Dependency removed: Cloud computing providers, app stores, and SaaS applications - your computing capability persists when cloud services are unavailable.
Computing independence means your ability to use a computer does not depend on an internet connection, a cloud account, or continued cooperation from a software vendor. It covers the software you run, the hardware you own, and your ability to maintain and repair that hardware without external help.
- Local-first applications - software that stores data on your machine and syncs when available; does not require cloud connectivity to function; examples: Obsidian, Joplin, LibreOffice, GIMP
- Offline software - complete functionality without internet access; full installers retained locally
- Local AI systems - Ollama + Open WebUI for LLM inference without cloud; model selection for capability vs. hardware constraints; offline use cases
- Edge computing - running workloads on local hardware rather than remote servers; containerized services
- Repairability - iFixit-style repairability scores; prioritizing hardware with accessible repair documentation and available spare parts
- Spare parts strategy - maintaining inventory of commonly failing components (drives, fans, RAM); cross-compatible hardware choices
- Open hardware - hardware with published schematics; community repair resources; no forced obsolescence
- Hardware longevity - BIOS/firmware update strategy; extended support distros (Debian, Ubuntu LTS); avoiding vendor lock-in
- Offline Workstation - a laptop or desktop fully configured for offline operation with local software, local AI, and offline documentation
- Community Compute Node - a shared server providing compute for a local group; Nextcloud, local AI, shared storage
- Local AI Appliance - a dedicated machine running Ollama with curated models for offline inference
| Category |
Recommended |
Removes Dependency On |
| Office suite |
LibreOffice |
Microsoft 365, Google Docs |
| LLM inference |
Ollama + Open WebUI |
ChatGPT, Claude (cloud) |
| Code editor |
VS Code (offline) |
Cloud IDEs |
| Image editing |
GIMP, Darktable |
Adobe Creative Cloud |
| Note-taking |
Obsidian, Joplin |
Notion, Evernote |
| Password manager |
Vaultwarden (local) |
1Password, LastPass |