After photos, everything else
Photos found a home in Immich, but there are other files on the server too. I wanted to reach them when needed through a convenient interface. File Browser gives me web access to folders; Tailscale is part of how I reach the lab away from home.
I like a service that answers such a clear need. There is a Linux machine behind it, but in everyday use I want to open a page and find what I need. It is another small piece of the convenience I am trying to build for myself.
I like tools that are enough for me
For now, this direct access is enough. Nextcloud interests me as a broader platform; Syncthing for synchronising between devices. Those are different needs, and I am learning to start with what I want to do before adding an application. On my MacBook every service takes some space and attention.
Even a convenient choice needs revisiting
The original File Browser project has been archived and will receive no further fixes. That changes how I look at the tool I use: project maintenance matters as much as the interface. I need to account for it and consider a maintained alternative, even though familiarity makes sticking with what I know convenient.
My files, my responsibility too
Storage is still the MacBook’s 256 GB. Browser access does not protect files against a failure or deletion: backups are another piece to build. This part of the lab reminds me that more control also means knowing what I still need to improve.
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