self-hosting Archives

Tech Optimizer

November 27, 2025

How Letta builds production-ready AI agents with Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL

AI agents benefit from persistent memory, enabling them to recall past interactions and maintain context, which enhances customer experience in scenarios like customer service. The Letta Developer Platform allows developers to create stateful agents with advanced context management features. It supports self-hosting within a virtual private cloud and uses Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL for long-term memory storage. Aurora PostgreSQL offers capabilities such as efficient similarity searches with the pgvector extension, sub-second query latency, and dynamic storage scaling. Letta operates as a persistent service, allowing agents to function independently and scale horizontally using Kubernetes. The platform supports multi-tenancy and includes enterprise features for security and monitoring. To set up an Aurora Serverless cluster for Letta, users must create a database on Amazon RDS, configure security group access, and install the pgvector extension. Letta connects to Aurora using a PostgreSQL connection string. After establishing the connection, users can create agents, send messages, and view agent states and conversation histories stored in Aurora. Letta organizes data in 42 tables, including those for agents, messages, and memory blocks. Users can explore the database schema and examine the structure of stored messages and embeddings. Finally, it is recommended to delete the Aurora cluster and associated resources after completing the integration to avoid charges.

Tech Optimizer

November 11, 2025

Umami v3 Launches With New Interface, Cohorts, And Advanced Segmentation – Open Source For You

Umami has released version 3 of its open source analytics platform, featuring a redesigned interface, advanced tracking capabilities, and exclusive support for PostgreSQL, discontinuing MySQL compatibility. The update includes a streamlined navigation experience, organized reports, the ability to store filters as URL parameters, and support for adding or editing multiple filters simultaneously. New analysis functions such as Segments and Cohorts have been introduced, along with tracking features like short URLs and invisible pixels. A central admin panel has been added for easier management of users, teams, and websites. Umami is licensed under MIT, allowing for self-hosting or cloud deployment.

AppWizard

October 17, 2025

Five beloved Android apps we loved and then lost

This year, several essential Android applications have been abruptly retired, creating a significant void for users. Pocket, originally launched as Read It Later and acquired by Mozilla, was a popular tool for saving articles but has now shut down, leaving users without a true replacement. Omnivore, an open-source read-it-later tool favored by academics, lost its original vision after being acquired by ElevenLabs, which shifted its focus to AI-enhanced reading. Syncthing's official Android app was withdrawn due to non-compliance with app store policies, despite the technology's capabilities. Kiwi Browser, known for allowing desktop-style Chrome extensions on Android, was archived to develop an extension store for Microsoft Edge, losing its independent essence. Nova Launcher, a highly customizable home screen application, ceased updates after its acquisition by Branch, disappointing its dedicated user community. The losses of these applications highlight the challenges faced by smaller teams in maintaining their products amidst changing regulations and corporate acquisitions.

AppWizard

October 3, 2025

As Game Pass prices get laughably high, Microsoft is reportedly spinning up a free version of Xbox Cloud Gaming—but of course you’ll have to sit through ads

Microsoft has increased the price of its Xbox Game Pass by up to 50%. The company is also testing a free, ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming, with a public beta and full launch expected in the coming months. Subscribers to the Essential and Premium tiers will face longer wait times and lower resolution streaming under the new pricing structure. It is unclear if PC-only Game Pass subscribers will have access to the ad-supported Cloud Gaming option. Additionally, self-hosting Sunshine on a gaming PC and using Moonlight for streaming is presented as an alternative for those wanting to stream games they own without advertisements.

AppWizard

October 2, 2025

These are the 7 open-source apps I recommend to everyone starting with self-hosting

Self-hosting is gaining popularity, prompting individuals to consider what services they want to self-host. Key applications for beginners include: - Portainer: A web dashboard that simplifies Docker management, allowing users to pull images, set up containers, and manage networks through a graphical interface. - Nextcloud: A self-hosted file synchronization solution that offers a productivity suite with features like calendars and collaborative document editing. - Home Assistant: A platform that consolidates smart devices for automation and control, enabling users to create customized smart home experiences. - Jellyfin: An open-source media server that allows users to organize and stream their own media libraries without subscription fees or ads. - Navidrome: A music server for streaming personal music collections with features like playlists and album art support. - Paperless-NGX: An application that digitizes and organizes documents using optical character recognition for easy management of paperwork. - Immich: A photo management tool that helps users organize and search their photo libraries based on metadata. - Dockpeek: A dashboard that lists all running Docker containers, simplifying access to services and enhancing user experience. A gradual approach is recommended for newcomers, focusing on specific needs to avoid decision fatigue while exploring various self-hosting options.

