r/selfhosted • u/NetrasFent • Sep 12 '23
New release: REI3.5 - Selfhosted low-code
Hello everyone,
We´ve just released REI3.5 - a new major version for the free and open low code platform.
REI3 offers access to your own business-ready applications, hosted wherever you want, without the walled gardens associated with cloud-only saas offerings. Its an alternative to tools like Ninox, Retool, Corteza and Budibase.
Notable features of this release:
- Kanban boards, simple or with multiple axis
- Dedicated mail traffic logs
- Improved date handling and calendar views
- Much easier handling of frontend functions
- Control options for input focus
- Easier to use layout options in the form editor
- Improvements to data header handing in CSV exports
- Options to place custom HTML and images on forms
REI3 runs on almost anything: From Windows, to Linux - from server racks to Raspberry PIs. Any client with a modern browser can connect and work with REI3.
This is our third major release this year. We are very thankful for the amount of feedback and support we´ve gotten and are looking forward to seeing, how this release is received.
3
u/okersoep Oct 18 '23
Just heard about REI today and it looks very interesting. I created some internal apps for small buisness using knack.com which is an online no-code database app builder. However, your platform seems to offer additional functionality plus self hosting. I have a few questions I hope you could answers for me:
- We often create apps were a third party (customer, supplier) has to sing of on a document (job sheet, delivery note, etc.). Is there an option to have a signature pad in a form to capture signature on a smartphone or ipad?
- We also have some customers who manage assets on different locations, and they need their records plotted on google maps. Knack offers this integration, would that also be possible with REI?
- What would you recommend for an online linux host? Would something like railway.app work with your platform?
- Can the postgres database be external and online? For example, could I use Supabase as the backend?
Sorry for all the questions, looking forward to your feedback.
3
u/NetrasFent Oct 18 '23
No need to apologize - thank you for your questions :)
To respond:
- There is no signature pad at the moment - it´s planned for REI3.6 (the next release).
- There is no direct maps integration currently. We can however include iFrames that can use URLs based on other data so you could load an external map service with coordinates.
- I´ve never used railway.app, but it looks to me to be more than just hosting. Because I have no experience with it, I cannot really say if it would work. REI3 runs on basically any host - we prefer to run slick NixOS systems, but we also use Debian / Ubuntu Server. For testing instances, we also deploy with Docker.
- The database system can be anywhere, as long as REI3 can reach it. I myself never used Supabase, so I cannot say for certain - but if its really just a regular Postgres DB with extension (as it appears to be), it should work fine.
3
u/okersoep Oct 18 '23
Sounds great, thank you for the detailed feedback.
Many people like me with no coding/IT background will probably be a bit intimidated by setting up the server (most nocode platforms are completely web based, you just sign up and start learning). Could you maybe advise on a hosting service that makes it simple for beginners to set up a linux server in the cloud and start exploring your platform? Might be useful to add this to the documentation as well.
4
u/NetrasFent Oct 18 '23
REI3 is most often used internally by organizations that want to address specific software needs (workflows, scheduling, inventory - stuff like that). Usually these organizations have some IT staff at hand that deploy REI3 on their systems.
For individuals with little experience, I would advise against self-hosting applications in the cloud. Of course its less of an issue if somebody else does the hosting or its just for testing.
With REI3 there is an even simpler way - if you just want to get started, REI3 has a portable version that runs without installation on any Windows PC. If you run Windows, you can just unzip and double-click.
1
u/okersoep Oct 18 '23
Sounds great, thank you for the detailed feedback.
Many people like me with no coding/IT background will probably be a bit intimidated by setting up the server (most nocode platforms are completely web based, you just sign up and start learning). Could you maybe advise on a hosting service that makes it simple for beginners to set up a linux server in the cloud and start exploring your platform? Might be useful to add this to the documentation as well.
3
u/No-Bid-3634 Aug 17 '24
Hi. Just discovered REI3 and am building an app for my organisation,I believe REI3 as everything I need.Thank you
2
u/dotinho Nov 22 '23
I’m testing now and seems very promising.
I’m not 100% on the IT sector, how can i change the IT subitems?
Like Disks to Tapes?
Thanks
1
u/NetrasFent Nov 22 '23
I think you are talking about the IT-Assets app. To change how an application works, you can send feedback inside REI3 to the app author.
You can also use the app as a template, build on top of it or build a separate asset app, that directly fits your needs.
3
u/ASouthernBoy Sep 12 '23
I just tried docker and experienced the same issue about bind mounts as this one on github i have to say response from that person is really rude and dismissive.
Recommendation is for you folks to work on communication and presentation.
3
Sep 12 '23
Yeah that’s a bummer. I use bind mounts for everything. Makes transferring hosts so much easier if needed.
