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Welcome to Digital Desktop – Exploring European Software

Disclaimer (Öffnet in neuem Fenster): No one is perfect, I appreciate your feedback.

The decision to shift away from commercial U.S.-based software isn’t about ideology—it’s about pragmatism, sustainability, and independence. It’s about fostering a more diverse and resilient digital ecosystem—one that respects privacy, values transparency, and champions innovation beyond the dominance of a few monopolistic giants.

But let’s be honest: We can’t just drop entire operating systems overnight. Transitioning away from entrenched software stacks is not a single act of defiance—it’s a process. And like any meaningful transition, it takes effort. The good news? The rewards far outweigh the effort.

Not a Radical Break—A Smarter Evolution

For too long, we’ve accepted the idea that the most well-known tools are also the best. But as I’ve started this journey, I’ve discovered something both surprising and empowering: many European alternatives don’t just match their U.S. counterparts—they surpass them.

That said, not all U.S.-developed software is created equal. Open-source projects remain an essential part of a healthy software ecosystem—regardless of their country of origin. I continue to rely on outstanding tools like Zotero, the gold standard for bibliography collection and knowledge management, because innovation and ethical technology should not be constrained by borders.

Take office suites, for example. SoftMaker Office, developed in Germany, is a brilliant replacement for Microsoft Office, offering superior compatibility and a leaner, faster experience—without the endless subscription traps.

Or consider knowledge management. Instead of being locked into Notion or Evernote, I’ve found Logseq—a Swiss army knife for knowledge workers that combines the best of outlining, graph-based thinking, and local-first storage. My next post will dive into why Logseq is the perfect tool for building an independent and flexible workflow.

A Structured Approach – Software Classification & The Dynamic List

Each blog post will classify the software I explore based on key criteria:

Origin – Where is it developed?

Pricing – Free, open-source, one-time purchase, or subscription-based?

Website & Resources – Official links and valuable additional materials for further exploration.

To keep this journey structured, I’ll maintain a growing database blog—a dynamic, regularly updated list of all software products I review. This will serve as a central reference point and evolve through continuous updates and close dialogue with readers.

The Path Forward

This journey isn’t about abandoning all U.S. software overnight—it’s about making thoughtful choices, one tool at a time, and sharing the process so others can do the same. By gradually shifting toward European software, we create demand for a more diverse and resilient software landscape—one that serves users rather than shareholders.

In upcoming posts, I’ll document each step, from knowledge management and office productivity to creative tools, cloud storage, and collaboration platforms.

If you’re curious about making the shift, follow along. Share your experiences, challenge my findings, and explore better alternatives with me.

The transition starts here. Stay tuned for my next post on Logseq—the open-source powerhouse that redefines digital note-taking.

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