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Zac Trolley
  1. Building Your Own Server/

Self Hosting Software

·480 words·3 mins

You need to learn Linux.

Stop putting it off, just do it.

Microsoft Windows is a hot garbage fire. They are spying on you with AI, putting ads into your OS, and are making changes with shareholders in mind, not users. It’s been an abusve relationship for years. Just move on already.

I tinkered with Linux for years, but never committed. That changed when Valve begain making gaming on Linux possible. Now my computer does what I tell it to do (for better or for worse).

The Basics
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Dip your toes into Linux my setting it up for your home server. Just follow the guides and see how far you get. You can always delete everything, put your old laptop back into the closet and forget all about it if it goes sideways on you.

But I bet it goes pretty well.

  • Linux Mint Installation - Linux Mint is user-friendly, privacy-focused, and perfect for beginners and experts alike. Set up your system in about an hour with this step-by-step guide.
  • Docker Installation - This is the magic that makes a home server easy to setup. Docker allows you to package applications into isolated containers, allowing you to run multiple services on the same machine without conflicts. Complete in about 15 minutes.

Data Management
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Goal: Replace cloud productivity suites with self hosted, privacy first software that puts you in control. Your data is out of the hands of oligarchs who want to control us. Remeber, “the cloud” is just someone else’s computer, and when you data is on other people’s computer, they ARE LOOKING AT IT.

  • Nextcloud - Self hosted file sync and share. Replace Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive with your own cloud storage.
  • Vaultwarden - Self hosted password manager. Keep all your passwords secure and accessible across devices.
  • Paperless-ngx - Self hosted document management. Scan, organize, and search your physical documents.

Media & Entertainment
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Goal: Stream your personal collection to any device without ads, tracking, or licensing restrictions. With this stack you can stream your own movies and TV, backup your camera photos to your own server, and share your music collection with everyone in your home.

  • Jellyfin - Media library management and transcoding, allowing you to stream local media to any TV, computer, or phone on your network. No ads, no tracking, no subscriptions.
  • Immich - A picture software that replaces Google Photos and keeps your camera roll private. Your memories, your control.

Manage Your Digital Life
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Goal: Take control of your digital life with self-hosted tools that put you in charge.

  • Actual Budget - Self-hosted personal finance. Take control of your budgeting with powerful envelope-style budgeting. No subscriptions, no data mining — just your financial data, under your control.
  • Home Assistant - Self-hosted home automation. Control your smart home devices locally. No cloud dependency means your automation continues working even without internet access.