Agate (Gemini Server)★★★★★A simple Gemini Protocol server for static files. Fast, stable, easy, and running the Gemini version of this site.
Alpine Linux★★★★★Lightweight Linux distribution with modern capabilities and smooth package management despite its low resource requirements. Good for small cloud servers, old hardware, Raspberry Pi, etc.
Arch Linux★★★★☆Once it’s installed, it’s fine! Faster updates than Fedora or Debian. Smaller software selection, but community packages and Flatpak make up for it. ARM port and the Danctnix drivers for Pine hardware are solid. I don’t miss the old days of setting everything up by hand, though.
ClassicPress★★★★☆More than just WordPress Minus Gutenberg! Familiar, super-easy to migrate, and can work with most of the WP plugin/theme ecosystem.
Debian Linux★★★★☆My second choice distro for both desktop and servers. More reliable than Ubuntu, more stable than Fedora, easier to install than Arch, though a bit slower to update. Bigger than Alpine, but uses the more typical glibc.
DreamHost★★★★☆Rock solid web hosting with managed VPS and good support. Hosting this page right now. Cloud computing has been less stable in my experience.
Fedora Linux★★★★☆Still my favorite Linux for desktop use, but every once in a while you’re reminded that IBM (via Red Hat) still has an out-sized influence on it.
Floccus Bookmarks Sync★★★★★Very flexible, syncs across many different desktop browsers and mobile devices, and for privacy it can run on your own server or encrypted on another cloud service.
GoToSocial★★★★☆A lightweight Fediverse server, with a clean web interface for viewing public posts. Compatible with Mastodon apps and interacts with other ActivityPub platforms.
Jellyfin★★★★★Great for playing music across my local network, doesn’t phone home to a cloud or try to upsell subscriptions.
Linode★★★★★Flexible, inexpensive cloud hosting with a variety of Linux options. Rock solid so far!
Nextcloud Bookmarks★★★★☆Online web app for managing bookmarks using your own Nextcloud server. I usually use it indirectly as the storage for syncing via Floccus.
Nextcloud News★★★★★Simple web-based news reader for Nextcloud, easy to install and syncs with multiple desktop and mobile clients.
Nextcloud Notes★★★★★Simpler than Google Keep, more private, with human-readable data that syncs quickly and cleanly with your devices.
Plex★★★☆☆It does let you stream your local media library, but it insists on connecting to a cloud account and pushes you to buy a subscription, even if you’re not using its remote services.
Postmarks★★★★☆A self-hosted public bookmarks/linkblogging server (think Delicious or Pinboard) that can interact with Mastodon and the rest of the Fediverse.
Snac★★★★☆Extremely bare-bones social networking server that runs on low-resource machines, works on the web without cookies or JavaScript, and still interacts through ActivityPub with Mastodon, GoToSocial and other Fediverse software.
WordPress Block Editor★☆☆☆☆This is not distraction-free writing. Every time I try to use it I get frustrated and switch back to the classic editor…because I can USE it.