Go outside the iCloud system?

[iGobbleoff]

What other solutions are there to move away from Google and Apple for Contacts and Email? Something that is OS independent. Is Exchange the answer? I have my own domain, and I'm happy to get a Office365 subscription. Even with my own domain I could use IMAP for mail, or web solutions, its not a big deal.

I use all three OS's (Mac, Windows and Linux) and is there any other option that I can contact and email people from whichever computer and operating system I'm on? This will also apply to phones, so something that I can connect to iOS at the moment, and maybe even the upcoming Librem phone?

 

[S.B.G]

Well, I use Protonmail now for both email and contacts. I built my own Linux based cloud server and use the open-source NextCloud software for file syncing on my machines and mobile devices and remote web-based access to those files.

I'd recommend LibreOffice over O365 since it's free and open-source and works very well, too.

 

[Shirasaki]

I'd recommend LibreOffice over O365 since it's free and open-source and works very well, too.

But it lacks a bit of cloud editing capabilities or mobile editing capabilities.

 

[S.B.G]

But it lacks a bit of cloud editing capabilities or mobile editing capabilities.

True. If OP requires mobile office suite, then LibreOffice wouldn't be the right solution.

Just wondering out loud here, how many people and how often do we really need a spreadsheet and word processor while moving about in our mobile lives? In my own use case, it's never. I've used O365 and currently have G Suite for work, but for my personal files, I don't have a need to produce content on my phone or tablet.

If I'm mobile, and need that stuff, I bring my laptop and have access to my personal cloud server where my documents are stored and I can still use LibreOffice.

It's different for everyone of course, so YMMV.

 

[wardie]

True. If OP requires mobile office suite, then LibreOffice wouldn't be the right solution.

Just wondering out loud here, how many people and how often do we really need a spreadsheet and word processor while moving about in our mobile lives? In my own use case, it's never. I've used O365 and currently have G Suite for work, but for my personal files, I don't have a need to produce content on my phone or tablet.

If I'm mobile, and need that stuff, I bring my laptop and have access to my personal cloud server where my documents are stored and I can still use LibreOffice.

It's different for everyone of course, so YMMV.

I commute on a train and use an iPad - I find O365 working with Dropbox is very useful for authoring non-work stuff (volunteering stuff, sports clubs etc) whilst on the go. Word and Excel mostly. Each to their own.

 

[iGobbleoff]

Well, I use Protonmail now for both email and contacts. I built my own Linux based cloud server and use the open-source NextCloud software for file syncing on my machines and mobile devices and remote web-based access to those files.

I'd recommend LibreOffice over O365 since it's free and open-source and works very well, too.

Thanks for that, I'll have a look at NextCloud and the options.

This is more of a personal request, so I don't have any "office" requirements, and I've used all of the other "Office" products in the past. I am self employed so my business has an O365 subscription so I do have the ability to create documents/spreadsheets etc, and I have to work in Windows for work, I deal with CAD and its Windows only, so there is that.

 

[matt_and_187_like_this]

With Nextcloud on a webspace you can easily setup:

Mail (through webspace provider)
Filesharing (iCloud Drive)
Reminders Sync (standard CalDAV)
Calendar Sync (standard CalDAV)
Notes Sync (standard IMAP sync)
Photo Sync (Photostream)

With some more work (not that crazy, though):
Password Manager


Personal experience:
Mail, filesharing, reminders and calendar: So tightly integrated you will not feel any difference to iCloud services
Photo Sync: Didn't like it, so I am not using it as of right now
Notes: Tightly integrated, but doesn't support the fancy new formatting Apple implemented lately. You could also simply create a folder on your Nextcloud drive with markdown files and do notes through a simple markdown editor (e.g. iawriter)

 

[iGobbleoff]

Sounds good, like I said, at the moment it's only really contacts, email and calendars.

 

[flaubert]

@iGobbleoff : take a look at Fastmail.com... although they are nominally an independent email provider, they do also offer calendar and contact services with standard CalDAV and CardDAV interfaces as part of the package, no added cost. Plus, you can bring your domain, and it Just Works. If you want a referral code, I can supply one that will get you 10% off your first year.