I think maybe I missed something here, there are references to DIY builds that can do all of these things but I don't see where to find that information here in this thread.
However, here is what I have been able to determine upon my analysis of the Minebox cost:
2x Drives found in Minebox - $600 on Newegg -
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822179003HP Microserver found in Minebox - $430 on Newegg -
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA6ZP3JU1624Additional Memory in 4GB Ram in 16TB Model - $29 on Newegg
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148813Without shipping costs that's already $1060 and the Minebox costs $498 more for the 16TB Model.
So roughly $500 for a custom OS with warranty and continued development to do all the things mentioned above? I'm sorry but if all they are making is $500 a shot on these things, that's not a sustainable business model as they are only making about 33% profit on each device and I'm sure after you factor in their initial R&D and continued development, that profit number dwindles.
Some have indicated here that there is already an OS that does this or can do this? If so, where is the a-la-carte OS download or where is the DIY instructions?
Clearly you can DIY build the hardware cheaper than the above but my question is; if there is some unknown to me way of doing things advertised as unique to Minebox, where is this information on how this is done? I ask this because right now from everything I have found, it looks like these features are first to market.
It's well known that you can backup to the cloud, you can backup to external hard drives, and you can use 3rd party software to encrypt your local backups and backups in the cloud but where is the competing product that does it all in one bundle? Is this a DIY found in a place I haven't found or is this some sort of commercial product that can be purchased?
So far I haven't found this bundle of features available anywhere else in one package. I know of ways I could effectively create a similar solution but that solution would not be decentralized on a blockchain using SIA or a similar architecture. I'm sure given enough time I could figure out how to make that work but candidly, I don't have that kind of time to develop such a product just for myself.
Lastly, if there is a product that can purchased or DIY that I don't know about, does that same product allow you to resell your unused free space and get paid in SIA or another crypto currency the way Minebox does?
Thanks