Plex server but for documents?

[KenPino]

Hi all!

Can anyone tell me if there is there such as thing like a Plex server but for documents? Where I can view my PDFs, word docs, sheets etc from anywhere?

I want to keep my files locally I don't want to upload anything to the cloud. I would like it to set it up just like plex. I want to be able to organize in a similar way, and to be able to view them on click.

TY!

 

[SigmundDroid]

Not sure if that actually applies to your needs, could be overkill, but how about Next Cloud:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nextcloud
https://alternativeto.net/software/nextcloud/about/

Most people probably use a provider for it but you could also run it yourself. If you want to try it beforehand, tab.digital offers accounts with 8GB for free:
https://tab.digital/

Even though I'd like to set it up myself in the long run and keep files locally only, just like you said, DIY comes with two nagging disadvantages:

1. You need to keep a server running (with permanent connection to the outside world)
2. You and only you are responsible for setting it up and keeping it up to date.

 

[KenPino]

Hey Sigmund! TY so much for answering
I am going to give this a go. I did see a post on reddit and someone also mentioning NextCloud.
I was hoping for something for like an installer and done but I will give it a go. Well, let me try it first on tab.digital
Big thanks really! Much appreciated

Ken

 

[karandpr]

Do you want to use documents inside a local network or over the internet ?

 

[KenPino]

Do you want to use documents inside a local network or over the internet ?

Hey!
Both
If something like Plex existed for docs, that would be awesome

 

[SigmundDroid]

installer

Well, yes, of course:

https://nextcloud.com/install/#install-clients

However, this would be just a client and as such you still need a server, either your own or an "official" one like from tabdigital

Speaking of tabdigital, there are other providers with free plans:
https://nextcloud.com/sign-up/

Due to the addictive nature of next cloud, I don't think it matters much for the beginning where you get started (for me, greedy as I am, the 8GB was way too intriguing) - in the end you end up with more

Perhaps something else like OwnCloud could work for you as well but I cannot say much about it (it lost out in my personal shoot out, don't remember exactly why but I think it was something regarding open source).

Here be even more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_file_synchronization_software

For simple mirroring syncthing might be good enough (for example to keep shadow copies of your files on your router's USB-stick):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syncthing

(since you mentioned plex, I guess that wouldn't be good enough for you)

PS: Oh, and let us know how you like it!

Edit: Oi! Forgot one thing - as for "office" like word etc, it can get kinda complicated because often it's only available in paid accounts.

 

[karandpr]

Hey!
Both
If something like Plex existed for docs, that would be awesome

You can get a cloud host like digital ocean / linode /ovh and setup a basic FTP server. (it's 5-6$ a month for 40GB )
Then use something like Fx Explorer or file explorer to download and upload files.

Or Just get a pair of external hard drives.
They work with far fewer hassles and are much more robust.
As long as you maintain them regularly.

 

[KenPino]

Thank you both for your replies.
Seems the closest I will find is NextCloud: I played around with it for a bit and it seems that it could do the trick in the end

 

[SigmundDroid]

@KenPino Welcome

it's 5-6$ a month for 40GB

Or Just get a pair of external hard drives.

Hmm, I have currently 80GB for about 60€/a (5€/month) for Next Cloud.

Pro: I don't have to take care of it myself
Contra: It does only Next Cloud.

Alternative: Own little server at home... Since you mentioned external drives, may I ask if and how you would do it? Can't imagine you would let run your machine/drives all day and night long?

 

[karandpr]

@KenPino Welcome


Hmm, I have currently 80GB for about 60€/a (5€/month) for Next Cloud.

Pro: I don't have to take care of it myself
Contra: It does only Next Cloud.

The problem is data centers are either very easy to maintain or very hard. Suddenly you can have a data center being sold off to big vendor or just shutting down.
Sometimes countries create laws that make running a data center a hassle. And they would rather bailout than maintain.
IMO , if you have data > 20 GB, then local backups are the safest way to go.

