Anyone who hosts websites can check the logs and see the bots hammering away at wp/admin primarily, even if you are not running any WordPress. Low hanging meat? Fresh fruit?

1. Monal (on a mac)

2. Marketing, sadly , actually works… plus network-effects

A similar but not quite as retro endeavour would be hosting a Hotline server.

ADHD: functional notes in abbreviated version on fat strips of painter’s tape on server case or shelf. Passwords go on page dedicated to that server or service in a little black notebook, then eventually in a password manager.

Readme file if my brain lets me, usually 3 months later after hyperfocus on troubleshooting.

I have been looking at Saltcorn for this purpose, and it seems quite interesting. I can’t verify it or vouch for it, however.

If I had more time, I would love to play with it and try and build things. But I am pretty busy. So I am also looking at replacing my specialized CRM with something open source and self-hosted.

It’s not pretty, but I will probably settle on Dolibarr as it’s non-American, comprehensive, and there are docker implementations.

Edit: rereading your use case, I think you should look harder at Dolibarr as it is FOSS, widely used, and comprehensive but you can disable what you don’t need. Save your team the development time.

A good hands-on approach with less risk is to rent a managed vps or shared webhost for a short period, and explore how they have it set up, and what you can do with it. See if you can get ssh access.

Don’t deploy anything serious, just Hello World sandbox stuff. Go watch the logs to see just how nmany bots are looking for wordpress sites, etc. Use the softaculous installer, if available, to quickly mess with different app deployment.

Look at the zone editor to see how domains are configured, though shared hosting will be odd sett and limited by the hosting company. See the antispam and security settings. Look at how they set up email accounts, and mess with the database editor(s).

At each step, have a browser window open with reference docs. If you are learning linux terminal commands, I strongly suggest upgrading from basic man reference material and using the tl;dr webapp.

edit: note that renting a shared webhost will probably be better with a small hosting company running cpanel as big companies like godaddy (friends don’t let friends use godaddy) use proprietary site management software that obscures just how shitty their setup is.

Mucking about with dozens of extensions instead of users just installing an app seems pretty old skool, lol, brings me back to bbs life.

A discord replacement needs to have notifications, respond to calls, as well as share multiple screens.

It also needs to have enough upfront simplicity so that it garners adequate critical mass for network effects. This means a set and forget unified interface and standardized features.

So, Onomatopoeia there is wondering why xmpp isn’t standard, and I’m getting the sense that it is targeted at oldskool usage.

Discord is popular because it’s easy to start using, it has collaboration features like group screensharing, and it doesn’t assume an ubernerd is the target audience.

Maybe we’ll get a more unified, feature rich xmpp implementation, but until then, sounds like matrix/element is closer, despite its warts.

Neither of those client promo pages mention group calling. le sigh

Does it do screen sharing, group calls, etc.?

I’m using etke.cc in Germany. It’s a relatively easy setup and the hosting is matrix dedicated. Payment is a bit odd through ko-fi but otherwise it has been solid. They don’t have element calling fully enabled, it’s a bit conservative. Admin is easy and staff are responsive.

Had to move a small team away from skype/teams quickly so renting dedicated matrix hosting in Europe and not federating the instance has been working great, except for some issues like group calls over jitsi not working properly and users reluctant to learn more odd interfaces.

Again not reading what I wrote FFS! I did not call you uneducated but said you were kneejerking by intentionally missing the point, which looks suspicious, then said you are being anxious, because you were not reading the comment, and making it about you instead of the previous commenter. It’s not an insult.

I didn’t even imply that, so I will now call you anxious.

I was defending people who write well and craft long detailed answers. Read it again.

Really, kneejerk somewhere else, some of us paid attention in school and actually format things properly while using decent grammar. Bonus if you’re an organized thinker. Definitely a touch grass moment, the internet is wearing on you.

Ooo, cooling mat! Well then, no wonder it’s still running. One of the easiest laptops to fix, too, so you could just repurpose it.

Also, when you buy an Air, consider whether you are going to be gaming or not. If not, a M2 with 16 GB of RAM can be a lot cheaper than new, and my 16GB M1 is still awesome even for some intensive use.

To add: my favourite mac of all time was probably my 15” 2012 with a matte hd screen and upgraded SSD drive (which only took 10 fucking minutes, le sigh). All the ports!

Keep that thing off the internet if you can. Security is kind threadbare on that abandoned macOS.

Fantastic form factor for non internet tasks though. The 2011 model is worse for thermal management and the fans work harder so may need replacement, listen for rattles or silence from one side. Keep it ventilated on all sides including bottom.

Debian should run very nicely on that if you want modern software features and low-worry internet security.

Dude, now you’re making it personal with totally the wrong person. What a dork.

Yes, this is all self-evident to anyone who recognizes overconsumption and premature or planned obsolescence.

My point is that advertising and other misinformation makes it extremely difficult for the average person to make rational decisions about technical issues when making purchases, so blame lies much more with companies, governments, and culture than the teeming hordes you look smugly down on.