Ultimately up to you, but I’d go with no GUI and just use ssh (and sftp if you need to do file transfers).
When I was using Docker, it was headless because the GUI just ate up space and resources I didn’t need. All your interaction will be in the shell anyway, launching your compose.yml files.
But, if dealing with a headless machine sounds like more trouble than you want to try, install the DE if your choice and breathe easy because it’ll still work perfectly fine.
I think you’ve put more thought into how to get started than many others would! You have a pretty good plan from what it seems. My thoughts from each section below.
Hardware: I’m partial to Crucial and Kingston for storage that is affordable and dependable
OS: I’d probably spin up a Debian install if I were in your shoes and run my services using docker-compose files. It’s a quick and easy to get up and running, and despite the ease, there is still the option to do a lot of customization when you want to, and that will make it easy to learn more at your own pace and leisure.
Services: For the CalDav portion, I’m really liking Radicale.
Security: PiVPN is what I’m running on my actual RPi along with PiHole, and it was a super simple setup. I connect via Wireguard from any of my other devices.
There’s nothing I love more than a well-explained joke
“It couldn’t hurt to get a second opinion, at least, right?”
Another idea: dokuwiki, to document your process setting up various service for future reference
PiHole, PiVPN, maybe a reverse proxy like nginx proxy manager to make connecting to your various web management portals you have an easy way to map it to a human readable url
I just don’t want my NAS doing anything other than being a NAS, so I intentionally don’t run extra services there, but its a matter of finding what works for you. As long as you get to the destination you’re looking for, its mission accomplished
Got an old raspberry pi laying around? PiHole+PiVPN is something I run on an old 3B+ I think, so I have something dedicated running both. But otherwise, I’d probably just spin up a container on a server or cluster and I’d probably go with debian and just run the exact same PiVPN setup script I did for the pi because it was super easy.
Yes. And beard hair, too.
Graboids! Watch out!
Upvoted purely for the use of the Oxford comma.
Facebook, for all that they were and all that they have become. I don’t use it, won’t use it, but I can’t change others’ behavior, and so its very existence continues to reduce my quality of life. Facebook gave us Facebook, Zuck, and eventually Meta. I do not like them, Sam I Am.
Edit: grammar
Yeah, I’m not about to defend Samsung or their app distribution by any means, I just know they had the Plex app when I needed it.
Thanks for the heads up on Roku though, I appreciate it!
Is that on an Onn TV? I might have to go check it out again. Thanks!
Samsung TVs have a Plex app, but not a Jellyfin one. Lots of people have Samsung TVs. I mean lots. Other modern TVs are likely the same, like Onn (at least the Roku TVs) last time I checked, and again they are all over. The ease-of-use factor really is a huge win for Plex.
Edit: Yes, Samsung Tizen models can try and sideload an app, but that’s not something the vast majority of people are ever going to even think about, let alone figure out how to accomplish.
Edit 2: Well shiver me timbers, Jellyfin’s on those Onn TV’s. TIL.
I like radicale: https://radicale.org/
Insurance company denying coverage for reasons: MontgomeryBurnsTappingFingersAndGrinningEvilly.jpg
Can confirm, mine is touch-enabled. Forgot to mention that in my post. Model 20UD-003KUS
There’s a near-endless supply of great mythology and legend to read and explore from all sorts of cultures dating back as far as the dawn of writing. I’ve had a lot of fun reading and comparing tales from various times and places, taking time to also note where in history the stories were being written down and what else was happening. Strong recommendation for anyone wanting a unique view on the history of societies and the stories they held (or still hold) dear.