Firstly, I want to extend my appreciation for all the efforts put into making Obsidian such a powerful and versatile tool. It’s evident from the discussions above that the community highly values the ability to control their data and its storage.
I’d like to strongly advocate for a native self-hosted solution for Obsidian. While I understand that there might be complexities and challenges involved, the benefits, in my opinion, would be manifold:
Data Sovereignty: The ability to self-host ensures that users have complete control over their data. This is not just about trust; it’s about having the freedom and flexibility to manage our own data, especially in light of increasing data protection regulations globally.
Versatility: While many of us would use this feature for business purposes, as the conversations have highlighted, there are numerous use cases that stretch beyond the corporate realm. A one-size-fits-all approach might not cater to the diverse needs of the Obsidian community. Offering self-hosted solutions would allow everyone, from individual users to businesses, to tailor their Obsidian experience according to their unique needs.
Potential Revenue Stream: I, among many others, would be more than willing to pay for a native self-hosted solution, even if it carries an associated cost. This could serve as an additional revenue stream for Obsidian, ensuring that you are compensated for the effort and resources put into developing and maintaining this feature.
Reduced Server Load: As some members pointed out, allowing users to self-host could potentially reduce the load on Obsidian’s servers, leading to cost savings and improved performance for other services.
Attracting More Users: The addition of a self-hosted solution could attract a broader user base, especially those who prioritize data privacy and customization. This could further strengthen Obsidian’s position in the market.
Enhanced Trust: Offering users the choice to self-host could further solidify the trust in Obsidian. Even though the data is encrypted, having the option to manage our own data storage can add an extra layer of assurance for many users.
In conclusion, while I understand the hesitance and the potential challenges of implementing a native self-hosted solution, I genuinely believe that the benefits, both to the users and Obsidian as a platform, would be substantial. Let’s not limit this to just businesses or enterprises; every user, regardless of their intent, should have the option to choose where and how they store their data.