cujoSep 21, 2023

What are some FOSS programs that you think are a far better user experience than their counterparts?

https://sh.itjust.works/post/5590846

What are some FOSS programs that you think are a far better user experience than their counterparts? - sh.itjust.works

I used Plex for my home media for almost a year, then it stopped playing nice for reasons I gave up on diagnosing. While looking at alternatives, I found Jellyfin which is much smaller and more responsive, IMO, and the UI is much nicer as well. It gets relegated to playing Fraggles Rock and Bluey on repeat for my kiddo these days, but I am absolutely in love with the software. What are some other FOSS gems that are a better experience UX/UI-wise than their proprietary counterparts?

Show threadZMonster
Jellyfin can’t utilize local network storage… How is that a useful tool for a HOME MEDIA SERVER???
Sep 22, 2023 at 2:29amWeb
Show threadcujoSep 22, 2023
? I serve media from… the server. All my storage is on the PC running Jellyfin. It’s movie and TV shows, not home videos of my family and photos of my pets. I keep those on my phone. 😉
Show threadZMonsterSep 22, 2023

All my storage is on the PC running Jellyfin.

You know how I already knew this? Because that’s literally the only use case that Jellyfin supports. Got several TBs on a NAS? Lots of people do. Jellyfin apparently can’t even conceive of such a diabolical topology.

Show threadcujoSep 22, 2023

www.xda-developers.com/how-install-jellyfin-nas/

Why wouldn’t you want your home media server software running on the server that’s in charge of storing your media?

How to install Jellyfin on a NAS

Jellyfin seems complicated, but it doesn't have to be. This is how to set it up on TrueNAS.

XDA Developers
Show threadbielaSep 22, 2023

Why wouldn’t you want your home media server software running on the server that’s in charge of storing your media?

T There are many reasons to do so, such as wanting to use GPU acceleration or a better CPJ than what your NAS or SAN has to offer.

Show threadcujoSep 22, 2023
I’m afraid I’m not familiar with CPJ. For GPU acceleration, why wouldn’t you add a dGPU to your server? Or are you talking exclusively pre-built NAS solutions that don’t have a dGPU option?
Show threadZMonsterSep 22, 2023
I mean, it’s a NAS. Yes, it’s technically a “computer” but so is your TI86 (I wouldn’t call it a PC, it’s not exactly running minesweeper lol). My NAS is not optimized to run media center streaming services. My media center server, however, is. My media server is great at that, but you what it really sucks at? Also handling multiple TBs of file storage. Yes, an all in one network service machine would be great, alas, I don’t have optiplexes abound. I have a metaphorical web of multiple devices that all do different things. You know, like a network.
Show threadTheHarpyEagleSep 22, 2023
I have this setup just because I didn’t want to bother changing the OS the NAS came with, but their software center doesn’t offer jellyfin. I found it easy enough to mount the media drive to the server, though.
Show threadlibrary_napperSep 22, 2023
You can’t mount NFS on it?
Show threadZMonsterSep 22, 2023
Local resources only, and they even have a FAQ that confirms that they have no intention of supporting media libraries on network locations. So dumb. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to ditch Plex. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Show threadPolarSep 22, 2023
Emby is just straight up better. I know people hold a grudge, but honestly it’s a fair price for a lifetime membership, the development is super polished and the product is way more capable.
Show threadryannathansSep 22, 2023
We are here to talk about FOSS, not proprietary closed source non-free products
Show threadPolarSep 22, 2023

Okay. Then you can skip past my comment.

I’m free to share my opinion, thanks.

Show threadtemminkSep 22, 2023
Of course you can share your opinion but it’s not relevant in the current context. That’s what’s been criticised.
Show threadPolarSep 22, 2023
Sorry sir, didn’t realize you follow such a tight ship here. You should punish yourself for posting that reply to me, as it’s not a discussion about FOSS
Show threadTheHarpyEagleSep 22, 2023
I tried Emby before Jellyfin and found it too absurd to pay for serving media that I own from a server that I own.
Show threadPolarSep 22, 2023
I don’t think it’s absurd to pay for a developer’s time.
Show threadryannathansSep 22, 2023
Why not? Mine does
Show threadTheHarpyEagleSep 22, 2023
What os are you running? My jellyfin server runs on linux and I just permanently mount the directory on my NAS that holds all of my media.
Show threadZMonsterSep 22, 2023
Oh, interesting, thanks! I’ve dabbled with Linux so I’m familiar with it. I believe my nas is NTFS, but I could be wrong. But if so, I wonder if it’s possible to mount an NTFS location to a Linux server… Something to research while working tomorrow 😄
Show threadOnUSep 22, 2023
Thats definitely possible. Im using nfs because it so much faster in my experience. Just one line in the fstab. Nothing every software should implement themselfs imo.
Show threadskarnSep 22, 2023

You can definitely mount a windows share on a linux machine. I was doing it at my last job, because it allows you to do anything on it transparently as if its part of the local filesystem.

Here instructions from the Ubuntu wiki, most things should carry over to most other distros.

wiki.ubuntu.com/MountWindowsSharesPermanently

MountWindowsSharesPermanently - Ubuntu Wiki