6.9 KiB
version, date, author, title, description, summary, quick_tips
| version | date | author | title | description | summary | quick_tips | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 2025-01-15 | DWS Foldsite Team | About Foldsite | The philosophy and story behind Foldsite | Learn why Foldsite was created and how it empowers you to reclaim your corner of the internet with simple, file-based content management. |
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About Foldsite
The Vision
Foldsite exists to make creating and hosting your own website as simple as organizing files on your computer. It's part of the broader DWS (Dubey Web Services) mission: "It's your Internet. Take it back."
In an era where social media platforms control your content and complex CMSs require constant maintenance, Foldsite offers a refreshing alternative: your website is just folders and files on your filesystem.
Why Foldsite Was Created
The Problem
Modern web development has become unnecessarily complex:
- Content Management Systems require databases, constant updates, and security patches
- Static Site Generators force you to learn specific frameworks and build processes
- Social Media Platforms own your content and can remove it at any time
- Blog Platforms lock you into their ecosystem with proprietary formats
The Solution
Foldsite strips away the complexity:
- Your content is just files - Markdown, images, PDFs - organize them however makes sense
- Your structure is your site - Folders become URLs automatically
- Templates are optional - Start with defaults, customize when you need
- No build step required - Dynamic server or export to static files
Core Principles
1. Content Ownership
Your content lives in simple text files using standard markdown format. No proprietary databases, no vendor lock-in. Take your files anywhere - they'll work with any markdown tool.
2. Convention Over Configuration
Foldsite uses sensible defaults based on file types and folder structure:
- Markdown files become pages
- Image folders become galleries
- Folder names become navigation
- No routing configuration needed
3. Progressive Enhancement
Start with the simplest possible setup:
content/
└── index.md
Add complexity only when you need it:
content/
├── index.md
├── blog/
│ └── post.md
templates/
├── base.html
└── __file.md.html
styles/
└── base.css
4. Developer Friendly
When things don't work as expected:
- Clear error messages explain what went wrong
- Debug mode shows template discovery process
- File-based structure makes troubleshooting intuitive
Who Foldsite Is For
Content Creators
Writers, photographers, artists who want to share their work without fighting with technology. Focus on creating, not configuring.
Personal Website Owners
People who want a simple blog, portfolio, or personal site without the overhead of WordPress or the limitations of site builders.
Documentation Writers
Technical writers and project maintainers who need clean, navigable documentation that mirrors their mental model.
Privacy-Conscious Individuals
Anyone who wants to control their web presence without relying on platforms that monetize user data.
Hobbyist Developers
Developers who appreciate simple, understandable tools and want to hack on their personal sites without complex build pipelines.
What Foldsite Is NOT
To set clear expectations:
- Not a CMS replacement - No admin UI for non-technical users (though an optional file manager exists)
- Not optimized for huge sites - Works best with hundreds to thousands of pages, not millions
- Not a full application framework - It renders content, doesn't handle complex application logic
- Not trying to replace everything - It's a focused tool for a specific use case
The Technology
Foldsite is built with:
- Python & Flask - Proven, stable web framework
- Jinja2 - Powerful templating with familiar syntax
- Markdown - Universal content format
- No JavaScript required - Works with JS disabled (progressive enhancement)
It can run as:
- Dynamic server - Live rendering with Python
- Static site - Export to HTML files
- Docker container - Easy deployment anywhere
The DWS Philosophy
DWS (Dubey Web Services) believes the internet should be:
Decentralized
Not controlled by a handful of mega-platforms. Everyone should be able to host their own corner of the web.
Simple
Technology should serve users, not the other way around. Complexity is often unnecessary.
Yours
You should own your content, your presentation, and your digital presence.
Open
Open source tools, open standards, open community. No lock-in, no secrets.
Use Cases
Personal Blog
Write in markdown, organize by topic or date, let Foldsite handle the rest. Built-in helpers for recent posts, tags, and related content.
Photography Portfolio
Upload images to folders, automatic EXIF extraction, thumbnail generation, and gallery views. Organize by project, date, or theme.
Documentation Site
Mirror your project structure in folders, automatic navigation and breadcrumbs, searchable content hierarchy.
Digital Garden
Non-linear, interconnected notes and thoughts. Flexible organization, easy linking between pages.
Project Showcase
Portfolio of work with custom templates per project. Mix markdown descriptions with galleries and downloads.
The Name
Foldsite = Folder + Website
Your folders become your site. Simple as that.
Community & Contribution
Foldsite is open source and welcomes contributions:
- Use it - Build your site and share what you create
- Improve it - Submit bug fixes and features
- Extend it - Create themes and templates
- Share it - Tell others about the project
See the Develop Section for contribution guidelines.
Getting Help
- Documentation - You're reading it! Check other sections for specific topics
- Examples - See Explore Foldsites for real-world sites
- Support - Visit Support for help channels
- Source Code - GitHub Repository
Future Vision
Foldsite aims to remain focused and simple while adding:
- More template helpers for common use cases
- Better performance optimization
- Enhanced developer tooling
- Growing library of themes and recipes
- Strong community of Foldsite users
The goal is never to become a monolithic CMS, but to remain a focused tool that does one thing well: turns folders into websites.
Start Building
Ready to create your own site?
It's your internet. Take it back.