There are so many options to get started with self hosting that I feel myself stuck in the “paralysis of choice”. For a novice, does anyone have a good resource for the equivalent of good/better/best paths that cover the “basics” (In my mind this is hosting images, music, video, connected home controls, search and email)?

Thinking something like first try path A, if you feel comfortable and your HW can handle A, then try path B, etc. I guess a it of a tutorial mode feeling where you get exposed to key boxing blocks initially and then you are released into the large open world on your own.

I know the advantage of this movement is the choice and the well distributed variety, but just feels hard to start.

I have an old laptop, an SFF workstation and a NAS to play with.

Any suggestions?

Edit: Thank you all for a very generous response. I knew this was a tough ask from the start because, by design, this area is vast and constantly evolving. A lot of great starting points here that I’m now considering.

  • paf@jlai.luEnglish
    2·
    11 hours ago

    You can find resources for each categories but don’t think there is one that would cover everything and the reason is there is always several ways to do things and not one way for all.

    First you need to choose an OS. You have a few choices here, a good way to start if you don’t have much knowledge on linux command, docker… is to use something like Casa OS, Zima OS which are much more beginner friendly, it basically has a store where you can pick what you need to selfhost. If you already feel more confident and want absolute full control you can use proxmox instead.

    Once you settled your OS, you need to pick what to use sleefhost image, music… Here you have again several solutions, you can check immich for pictures, jellyfin for music/video, home assistant for smart home.