I am looking for self hosted blog/journal that is private by default. Not looking to host a public blog, rather something that I can write more personal entries on and is easy to read later. I want to be able to include multimedia in the entries.
Currently I’m thinking of a Mastodon server with posts set to private by default and turning off federation. It would be awesome to be able to post from my phone as events happen rather than having to find time later.
I’ve tried around with using IMAP and an email client, but not sold on it. Tried using a calendar, but too cludgy.
Try https://joplinapp.org . You can self-host your database with something like Nextcloud or Apache Server using WebDAV. I moved from StandardNotes after they got tricky about Self-hosting.
I use Joplin for keeping various notes and would rather not combine it with my journal.
I’m looking for something like DayOne or billthefarmers Diary app that is easy to use from mobile, but then has a selfhosted website I can use to go back and review/relive/edit the experiences.
I also used to self-host StandardNotes, but I didn’t like the user experience in the front end. The editor plug-in configuration was way too complicated for me. All I want is markdown. Several years ago I switched to Joplin.
How did StandardNotes “get tricky” about self-hosting? I must have switched by then.
Every time I upgraded the StandardNotes self hosting docker instance, some configuration setting changed and I had to go figure out what had changed and update it. Then they started to require some sort of a key to actually self-host. They were giving out free keys to users who were grandfathered-in but that left a bad taste in my mouth.
Another vote for Obsidian. Markdown is powerful enough to be used anywhere. I’m currently using Obsidian with the Templater plugin to write. Entries I want published get copied to the directory I use to build my site with Zola.
+1 for obsidian and syncthing, I like to avoid the use of many applications. So everything related to writing text/notes for personal use I do centralize in obsidian. You can even make some drawings or handwriting with excalidraw, hady for diagrams.
A lot of people/companies use it as wiki, but it can also be used a journal. It can also have multiple users with some shared books or pages if you need. You can use markdown or WYSIWYG editor. A lot of exporting formats are available.
crypt.ee: I tried this before, I don’t think it’s selfhostable but quite usable, and nice UI. Encryption available. Ghost folders if you want to. Multimedia available, not sure about storage
joplin: you can use Nextcloud (or many other options like Dropbox) for sync and hence storage depends on your cloud solution. E2EE, has plugins, and simple enough to use.
anytype.io and logseq: I’ve seen these mention in many places but I haven’t used either. But they seem to have very rich features, not sure about selfhosting though.
I use Monica. The journal function is meh and a pain to use from phone. Otherwise I love it. When I meet new people through my friend group, I add them so I can remember details about them for next time we meet.
Logseq it defaults to a daily journal and uses Markdown files (again, daily files by default)
It has a whiteboard function and can “embed” images, videos, etc (they’re obviously links to asset files stored separately to the markdown text file…)
There’s an Android app which I sync to Windows and Linux machines via syncthing - the App doesn’t have plugin support yet, but IMHO, on the phone, I just want to type notes…
It can be hosted on a web server, but I have not tried that (more resources to setup & maintain from my POV)
I tried Obsidian and Joplin in the past, but this just seems to be simpler, opener (if that’s a word) and fits to my needs easily.
There’s also a load of videos on youtube to get started…
I’m going to put a +1 for Obsidian here, as it is a really good app that I use as well. However, if it’s not what you’re looking for, there’s also Nomie. It was a closed-source app on its 6th version, but the developer decided to close it down earlier this year. The absolute champion open-sourced the code in full though.
Is something local like org / org-roam (maybe in a git repo for sync) out of the question? If you’re messing with IMAP for this I can’t imagine a git repo with text files (optionally gpg encrypted, well supported by org) would be off the table.
TiddlyWiki might interest you. It’s an entire wiki stored in a single HTML file. You can even use it without a web server if you want (although a web server makes editing more convenient)
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Try https://joplinapp.org . You can self-host your database with something like Nextcloud or Apache Server using WebDAV. I moved from StandardNotes after they got tricky about Self-hosting.
I use Joplin for keeping various notes and would rather not combine it with my journal.
I’m looking for something like DayOne or billthefarmers Diary app that is easy to use from mobile, but then has a selfhosted website I can use to go back and review/relive/edit the experiences.
This is the same issue I have with Joplin! I need to get like multiple installations or databases to keep things separated. It’s all a mess.
I also recommend Joplin - I’ve moved my entire journal over to Joplin and use it as a primary note source now.
The mobile app UX is its weakness, but is fully functional.
