Depends on what you mean by non-tech savvy. Also depends on what you mean by cloud.
So, the simplest way to get something close to the dropbox experience is to use syncthing. Install it like you would any other program, and set it up (lots of videos and tutorials out there if you get stuck) this will then copy the folders you specify to all your connected devices. The problem is if you don’t regularly have all your devices powered on and connected to the network at the same time then your best option is to have one machine left in a closet powered on and connected at all times so everything syncs smoothly and seamlessly.
Doing that you get a cloud of sorts without having to deal with servers in a traditional sense. It also requires no knowledge other than fairly basic computer skills.
This is cool and all, but it’s limited to file sharing, to get more advanced features you need to start learning servers.
However, there have been several projects in the last few years to make having a personal cloud easier. In no particular order: Zima OS, Open Media Vault, Hex OS, Synology OS, Casa OS, True Nas Scale, Unraid. These are all operating systems you need to install on a spare computer and leave it on all the time, but they create a website at their IP you can visit that has something like an app store where you can just add services. There are lots of videos and articles about these to help you get started.
P. S.
If you do start setting up a real server everything on it can be accessed at home without much issue, but to get it available when you aren’t at home will require you to learn a bit about networking, and probably require you to get a domain name.
P.P.S.
This whole system is easy enough for beginners to get started but becomes a deep pool of gotchas pretty quickly, be ready to learn there isn’t a good just plug and play solution currently, one problem at a time you’ll get there eventually. I have been mulling ways to make this whole thing easier for some time, eventually I suspect either myself or someone else will probably create a more plug and play project for home servers, but it’s still the perview of tinkerers for now, and likely will be for at least the next 5 years.
but to get it available when you aren’t at home will require you to learn a bit about networking
And, importantly, to learn about network security.
As soon as you open a hole in your home’s firewall and/or NAT there is the potential for a bad actor to enter through that hole, if you haven’t properly fortified it.
Other options:
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Depends on what you mean by non-tech savvy. Also depends on what you mean by cloud.
So, the simplest way to get something close to the dropbox experience is to use syncthing. Install it like you would any other program, and set it up (lots of videos and tutorials out there if you get stuck) this will then copy the folders you specify to all your connected devices. The problem is if you don’t regularly have all your devices powered on and connected to the network at the same time then your best option is to have one machine left in a closet powered on and connected at all times so everything syncs smoothly and seamlessly.
Doing that you get a cloud of sorts without having to deal with servers in a traditional sense. It also requires no knowledge other than fairly basic computer skills.
This is cool and all, but it’s limited to file sharing, to get more advanced features you need to start learning servers.
However, there have been several projects in the last few years to make having a personal cloud easier. In no particular order: Zima OS, Open Media Vault, Hex OS, Synology OS, Casa OS, True Nas Scale, Unraid. These are all operating systems you need to install on a spare computer and leave it on all the time, but they create a website at their IP you can visit that has something like an app store where you can just add services. There are lots of videos and articles about these to help you get started.
P. S. If you do start setting up a real server everything on it can be accessed at home without much issue, but to get it available when you aren’t at home will require you to learn a bit about networking, and probably require you to get a domain name.
P.P.S. This whole system is easy enough for beginners to get started but becomes a deep pool of gotchas pretty quickly, be ready to learn there isn’t a good just plug and play solution currently, one problem at a time you’ll get there eventually. I have been mulling ways to make this whole thing easier for some time, eventually I suspect either myself or someone else will probably create a more plug and play project for home servers, but it’s still the perview of tinkerers for now, and likely will be for at least the next 5 years.
And, importantly, to learn about network security.
As soon as you open a hole in your home’s firewall and/or NAT there is the potential for a bad actor to enter through that hole, if you haven’t properly fortified it.
deleted by creator