A Self-hosted, BSD-native Gemini Protocol Server Stack

For those who are adventurous enough to explore the non-http corners of the Internet, the Gemini protocol is a delightful experience to use. It has been around a number of years, making the biggest bang around the time when discontent with the web’s general demise started to reach current heights (so maybe around 2022).

My “capsule”, Vigilia, is self-hosted, and has been since its inception. It used to run on a disused Macbook Pro running Fedora Server, under our TV at home, but since […]

https://journal.bsd.cafe/2025/07/21/a-self-hosted-bsd-native-gemini-protocol-server-stack/

This morning's project: Play with a gemini server that supports FastCGI.

So far I've been playing with gmid ¹ and it looks pretty nice. I was able to get it up and running as a docker container on my laptop, tested protected paths and even got a couple of Python scripts to run as FastCGI with a second fcgiwrap ² container 🤓.

I am thinking about making a small bookmarks app for my bookmarks so I can add/edit them directly on the browser without having to edit and commit my bookmarks file manually. I might use a SQLite db.

A different approach would be to use Titan, but that is something I still need to figure out.

1: https://gmid.omarpolo.com/
2: https://github.com/gnosek/fcgiwrap#readme-ov-file

#GeminiProtocol #gmid #fcgiwrap #FastCGI #SelfHosted

I would now like to offer my content for the #gemini protocol. But I want to be honest, because I don't dare to install a #gmid server on my #VPS. I'm not sure how I can get it to work without breaking everything that already exists. Maybe I'll find even more helpful documentation online than what I've discovered so far.

#Linux #Debian #Server

(PS: I don't want to hear any "Docker" suggestions.)

Gerne würde ich nun meine Inhalte auch für das #gemini-Protokoll anbieten. Aber ich will ehrlich sein, denn einen #gmid-Server auf meinem #VPS zu installieren, traue ich mich nicht. Wie ich das dann zum Laufen bekomme, ohne alles bestehende kaputtzumachen, ist mir auch noch nicht klar. Vielleicht finde ich im Netz noch hilfreichere Dokumentationen, als das, was ich bisher entdeckte.

#Linux #Debian #Server

(PS: Irgendwelche "Docker"-Vorschläge will ich nicht hören.)

Dear #FreeBSD #GMID admininistrator fellows, heads up cause GMID 2.0.5 is now available as upgrade!

😉

#GeminiProtocol #SmolWeb

#gemini #smol #telescope #gmid

I've switched to using `gmid` as my gemini server (gemini://gmid.omarpolo.com/), rather than agate (https://github.com/mbrubeck/agate).

I host my gemcap on a FreeBSD VM, and for some reason, agate kept segfaulting and running out of memory.

Given that I already use the telescope-browser to read other gemini capsules, it seemed logical I should also use gmid by the same author: @op

So far... so good. The memory usage is already about 35% lower compared to agate...

@op

Next time you must also use #GMID

Thanks for the heads-up,I manually updated to 2.0.5! 🙏

@adele

I made a guide about my setup (Vultr VPS), I believe it is pretty straightforward and anyone can follow it.

Even though the setup of DNS, domain, up to the OS is shared across both HTTP and Gemini, setup Apache or Ngnix is way more complicated than my #GMID server.

Also static site generators aren't that user friendly tool, for instance Hugo was very simple at the very beginning but now is another project overly complicated.

My long awaited and overdue #pebcak #guide to make your personal #Gemini #Capsule that you can own by yourself, has been issued! 🎊

This is for all the people that like writing and sharing experience online, in a secure and safely manner, that promotes privacy and ownership of your data. 💪

This is not meant to build your IT career, please don't that if you really want pursue that path! ☣️

Gemini is the best way to manage and handle an online blog, but why? 🤷‍♂️

Because, it is:

• easy by any means
• doesn't require any skill but the willing to learn
• setup a VPS is way more easier even than a static website
• it can be read anywhere without issues, from a terminal to a mobile phone
• reading a capsule with #Lagrange is a joy for your eyes whether is the desktop or the mobile version
• page can be read even with the worst connection
• to read or prepare even old hardware is suffice, some amazing people made a client for the Amiga Computers

Some very bad person will tell you can't personalize your Capsule as web does. Don't listen to them, as a pro designer I can tell you there is anything more far from the truth, and that such ridiculous statement is a brutal falsity. 🤫

Any Capsule is different and reflect each writer personality, some capsule are amazing they way how are organized. It is incredible how very strict constraints don't stop the human being to be creative! 😍

I am not saying that all the capsules are cool, but surely I saw a lot of amazing capsules. If you won't accept this, I would tell you that 99% of the web blogs are a huge pile of crap instead, and even if you have the tools but you lack in skills you had better move on Gemini instead. 🧑‍‍‍🏫

Please, if you don't know what I am talking about, do a favor to yourself and download Lagrange:

https://gmi.skyjake.fi/lagrange/

You can learn more here:

gemini://geminiprotocol.net/

And last but not least my guide!!! 🚀

gemini://omg.pebcak.club/~freezr/gemlog/2023-10-01-pebcak-dot-club-recap-from-freebsd-bastillebsd-to-gmid.gmi

Main topics:

#FreeBSD the amazing unix-like operative system!
#BastilleBSD a great tool to handle FreeBSD jails!
#GMID the awesome software that serves my capsule!

Horraaaay!

I've finally ended drafting the #pebcak documentation about creating a #Gemini Capsule with #Vultr , #FreeBSD and #GMID!

:flan_thumbs:​

I am playing a bit with the #gemini protocol, and it is just almost there, but its so terse.

I set up a little server using #gmid and started coding, porting my homepage, and writing some pages to see what I can do. And the result is this gemini://outpost.ligthert.net/

And ngl, it just feels underwhelming. It takes a few things from markdown, it is very strict on where and when you can use this, and that is it. Text formatting, custom links, numbered lists? Nope.

OK, si le hostname de la destination est différent du hostname du vhost utilisé pour le proxy, il faut utiliser le hostname de destination.

On va tester #Gmid https://github.com/omar-polo/gmid

Qui a l'option sni hostname dans la directive proxy.

Ça sera plus simple à gérer dans mon cas… ;)

#gemini #gemserv

In case you want to build your own #gemini server, I recommend you #gmid server

https://gmid.omarpolo.com/

Mantained by Omar Polo

Hey everyone! My #gemini capsule is back online using #gmid as a replacement for #vger (inetd/relayd). It is awesome. Very #openbsd like. Nice man pages, httpd/relayd config style, pledge and unveil applied and developer is very kind and responsive. Thanks again @yumh

New Gemlog https://social.isurf.ca/display/c443a55c-1560-c62e-69f2-30e964996742