Selfhosting

Actual Budget is the opensource selfhosted alternative to YNAB

Introduction

I used to love YNAB (You Need A Budget), especially the classic desktop version, because of its fantastic features. The app’s zero-based budgeting system, real-time synchronization, and comprehensive financial reports were indispensable in managing my finances effectively. However, when YNAB transitioned to a cloud-only version and stopped supporting the classic desktop app, the sync became spotty. Additionally, the price of YNAB eventually turned me off, prompting me to look for a more affordable alternative. That’s when I discovered Actual Budget, a free and open-source option that offers similar functionalities.

Overview of YNAB

Key Features:
– Zero-based budgeting system
– Goal tracking and progress visualization
– Real-time synchronization across devices
– API for data extraction to tools like Power Query and Power Pivot
– Native mobile (Android and iOS) apps …

Why Dokuwiki is Still Better Than Bookstack in 2024

When it comes to choosing a documentation platform, two popular options often come to mind: Dokuwiki and Bookstack. Both have their strengths and unique features, but for many users, Dokuwiki still holds a superior edge. Here’s a detailed comparison of the two, highlighting why Dokuwiki remains a better choice for many.

Advantages of Dokuwiki

1. Extensive Plugin and Template Support

  • Extensions via Plugins: Dokuwiki boasts a vast array of plugins that extend its functionality, making it highly customizable.
  • Themes and Templates: Users can easily change the look and feel of their wiki with numerous themes and templates available.

2. User-Friendly Editing

Selfhosted Docker apps for Documentation

There are things you want documented, especially when you’re dealing with detailed guidelines and you want to put them in one central repository for future reference. If you’re looking for a selfhosted solution, here are some of the great Docker apps:

  • Bookstack
  • Dokuwiki
  • Wiki.JS
  • WikiDocs – simple wiki style
  • Codex Docs – for Notion style writing
  • HedgeDoc
  • Flatnotes

I’m looking for a Syncthing alternative

I liked Syncthing because it is capable of storing encrypted files at rest while running an instance in a VPS. However, my recent experience with it has been less than optimal.

For example, in my VPS I’m always stuck at the login screen while trying to access the GUI to manage my synced folders:

Syncthing stuck in login screen

Meanwhile, in local server, it says the folder is out of sync:

Folder indicates it is Out of Sync

Although if you examine closely the files, they are indeed synced. Clicking on the Out of Sync Items further are 366 pages of nothing!

Out of Sync 366 pages of nothing

If you know of an alternative that’s more reliable than Syncthing, please do let me know in the comments below.

Why an IPv6 only VPS is not for me

In the world of Virtual Private Servers (VPS), there are affordable options that operate exclusively on the IPv6 protocol. This is because IPv4 addresses are becoming scarcer and more expensive. However, there are a couple of reasons why an IPv6-only VPS might not align with your preferences:

  1. IPv6 Connection Requirement for SSH Access:
    • One of the primary drawbacks of opting for an IPv6-only VPS is the necessity for an IPv6 connection to access and manage the server via SSH (Secure Shell). Unlike traditional IPv4 VPS, IPv6-only VPS requires a compatible IPv6 network infrastructure. This can be a significant hurdle for those who primarily use IPv4 connections.
  2. Docker Limitations with IPv6:
    • If you rely on Docker for your work and projects, it’s important to note that most Docker image repositories today, including Github, do not fully support IPv6 at this time. This means you may encounter challenges when trying to pull container images from repositories if you opt for an IPv6-only VPS.

In summary, while IPv6-only VPS options can be cost-effective and are in line with the trend of IPv6 adoption, they might not align with your personal preferences, especially if you prefer working with IPv4 connections and rely on Docker for your projects. It’s worth considering VPS options that support IPv4 or have dual-stack capabilities to better match your preferences and requirements

Black Friday 2022 Shopping Haul

I know there’s no Black Friday in the Philippines, but that doesn’t mean we can’t participate in the Black Friday sale, especially when they’re about online services like web hosting and VPS.

So here’s what I checked out during the Black Friday of 2022:

Racknerd cPanel 100GB hosting

Shared – 100 GB – $15.89 per YEAR!
Great for businesses and busier websites.
100 GB SSD Disk Space
5 TB Monthly Transfer (FREE Double the bandwidth, just comment your order#)
Unlimited Databases
Host 5 Domains
Free SSL Certificates
cPanel Control Panel
Softaculous Script Installer
LiteSpeed Web Server
Free Offsite Daily Backups (JetBackup)
MailChannels Hybrid – Premium Email Delivery
FREE Clientexec License
Available in Multiple Locations (US, EU, Asia)
Only $15.89 per year!

RamNode 2GB OpenVZ VPS

Use code: 2LET22
2GB OpenVZ SVZS – Any region – $18/yr (includes 1 IPv4, /64 IPv6)
2GB RAM
2 vCores (fair usage)
60GB Disk
2TB BW

The problem with the RamNode OpenVZ VPS is I can’t run Docker on it. So I guess it’ll serve as my test box for all bare metal Linux server related apps. Now, I just hope I still have enough money for Cyber Monday.

The aggressive Linode marketing campaign

While listening to your favorite tech podcasts or watching your favorite tech youtube channels, you’ll most likely not miss that Linode ad or sponsor. Linode has been aggressively doing marketing recently. I wonder if it’s the consequence of the Akamai acquisition? More puzzling is how will they recoup those marketing expenses?

Linode, together with some same-tier Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting providers like Vultr and DigitalOcean, brag about their cheap VPS offerings. But they’re only cheap when compared to the big boys like Google Cloud, Amazon AWS, and Microsoft Azure. When you hang around LowEndTalk like I do, you’ll get a better grasp of the real definition of cheap VPS hosting, especially now that Black Friday deals are just around the corner.

My two favorite VPS hosting providers so far are Racknerd and Greencloud VPS.

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