FreedomBox

Even if these things were dead simple, I cannot see any of my non-technical friends using products like these. It is simply prohibitively complicated compared to dropbox - that "just works". I even recall a comment on here when Dropbox launched saying something like "why not configure an FTP server to do this". This is that FTP server.

Also, personally, I would never host any content on-prem at my home. It is far too easy for my internet to go down, and I'd rather my personal website be under somebody else's control (say, an S3 bucket) than get physical hardware to the server hosting the bits.

Re: FreedomBox

#5

Post by steeve » Mon, Apr 09, 2018, 6:23 PM UTC

For those wondering, the blue box looks at the top [1] like a SolidRun Cubox-i [2], based on the Freescale i.MX 6 SoC, which has pretty good Linux support.

[1] https://freedombox.org/images/boxfoto.jpg

[2] https://www.solid-run.com/nxp-family/cubox-i/

Re: FreedomBox

#6

Post by tibu » Mon, Apr 09, 2018, 6:24 PM UTC

From https://wiki.debian.org/FreedomBox/Features:

With FreedomBox, you can:

    Access your FreedomBox from the public Internet (Pagekite, Tor, Dynamic DNS)

    Connect securely to your FreedomBox (OpenVPN)

    Chat with friends (?XMPP, Quassel, Matrix)

    Host a conference call (Mumble, repro)

    Publish a blog (Ikiwiki)

    Host a personal or community wiki (MediaWiki)

    Block ads while browsing the web (Privoxy)

    Check your email (Roundcube)

    Transfer large files (Deluge, Transmission)

    Read news (Tiny Tiny RSS)

    Sync your calendar and contacts (Radicale)

    Stay connected to IRC chat (Quassel)

    Host a multiplayer block sandbox (Minetest)

    Collaboratively edit a text document (infinoted)

    Keep your files synchronized to your FreedomBox (Syncthing)

    Circumvent censorship using a socks5 proxy (Shadowsocks)

System and Configuration

    Configure system name and interface language (Configure)

    Obtain a certificate for your domain (Let's Encrypt)

    Add users and set access privileges (Users and Groups)

    Use a single login for Plinth, XMPP, Ikiwiki and SSH

    Manage network connections over Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or PPPoE (Networks)

    Upgrade software packages automatically (Software Upgrades)

    Run diagnostic tests (Diagnostics)

    View which services are allowed through the firewall (Firewall)

    Configure time zone and network time service (Date and Time)

    Configure service discovery (Service Discovery)

    View disk information or expand a partition (Disks)

    Create and restore filesystem snapshots (Snapshots)

    Provide DNS service for your local network (bind)

    Do system administration from a web interface (Cockpit)

Re: FreedomBox

#7

Post by songzme » Mon, Apr 09, 2018, 6:25 PM UTC

cozicoolmail wrote: post #4

Even if these things were dead simple, I cannot see any of my non-technical friends using products like these. It is simply prohibitively complicated compared to dropbox - that "just works". I even recall a comment on here when Dropbox launched saying something like "why not configure an FTP server to do this". This is that FTP server. Also, personally, I would never host any content on-prem at my home. It is far too…

I run a nonprofit that teaches people how to code and for the past year we have hosted our own server / content at our offices. our students ssh into our server to write code and host their apps / content from there. Sometimes, Ive noticed that even though it feels like internet is down, upload still works and students can still ssh into our server remotely. In the past year we haven't had any issues at all, except for the time we accidentally tripped the power cord. Hosting your own content might be alot more reliable than you think :)

Re: FreedomBox

#8

Post by fuball63 » Mon, Apr 09, 2018, 6:27 PM UTC

cozicoolmail wrote: post #4

Even if these things were dead simple, I cannot see any of my non-technical friends using products like these. It is simply prohibitively complicated compared to dropbox - that "just works". I even recall a comment on here when Dropbox launched saying something like "why not configure an FTP server to do this". This is that FTP server. Also, personally, I would never host any content on-prem at my home. It is far too…

I am technical and I struggle to find a use for my home server. The most common uses I always find are:

- Media server: I primarily use streaming services or physical media

- File sharing: I rarely ever share files between computers, and if I need to, I just scp them on my home network.

- Web hosting: box is too small/old to reliably do this, plus I have cloud hosting already

I do use it for private SVN and have plans to set up a VPN server, but other than that, it feels like unless I cast off every existing service I have, it wouldn't be worth it.

Although, casting off every existing service is enticing in an idealistic sort of way...

Re: FreedomBox

#9

Post by startupdiscuss » Mon, Apr 09, 2018, 6:28 PM UTC

cozicoolmail wrote: post #4

Even if these things were dead simple, I cannot see any of my non-technical friends using products like these. It is simply prohibitively complicated compared to dropbox - that "just works". I even recall a comment on here when Dropbox launched saying something like "why not configure an FTP server to do this". This is that FTP server. Also, personally, I would never host any content on-prem at my home. It is far too…

I think this is for people who don't want to share their data with Dropbox, or don't want to pay for Dropbox. There is a tradeoff (simplicity), and the idea is to reduce that tradeoff by making it simpler.

The question is not would your most non-technical friend adopt this, but would the marginally non-technical friend adopt this.

I would do it if it were easy "enough."

Re: FreedomBox

#10

Post by gremlinsinc » Mon, Apr 09, 2018, 6:38 PM UTC

Was this modeled after Belson's Box from SV? lol jk