Help installing the server and the software
Hi, I'm sure there's a thread for this already but I can't find it. I'm not a programmer. The minute I see a link to "GitHub" I immediately know this is above my head. Is there any way to get help with setting up and installing Immich? Not only do I need help installing the software but I have no clue how to set up a server. The only server I've successfully set up is Plex but that's via an easy to use installer. I would greatly appreciate any help - pointing me to read pages of command line code won't help, I need someone to do this for me (no I don't mean to sound entitled, I'm happy to pay). I just don't know where to start as this is all WAY over my head - but I need to get out of paying a monthly fee for cloud space on Google and iCloud.
7 Replies
Sorry to say, but there's more to it than just getting things running. Using a selfhosted app like this involves maintenance, backups, etc. If you don't have a grasp on those things then you will risk losing your data.
I hear you, but there's got to be a way to get started. Is there no way to get 3rd party help with this?
You could go to somewhere like Fiverr but hard to say they won't do something else sketchy while helping you out.
Honestly, if you don't know how to set up and maintain a server then this is probably not the tool for you because at some point in time something's going to go wrong and if you don't know how to fix it yourself, you're gonna be out of luck. I would highly recommend learning your server of choice (Linux, Windows, NAS, etc...) and then coming back here.
I'm sorry you didn't hear what you were hoping for, and I agree with the other comments. If you're not familiar with maintaining a server, you're at risk of losing all your priceless data.
In the meantime, if you would like to get out of paying for Google Drive/icloud, you may consider buying a Synology Network Attached Storage (NAS) device. They even come with a photos app that streamlines your photo library.
https://www.synology.com/en-global/dsm/feature/photos
If you're interested in learning how to manage a real server, I would recommend you buy a $35 Raspberry Pi 4 and set up Plex Server on it. You're already familiar with Plex, and a Raspberry Pi is probably the most well-documented cheap computer in the world. So if you get stuck on something, there is a 90% chance that googling "your problem + Raspberry Pi" would get you a guide with step-by-step instructions. Good luck!
FWIW the monthly fee for Google photos or iCloud will be cheaper than the time and cost of running a server.
The server will have a time cost for maintenance, cost of the device, cost of electricity, cost of your time learning and maintaining it, risk of losing data.
1TB iCloud storage for $10 sounds like a deal with that context in mind. No such thing as a free lunch
Thanks for all the feedback and responses. I guess I have a lot to learn. I appreciate the caution and the honesty.