I was in a similar boat. Initially, I ran debian with docker but later on decided to check out unraid. It’s pretty easy to get setup, and you have a lot of docker containers pre-configured, so you can just click and install. I have it notify me whenever something goes on with it, but outside of that, I don’t tinker much with it.

Only two weird things about it though…

1. You dont install unraid. Instead, you run it through a usb. More specifically, the usb has a specific config that’ll then load everything to your memory.

2. Recently, they redid their pay structure so not too familiar with the changes but you do have to pay for unraid.

Try things out. Get an old pc with some old hard drives no one will want and get to it!

Just install whatever on it and start asking yourself what you want to do with it.

I started on Ubuntu Server and ended up on Unraid. Caused alot of problems along the way but in the end I learned alot to where I dont stress too much when stuff goes south.

Also, when you truly do invest into a proper server. Consider the drives you are buying are gonna die one day. It may take years to happen but it will happen!

For syncing to multiple devices, I would recommend syncthing. Was pretty easy to set up and haven’t had any issues.

I sold phones for several years. ALOT of people have no idea how to do even the first step of what you said. The process was always sell, transfer, wipe, and turn in. Transfer would require a passcode many times while going through the process, and customers would often tell you it to make the process easier. From young to old, they all need help doing that “easiest” thing.

I honestly thought I was just having bad luck with Firefox. Whenever it occurs, I take the link and throw it into freetube.