yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Nexus 4 General] styckx:
Since you asked and I'll keep it short.

What Cyanogen Inc is now isn't a surprise to many.. Most purist (read: Fans of AOSP) Android users after CM7 saw the direction CM was heading and abandoned ship at ICS/CM9. I've said many times.. Cyanogenmod 7 was the last good Cyanogenmod. Instead of just making a cool AOSP based ROM with features they started trying to make Cyanogenmod a "thing". It all started with that terrible File Manager they shoehorned in and snowballed from there. It's laughable at best to pitch Cyanogenmod on the "AOSP Derived" line that so many still use.. At this point it's like saying the Ford Fusion is derived from the Model T (ok, that's an extreme example but you get my point). Add in everything they did when the Cyanogen Inc company was formed.

Nope..
[Nexus 4 General] MameTozhio:
Wow.

I could never imagine doing this.. I use Google for contact and calendar sync and email, bookmarks etc... even on my Lumia 520.
[Nexus 4 General] styckx:
Yeah.. It's a personal thing. It hit me just how much data Google hoards when I randomly looked at my Google Dashboard one day and saw the Chrome Sync stats. Seeing in pictures just the sheer amount of data they have on me was a "moment". Then I started just piecing everything together about how many sectors of technology they've got their hands in all based around "providing services" over the internet. I just decided that was the end for me. I deleted all my dashboard data, went back to Firefox, deleted my Google+ accounts. I'm just going back to the old school days.. Limiting what is given to companies and lowering my online profile. For now keeping Google just for email and nothing more. It's just not per-say Google.. It's just the current trend of everything "needing" to be online and "synced" in some cloud. I don't need my entire livelihood and trends online.. No one should.. But... That's just my opinion. I can't stay away from everything (I mean I have a Facebook account) but I can do a lot to minimize what is given.
[Nexus 4 General] manpildo:
I admire your will. I myself am already too deep, too dependant, that it would be more hassle than it's worth to distance myself. It's easier to just let everything sync and be connected rather than try to figure out how to restructure it all. Google has got me, though I don't mind that much.
[Nexus 4 General] kalash_uhuru:
Do you really believe they delete your account when you ask them to ? To me, data is like seeing: there is no unseeing like theres no deleting data once it goes online. I feel like it cant be undone, therefore its not worth the effort of clearing it all.
[Nexus 4 General] hp420:
I know how you feel. I'm in the same boat. Between google voice, contacts, gmail, hangouts, and god knows what else, I'd spend 6 months trying to undo all my google ties. But I'm sure enjoying watching the show ;)
[Nexus 4 General] bladebuddy:
I live in the u.k which has the most nation wide coverage of CCTV cameras per head of population. Every day the average person is caught on camera over 200 times per day.

This scares some people.

To others its a way of keeping you safe , finding missing people e.t.c. and helps the police in solving crimes.

My point being if you are not doing anything wrong what have you got to hide ?.

Google can help make you life easier provide products based on you're personal usage and day to day life.

Why would you not want it.

Yes some companies have more information on you then they really need.

The funny thing is I bet you have at least one T.V in you're house and believe me its by far the most dangerous and influential tool available !.

Each to their own as they say.

Phone : Nexus 4 /Rom : cataclysm / Kernel : Stock.
[Nexus 4 General] rickd88:
I, personally, agree with styckx. I never signed up for Google plus but was "given" one. I closed it (and that's not easy to do), just to have them re-sign me up again later. I honestly don't remember what happened that time.

Recently I finally set one up with NO ONE on my page, just so I could review apps for my favorite developers.

What shocks me is how no one in our community seems bothered by all of it...

Comments like, "If you are not doing anything wrong..." boggles my mind. I'm not a conspiracy theorist but I think it's very safe to say that money universally corrupts. I think it's near to impossible to not let power and money go to your head. Anyone's head! And when I see Google say "Don't be evil", but they force Google plus and read your emails.... well that can turn into evil pretty easy I fear.

That's a lot of information they control. 40% of all internet traffic and 78% of all search. Information is power (and a whole lot of money). I think we are all being naive to think any ”for profit" company couldn't be swayed by money and power.

Just saying...
[Nexus 4 General] bladebuddy:
Google brings probably the best search engine in the world to you free.

