Peter Van Hardenburg, a researcher at Ink&Switch, and Cory Doctorow, an author and activist, dive into the world of self-hosting and local-first software. They discuss the challenges and benefits of self-hosting applications, highlighting privacy implications and technical complexities. Doctorow emphasizes the importance of interoperability, critiquing the influence of tech giants on user autonomy. The conversation also touches on the need for user-friendly tools and the future of technology that prioritizes flexibility, ownership, and meaningful design.
Cloud software lacks ownership and control, while self-hosting allows individuals to maintain their own software and data.
Self-hosting presents challenges in terms of technical complexity and the time and effort required for setup.
Local-first software is an emerging concept that combines the benefits of self-hosting and cloud software, offering users ownership and control along with cloud connectivity.
Deep dives
The Shift Towards Cloud Software and Its Downsides
Over the past two decades, there has been a shift towards cloud software. While there are numerous advantages to this model, such as easier user acquisition and maintenance, there are also significant downsides. Cloud software is not functional when offline, and if a software developer discontinues the service, users can lose access to their data. Despite the convenience, cloud software lacks ownership and control for users.
Exploring the Concept of Self-Hosting
The concept of self-hosting, where users maintain their own software and data, emerges as a potential alternative to cloud software. The idea is to build a system that allows individuals to access their own data through self-controlled tools. However, self-hosting presents challenges, including technical complexity and the amount of time and effort required for setup.
The Challenges of Self-Hosting and the Need for Simplicity
Self-hosting is not a straightforward process. While tools like Plex and Image provide relatively easy setups for specific functions, other aspects of self-hosting, such as configuring email, calendars, and complex software, can be challenging for most individuals. The need for technical knowledge and the time and energy investment involved make self-hosting unappealing to many people.
The Creation of Image and the Importance of Easy-to-Use Self-Hosted Software
Despite the challenges, some individuals have created self-hosted alternatives to popular cloud services. One example is Image, a self-hosted alternative to Google Photos. Image was developed to address the desire for a free and accessible photo storage solution. However, the complex setup involving tools like Docker and virtual machines presents barriers for wider adoption.
Local First Software: Bridging the Gap Between Ownership and Convenience
An emerging concept in the software realm is local-first software, which aims to combine the benefits of self-hosting and cloud software. This approach allows users to have their apps and data stored locally, providing ownership and control. Simultaneously, local-first software enables connections to the cloud for collaboration, multi-device sync, and convenience. The idea behind local-first software is to strike a balance between the two worlds, offering users a sense of ownership along with the benefits of cloud connectivity.
Today on the flagship podcast of network-attached storage:
This is the fourth in our four-part series all about connectivity. This week we're talking about software: how software connects us, how we connect to software, and how software connects to other software.