Maho 🦝🍻

Fediverse friends and acquaintances:
when self-hosting a service, what do you prefer?

I need your help to improve the developer experience (DevX) of #badgefed. #fediverse #askfedi #mastodon #activitypub

native binaries on your Linux box
18%
Docker containers
39.6%
system packages (apt/dnf/pacman)
37.6%
scripts that install everything, idc what
4.8%
Poll ended at .
Dec 19 at 3:28amWeb
Show thread洪 民憙 (Hong Minhee) Dec 19

@mapache It probably depends on the dependencies?

If the app relies on external services like PostgreSQL or Redis, Docker images with Helm charts or Docker Compose configs might make sense—they bundle the complexity nicely.

For standalone apps, system packages (deb/rpm) would be nice in theory, but I imagine maintaining packages for multiple distros is quite a bit of work. Maybe a practical middle ground could be: provide packages for the major families (RedHat + Debian) and offer a single-file executable as a fallback for everyone else?

Personally, I tend to avoid install scripts when possible—they feel less transparent to me, though I understand others might feel differently.

Show threadDave NearyDec 19
@mapache I am system packages. Once you have those, a Docker container with you base OS of choice is easy. Distribution independent binaries are tricky, you end up with LD_LIBRARY_PATH tricks or statically linked binaries. Not a fan.
Show threadNoisytootDec 19
@mapache system packages or binaries I compile myself if unavailable
Show threadNogweii SDec 19
@mapache since my #homelab is already all Kubernetes, a container is my preferred package format. Many #selfhosted friends use containers as well (k8s sometimes).
Show threadElias ProbstDec 19
@mapache
[X] NixOS modules
Show threadOlivier MenguéDec 20
@eliasp @mapache
[X] Guix package
Show threadEFDec 19
@mapache apk, xbps and pkg missing from the list
Show threadTom Dec 19
@mapache Native system packages, please. I don't need 15 outdated copies of openssl in my containers. :S
Show threadyour auntifa liza 🇵🇷 🦛 🦦Dec 19
@mapache i absolutely detest docker. it’s resource hog.
Show thread80columnsDec 19
@mapache I voted Docker, but my real answer is source code, that I run in containers from images that I build myself.
Show threadltningDec 19
@mapache Clear, platform-independent build instructions and dependency documentation. And for the love of $deity: not everything's a Linux. #RunBSD
Show threadHarshad SharmaDec 19

@ltning @mapache +1

If a project has Docker as their only way to run the service, I assume it is not designed to work anywhere else and move on without second thought.

Show threadOlivier MenguéDec 19

@mapache Lightweight *multi-arch* container image (not based on a full Linux distro).

But not as the single supported install method.

Show threadStefan MonnierDec 23
@mapache Only "system packages" offer a standard way to keep the service up-to-date, AFAICT. And running outdated services tends to be a security risk.
Am I missing something?
Show threadMatija ŠukljeDec 26

@mapache

[x] YunoHost package

Show threadMaho 🦝🍻Dec 26
@hook what is this yugo thing, now my curiosity has been triggered, @_elena talks about it all the time
Show threadMatija ŠukljeDec 26

@mapache

Tech-wise it’s essentially:
- Debian ((old)stable)
- for webapps has its own shell-based packages
- each webapp runs as its own user instead of fullblown containers
- comes with LDAP for (vritually) everything
- comes with a properly set-up e-mail server
- Let’s Encrypt automation
- CLI and WebUI for easy administration and maintenance

…

Show threadMatija ŠukljeDec 26

@mapache … but more importantly what YunoHost does from a end-user/admin perspective is just make things super easy.

As an example:
- add domain: e-mail gets set up automatically for all users, SSL automated, DNS entries suggested (or uploaded)
- install Nextcloud – one-click install sets up everything, including shared folders, users/LDAP
- install Prosody – one-click install, sets up XMPP for all users (LDAP = same auth)
…

Perheps @_elena can expand on this too.

Show threadMatija ŠukljeDec 26

@mapache …

(cont’d)
- install Callibre-Web(-Advanced) – one-click install, all users (again LDAP) have access to ebooks in the shared folder, each user gets access to their books in their own ebook folder – both can be reached through Nextcloud and therefore WebDAV as well
- install Navindrome - one-click install, similar access to music streaming as above for books

It is just an extremely easy to set up and maintain system that can run even on an R-Pi.

@_elena

Show threadMaho 🦝🍻Dec 26
@hook @_elena oh wow! I will play to put one this weekend!