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Comment by mothsonasloth | Hacker News Reader

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mothsonasloth

After Dropbox introduced the 3 machine limit to free tier accounts back in March. I decided to migrate to Nextcloud.

The migration was easy:

1. Setup a directory on my VPS for storing files

2. Install Nextcloud

3. Configure security

4. Install clients on (Mac/ Windows and Androd phone)

5. Starting adding files

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Step 6: Maintain your server in perpetuity constantly patching and acting as a one-person security team while not getting paid for it.

(This is my not-stealthy way of saying that Nextcloud is a rather impossible alternative to Dropbox for its typical user)

How this should look like, in a more perfect world:

- The "unobtrusive folder-that-sync app" is produced by multiple parties following a standardized protocol.

- The cloud storage server is handled and secured by different businesses, all following a standardized protocol.

- The user buys an app, and a cloud storage service, and they talk together.

I wonder what are the steps - cultural, technological, perhaps legal - to force SaaS vendors to cut their bullshit, unbundle distinct features, and start competing on merit instead of marketing budgets and control over user data?

I've switched to Syncthing, which just syncs files and not all the other that Nextcloud does (which I'm not interested in).

https://syncthing.net/

I have used Syncthing for projects at work and can attest that it is a solid and simple Dropbox replacement. Though I'm not sure they support Android/iOS yet.

Edit: it is clear from the comments that there is at least an Android client.

I've been using the android client for years

There is fsync() [0] for iOS.

[0]: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fsync/id964427882?mt=8

I use the android client. Does the job.

I have not found a storage backend for Nextcloud that is anywhere near as cheap per TB as Dropbox. Have you?

For me Nextcould seemed overcomplicated. It's whole platform for multiple users with multiple features (e.g. calendars, contacts). It did not seem to be solution for single user who just wants dropbox alternative. But the biggest issue I had with it, I couldn't find instructions for backing it up and restoring.

> instructions for backing it up and restoring.

https://docs.nextcloud.com/server/16/admin_manual/maintenanc...

NextCloud is great if you don't mind managing your own VPS. I run a NextCloud instance for some personal projects.

That said, if you're looking for a Dropbox alternative that functions much like Dropbox (but with better privacy and better pricing), feel free to try Sync.com (full disclosure, I work at Sync).

Choice is good!

Your prices are good, and you have mobile clients with automatic photo upload, which I want. But you still don't support Linux, which I also want. When you add that, I'll probably become a customer.

>3 machine limit to free tier

>on my VPS

Well, your VPS is not free I presume?

Dropbox's cheapest plan that I see on their website is €11.99. My VPS costs me $5 per month and runs Nextcloud with no arbitrary usage limits, as well as tons of other shit I need for different things. I assume it's the same for OP.

My VPS (Digital Ocean) gives me a whopping 25GB for $5/month. Are you saying you can get a TB or more of storage included with your VPS for $5? Please tell me where!

I've been using a Google cloud free-tier VPS with Syncthing and it works great; I imagine Nextcloud would be similar. I do backup my instance with snapshots, which aren't free, but so far cost me about $.01 per month. Note, Syncthing doesn't actually require a server, but I still find it useful for offsite backup.

Save some people some typing:

https://nextcloud.com/

How do I configure security and how do I handle backups?

It's somewhat difficult to find, but is in their administration section.

Backup: https://docs.nextcloud.com/server/stable/admin_manual/mainte... I haven't found it documented, but there are also a few occ commands to do the backup and restore that were added this year some time.

Security: https://docs.nextcloud.com/server/stable/admin_manual/instal...

nextcloudpi.com can help you do it with ease

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