Can't imagine you would let run your machine/drives all day and night long?

Alternative: Own little server at home... Since you mentioned external drives, may I ask if and how you would do it? Can't imagine you would let run your machine/drives all day and night long?

Memes apart. Storage is cheap.
SD cards, USB drives. and few external drives.
The important stuff is backed up on 2+ storage options.
SD cards can be used on phones and PC.
Got 2x 256 GB USB drives which act as storage bridge docs and media.
For 2TB+ external drives, I have a cable but I usually use the USB OTG as a medium of transfer. I would not like my phone's USB slot to be fried.
Most PCs are equipped with office suites but I have LibreOffice portable inside the drive for editing.
Oh, and I have one USB drive which is also a portable Linux drive (Linux mint) so I have an operating system for x86 machines.
Phones & Tabs should have a doc reader/office suite and stuff like that,

Cloud and network solutions are good IF you have or travel in places with good connectivity.
Portable storage is convenient for everything else. And you retain ownership of files.

 

[SigmundDroid]

Memes apart. Storage is cheap.
...
Cloud and network solutions are good IF you have or travel in places with good connectivity.
Portable storage is convenient for everything else. And you retain ownership of files.

Oh, I see. Got it wrong there:

(indeed, memes are fun!)

I thought you meant having such network services like nextcloud running on external drives but you meant backups in general.

Yeah, I am covered: Syncthing puts stuff to my computer when charging (mostly fotos), Vorta puts this and other things (like ~) elsewhere. And finally I put those once a month on an external SSD (but SATA not USB).

If something needs to go back to the phone than it goes via a USB-OTG or syncthing.

Quite frankly, I despised online storage for the longest time but it does have it merits sometimes, and NextCloud seemed to be the best choice.

Next step, my own server at my own home... just need to figure out something cheap, efficient but powerful enough. Neither router nor raspberry would be good enough, so probably some ITX with AM4, should be possible to stay within 15-25W.

 

[karandpr]

Oh, I see. Got it wrong there:

(indeed, memes are fun!)

I thought you meant having such network services like nextcloud running on external drives but you meant backups in general.

Yeah, I am covered: Syncthing puts stuff to my computer when charging (mostly fotos), Vorta puts this and other things (like ~) elsewhere. And finally I put those once a month on an external SSD (but SATA not USB).

If something needs to go back to the phone than it goes via a USB-OTG or syncthing.

Quite frankly, I despised online storage for the longest time but it does have it merits sometimes, and NextCloud seemed to be the best choice.

Next step, my own server at my own home... just need to figure out something cheap, efficient but powerful enough. Neither router nor raspberry would be good enough, so probably some ITX with AM4, should be possible to stay within 15-25W.

I have toyed with creating a portable system with Raspberry Pi or an old android phone. But the battery is the issue in both cases.
File servers don't take much space or resources. A raspi should be able to service at the very least 100 concurrent users.
I have an old laptop which I will be tinkering around to see if it works as some sort of backup device.

 

[SigmundDroid]

old laptop

Dang! That's a good idea, except for lacking big drives...

https://www.instructables.com/Using-a-full-sized-HDD-in-a-Laptop/

OK, this is maybe not a good idea but I was pretty surprised to find someone actually doing it.

Still, I really like the laptop idea! Convenient, easy and with builtin screen! Gotta check for any small laptops with passive cooling and 2.5" drive.

 

[karandpr]

Dang! That's a good idea, except for lacking big drives...

https://www.instructables.com/Using-a-full-sized-HDD-in-a-Laptop/

OK, this is maybe not a good idea but I was pretty surprised to find someone actually doing it.

Still, I really like the laptop idea! Convenient, easy and with builtin screen! Gotta check for any small laptops with passive cooling and 2.5" drive.

You can get laptop or desktop caddies.
I had a system like this(or worse.), a PATA caddy + power unit.
Man this makes want to hack around right now