I also used to self-host StandardNotes, but I didn’t like the user experience in the front end. The editor plug-in configuration was way too complicated for me. All I want is markdown. Several years ago I switched to Joplin.
How did StandardNotes “get tricky” about self-hosting? I must have switched by then.
Every time I upgraded the StandardNotes self hosting docker instance, some configuration setting changed and I had to go figure out what had changed and update it. Then they started to require some sort of a key to actually self-host. They were giving out free keys to users who were grandfathered-in but that left a bad taste in my mouth.
QOwnNotes
or Emacs
or NeoVim
So you have seen this video, too? 🙂
Amazing
Here is an alternative Piped link(s): https://piped.video/watch?v=XRpHIa-2XCE
Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.
I’m open-source, check me out at GitHub.
That dude loves EMACS
Specifically, org-mode. Certainly the coolest part of Emacs, in my view.
Memos might be a good option for you https://github.com/usememos/memos
Memos looks pretty good with the MoeMemos app. Although it doesn’t look like video/audio is supported.
Hm ok. I know you can attach files. but maybe it is not shown inline.
I am not using it anymore so I can’t check. it doesn’t have offline mode which I need for my use case
I did a quick search on their github issue tracker, it looks to me like it supports audio and video
https://github.com/usememos/memos/pull/980
Yeah memos and phone app MoeMemos. It works great
Cannot recommend Obsidian enough. Just plain Markdown, but infinite times more powerful. I use it for just that and it’s been damn perfect.
This is the way
Does Obsidian support audio/video?
Yes.
Again, it’s just a markdown. You can do this:
Another vote for Obsidian. Markdown is powerful enough to be used anywhere. I’m currently using Obsidian with the Templater plugin to write. Entries I want published get copied to the directory I use to build my site with Zola.
+1 for obsidian and syncthing, I like to avoid the use of many applications. So everything related to writing text/notes for personal use I do centralize in obsidian. You can even make some drawings or handwriting with excalidraw, hady for diagrams.
You can use Bookstack.
A lot of people/companies use it as wiki, but it can also be used a journal. It can also have multiple users with some shared books or pages if you need. You can use markdown or WYSIWYG editor. A lot of exporting formats are available.
This is a 17 years old video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gzj723LkRJY which I followed back then to write the blog I’m still running on https://jeena.net/posts and I still use it on a semi daily basis.
Here are some options:
You could give Monica a try. It is an self hosted diary app.
I use Monica. The journal function is meh and a pain to use from phone. Otherwise I love it. When I meet new people through my friend group, I add them so I can remember details about them for next time we meet.
I recently watched this video about note taking apps. It explains why logseq and other suggestions might not be the best options.
Tldw is:
qownnotes
Doom Emacs
Neovim
Here is an alternative Piped link(s): https://piped.video/XRpHIa-2XCE?si=U5e1v6CLAJOU9EL8
Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.
I’m open-source, check me out at GitHub.
Logseq it defaults to a daily journal and uses Markdown files (again, daily files by default)
It has a whiteboard function and can “embed” images, videos, etc (they’re obviously links to asset files stored separately to the markdown text file…)
There’s an Android app which I sync to Windows and Linux machines via syncthing - the App doesn’t have plugin support yet, but IMHO, on the phone, I just want to type notes…
It can be hosted on a web server, but I have not tried that (more resources to setup & maintain from my POV)
I tried Obsidian and Joplin in the past, but this just seems to be simpler, opener (if that’s a word) and fits to my needs easily.
There’s also a load of videos on youtube to get started…
+1 for Logseq & Syncthing
It works really well!
I’m trying this out. Installed both on phone and laptop last night.
I forgot to mention, the Android App has a voice recording function too.
Enjoy
I’m going to put a +1 for Obsidian here, as it is a really good app that I use as well. However, if it’s not what you’re looking for, there’s also Nomie. It was a closed-source app on its 6th version, but the developer decided to close it down earlier this year. The absolute champion open-sourced the code in full though.
https://github.com/open-nomie/nomie6-oss
Markdown file + Nextcloud Notes?
Is something local like org / org-roam (maybe in a git repo for sync) out of the question? If you’re messing with IMAP for this I can’t imagine a git repo with text files (optionally gpg encrypted, well supported by org) would be off the table.
TiddlyWiki might interest you. It’s an entire wiki stored in a single HTML file. You can even use it without a web server if you want (although a web server makes editing more convenient)
I am always pro tiddlywiki wherever I see it.
however I have to admit that heavy multimedia support isnt the most ideal thing to do for TW.
and thats what OP asked for.