Open‑source software today offers Windows users a practical way to reclaim control, improve privacy, and boost productivity — and ZDNET’s compact roundup of “10 open‑source apps I recommend every Windows user try — for free” is a useful starting kit that does exactly that.
Background
ZDNET’s...
autohotkey
backup
bitwarden
duplicati
encryption
file conversion
flow launcher
franz
libreoffice
local ai
nextcloud
ollama
open source
privacy
productivity
self-hosting
windows
yazb
The day-to-day grind of maintaining a sprawling Obsidian vault finally pushed one user to try a different path: they migrated thousands of notes into Joplin, and within weeks declared they weren’t going back — praising Joplin’s genuinely open-source model, straightforward sync options, and...
Mac users today find themselves at the center of a productivity renaissance, with industry titans vying to provide a seamless experience for document creation, collaboration, and workflow management. Microsoft 365, Google Docs, and Apple’s iWork are the long-standing heavyweights, yet for users...
cloud integration
collaboration tools
cross-platform
document editing
file compatibility
file format
mac apps
macos productivity
microsoft 365
microsoft office
nextcloud
office performance
office suite
onlyoffice
open source
pdf editing
privacy
productivity tools
templates
workflow
A quiet but consequential battle has been unfolding in the realm of mobile cloud storage, as Android users of Nextcloud—the European open-source cloud platform—found themselves abruptly losing a fundamental feature: the ability to upload all file types from their devices. While photos and videos...
The meteoric rise of affordable broadband, advancements in virtualization, and the maturing landscape of free and open-source (FOSS) software have paved the way for a powerful trend among Windows users: self-hosting. Once considered the domain of sysadmins and power users with racks of spare...
cloud solutions
data sovereignty
docker
firefly iii
foss
immich
jellyfin
labs
n8n
nextcloud
nocodb
open source
penpot
privacy
self-hosting
vaultwarden
virtualization
windows
windows server
The rise of self-hosted digital services has given enthusiasts and privacy-conscious users new opportunities to reclaim control over their data and digital workflows. Traditionally, many have seen network-attached storage (NAS) as an essential foundation—a dedicated, always-on device optimized...
audiobookshelf
bitwarden
data control
diy cloud
docker
firefly iii
home assistant
home automation
low-cost hardware
media management
nextcloud
open source
personal cloud
privacy
raspberry pi
self-hosting
server alternatives
vaultwarden
For those passionate about taking back control from the endless sprawl of cloud platforms, self-hosting a digital ecosystem is no longer the exclusive domain of IT professionals armed with expensive Network Attached Storage (NAS) arrays. Over recent years, the landscape has shifted...
audiobookshelf
backup
bitwarden
cloud solutions
cybersecurity
digital sovereignty
diy cloud
document management
firefly iii
home assistant
home automation
lightweight servers
media server
network security
nextcloud
open source
personal cloud
privacy
privacy tools
self-hosting
Imagine running your business, managing your freelance gigs, or simply handling family documents without the ever-looming stress of subscription renewals, vendor lock-in, or privacy doubts associated with traditional productivity suites. For decades, Microsoft 365 (Office) and Google Workspace...
Harnessing the Potential of the Raspberry Pi: A Home Office Suite That Goes Beyond Microsoft 365
In the evolving world of productivity software, Microsoft 365 has long been regarded as the industry heavyweight, offering a polished and comprehensive suite of office applications. Yet, many users...
containerization
cost savings
data security
home office
linux
nextcloud
notes and tasks
office suite
open source
privacy
private cloud
productivity tools
raspberry pi
remote access
self-hosting
small server
tailscale
tech community
Windows has long been the go-to operating system for millions of users, and while it does come with a suite of built-in apps, not every native tool hits the mark when it comes to speed, simplicity, or customization. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking that the default Windows Calculator or...
Nextcloud is making waves among Windows users by offering an entirely free, open-source alternative to the subscription-based Microsoft 365. With a solid suite of productivity tools, robust storage, and seamless integration on Windows 11, Nextcloud’s offerings don’t just mimic Microsoft 365—they...
Docker has revolutionized the way developers and tech enthusiasts build, ship, and run applications. Traditionally, Linux has been the go-to platform for containerization, lauded for its simplicity and versatility. But—and here’s the juicy part—container magic isn’t exclusively a Linux privilege...