So admittedly I’m fairly new to the world of self-hosting, but have been a web dev for a long time. My terminology may be way off here. I always sort of assumed that headless meant that I’m running a version of Linux that does not have a desktop UI (Ubuntu server specifically).
If I added a PiKVM, would I suddenly get a desktop UI, or would it still be command-line only?
I am serious, and don’t call me Shirley.
As ikidd mentioned, definitely speed and access. It’s just a react web-app. There’s no VM required, and it’s not streaming a video capture of a desktop. I’m actually amazed at how performant it is. It loads almost instantly and feels like a regular desktop, even on mobile.
Even with all the windows open in the screenshot and streaming a transcoded video, it still uses less memory than a single open YouTube tab.
One of the main reasons I ended up building a home server was that one of my drives failed in my main PC, and I lost a lot of my data (I know, I know). When I built my server, I intended it to be used as a backup. I was able to recover most of my data, but a lot of the filenames and directory structure were lost. I ended up just dumping all of this onto my server.
I wanted a way to go through all my recovered files and organize them. I needed to be able to play any unnamed music files and name them + put them in the appropriate directory. I also produce music so some of the files couldn’t just be re-downloaded. Similarly with any text/video/pictures/etc.
I’m running Ubuntu server and I can’t watch videos or listen to audio via a shell, so I needed a front end. I initially tried file browser but it was slow and clunky, and I couldn’t have multiple directories open at once for dragging and dropping.
Thanks!
I tried nextcloud initially. It seemed a bit bulky and slow for me, with a lot of extra stuff I wasn’t going to use. I know you can disable features and customize it, but it just wasnt really a good fit for me.
This initially started as an exercise to find out what is possible and see what I could manage to do by myself. As I progressed, I started realizing the possibilities and am so far very happy with how it’s turning out.
I honestly didn’t realize there were so many existing alternatives (orb, ArozOS, etc). However, this is built entirely in react and can therefore load and run any JavaScript/HTML easily as a plugin. I think it’s a bit more modular than the alternatives in that sense.
Either way it’s been a fun project to work on, and it fits my needs exactly how I want.
After seeing all the responses I’ll very likely make it all open source so maybe others can contribute and customize it for themselves. Although I am a bit shy to release my code to public scrutiny lol 😂. I have a bad habit of not leaving comments and I’m sure there are plenty of places where people will point out flaws and wonder why the hell I did x instead of y…
Google drive isn’t self-hosted though, and they charge for any significant amount of storage.
I’m running Ubuntu server, so there is no desktop to access via rdp, and I don’t have to open an ssh port to access this. I still get all of my files, while also being able to put it all behind 2fa and grant as much or as little privilege as desired.
Thanks!
Another reason for the project was that I too wanted a desktop experience while also being being able to access remotely. I just didn’t want to open any “scary” ports on my server lol. I can throw this whole thing behind 2fa and it’s still completely isolated in a docker container, thus it has as much or as little privilege as I want.
I actually can ssh into my main server through this, if desired, without opening any ssh ports publicly.
Definitely way less resource-intensive. I’m actually amazed at how quickly it spins up and loads everything. Even with all of these windows open, and streaming a full length movie, it uses less memory than a single YouTube tab.
Had to :)
I will absolutely look into this. Thank you :) definitely looks like I’ll be opening source though. I didn’t realize there were already so many FOSS alternatives. Suppose I should have done more research, but I guess I figured they would be more popular/ talked about on platforms such as this.
Link doesn’t work for me, but I’m starting to see what you mean.
Either way, this has been a fun project to work on and I’ve only been working on it since around October, so not like years of commitment or anything. I’ve learned a lot, even having been programming professionally for years, so overall I’d say it’s been a worthwhile venture, especially considering I originally was only building this for myself.
Oh damn good call haha.
I guess I never bothered to check. I’m not married to the name so it’s no big deal really. I was initially just building this for myself without any real plan to release anything so I chose my artist/producer handle and never thought twice about it.
Interesting 🤔 I’ve never heard of orb. This is the second similar project I’ve gotten responses about. I honestly had no idea anything similar even existed. Why are these not more popular? I can see a million different use-cases for apps such as this.
That being said, I tried the orb demo and support on mobile was terrible. I’m aiming to have it be fully touch/mobile supported.
Wow I honestly had no idea something like this already existed! Never heard of ArozOS before.
Why is it not more well known/discussed? I can see a million different use-cases for a web-based OS. I would have thought it would be the first thing people would talk about for a self-hosted solution to a os/frontend.
Truly appreciate the feedback!
I am definitely leaning open source, but to be completely candid, I could also see this being a marketable product. If I could somehow turn maintaining this into my full time job and quit my current job without any significant drop in my salary, I would be completely stoked.
To be honest, I’m not super familiar with licensing or really anything regarding the release of software, but I would like to maintain the possibility that I could eventually sell/monetize it if it turns out to be a success, and I’m afraid that once it becomes FOSS, that possibility is gone.
Like I said though, I honestly have no idea, so I would love any feedback or suggestions.
Not public yet. Still deciding how to handle release. This is just a sneak peek to gauge interest and get any feedback.
Exact same thing happened to me the other day. Like exactly. Maybe we live in the same area.