What exactly is the advantage of running something like GitLab vs what I do which is just a server with SSH and a file system? To create a new repo I do:

  ssh example.com ‘mkdir repos/my-proj.git && cd repos/my-proj.git && git init —bare .’

Then I just set my remote origin URL to example.com:repos/my-proj.git

The filesystem on example.com is backed up daily. Since I do not need to send myself pull requests for personal projects and track my own TODOs and issues via TODO.md, what exactly am I missing? I have been using GitHub for open source projects and work for years but for projects where I am the only author, why would I need a UI besides git and my code editor of choice?

▲ RamblingCTO 3 hours ago | parent | next [-]

What exactly is the advantage of running something like a restaurant vs what I do at home which is just cook it myself?

-> convenience, collaboration, mobility

▲ oooyay 3 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Collaboration and specifically collaboration with non git nerds. That's primarily what made GitHub win the VCS wars back in the day. The pull request model appealed to anyone who didn't want to learn crafting and emailing patches.

	▲	simpaticoder 2 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Yes, it's the PRs, and there is a misunderstanding I think because the OP and the GP's use-cases are quite different. Self-hosting your own repository on a remote server (and perhaps sharing it with 1 or 2 collaborators) is simple but quite different than running a public open source project that solicits contributions.

▲ gorgoiler an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

You don’t! Forges are for collaboration outside of the rhythm of git commits. You’re happy to make a new commit every time you have something to add to an issue. With X issues and Y comments a hour, polluting the git timeline with commentary is going to become unhelpful.

Some forges even include(d) instant messaging!

https://secure.phabricator.com/Z1336

▲ Etheryte 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

This is kind of like asking what the point of Dropbox is when we have rsync. Rsync is nice, but most people won't know how to use it.

▲ delusional 3 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

> why would I need a UI besides git and my code editor of choice?

If you ever find yourself wishing for a web UI as well, there's cgit[1]. It's what kernel.org uses[2].

[1]: https://git.zx2c4.com/cgit/ [2]: https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/lin...