Countless other social forums e.t.c to you for free.

All this needs very good servers . staff , technical support to mention a few things again for free.

Of course this needs to be paid for some how. Would you rather pay to use Google , Facebook , YouTube e.t.c . As soon as they started charging you would definitely see an up roar.

So this is all paid for buy targeted add campaigns that sometimes save you money ( a good thing ) sometimes its annoying ( not so good ) as for power , evil e.t.c . Its not good for business being driven that way. So if you want to make money its better to have happy customers yes.

Unfortunately we live in a very monetary world and that was the case well before Google became a player.

Phone : Nexus 4 /Rom : cataclysm / Kernel : Stock.
[Nexus 4 General] L0cke:
I have thought about this and wanted to move to another web mail service first, but can't find one I like yet. Anyone used any different ones, other than the usual suspects, Yahoo and Outlook?
[Nexus 4 General] vencc:
would be nice to do this actually incase i move away from google, but like everyone else i'm way too deep with google. I like the convenience of syncing one-two google accounts to everything I need in a phone. Only thing, is I don't use Gmail, but at least they give us options to choose a primary, unlike other companies..
[Nexus 4 General] manpildo:
Google certainly do have money and power. I agree about G+, I don't like that it's creeping into everything, I don't like that it wants to use my real name in youtube. But on the other hand we ourselves signed up for it, we agreed to terms of service which allowed this to happen. Not reading a contract is no excuse. Good thing we have freedom of choice and right to opt out any time we want.
[Nexus 4 General] jherbold:
Love a challenge

I've taken up this challenge. Spent about 16 hrs researching, downloading alternate apps, etc.

I used "Go Backup Pro" to backup all my installed apps before I started. That way, I could re-install the backed up apks for the two or three paid apps that are critical to me. I won't be getting updates though.

The two biggest hurdles I encountered were replacing "Keep" and "Gasbuddy".

For some reason, I couldn't get Evernote to download from Amazon. After looking at dozens of marginal note apps I finally found "Simplenote". It cloud syncs to multiple devices which is a feature I needed. Fair replacement.

Gasbuddy also refused to install- even from my backed up apks. I suppose it is tied to the hip with "Maps". So far, dead end on a replacement with anything near its functionality. Any leads, hints, or fixes appreciated.
[Nexus 4 General] styckx:
This is a strange stance to take.. Just because I can't prove it is really deleted I shouldn't delete it? Let's go with the "it's not deleted" theory. So what? In that case it's a case of "Well, I can't remove what I already given them but I sure as heck can stop giving them anything else now and in the future"..

Yeah.. That's the sure fire sign the app is relying on a Gapps API when it doesn't install.... I downloaded Evernote from 1Mobile Market just fine.. Give that market a try.. It's very good and has loads and loads more selection than Amazon.. It mostly has all the freeware apps available on the Play Store.. So for example you can get Nova launcher free version only.. They don't dabble much in the pay arena.
[Nexus 4 General] jherbold:
Problem is, I downloaded and installed the 1Mobile app onto two different phones. When I tried to use it on WIFI it reported "No connection, Retry" constantly on BOTH phones even though all other apps that needed web worked just fine.

Could just be the version of the app up today? What version of the app do you have installed and working?
[Nexus 4 General] styckx:
Every once in a blue moon on my Nexus 10 I got the no connection with 1Mobile Market when using their search.. A reboot of the device usually fixes it (or try going into its settings and resetting the data)

The version I have is 3.9.9
[Nexus 4 General] jherbold:
Thanks! I've got it running OK on the BlueStacks emulator on my PC. Should be able to download from there. :)
[Nexus 4 General] styckx:
Keep the thread updated on how you go. Curious how others handle this task. Once you get past the initial `shock' of nothing being "automated" and the lose of payware apps from the Play Store, you quickly grow used to it. At least I did. It's definitely not for everyone.

Sometimes in order to gain you have to take a lose.
[Nexus 4 General] chrisrozon:
Because the Evernote Corporation will treat your data so much better than Google will?
[Nexus 4 General] styckx:
No I idea.. Don't use it. Just downloaded it quickly to tell him it is downloadable from 1Mobile Market. Thanks for the constructive and non-smug contribution.

