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N0p — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:32:34 GMT

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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:Noodpakket — Digital Independence Guide}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:Noodpakket — Digital Independence Guide}}
	Welcome to the '''Noodpakket''' wiki — a practical guide to digital independence and preparedness, built on 25+ years of server administration experience by [[User:N0p\|Norbert Schmidt]] from Valkenburg, Netherlands.

	This wiki covers two core scenarios and the practical steps to handle ~~them.~~		This wiki covers two core scenarios and the practical steps to handle US and big tech disconnects

	== Scenarios ==		== Scenarios ==

Geopolitics scenario

Admin — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:27:50 GMT

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This scenario: the internet works fine, but US-based digital services become inaccessible — whether through sanctions, policy changes, trade disputes, or deliberate access restrictions.

== What could become unavailable ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Service !! Category !! Impact
|-
| Google (Search, Drive, Gmail, Maps, Photos) || Everything || Enormous — most people rely on multiple Google products
|-
| iCloud || Apple storage & sync || Photos, documents, backups inaccessible on Apple devices
|-
| Microsoft 365 || Productivity || Word, Excel, Teams, OneDrive
|-
| ChatGPT / OpenAI API || AI tools || Copilots, integrations, apps built on the API
|-
| GitHub || Code hosting || Repositories, CI/CD pipelines, packages
|-
| App Stores (Apple / Google) || Software distribution || New installs blocked; existing apps may stop working
|-
| Cloudflare || Infrastructure || Many sites rely on Cloudflare for DNS, CDN, DDoS protection
|-
| AWS / Azure / GCP || Cloud infrastructure || Huge portion of the web runs on US clouds
|}

== This already happened ==

* Russia blocked from many US services after 2022
* TikTok/ByteDance access restrictions debated in multiple countries
* EU–US data transfer agreements invalidated multiple times (Schrems I & II)
* ECFR report: [https://ecfr.eu/publication/get-over-your-x-a-european-plan-to-escape-american-technology/ "Get over your X: A European plan to escape American technology"]

== Response: data first ==

If you haven't yet, start with [[Data backup]]. Download everything from US services before access is cut. Once access is gone, so is your data.

Priority exports:
# Google Photos / iCloud — irreplaceable personal memories
# Gmail / Outlook — years of email history
# Google Drive / OneDrive — documents and files
# GitHub repositories — code you wrote
# Password manager — don't lose access to other accounts

== Response: switch services ==

See [[Self-hosted alternatives]] for a full list. Key replacements for the most-used services:

{| class="wikitable"
! US Service !! European / Self-hosted Alternative
|-
| Gmail || Nextcloud Mail, Protonmail, Tutanota
|-
| Google Drive || Nextcloud
|-
| GitHub || GitLab CE (self-hosted) or Codeberg (EU)
|-
| Microsoft Office || LibreOffice
|-
| ChatGPT || Ollama + local LLM (Llama, Mistral)
|-
| Google Maps || OpenStreetMap / OsmAnd
|-
| iCloud Photos || Nextcloud Photos
|-
| Slack || Mattermost (self-hosted)
|-
| Zoom || Nextcloud Talk
|}

== Infrastructure independence ==

For developers and sysadmins: avoid building on US cloud infrastructure if European clients or regulatory compliance matter.

* Use a VPS hosted in the Netherlands, Germany, or elsewhere in the EU
* Use European DNS providers
* Consider [https://www.hetzner.com Hetzner], [https://www.transip.nl TransIP], [https://www.ovhcloud.com OVHcloud] instead of AWS/Azure/GCP

== Next steps ==
* [[Data backup]] — export your data from US services now
* [[Self-hosted alternatives]] — replace services with European or locally-hosted options
* [[Offline preparedness]] — prepare for scenarios where connectivity itself fails

Offline preparedness

Admin — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:27:50 GMT

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This scenario covers extended internet or power outages — whether from infrastructure failure, natural disaster, or deliberate disruption. The goal is to remain functional without cloud access or continuous power.

== The problem ==

When power or internet goes down:
* Cloud storage becomes inaccessible (Google Drive, iCloud, OneDrive)
* Contactless payments fail; ATMs may go offline
* Devices relying on cloud sync stop working
* Communication apps that require a data connection go silent

== Data: have a local copy ==

The most important step is done in [[Data backup]]: get everything off the cloud and onto a local drive before you need it. An encrypted external hard drive with your photos, documents, contacts and passwords works without any network connection.

