Please find hereunder a list of most of the tools that I use to get my work done. My credo being to use a much Free and Open Source Software as possible (since I stumbled upon a Linux CD back in 2003). Now it is way more that feasible to use this kind of tools or apps and conduct a business.
Feel free to try them all!
Ubuntu – Ubuntu stands out as one of the most established GNU/Linux operating systems, offering a compelling alternative to Windows or MacOS. It comes in various “flavors,” each with distinct interfaces. My preferred version is the standard Ubuntu with Gnome, which closely resembles MacOS, a system I worked with extensively for many years but without encountering the issues associated with the latter.
Infomaniak kSuite – The Infomaniak kSuite is my go-to toolkit, chosen to steer clear of Microsoft Sharepoint and Google Workspace. I’ve been using it since 2020, and it excels with top-of-the-line email clients, calendar apps, drives (kDrive), and various other tools for managing contacts online, sending files (like WeTransfer), or conducting video conferences (kMeet). It continually improves, providing syncing tools for smartphones.
NextCloud – As a groupware solution, NextCloud offers an array of tools, including an email client, agenda, task manager, and even a Kanban replacement for Trello. Currently, I use the email client for scheduling messages (similar to Gmail or Outlook – a functionality currently not available in Infomaniak’s mail client). Additionally, I use the Deck app, an interesting Trello replacement. Combined with the agenda, it’s a powerful tool for managing both work projects and overall organization. NextCloud requires a web server, with many providers available, ranging from one-click installs to dedicated servers. Ubuntu provides a packaged version through its snap system.
LibreOffice / OnlyOffice – These two suites serve as excellent alternatives to Microsoft Office or Google Docs/Sheets/Slides. While LibreOffice has been my favorite for years, offering a fully-featured solution that can mimic the interfaces of its competitors (Microsoft, Apple Pages, or Google), I find myself using OnlyOffice more often these days. It integrates seamlessly with other solutions such as Infomaniak’s kSuite, making it a convenient option for working on the go or from a browser.
Firefox, Vivaldi, Chromium (Web Browsers) – I use nearly every browser under the sun, including Chrome, and Edge. My preference lies with Firefox, being the only true alternative to Chromium-based browsers. It revolutionized the sector in its time and has continued to improve. I use Vivaldi as the definitive power user’s browser, with extensive customization options and proven tab management. Chrome and Edge are utilized for handling Google and Microsoft apps, while most of my Matomo debugging work is done with Chromium.
Matomo Analytics – Matomo is my tool of choice for web analytics. After my initial steps in this domain with its predecessor Piwik in 2013, and having worked with Google tools for many years, Matomo is the best way to unite Free Software with digital marketing. It offers a fully-featured solution, similar to Google Analytics Universal, while providing more advanced tools such as heatmaps, session recording, or a Tag Manager. It is used by major names in various industries.
Joplin – Joplin serves as my de facto replacement for Evernote. Packed with numerous options for note-taking, even on the go with its mobile app, Joplin allows you to record sounds, create tasks with reminders, and work with Markdown. It can sync your notes to Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, NextCloud (which I do), or more common WebDav solutions. Your notes can even be encrypted. What’s missing for me: a web interface.
Thunderbird – Thunderbird has been my hard mail client for many years. Revamped in 2023 by a great team of developers, it now provides a more modern interface. Its capabilities can be extended with plugins, and its shortcuts are a great way to boost productivity.
Vtiger (CRM) – Vtiger is one of many open-source solutions in the realm of Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Introduced to me by a former SEO Expert (Aurélien Berrut), I turned to it a few years later to handle my clients and projects. It offers a community edition as well as a cloud-based one, which is the version I use. Although it provides somewhat more tools than I prefer (well-adapted to larger companies), you can get a free subscription and run your commercial activities properly.
OBS, KDEnlive, Audacity (video and audio editing) – These tools are more than capable of handling multimedia projects, from recording to editing. They are specialized, so you would need to learn how to use them, but the results are great.