Sent from my Nexus 10
[Nexus 4 General] jherbold:
One step at a time. Short of writing my own app to use my own server, someone is going to have my notes if I want them synced across devices. And I do. I try to be careful not putting anything of personally identifiable interest or potentially damaging if compromised ANYWHERE on the cloud. I don't think the oil change records for my (unidentified) car, or my recipe for Herbs de Provence is of great monetary value to anyone. If so, I'd gladly sell it directly!

This is more of an experiment for me. To see what it would take to completely sever the cord.

I suppose I could start by having an open ended txt file with folder syncing to my home server. Three steps back to make one step sideways?

Edit: Thanks for your insight Evernote vs Google. I decided to use an app called "Folder Sync Lite" which allows two way sync on a time schedule. I installed it on all my Android devices and pointed them all to the same location on my home server. I used an Office App to collect, reformat, and reorganize my "Keep" notes. One big advantage is that any file I drop into any of the folders will be sync'ed to all devices. APK's for instance.
[Nexus 4 General] styckx:
Was thinking the same thing you wrote, just didn't feel like typing it all. Saving your list of groceries is of no value to anyone. :laugh: My next step was going to do what you're exploring.. Using my home PC as the sync point instead of relying on anyone elses "cloud" for simple database updating like contacts etc. Going to check out Folder Sync.. What protocol are you using to Sync to your Windows folder? Samba share?
[Nexus 4 General] jherbold:
I have Filezilla FTP Server running 24/7 for my needs and an extended family member (across the state). We have eliminated Cloud storage for photos/media. We have local working and local backup copies on large hdd's. I host his off site backups, he hosts mine. Has worked out great. Fixed cost, no monthly storage fees.
[Nexus 4 General] jherbold:
OK. I'm completely Google free, and commercial Cloud free.

I'm not counting Amazon who hosts some of my apps and books. No personal data though.

"Expense Manager", "Mighty Grocery", "Evernote", and "Dropbox" were the last to go. These very handy apps all had cloud sync functions either to their own server or to Dropbox. I deleted all files and folders from Dropbox.

I replaced them with old school doc and xls files sync'ed to my home server. We'll see how it goes over the next several days.
[Nexus 4 General] monkor:
It's been about 24 hours since I cut the cord with most services. I'm doing just fine, but I definitely don't enjoy not having Google Maps. I travel a lot, and it's helped me a ton with directions. No Waze, and I'm not paying $50 for TomTom. I do own a GPSNav but that thing blows. Any solid alternatives?
[Nexus 4 General] BlackElvis79:
What's a decent replacement for quick Office? I need the ability to create and edit spreadsheets.

---------- Post added at 10:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:14 PM ----------

It's fitting I should happen upon this thread. I just decided tonight to kill off my social media self - Facebook, InstaGram, Twitter- for other reasons. As I was doing so, I realized how many GApps I have on my device that I don't even use, yet keep installing after every flash just out of habit. I'm going to try this. I don't feel I'd be missing too much of anything.
[Nexus 4 General] jherbold:
I'm using OfficeSuite Professional 7. Pricey but good. I've used KingSoft in the past and thought it was OK. It is available from 1mobile.market.

I went into Google and deleted everything I could. Drive files, contacts, emails and assorted odds and ends settings. Tomorrow I'm going to look at deleting all my music from Play. It's backed up locally anyway. No loss.

---------- Post added 23rd January 2014 at 12:07 AM ---------- Previous post was 22nd January 2014 at 11:45 PM ----------

I loaded "osmand" for an international trip this past summer. It's not as user friendly as Maps, but it does have the advantage of being able to download full maps and have them useable without a connection. Out here in the west that is a major plus. So far, it's the best I've found.
[Nexus 4 General] bladebuddy:
Hey guys just thought about what you're doing and you're still using a Google operating system. That's like driving a Google car without the extras feeding there pockets with your money .Should consider flashing a rom like miui or at least a rom without gapps added.

Apps you have paid for could be downloaded from aptoid you shouldn't loose what you have paid for. You will also get updates from there.

Still strange that you buy a Google phone though.

Phone : Nexus 4 /Rom : cataclysm / Kernel : Stock.
[Nexus 4 General] styckx:
Got my Contacts and Calendar problem solved.. Both sync with my home PC now.

