The ongoing move away from companies who bend the knee to the orange grifter and email
I’ve been looking at alternatives to gmail as part of moving away from US companies aligning with or bending the knee to the orange grifter.
I have an original Google Apps account which means I now have a free Google Workspace so there will be a cost associated with the change but it doesn’t bother me. I have multiple domains sitting in it so the greater concern is trying to retain the same functionality.
Despite being all things Apple, I’m reluctant to use iCloud email. The spam protection and search functionality have never been very good in my experience. If Apple invested a bit more in the product then maybe. Plus there’s the issue of the big donation to the grifter.
Proton mail is an obvious choice a lot of privacy focussed people and websites recommend. My mail isn’t that secret though, I just don’t want it scraped for marketing purposes. I’ve ruled it out based on cost and not being a fan of the look of their products.
Was leaning towards Fastmail as it seems to tick all the boxes until I realised their servers are in the US despite being an Australian company. Is it a big enough sticking point to stop me changing? Something to think about as I take my daily walk around the neighbourhood.
I've been using Apple Mail since I returned to the Mac in 2021 with the introduction of Apple Silicon. Spam management has dramatically improved in recent years, at least for me, and I almost never see spam in my inbox any more. In addition, moving miscategorized emails to the inbox gets re-filtered much better now.
Search isn't something I can speak to since I don't use it often, but it works when I do. About the only thing I have had trouble with is adding custom domains. After following all steps, I still can't get external domains to work, but YMMV. Even if it did work, you can only add three and only have a couple accounts associated, IIRC.
I still maintain my original Google account, but don't use it for anything critical. Mostly YouTube. I also ditched Microsoft services, platforms, and apps in a similar manner. Cascading BS for many years has been pushing me away from them, and I've now mostly extricated myself from their clutches :)
@tylerknowsnothing I have two domains I run through Apple Mail so I can compare it to others and I feel your pain. One set up no issues at all, the other had me ready to pick my mac up and throw it out the window.
I'm slowly dumping the big companies bit by bit. It's my 2025 new year resolution!
My registrar is Name.com, which works great with everything, but seems to have issues with Apple. It's most likely just a PEBCAK situation for me. Pro writer in tech publishing for ~25 years, and I can't code my ass out of a paper bag. Similar to journalist's brain. I learnt enough in the moment to complete books, but it sieves out for the next.
As for ditching big capitalism, the only one I'd have significant issues leaving is Apple. I've been using Apple systems ever since they first appeared, minus a 9 year period where I was all Microsoft. I switched back when the M1 dropped and got myself a Mini. I'm aware that most of the "PC Master Race" think Apple is the devil incarnate, but I strongly disagree. Not because I'm a fan boy, but because I have critical thinking skills.
Mac & Linux forever :)
@tylerknowsnothing Mac & Linux forever siblings-in-arms here! LOL
@rom Right on! My M1 Mini's desktop companion is a Dell Latitude 7200 2in1 running KDE Neon and using Synergy I just use my Mac's keyboard and trackball to use them both :) I have a load of machines I've collected over the years, mostly Macs, but the PCs all have Linux on them...
...except for one machine I have a neutered copy of Windows 10 on with a local account which I currently use to play Steam games, mostly Marvel Rivals and TF2. I'm currently building out a Nobara Linux install on another SSD to replace it over the coming months, though.
Soon I shall be free of the yoke of Redmond!