storage, sharing, collaboration, chat, and video calls. It can integrate with open-source office suites like Collabora Online and OnlyOffice, and offers a wide range of additional apps for various purposes. It is modular and frequently updated, providing a comprehensive solution for daily work and project management.

  • What is Tuxedo Computers, and how does it support Linux users?

    -Tuxedo Computers is a company that sells laptops and desktops specifically designed to run Linux out of the box. They offer a range of devices with customizable components, openable, repairable, and upgradable designs, and focus on hardware compatibility with Linux to ensure a smooth user experience.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Open Source Alternatives to Popular Proprietary Apps

This paragraph discusses the prevalence of proprietary software in everyday use and introduces open source alternatives. It highlights the availability of open source options for popular apps like Obsidian, Notion, Slack, Trello, and Acrobat. The speaker shares their personal preference for open source tools and recommends Logseq and Focalboard as alternatives to Obsidian and Trello, respectively. The paragraph also mentions the benefits of using open source tools, such as freedom from proprietary constraints and the ability to self-host services like email and chat platforms.

05:02

📝 Features and Capabilities of Open Source Note-Taking and Collaboration Tools

The second paragraph delves into the specifics of open source note-taking and collaboration tools. It compares the features of apps like Notion and Flowy, highlighting Flowy's lack of mobile apps and wiki-building capabilities. The paragraph also discusses Any Type, a more feature-complete alternative to Flowy, with its Linux client and mobile apps. The speaker addresses the challenges of replacing communication platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams with the self-hosted Mattermost, which lacks video call functionality but offers integrations for seamless transitions. Additionally, the paragraph touches on the ease of replacing Trello with Focalboard and the limitations of Acrobat Pro for editing PDFs, suggesting the use of LibreOffice Draw as an alternative.

10:03

💻 Open Source Development Tools and Recommended Software

This paragraph focuses on open source development tools, particularly Visual Studio Code's open source nature and its alternative, VS Kodia. It emphasizes the removal of telemetry and proprietary components in VS Kodia, maintaining compatibility with VS Code's plugins and extensions. The speaker also recommends Nextcloud as a comprehensive open source solution for file storage, sharing, and collaboration, noting its integration with office suites and its modularity. The paragraph concludes with a call for viewers to share their own open source alternatives and praises Thunderbird as a reliable email client.

15:10

🎶 Closing Remarks and Sponsor Mention

The final paragraph wraps up the video with a brief mention of the sponsor, Tuxedo Computers, which sells Linux-compatible laptops and desktops. The speaker encourages viewers to support the channel through likes, subscriptions, and comments, and offers various platforms for monetary support. The paragraph ends with a thank you note to the viewers and an anticipation for the next video, accompanied by background music.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Open Source

Open source refers to software that is released with a license that allows users to use, study, share, and modify the software freely. In the context of the video, open source alternatives to popular proprietary applications are recommended, emphasizing the benefits of having access to the source code and the collaborative nature of their development. This concept is central to the video's theme of exploring free software options.

💡Obsidian

Obsidian is a popular note-taking and knowledge management software that allows users to create and link notes bidirectionally. It is known for its visual knowledge graph and plugin ecosystem. In the video, Obsidian is mentioned as a proprietary app, and an open source alternative, Logseq, is suggested for those who prefer free software.

💡Logseq

Logseq is an open source note-taking application published under the AGPL license. It is similar to Obsidian in functionality, allowing users to take notes as markdown files and offering a plugin ecosystem and mobile apps. The video highlights Logseq as a suitable alternative for users who prefer open source software for note-taking and knowledge management.

💡AppFlowy

AppFlowy is an open source alternative to the proprietary application Notion. It is designed for note-taking, task management, and project organization, offering features like pages, sub-pages, calendars, boards, tables, and document editing. The interface allows for flexibility and customization, and while it may not have as many templates as Notion, it provides a solid open source option for users.