Very simple.. Setup a Linux install, install owncloud. MySQL, and use CalDav Sync Adapter and CardDAV..

I can now access my Owncloud server via the network, add events, or contacts and it will sync with my phone.. Or vice versa.. Complete syncing without any outside cloud service.. I AM the cloud service! I use the Google Calendar but add the CalDav Sync adapter account instead of my Gmail account to sync across to my home PC.

What I will do now is throw together a dedicated linux server (running through VirtualBox right now) so I can sync across the internet (accessing a server over the net through virtualbox is a pain and much easier to just setup a dedicated server)

This-is-awesome *Clap*Clap*ClapClapClap*
[Nexus 4 General] styckx:
Success.. Dedicated Sync server setup and working perfect.. I can now Sync my Calendar and Contacts on a server sitting in my room instead of Google or some other provider on the local network or over the internet.
[Nexus 4 General] L0cke:
What web mail are people using?
[Nexus 4 General] jherbold:
Whoot! That is fabulous! I've been casually watching owncloud for a while. My server is Windows based and we use it for a myriad of hosted files and services. I've been wanting to migrate it to Linux, but my wife's work files are hosted there, and I would be in deep kaka if I messed up the migration or left her without file access for long periods. Your success makes me want to start tinkering with it. :cool: EDIT: Whoot Whoot! Owncloud now has a server that runs under Windows 7. I'll be busy today!
[Nexus 4 General] monkor:
You buy a Google phone because you CAN do all this. Get Nexus, root and unlock, remove all Google.
[Nexus 4 General] bladebuddy:
You can do it also with 100,s of phones that are not released by Google.

Phone : Nexus 4 /Rom : cataclysm / Kernel : Stock.
[Nexus 4 General] monkor:
In 2012 when this phone was releases there were few (if any) phones that met my price point and had stock Android and an unlocked bootloader. Plus, at the time nothing they had done was a major annoyance. I'm not even against Google (at all, actually), I just don't think they're hurting for cash enough to start altering the way their free services have run for years. And in intrusive ways. Mostly with G+, AutoBackup and Location Access. Their actions recently have been an annoyance, and I'm using my only power as a consumer: choice.
[Nexus 4 General] tweaked:
I do this way easier. I Just don't share anything on my devices that I don't want google to collect.

I use a junk email for google.

Done. They think I am Henry Moritimer Jones The third.

All this for nothing.... Seriously. lol
[Nexus 4 General] jherbold:
Using a name alias at gmail has literally nothing to do with the data they collect on your phone use, habits and location.

They know you by your imei, wifi networks (and passwords), geolocation, app purchases and use, browsing habits, text messages, searches, contacts on and on. Data mining reveals your real identity if they needed it. ............ Seriously. LOL.
[Nexus 4 General] tweaked:
How much do you spend on your tin foil hat collection?:cowboy:
[Nexus 4 General] jherbold:
I found mine at the bottom of this page.

https://www.google.com/dashboard/

Be sure to press expand all for the full selection of styles, shapes and sizes.
[Nexus 4 General] styckx:
Exactly what I did a few weeks ago to start this..

The funniest part of digging through my Dashboard.. I found out Google owes me $39.17 from AdSense revenue dating back from 2007. I just never verified my pin number. :laugh:
[Nexus 4 General] jherbold:
I'm not one to do things half way. I went through the dashboard and deleted everything I could and opted out of everything I could. It was creepy they knew I went to Las Vegas Airport on January 3. The whole trip was there, plotted out on maps. Even my stop for gas at the Love's truck stop. They knew I never left the house yesterday. They know more about my whereabouts than my wife!

The graphs of searches by hour of the day and day of week were a bit much as well.

I've also taken Chrome off my server and laptop. Loaded Firefox and set up DuckDuckGo as search engine.
[Nexus 4 General] bpear96:
I really never understood this. If you don't have anything to hide why does it matter? Yes it should be private, but no actual employee from Google is sitting there looking at your data. Google is an ad company and the data they have allows them to do things that no other ad company can do, which allows them to provide us awesome services for no charge what so ever. Its pretty much impossible to have %100 privacy no of days now matter what you do.

