Here is the most of the software i used to get my little node up and running. All free, and all will work offline when configured correctly.
Linux Mint 22.3
The Foundation: A fast, reliable, and open-source operating system that puts the user back in control. It’s the engine running on the Dell M4800 and the rest of the lab hardware without the bloat of mainstream OSs..
Docker
The Architect: This tool allows me to “containerize” every service in the lab. It keeps the software isolated, portable, and easy to back up, ensuring the network stays modular and resilient.
Nextcloud
The Private Cloud: My total replacement for Big Tech’s cloud storage. It handles my files, photos, and team collaboration entirely on my own hardware—no monthly fees, no data mining, and total privacy. Its like google workshop, but free, free from tracking, spyware, all the google crap.
Its a company who’s into Digital Sovereignty and are people friendly.
They offer their software, for free, to download and run on your machine. this is nice product, with app bundles from enterprise, to home education, and even some cool apps for the poly/cohabitation situations, apps like copay, which tracks house bills and how much each person owes for what. group folders, calendars, and an office suite you can collab on.
They even have apps to help you manage your social apps.
Webui
The AI Interface: A clean, local interface for interacting with Large Language Models. It connects directly to my local AI engine, providing a ChatGPT-like experience that never sends a single prompt to an external server.
Ollama
The Local Brain: The backend powerhouse that runs AI models locally on my hardware. It’s what makes “offline AI” possible, allowing for private brainstorming and technical assistance without an internet connection.
Kiwix
The Offline Vault: A library for the end of the world. It stores massive archives like Wikipedia and iFixit as local files, ensuring critical knowledge is accessible even if the internet goes dark.