== Power ==

=== Short outages (hours) ===
* Power banks for phones and small devices
* UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) for routers and NAS devices

=== Extended outages (days–weeks) ===
* Portable solar panels + battery station (e.g. Jackery, EcoFlow)
* Car charger adapters
* Goal: keep phone, laptop, and a local server running

== Communication ==

* '''Signal / DeltaChat''' — work over any data connection including mobile
* '''Walkie-talkies''' — no infrastructure needed, useful within a few km
* '''Offline mesh apps''' — Meshtastic (LoRa radio), Briar (Bluetooth/WiFi direct)

== Maps ==

Download offline maps before you need them:
* [https://osmand.net OsmAnd] — detailed offline maps using OpenStreetMap data
* [https://maps.apple.com Apple Maps] — offline map download per region
* Google Maps offline — download regions in the app

== Money ==

* Keep some '''cash''' on hand — card payments and ATMs can fail
* '''Hardware wallets''' (Ledger, Trezor) for cryptocurrency holdings if relevant
* Physical documents of important account numbers

== Storage ==

* '''Encrypted external drives''' — local copies of all important data
* '''Distributed storage''' — copies at different physical locations
* '''Printed documents''' — last resort for truly critical information (IDs, insurance, key contacts)

== Medical & safety ==

* Physical copies of prescriptions and medical records
* Offline first aid guides (downloaded PDF or printed)
* Emergency contact list printed and stored at home

== Checklist ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Item !! Status
|-
| Local backup of all personal data || [[Data backup|See backup guide]]
|-
| Encrypted external drive ||
|-
| Second copy at another location ||
|-
| Offline maps downloaded ||
|-
| Power bank / solar backup ||
|-
| Walkie-talkies ||
|-
| Cash reserve ||
|-
| Printed emergency contacts ||
|-
| Offline copies of key documents ||
|}

== Next steps ==
* [[Geopolitics scenario]] — internet is up but US services are unavailable
* [[Self-hosted alternatives]] — services that keep working from your own infrastructure

Self-hosted alternatives

Admin — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:27:50 GMT

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Once your data is backed up, the next step is reducing dependence on US-based services. The alternatives below are either self-hostable or operated by European providers.

== Communication ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Service !! Replaces !! Notes
|-
| [https://nextcloud.com Nextcloud Mail] || Gmail / Outlook || Self-hosted, runs on your own server
|-
| [https://signal.org Signal] || WhatsApp / iMessage || End-to-end encrypted, open source
|-
| [https://delta.chat DeltaChat] || WhatsApp || Uses email as transport, no central server
|-
| Nextcloud Talk || Zoom / Teams || Self-hosted video calls and chat
|-
| [https://mattermost.com Mattermost] || Slack || Self-hosted team messaging
|}

== Storage & productivity ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Service !! Replaces !! Notes
|-
| [https://nextcloud.com Nextcloud] || Google Drive / iCloud / OneDrive || Files, calendar, contacts, photos — all in one
|-
| [https://www.libreoffice.org LibreOffice] || Microsoft Office / Google Docs || Local office suite, free and open source
|-
| [https://bitwarden.com Vaultwarden] || LastPass / 1Password || Self-hosted Bitwarden-compatible password manager
|}

== Development & code ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Service !! Replaces !! Notes
|-
| [https://about.gitlab.com GitLab CE] || GitHub || Full Git hosting, CI/CD, issues — self-hosted
|-
| [https://www.postgresql.org PostgreSQL] || Cloud databases || Self-hosted relational database
|}

== AI & machine learning ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Service !! Replaces !! Notes
|-
| [https://ollama.com Ollama] || ChatGPT API || Run large language models locally
|-
| Local LLMs (Llama, Mistral) || OpenAI models || Runs fully offline, no data leaves your machine
|-
| Draw Things || Midjourney / DALL-E || Local image generation on Mac/iOS
|}

== Media ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Service !! Replaces !! Notes
|-
| [https://jellyfin.org Jellyfin] || Netflix / Plex || Self-hosted media server, no subscription
|-
| [https://joinpeertube.org PeerTube] || YouTube || Federated video hosting
|-
| [https://github.com/tubearchivist/tubearchivist TubeArchivist] || YouTube || Archive and self-host YouTube content locally
|-
| [https://www.openstreetmap.org OpenStreetMap] || Google Maps || Open map data, usable offline
|}

== Infrastructure notes ==
The author runs all of the above on a Netherlands-based VPS. See [https://ddq.nl ddq.nl] for the software development context.

