From the front page I expected maybe some web interface for doing various tasks, such as Nix package management or setting up Let's Encrypt, etc, but judging from the docs, everything should be done via standard Nix/NixOS commands in command line. So, I'm sorry, what service Shipnix actually provides, apart from initial setup of the server with NixOS and SSH keys, that would justify paying monthly? At least it's not clear from the docs.
Most of what you would need to do is either in the UI or in the source code. They complement eachother. And I think it's a great way to learn Nix.
The NixOS configuration lets you set up LetsEncrypt and domain names declaratively through code. That's one of the strengths in my opinion, but taste might vary.
This also means no vendor lock-in. That being said, it might be that not everyone gets value of it.
I created this because I wanted something that organizes my servers nicely, saves build logs for debugging, lets me easily rollback if a build fails and is easy to managee and deploy.
Thanks for the feedback. I will work further on communicating this in the docs
Does this not cover it?
It's a free offering in Shipnix for everyone who is registered, and then you are free to create servers with this image through the DigitalOcean dashboard if that's what you prefer.
When a new NixOs release is ready, you can log into the Shipnix dashboard, and replace the image with the current stable one, also at no charge.