PictShare

PictShare is an open-source, self-hosted application for hosting images, videos, and text bins. It operates as a web server that allows users to upload and manage media files while maintaining full control over the data. The software is deployed via Docker and provides a RESTful API for programmatic uploads and resizing, making it suitable for users who need a private way to store and distribute assets across the web.

Users can upload various file types including JPG, PNG, MP4, and Markdown files through a web interface that supports single-click and drag-and-drop uploads. The system handles media processing on the fly, allowing for image and video modifications through URL parameters. It also includes a browser-side tracking system using localStorage to help users manage their uploaded content, providing a way to re-find, delete, or bundle files into albums without requiring a centralized user account database.

Key features

• Automatic removal of EXIF data and GPS tags from uploaded photos
• Conversion of JPG and PNG images to WebP format
• Duplicate detection to prevent multiple copies of the same file from consuming space
• Grouping of multiple uploads into immutable gallery albums
• Conversion of GIF files to MP4 format
• Support for text hosting with Markdown rendering to HTML
• Generation of identicons and placeholder images via URL
• Support for external storage backends including S3
• File management using individual and global delete codes

The application is designed to be entirely file-based, meaning it does not require a database to function. It integrates with FFmpeg for video processing, resizing, and automatic conversion of videos that are not mobile friendly or use unsupported encoders. The architecture supports a variety of audio formats, including MP3, WAV, OGG, FLAC, and M4A, and provides a built-in player for these files. It is intended for users who need a private media hosting service with integrated image manipulation tools and a modular design that is easy to debug.

PictShare serves as a lightweight, privacy-focused utility for managing and sharing media assets from a self-managed server.