But if this is what you want to do, go for it.
[Nexus 4 General] BlackElvis79:
Sorry, The "Thanks" was an accident...

Look at it like this, you don't put up curtains in your home because you're hiding anything right? You put them up because you like your privacy. Because you don't feel comfortable with strangers watching your every move.

---------- Post added at 10:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:44 PM ----------

I personally am not testing this for privacy reasons. More just because and the nostalgia of the G1 days...back when the only Google app was gmail :)
[Nexus 4 General] styckx:
Just because I have nothing to hide doesn't mean I need to blindly hand over everything I have to give..
[Nexus 4 General] bpear96:
Yeah I understand. But there is no actually person at Google watching over you. If there were only robots outside watching me I would feel no need to put up curtains. The only thing using your data at Google Is a massive algorithm.
[Nexus 4 General] jherbold:
Back on the topic of actually doing this....

I set up IIS and got the owncloud server, mysql, and php software installed on my windows server. I can get to the owncloud page via localhost. I've set up accounts. My router insists on being port 80, so I'll have to reassign ports. My initial attempt did not work - will be digging into it later. Did you have to route ports on your Linux install? If so, port numbers other than 80, if any, may be handy to know. :) EDIT: Nevermind. Wasn't a port issue at all. Just had to allow http server through the windows 7 firewall.

Windows installation of owncloud is NOT for the faint of heart or technical newby. The owncloud instructions are out of date for both php and mysql. You'll have to do quite a bit of digging while using the instructions as a sort of rough road map.
[Nexus 4 General] gorilla p:
This might be a good place to start. This ROM is created with "no analytics". It would likely be a good starting point for this kind of project
[Nexus 4 General] howardsl2:
Thanks for the information OP. By the way, I use "MoBill Budget" to manage my bill payment deadlines, and "anMoney Budget & Finance" to manage all my expense/income records. I recommend them as alternatives to whatever offered by Google.
[Nexus 4 General] milestegfreeze:
Do you still use the Google play store? Also android is a Google product. We are stuck!

I think you can install Linux and you are Google free but you're phone gonna be less cool.

I wish there is a software that block every Google spyings. It could block every sending datas, locations,...

I don't have anything to hide but I don't like the new big brother companies marketing

Envoyé depuis mon Nexus 4 avec Tapatalk 4
[Nexus 4 General] styckx:
I use no Google apps, thst includes the Play store. Android is made by Google yes but that is about where it stops.. AOSP though contains no Gapps or Google Play Services,

, no proprietary Google software etc. Google makes no money on AOSP. There is no calling home, logging etc. Its just an empty barebones OS. Hence why I and I'm glad to see a few others jumping ship to a complete Google free AOSP experience. Enough of the data mining

Sent from my Nexus 10
[Nexus 4 General] Mo'HAWK:
Yes they do keep a lot of data on people and the ones in this thread think that Google is taking too much. It is scary to think about what they gather on individuals but it is how you feel about it. I think that it helps me with some daily tasks or getting to know what I am about to search for but at other times I wish they would not collect every little thing possible. I can understand where both sides are coming from it just amounts to whether or not you feel like the movement that Google has made in collecting the data they do is an invasion of your privacy.
[Nexus 4 General] milestegfreeze:
Good, I like it. What do you have to to replace the play store?

I totally agree with your point of view. No more spying...

Envoyé depuis mon Nexus 4 avec Tapatalk 4
[Nexus 4 General] styckx:
1Mobile Market

Amazon App Store

F-droid

Mostly 1Mobile Market though. Has all the free stuff the play store has.

Sent from my Nexus 10
[Nexus 4 General] gorilla p:
I had never hears of 1mobils until now. That's a huge help.

I've started off with getting away from Google drive and switching to Ubuntu one cloud storage.

I should be able to get rid of Google play and play services. It sucks, I really like hangouts for SMS. I'll prob switch to textra.
[Nexus 4 General] defffizz:
Try evolve sms, I'm using it now, works and looks great :)

Nexus 4, stock rooted 4.4.2, ART
[Nexus 4 General] styckx:
I never heard about it either until I started researching ways around Google. From what I understand 1Mobile Market is a front end for the Brothersoft app store. I could have survived without it but that market alone made the escape from Google that much easier.

Sent from my Nexus 10