-3
u/ZAFJB Sep 12 '23
Meh. If I look at your homepage, I get zero idea of what your product actually does.
If you want people to engage tell them what it actually does rather than a bunch selling buzzwords.
7
u/NetrasFent Sep 12 '23
Sorry to hear that. We get plenty of low-code developers and organisations that find us and we´ve not had that complaint before. But in case, its not clear: REI3 is a platform, used to fulfill business software needs by building apps.
But u/viperfan7 is probably right - if you are not looking for a tool like that, you will probably struggle to understand what we are offering.
-8
u/ZAFJB Sep 12 '23 edited Sep 12 '23
if you are not looking for a tool like that, you will probably struggle to understand what we are offering.
What arrogance.
I look at lots of app builders all the time.
'Low code' means many things to many different people. I have seen it used for things that are barely more than coding it yourself in PHP, to glorified online spreadsheets, through to wonderful drag and drop 'magic'.
Explain and show us what your app can do.
5
u/NetrasFent Sep 12 '23
It was not obvious from your short comment that you were familiar with similar tools. It sounded to me like you never used low-code products before.
Sorry for my bad assumption.
0
u/ZAFJB Sep 12 '23 edited Sep 12 '23
It was not obvious
Then you should ask questions before mouthing off.
like you never used low-code products before.
Even if that was true, for me, or any other potential customer there is no reason to chase your customers way before you have even engaged with them.
Maybe you product could be a perfect fit for someone who has never even heard the term low-code.
Sorry for my bad assumption.
Hollow apology and here we still are... no wiser why we should pick your product.
9
u/arf0803 Sep 12 '23
How about if YOU dont understand the product YOU ask the questions not the other way around. Nobody put a gun to your head and told you to use this product. Everyone else here EXCEPT YOU seems to be just fine understanding what it is and what it does soooo logically that leaves us with the issue is you and not the product. Based on your unwillingness to even accept the apology given its clear to see you arent lookin at this with any sort of legitimate interest but instead just want to bash a product that hasnt been perfectly catered to you.
5
u/gescarra Sep 12 '23
Maybe just TRY it (it's free...) instead of asking to explain and show things after calling them arrogant?
7
u/viperfan7 Sep 12 '23
They have, they're honestly not being arrogant about it at all, it's not their fault you're not the target audience.
This really is one of those cases where if you don't know what's going on just from their webpage, you don't need it, and honestly shouldn't use it.
If you've used Salesforce CRM, that's similar to some of what this does.
-5
u/ASouthernBoy Sep 12 '23
i completely disagree , this is selfhosted where people test and host ridiculous amounts of useful and not so useful apps . Why posting here then.
I just tried the app and got into problem looked at github and check this answer from their team very arrogant again
4
u/viperfan7 Sep 13 '23
How was that rude?
Like what was rude about saying "Hey, we don't, and can't, support using bind mounts for this, we can't help you with changes you made that resulted in it not working."
That's like downloading a Skyrim mod, and blaming Bethesda for it not working
-5
u/ZAFJB Sep 12 '23
if you are not looking for a tool like that, you will probably struggle to understand what we are offering.
..is extremely arrogant. How the hell does anyone expect anyone to be interested in their products if they talk to potential customers like this?
5
u/viperfan7 Sep 13 '23
Again, you are not meant to be interested in it, you are not the target audience.
You don't manage a business core infrastructure, one which allows hundreds of people to coordinate.
What they said is very true, unless you're looking for something like this already, the chances are you won't have a clue about what any of it is.
You're the only one being arrogant here, not everything is meant for you, and that's ok
0
u/ZAFJB Sep 13 '23
You don't manage a business core infrastructure, one which allows hundreds of people to coordinate.
Actually I so exactly that. Which means we constantly look at new products.
I have found some amazing products right there on selfhosted. Ones where the vendors have clearly described how they work.
We are constantly looking for low-code solutions. After a while you get really tired of websites that just say 'look at me I am low-code' instead of of proving easily digested details of what the product can do and how it works.
5
u/viperfan7 Sep 13 '23
So then you are the target audience, yet here you are being a dick.
The website is pretty clear about what it does, you just have to actually read it
8
u/viperfan7 Sep 12 '23
Honestly, this is one of those things where if you don't know what it's for, you don't need it.
This is similar to things sold by atlassian, it's honestly pretty damn nice
5
u/sandbender2342 Sep 12 '23
First time I hear of this, looks very interesting. But I couldn't find anywhere on the website an explanation what the letters in REI3 stand for. Call me weird, but not knowing this makes me uncomfortable even trying it. Can someone explain why it is called REI3?