Document Version Control Tool

[Noisycall]

Hi, could someone suggest a Document Version Control Tool for files that runs offline and on Linux. The functionality of the tool is ideally like that of Word or Google Docs which automatically store previous versions of the document. I have not considered VCS tools like Git for this cause it requires me to make commits which I don't want to do, basically automatic file versioning on the local machine (Bonus if I can sync it to a cloud service).

PS. It need not version an entire folder, but if it could, that would be a bonus as well

Thank you

[Kilrah]

Use a cloud service that does version control like nextcloud? Would do both in one. 

[Noisycall]

7 minutes ago, Kilrah said:

Use a cloud service that does version control like nextcloud? Would do both in one. 

The problem is that I would like it to run locally, like Git, with the option to sync to a cloud service if needed. Free by default as well with no limitations.

[Kilrah]

I run my own nextcloud instance on a server in my network so it's free, unlimited and local although not "same machine" local. It's accessible from the outside so works as "cloud" when on the move.

Might or might not be appropriate for your use case but it's a data point...

[Noisycall]

1 minute ago, Kilrah said:

I run my own nextcloud instance on a server in my network so it's free, unlimited and local although not "same machine" local. It's accessible from the outside so works as "cloud" when on the move.

Might or might not be appropriate for your use case but it's a data point...

Oh, I get it, there maybe some merit to running it on my own machine in that case, maybe in a container. How much space does the server require/ how efficient is the file versioning (does it make a full copy or does it diff) etc? Would be very helpful. Thanks

[tikker]

46 minutes ago, Noisycall said:

Free by default as well with no limitations.

Wouldn't that be nice.

 

Since you are on Linux I'm inclined to say just use git, because of two reasons. 1) most of the stuff I found isn't free 2) Linux support. It's seems to be either some cloud service like Nextcloud or needs to be integrated into the editor, like on Google Docs, which given the lackluster office suites on Linux already is simply not going to exist. I found some leads that may be interesting though: https://superuser.com/questions/368231/automatic-versioning-upon-file-change-modify-create-delete

 

If you're up for getting your hands a little dirty it gives a way to automate git to version on file changes. It also mentions Flashbake: https://github.com/cmdln/flashbake, which appears to be made for writers, uses git under the hood, but saves you from having to commit manually. No nice GUI though, but that's Linux for you typically Otherwise, maybe the solution mentioned would suit you best.

[Kilrah]

23 minutes ago, Noisycall said:

Oh, I get it, there maybe some merit to running it on my own machine in that case, maybe in a container. How much space does the server require/ how efficient is the file versioning (does it make a full copy or does it diff) etc? Would be very helpful. Thanks

On Ubuntu the server is available as a snap so it's literally one command to install, takes maybe about half a gig data not included. Versioning is full copies.

[Noisycall]

6 hours ago, tikker said:

Wouldn't that be nice.

 

Since you are on Linux I'm inclined to say just use git, because of two reasons. 1) most of the stuff I found isn't free 2) Linux support. It's seems to be either some cloud service like Nextcloud or needs to be integrated into the editor, like on Google Docs, which given the lackluster office suites on Linux already is simply not going to exist. I found some leads that may be interesting though: https://superuser.com/questions/368231/automatic-versioning-upon-file-change-modify-create-delete

 

If you're up for getting your hands a little dirty it gives a way to automate git to version on file changes. It also mentions Flashbake: https://github.com/cmdln/flashbake, which appears to be made for writers, uses git under the hood, but saves you from having to commit manually. No nice GUI though, but that's Linux for you typically Otherwise, maybe the solution mentioned would suit you best.

 

5 hours ago, Kilrah said:

On Ubuntu the server is available as a snap so it's literally one command to install, takes maybe about half a gig data not included. Versioning is full copies.

Thanks guys, will definitely look into both of these!