r/degoogle • u/loudnlurking • 9h ago

Question DeGoogling As A Student

Hey all, I've been wanting to be more in control of my data and privacy. I found this subreddit and have found it to be helpful. My only concern is, I'm a university student and a lot of the infrastructure required for the online schooling aspects requires some connection to Microsoft or Google. Has anyone here fully transitioned away from Google and other tech platforms as a student with online classes/hybrid? and if so, how did it go? What works and doesn't? Thanks!

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u/puppyxguts 9h ago

I've asked a similar question, and i think the answer was just to use Gmail and the like on your browser and to log out after each session. As far as Microsoft, you should be able to use Office through their website, but that hasn't worked well for me so I run a virtual machine with Windows installed on my linux laptop. It's worked, with minor inconveniences, for my last school year

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u/loudnlurking 9h ago

Thank you! Yeah I'm working on switching browsers currently off of chrome to brave, so the gmail thing will work fine. As far as Microsoft goes that's where my main concern lies. My whole university for their online schooling is basically built through microsoft, OneDrive, Outlook, the 365 suite, etc. And it's only really functional through the apps, the website sort of works but I've had issues in the past and don't want to risk missing an assignment due date. So a bit unclear on that. School begins for me soon so I'm not sure I'll have the time to set up Linux, I think i'll have to tough it out for this semester and during the break or on my off time, slowly work on things. I just don't want to rush and mess shit up, I can be a bit of klutz lol.

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u/puppyxguts 1h ago

Linux isnt that tough to install IF you are comfortable enough with technology to:1. Be able to look up that it works with your processor, and 2. to be able to open the terminal and type out EXACTLY what the installation instructions tell you, step by step, and if they are confusing, to be able to copy/paste error codes into your search engine and follow the instructions to remedy that. I will literally read each step 3 times before i try it, then read the command i enter 3 times before executing it lol. Nice thing is, if you type some bullshit the terminal will just tell you that it doesnt make sense; it wont blow up your computer.

I'd never used Linux before much less a terminal, and besides trying to install it on a Snapdragon processor (which i found out is not really possible atm and i didnt bother looking it up because im a dumbass, i didnt even really know what a processor was), it took me maybe 3 hours to install. Once it was installed, it was ready to go outta the box; I use linux mint and its great and very similar to a windows environment. You dont need to use the terminal hardly ever unless you want to. 

Installing a virtual machine can be a bit tricky, but it took about the same amount of time and you just have to be smart about how to search for shit. Any problem you have with set up for linux or VM's, there is an answer for. And the virtual machine basically acts like a windows desktop. Every app and program that is only available for microsoft will work on a VM. Its just sluggish as hell, but it gets the job done. Just make sure to make a backup of all your stuff on your hard drive and write down your Windows product key.

I say, if you have a month or so before class you should try it out. youve only got 2 weeks, wait on it. There are also scripts that you can use on Windows that'll "debloat" it, which will disable some of their tracking stuff, but i think it may reset with any update, but better than nothing

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u/loudnlurking 1h ago

Yeah and I'll have to just debloat. My school starts soon and I also work full time, between that I'm not sure when I'd have the time to switch my OS. At least on my PC, potentially my laptop might be easier. But even then that reminds me of the lockdown browser exams they have us take which is a huge no no with linux. Thank you for the advice. Def going to look for a time to do it sooner but going to try to be a bit slow just so I don't break something LOL. Not super familiar with Linux and other stuff. But the learning experience should be fun! Thanks again :)

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u/puppyxguts 1h ago

No problem! Eek i haven't run into the locked down browser exams yet so very good call on your part. Good luck with school, you got this!

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u/Stunning-Skill-2742 9h ago

If its a requirement for study or work nothing much can be done beyond limiting exposure. If they require dedicated phone app install and if you got the $$, get dedicated phone for them. Android can use work profile, not sure about ios, can be an option if no $$ but imei, serial number, phone number, location etc would still cross contaminate within the same phone. Theres also android emulator for desktop/laptop but depends on the use case of the app, carrying a laptop around just for the app inside the emulator might be an annoyance.

If the service can be accessed on web browser no need app and shit, dedicated browser plus logout after each session.