I am trying to re-adjust how much effort I want to put into privacy concerns. Too much stuff I’m using isn’t working properly or using a lot of my mental resources that I need elsewhere.

For (a bad) example: I recently performed a half-switch from my self-hosted Nextcloud instance to ProtonDrive, in the hope that it would spare me the stress to maintain my private Nextcloud. Unfortunately, it doesn’t, as basic functionality like cross-device-sync is not possible (there isn’t even a client app for Linux, as of yet).

This brings me to the question: have you found any services/apps/stuff that significantly eases your life while still being privacy friendly? I know, this is a broad question, but I think this is for the best as this thread then maybe even has use for other users.

  • LWD
    20·
    8 months ago

    SyncThing is great for encrypted, serverless, bidirectional sync, preferably with small folders… But unfortunately really eats up a lot of battery.

    I’m still waiting for some company to figure out E2EE syncing with the quality of Google Drive (mobile and desktop integration built in). Proton is close, but they fumble reliable integration.

    • BearOfaTime
      14·
      8 months ago

      I’ve used it for years, across multiple devices, syncing 100gb. My average daily sync is probably 20gb.

      It’s been surprisingly good on battery - currently using 0.9% average. It’s never been a significant battery hog for me.

      I currently have 28 sync jobs (folders) on my phone, ranging from a few MB to 20gb, from a few files to 1200 files. Most only sync over wifi, but my DCIM folder (one of the larger ones) is over any connection.

      Apps like Foldersync are much heavier on battery for me. Resilio is terrible for me (and it’s also a memory hog because I have some large folders).

      Maybe you have a stuck file that’s causing it to hang. May be worth pausing all but one job, see if that affects battery. Then work though them.

      Also, check out Syncthing-Fork, it has finer controls over individual sync jobs. For example, I let photos sync over any connection and on battery, but my media (music/video) only on wifi and while charging.

      • LWD
        1·
        8 months ago

        Between all these replies, I have to say I’m a little jealous. And I might have to look into making a SyncThing dedicated “server” on my home network using YunoHost, a thing that (IIRC) wouldn’t require exposing to the Internet because SyncThing will also happily run across volunteer-run relays.

        By any chance, have you had any success with a unidirectional sync between your phone and your computer, where it’s possible to delete old photos on your phone to save space without worrying about them being deleted on the computer side? (This issue really only crops up for me when I’m already far away from a computer, BTW.)

        • BearOfaTime
          1·
          8 months ago

          By default, the built in Photos sync job works as you describe. It essentially just has the “Backup” flag set (send, ignore remote deletes set on both ends). Even manually configuring that (send/no delete) in a job works fine for me.

          I don’t use that job because I like to use my computer to manage photos (all files really) on my phone. So I have numerous 2-way jobs, so I can move files around on my server, and those changes get reflected back to the phone. (There are a couple send-only jobs for other things).

          My storage has a folder structure for users that reflects the folder structure on a phone:

          Users/<UserName>/Phone

          SD_Internal

          SD_External

          The sync jobs then keep those folders in sync in their respective phone structure. Makes it easier to manage a phone, especially when I switch phones, just export the config from the old phone, install ST, import the config, and my files all come back.

          I also configure versioning on each folder based on what it does. Most folders have no versioning, important stuff gets a 30 day trash can (for example, on my “server”, for photos).

          I currently run SyncTrayzor on a Windows desktop that’s always on, so any pics I take with my phone get synced nearly instantly. I’m currently moving ST to a Linux Container on a new Proxmox server. There’s a container available from Turnkey (think it’s turnkeylinux.org)

    • nehal3m@sh.itjust.works
      3·
      8 months ago

      I’ll have to defer to your experience; I’ve set it up on a PC, a NAS and a phone. The phone was connected to an ethernet-equipped dock at the time of setup so the sync was quick and painless.

      I don’t see a hit on battery life on a Fairphone 4 running /e/OS after initial sync has completed.

    • calm.like.a.bomb@lemmy.dbzer0.com
      1·
      8 months ago

      I haven’t had battery usage issues with it for years! Just checked now and it’s below 0.4% - it doesn’t even show up in the main app list in the battery settings.