Show HN: Open-source obsidian.md sync server

#1

Post by _k2vp » Thu, Aug 24, 2023, 11:55 AM UTC

https://github.com/acheong08/obsidian-sync

Hello HN,

I'm a recent high school graduate and can't afford $8 per month for the official sync service, so I tried my hand at replicating the server.

It's still missing a few features, such as file recovery and history, but the basic sync is working.

To the creators of Obsidian.md: I'm probably violating the TOS, and I'm sorry. I'll take down the repository if asked. It's not ready for production and is highly inefficient; Not competition, so I hope you'll be lenient.

Re: Show HN: Open-source obsidian.md sync server

#2

Post by threatofrain » Thu, Aug 24, 2023, 4:47 PM UTC

What's wrong with using Dropbox or Github?

Re: Show HN: Open-source obsidian.md sync server

#3

Post by bitvoid » Thu, Aug 24, 2023, 4:59 PM UTC

threatofrain wrote: post #2

What's wrong with using Dropbox or Github?

I can't speak for OP's motives, but one reason one might do this is because you can't sync via Dropbox or Github on iOS. You can only use iCloud or Obsidian Sync.

Re: Show HN: Open-source obsidian.md sync server

#4

Post by oktwtf » Thu, Aug 24, 2023, 5:02 PM UTC

threatofrain wrote: post #2

What's wrong with using Dropbox or Github?

I had to shell out for another app[0] on the iPhone to allow for a fairly seamless GitHub workflow. Not sure if it’s changed in recent times. It works great, but I’d imagine something more tightly coupled with obsidian.md would eliminate that need?

0: https://workingcopy.app/

Re: Show HN: Open-source obsidian.md sync server

#5

Post by aae42 » Thu, Aug 24, 2023, 5:04 PM UTC

i use https://github.com/vrtmrz/obsidian-livesync and self-host a couchdb instance for it...

this looks like it might be a bit cleaner once it's all fleshed out...

Re: Show HN: Open-source obsidian.md sync server

#6

Post by surge » Thu, Aug 24, 2023, 5:06 PM UTC

You're prob not violating ToS since you're not doing it for commercial use, and you're actually reinventing the wheel as a couple of options for that are already available as community plugins. I've been using Remote-save for a while with a almost free private S3 bucket and encryption to sync between my computers and phone for a while.

https://github.com/remotely-save/remotely-save

It supports more than just S3 (as is listed in the README), its just what I use.

That said, what you made is pretty cool. I guess you're trying to replace the API/backend similar to Vaultwarden does with BitWarden paid service.

For me, its not that I can't afford $8 a month, its just that $8 is to me fairly steep for basic file storage and sync I get for free from some services. $12 a year would be a fair price to me. I get some of it goes to support Obsidian development, but still seems steep, $2-3 a month would be something I'd subscribe for.

Re: Show HN: Open-source obsidian.md sync server

#7

Post by princevegeta89 » Thu, Aug 24, 2023, 5:07 PM UTC

threatofrain wrote: post #2

What's wrong with using Dropbox or Github?

They are still 3rd parties - only good if you're using E2E encryption. Additionally, Dropbox free version has a 3-device limit at any time. On Android you have to use something like DropSync to enable background syncing which may not be ideal.

Git(hub) may be an okay choice though. But there would be issues like no SSH support for Git on Mobile clients.

Re: Show HN: Open-source obsidian.md sync server

#8

Post by dmje » Thu, Aug 24, 2023, 5:17 PM UTC

FWIW - the sync service provided by Obsidian is really worth paying for. Dropbox / Github just aren't as slick and integrated. The mobile app doesn't work without sync (not without some really nasty workarounds), the option to "view sync version history", the fact that it's rock solid... all worth paying for IMO.

Re: Show HN: Open-source obsidian.md sync server

#9

Post by rg111 » Thu, Aug 24, 2023, 5:18 PM UTC

bitvoid wrote: post #3

threatofrain wrote: post #2

What's wrong with using Dropbox or Github?

I can't speak for OP's motives, but one reason one might do this is because you can't sync via Dropbox or Github on iOS. You can only use iCloud or Obsidian Sync.

What about MEGA?

Been using this way for years.

Re: Show HN: Open-source obsidian.md sync server

#10

Post by lijok » Thu, Aug 24, 2023, 5:19 PM UTC

Does anyone know whether Obsidian can do this with some plugin, or whether there's another tool that can:

I'm looking for a documentation tool with a decent GUI for editing documentation in, which is backed by git for tracking changes, without having to have git configured locally (for non-engineers).