Lecture Notes: Open Source Software Review 2024

Introduction

Presenter

• Open Source Advocate
• Continuation of part one discussing open source software used regularly

Goals

• Introduce and review more open source software used frequently
• Provide links for setup/installation if available
• Encourage exploration of new tools

Mail-in-a-Box

Overview

• Self-hosted email system
• Running for 4-5 years
• Installs postfix, dovecot, Nextcloud (limited), etc.

Features

• Email, calendar, cardDAV, file storage
• Setup Wizard & DNS records assistance
• Recommended for use with static IP addresses

Challenges

• VPS providers block email ports due to spam issues
• Need static IP at home or similar solutions

Jitsi Meet

Overview

• Public and self-hosted video/audio chat platform
• Similar to Teams, Zoom, Slack meetings

Features

• Simple room creation with links
• Requires at least one moderator login
• Supports GitHub credentials for login
• Open source and performative

Discourse

Overview

• Forum system, can also be used for documentation or a Wiki

Features

• Categories, user accounts, post news, meeting dates
• Resource-intensive
• Used for Linux Users Group

Rockstore

Overview

• NAS system reviewed with Ugreen NAS hardware
• Installed another SSD, configured BIOS

Features

• Storage monitoring, pool management, system metrics
• Docker-like containers called 'Rock-ons'

Rock-ons

• Easy wizard setup
• Community support and forums available

OpenWRT

Overview

• OpenWRT on both router and hotspots (x86 PC and wall plates)

Features

• Minimal resource usage
• Detailed network and system status
• VLAN configurations
• Backup, maintenance, and management tasks
• System and firewall logs

Pi-hole

Overview

• Network-wide ad blocker, using DNS filtering

Features

• Improves browsing experience by blocking trackers and ads
• Can run multiple Pi-hole instances for redundancy

Uptime Kuma

Overview

• Monitoring service for uptime of various servers and services

Features

• Customizable check methods
• Visual status indications
• Notifications via webhooks, integrates with RocketChat

Jellyfin

Overview

• Open-source media server
• Alternative to Plex and Emby

Features

• Runs on multiple devices (PC, phone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV)
• Consistent updates and diverse client support

Media Management

Sonarr

• Manages TV series collection

Radarr

• Manages movie collection

QBittorrent

• Torrent client for Linux distributions

Navidrome

• Music player server using subsonic API
• Features playlists, albums, artists, and songs

Invoice Ninja

Overview

• Invoicing tool for small businesses
• Replaced Crater Invoice

Features

• Invoices, tracks payments, manages expenses
• Expenses management for tax purposes

Terminal Emulators

Terminator

• Multi-pane terminal emulator for Linux

Features

• Adjustable font size, multiple panes
• Keyboard and mouse navigation

Open Media Vault

Overview

• NAS system used for client storage solutions

Features

• Samba shares for network file access
• Docker integration through Portainer

LibreOffice

Overview

• Open-source office suite
• Supports collaboration with Nextcloud and Collabora

Features

• Spreadsheets, word processing, presentations
• Comparable to Microsoft Office

Xpipe

Overview

• Tool for managing Docker and LXC containers

Features

• Quick terminal access to Docker containers
• Problem resolution for container access
• Rapid community-driven improvements and fixes

RustDesk

Overview

• Remote desktop software, alternative to TeamViewer/AnyDesk

Features

• Self-hosted server options for secure connections
• Easy client setup and secure access
• Prompt notifications for remote assistance

Veloren

Overview

• Open-source voxel-based game, similar to Minecraft

Features

• Self-hosted server for secure family play
• Dynamic and engaging gameplay

Conclusion

• Encouragement to explore new open source tools
• Reminder to like, subscribe, and share the content with friends