AppWizard

September 8, 2025

These are my 6 favorite self-hosted apps I use on my Android phone

Megan Ellis explores self-hosting solutions that offer cost savings and enhanced control over personal data. She has discovered various services that integrate with Android applications, improving her user experience through remote management, push notifications, and regular backups. Immich allows users to back up photos directly to their own servers, offering a sleek interface and features for folder selection and background syncing, although it can be slow at times. Paperless-ngx is an open-source document management platform that simplifies document uploads through its mobile app, making organization more efficient. Vikunja is an open-source to-do list app that provides push notifications but requires sideloading. It serves as an appealing alternative to TickTick for task management. Home Assistant is a self-hosted smart home automation platform that offers extensive functionality, though it may face integration challenges with smart devices. Karakeep is a self-hosted bookmarking solution that syncs across devices, enhancing the ability to save important content efficiently. Donetick is an app for managing chores and personal tasks, allowing automation of task scheduling based on completion dates, though it requires sideloading and lacks HTTP support. Ellis is also exploring other self-hosted services like Jellyfin and Nextcloud, valuing their cross-platform access despite the setup challenges.

AppWizard

August 24, 2025

I couldn’t find an ideal pet app, so I used Notion instead

A devoted cat owner faced challenges in managing vaccination schedules and health notes for their pets, leading to the use of Notion as a pet care management tool. The owner found existing pet care apps lacking in functionality and opted for Notion due to its customizable templates, reminders feature, and cross-device compatibility. They created a pet care page using the Pet Care Planner template, setting up profiles for their cats, Black Velvet and Loxi, and incorporating health information, medication details, and vet notes. Notion's database capabilities allowed for effective tracking of expenses and health incidents, especially with Loxi's diagnosis of Stage 2 Chronic Kidney disease. The owner also noted some limitations of Notion's free plan, such as restrictions on automations and mobile optimization issues, but found it effective for documenting health incidents and setting reminders. Future plans include expanding the template to manage pet-related chores.

AppWizard

August 17, 2025

5 reasons I swapped Google Keep for this open-source app

The author has extensively explored various note-taking applications, including Google Keep, OneNote, and SimpleNote, ultimately transitioning to Outline, an open-source application that combines note-taking with personal knowledge management. Google Keep is appreciated for its simplicity but lacks depth, while OneNote's interface is seen as cluttered. Outline offers a clean, intuitive interface, supports markdown for rich formatting, and allows for interconnected note systems similar to a wiki. It integrates well with external tools and provides self-hosting options for data ownership. The author now uses Outline primarily for research, long-form writing, and journaling, finding it superior for serious note-taking compared to Google Keep and OneNote.

AppWizard

August 1, 2025

6 reasons why I prefer self hosted apps — and why you should too

Self-hosting and operating personal applications on home labs or NAS devices have gained popularity as individuals seek alternatives to commercial applications. The motivation for self-hosting includes filling gaps left by commercial apps, enhancing data privacy, and reclaiming control over applications. Users experience frustrations with changing app functionalities and subscription fees, leading them to prefer open-source solutions. Self-hosted applications provide secure data storage, tailored backup strategies, and uninterrupted access during internet outages. Customization is a significant advantage, allowing users to adapt applications to their specific needs. Self-hosting also offers transparency and control over data security, fostering a sense of ownership. Overall, self-hosting presents a viable alternative to cloud-based tools, empowering users to manage their digital environments more effectively.

AppWizard

July 15, 2025

Can You Play Minecraft on Mac? Here’s What You Need to Know

Playing Minecraft on a Mac is feasible, with two primary editions available: Java Edition and Bedrock Edition. Java Edition runs natively on macOS and supports mods, while Bedrock Edition lacks official support for Mac and requires workarounds to run. To acquire Minecraft, users can visit minecraft.net, select Java Edition, download the installer, and launch the game. Mods function similarly on Mac as they do on Windows, with popular mod managers like Forge and Fabric supporting macOS. Hosting a Minecraft server on a Mac is possible but cumbersome, leading many to rent servers instead. In Java Edition, players can join IP-based servers and share addresses with friends. Performance can vary, with modern Macs generally handling the game well, but adjustments may be needed for base models. Minecraft Bedrock does not exist natively for Mac, and the Mac App Store version is the Education Edition. Compatibility issues with mods can arise, and local servers may be blocked by the Mac firewall.