Key self-hosted services running at ddq.nl:
* '''cloud.ddq.nl''' — Nextcloud (files, calendar, contacts, photos)
* '''git.ddq.nl''' — GitLab CE (code hosting)
* '''chat.ddq.nl''' — Mattermost (team messaging)

== Next steps ==
* [[Data backup]] — back up your existing data first before switching services
* [[Offline preparedness]] — prepare for scenarios where the internet itself fails

Data backup

Admin — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:27:49 GMT

Initial content from noodpakket.tech

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Your personal data — photos, messages, documents, passwords — lives on servers you don't control. Before exploring alternatives, get a copy of everything you own.

== Why bother ==
* Account compromise or forgotten password = permanent loss
* Services shut down or become regionally unavailable
* Accidental deletion with no local copy to restore from
* A geopolitical or technical event cuts off access overnight

== The two-copy rule ==
Keep at least two copies of your backup:
# One external hard drive at home
# A second copy stored elsewhere (family, second location, encrypted cloud)

This protects against drive failure, theft, or a house fire taking out both at once.

== What to export ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Category !! Examples
|-
| Photos & videos || Camera roll, Google Photos, iCloud
|-
| Documents || Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox
|-
| Email & chat || Gmail, Outlook, WhatsApp, Signal
|-
| Contacts & calendar || Google Contacts, iCloud Contacts
|-
| Passwords || Browser passwords, password manager export
|-
| Bookmarks || Chrome, Firefox, Safari
|-
| Music & media || Purchased iTunes/Google Play content
|-
| DNS records || If you own a domain
|}

== How to download ==

=== Google ===
Go to [https://takeout.google.com takeout.google.com]. Select all services and request an export. You'll receive a download link by email.

=== Apple ===
Go to [https://privacy.apple.com privacy.apple.com]. Request a copy of your data.

=== Facebook / Instagram ===
Settings → Your Facebook information → Download your information.

=== WhatsApp ===
Open a chat → tap the name → Export chat. Do this for important conversations.

=== Other services ===
Look for "Download your data", "Export", or "Data portability" in account settings. Most services are required to offer this under GDPR.

== Choosing a hard drive ==

* '''Capacity:''' 1 TB or larger
* '''Connection:''' USB (USB 3.0 for speed)
* '''Brands:''' WD, Seagate, Toshiba are reliable
* '''Type:''' HDD is fine for backup (cheaper per GB than SSD)

== Encryption ==

Encrypt your backup drive so a lost or stolen drive doesn't expose your data:

* '''Windows:''' BitLocker (built-in, right-click the drive)
* '''macOS:''' FileVault or encrypt when formatting in Disk Utility
* '''Linux:''' LUKS via <code>cryptsetup</code>

== How often ==

* General use: every few months
* Active photographer or content creator: monthly or after big events
* Critical documents: immediately after creating them

== Next steps ==
* [[Self-hosted alternatives]] — replace cloud services with European or self-hosted ones
* [[Offline preparedness]] — what to do when the internet itself goes down

Main Page

Admin — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:27:49 GMT

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-<strong>MediaWiki has been installed.</strong>
+{{DISPLAYTITLE:Noodpakket — Digital Independence Guide}}
-Consult the [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Help:Contents User's Guide] for information on using the wiki software.
+This wiki covers two core scenarios and the practical steps to handle them.
-== Getting started ==
+== Scenarios ==
-* [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:Configuration_settings Configuration settings list]
-* [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:FAQ MediaWiki FAQ]
+=== Geopolitics ===
-* [https://lists.wikimedia.org/postorius/lists/mediawiki-announce.lists.wikimedia.org/ MediaWiki release mailing list]
+The internet still works, but US-based tools become inaccessible — Google, iCloud, Microsoft 365, ChatGPT, GitHub, app stores. What do you fall back on?
-* [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Localisation#Translation_resources Localise MediaWiki for your language]
-* [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:Combating_spam Learn how to combat spam on your wiki]
+→ [[Geopolitics scenario]]

Main Page

MediaWiki default — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:53:24 GMT

New page

<strong>MediaWiki has been installed.</strong>

Consult the [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Help:Contents User's Guide] for information on using the wiki software.

== Getting started ==
* [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:Configuration_settings Configuration settings list]
* [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:FAQ MediaWiki FAQ]
* [https://lists.wikimedia.org/postorius/lists/mediawiki-announce.lists.wikimedia.org/ MediaWiki release mailing list]
* [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Localisation#Translation_resources Localise MediaWiki for your language]
* [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:Combating_spam Learn how to combat spam on your wiki]