I try to use as much free and open-source software -- or software that doesn't require payment, doesn't track usage, or a combination of both -- as much as possible.

The transition from proprietary software is easier when done over a period of time.

If you're not familiar with Richard Stallman, founder of the Free Software Foundation, his talks are a good introduction. While he is one of the most well-known free software advocates, he's not alone. There are many people in the space who can provide useful information to shed yourself of proprietary garbage.

For the novice, here are a few things you can start doing today:

There are a number of sites that offer free, privacy-respecting recommendations for software and services: