Be honest, you're using Big Tech because:

a) You think it's hard to switch

b) You think there won't be the software you need on Linux

c) You think nobody is using encrypted messengers

d) You say privacy is a nice idea, but I don't really need it

e) You tell yourself you'll learn later, which turns to never.

But every one of the statements is a lie.

It's NOT hard to switch,

Linux is easy man, my mom uses it, and she's older than computers existing. Linux Mint looks just like Windows. System76 PopOS can be made to look just like Mac iOS. The same way Apple has an "Apple store" for software, Linux also has an app store! And you can even use it in a graphical box. You don't need the command line.

The software you need IS on Linux.

Linux has software for web browsing, chat, and editing text (even microsoft word files can be opened). Adobe Photoshop is actually HARDER to use than open source GIMP, and it does the same things. Kdenlive is FASTER to render videos than Adobe Premiere of EQUAL OR BETTER QUALITY.

You don't have to go cold turkey, if you want to still chat with your friends on Discord, WhatsApp, Telegram, that stuff all works on Linux and Degoogled phones. But you'll be surprised at who you will meet on freedom apps..

You are scared away because you think there's no help, no support group. But there's more of a Linux community than anywhere else, because the people genuinely care. Our SimpleX room has 600 people, and you will get replies. We also host an active Linux group on Session. There's the Linux.org forums. There's dozens of companies with paid support including mine.

You tell yourself you'll learn under better circumstances later, but eventually you have to realize that nobody is coming to save you.

The political situation is only getting worse. The data collection and the overreach from big tech is only further chipping away at your freedoms every day. You think you have Bitcoin, but without privacy you don't even own those private keys. You think you have a Nostr account, but you need open source operating system for that to have meaning. Otherwise, it's just the same as a big tech platform because Google, Microsoft, and Apple see your private key, your conversations, and the sum of every thought in your brain. They own your life.

But it doesn't have to be this way. I'm telling you that you have way more power than you realize. You're telling yourself you're not good with tech, but you're smart enough to read my words on Nostr now. That's better than like 95% of people out there. You know to an Amish farmer, you're pretty slick.. It's all about what you're used to.

Every one of the those starting statements is a lie. And the only obstacle is in your mind.

Love you bro, stay safe.

It is a popular misconception that GIMP does the same than Adobe Photoshop. I guess it depends who you ask and what you need your photo editor for. For some easy editing, maybe. For professionals - no, not really. The capabilities of Adobe PS unfortunately are unmatched by long shot, regardless how much we would like it to not be true.

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Version 3.0 with nondestructive editing is just around the corner (finally!). The beta is already available I've heard.

oh, Gimp does/did destructive editing?

what do you mean?

can you give an example of what can't be matched?

oh, I am sure that everything can be matched

just with an effort that professionals will not afford.

Unless, of course, things have moved very much since I was a more active photoshop wizz.

years back my hobby was into composite photography, combining 20+ elements from different photos into realistic composites resulting in 10GB+ files. Pure fun and frustration.

I tried to move to Linux and failed miserably, Gimp just was just not there. But - to all fairness - I am out of the loop. After all this time Photoshop just fits like a glove and every effort to go back to trying Gimp sounds like climbing a mountain.

You might have just prompted me to try again.