💡AnyType

AnyType is a more full-featured open source alternative to Notion, offering a Linux client and mobile apps. It provides a range of features including encrypted peer-to-peer syncing, which allows for offline work and secure sharing. The interface may be more complex initially, but it supports all the features of AppFlowy and more.

💡Mattermost

Mattermost is an open source, self-hosted alternative to Slack and Microsoft Teams, offering features such as channels, chat with side threads, file sharing, screen sharing, and audio calls. It can be integrated with various developer tools for automation and supports message formatting with markdown or code snippets. The platform emphasizes privacy and control, as users can manage their own servers.

💡Focalboard

Focalboard is an open source project management tool that can be self-hosted or used as a personal app with cross-platform support. It offers templates for various project management needs, real-time collaboration, and supports custom attributes for each board. While it lacks mobile apps and integrations found in Trello, it is a strong contender for users who value open source and local customization.

💡Thunderbird

Thunderbird is an all-in-one open source suite that handles email, calendar, contacts, tasks, RSS feeds, and chats. It has a customizable interface and supports various view modes and panel configurations. Thunderbird is highlighted in the video as a preferred email and calendar client, emphasizing its open source nature and cross-platform availability.

💡VS Code

VS Code, or Visual Studio Code, is a popular open source code editor developed by Microsoft. It is licensed under the MIT license and includes features such as debugging, Git integration, and extensions. The video discusses VS Code's proprietary aspects, such as telemetry, and suggests an alternative called VS Kodia that removes tracking and proprietary components while maintaining compatibility with VS Code's plugins and extensions.

💡VS Kodia

VS Kodia is an open source alternative to Microsoft's Visual Studio Code. It is built on the open source parts of VS Code but removes the telemetry and proprietary components. VS Kodia is designed to be compatible with VS Code's plugins and extensions, offering the same interface and features in an entirely open source format.

💡Nextcloud

Nextcloud is a fully open source platform for file storage, sharing, collaboration, and communication. It is presented as a replacement for services like Office 365 or Google Workspace, offering features such as file storage, chat, and video calls. Nextcloud can integrate with open source office suites and offers a modular approach with additional apps that can be added to suit various needs.

💡Tuxedo

Tuxedo is a company that sells laptops and desktops with Linux pre-installed. They specialize in hardware that is optimized for running Linux and contribute to open source projects by submitting patches to address compatibility issues. Tuxedo offers a range of devices to suit different needs and allows customers to customize their hardware selections.

Highlights

The video discusses open source alternatives to popular proprietary apps.

Thunderbird is highlighted as an all-in-one suite sponsored by the video, handling email, calendar, contacts, tasks, RSS feeds, and chats.

Obsidian, a popular note-taking app, is mentioned along with its open source alternative, Logseq.

Logseq offers similar features to Obsidian, including bi-directional linking, markdown support, and a plugin ecosystem.

Notion is compared to open source alternatives like AppFlowy and AnyType, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.

Mattermost is recommended as a self-hosted, open source alternative to Slack and Microsoft Teams.

Focalboard is introduced as an open source alternative to Trello, with real-time collaboration and various templates.

Adobe Acrobat Pro is discussed, with suggestions to use LibreOffice Draw or Inkscape for PDF editing.

Visual Studio Code's open source alternative, VS Kodia, is mentioned, which removes telemetry and proprietary components.

Nextcloud is recommended as an open source replacement for Office 365 and Google Workspace, with modularity and frequent updates.

Thunderbird's new interface is praised for its improved handling of tasks, calendars, and emails.

Tuxedo Computers is advertised as a sponsor selling Linux-compatible laptops and desktops.

The video encourages viewers to share their own open source alternatives in the comments.

The video provides a comprehensive guide for users seeking to transition from proprietary software to open source solutions.

The discussion emphasizes the importance of privacy, customization, and freedom offered by open source software.

The video also touches on the practicality and ease of use of open source alternatives compared to their proprietary counterparts.