For the windows -> Linux mint, I wouldn’t just say Linux mint since there are plenty of other great distros that could be better for users then Linux mint, I myself did start of mint but now I end on arch but I do see myself going to fedora if my system ever borked itself, I think popular Linux distros would be a better option then just mint . Other then that the list looks good
this post was submitted on 23 Jun 2026
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Privacy
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DDG is fine. It's hard to have a "completely private" search engine as currently only Big Tech has a comprehensive enough index of the internet to effectively provide a search engine.
Obsidian isn't FOSS though. I'd recommend Notesnook as an alternative. I haven't tried any of the following but I also know of Logseq (which aims to do what Obsidian does but FOSS), Joplin, and Standard Notes, which you might want to look into.
Brave actually operates an independent index.
I think your search engine is more than alright. Regarding the rest, I believe it requires no change aslong as you feel satisfied with it.
I'm also slowly breaking out of the Google noose.
The only thing that is still holding me back is the OS, i have a HMD Skyline and it's great but it doesn't get a lot of open source support, the only option that pops up is /e/os and even on their website HMD isn't listed, anyone have suggestions for a HMD OS alternative?
Also have a Motorola and an older Sony Xperia to use as guinea pigs.
For search engine I like Startpage. For photos it does not have the DuckDuckGo block and report AI images, but it seems to do that well automatically from my experience. Qwant is another option.
Mullvad Browser, SearX or StartPage search, SimpleX or Briar messenger, Fossify Suite(Files, Camera, Gallery, Calendar, Notes, Keyboard, etc), Filen Cloud, Aegis 2FA, SimpleLogin or Addy as mask to email account, FlorisBoard keyboard
I would recommend changing everything Proton with Infomaniak's KSuite: https://www.infomaniak.com/en/ksuite/myksuite
+1 for leaving Proton. Bad company, the CEO is a Trump bootlicker
???
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No VPN -> Mullvad VPN
Bro what? Using a VPN depends highly on your use case. This is way to general. I would remove that.
lol how come
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Didn't see anyone else say this: DDG is certainly a great choice for search engine, though I'd recommend brave search:
- If you use bangs, it has them.
- Actually operates an independent index so the search queries aren't reliant on Microsoft Bing.
Due to several of the companies issues (and it being chromium) I don't recommend the browser but I do really like the search engine.
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