Frequently Asked Questions

What is HRConvert2?

• HRConvert2 is an open-source file conversion application designed to be run on web servers.

What is the purpose of HRConvert2?

• The purpose of HRConvert2 is to provide users with a highly flexible web server application which is capable of converting a wide variety of files into other file formats.

Why should I convert files on my own server instead of using an online or cloud service provider?

• Many users, including many organizations, are unwilling or unable to share their private files with 3rd party service providers for a variety of reasons.
• The most common reasons to host your own conversion server include privacy, security, data sharing obligations, export control restrictions, legal obligations, or personal security considerations.
• The real question you should ask is; "Why would I want to share all my files with 3rd party service providers?"

Who uses HRConvert2?

• Users who are comfortable operating linux web servers.
• Users who require or desire absolute privacy or security.
• Users who are personally familiar with the operator of an HRConvert2 server (such as a frient, a school or an employer).
• Users who are in locations where information is tightly regulated, monitored, or controlled.

Does HRConvert2 make any external connections to 3rd party servers (over any network) during operation?

• No. HRConvert2 does not make any external connections to any 3rd party servers or services during operation.
• HRConvert2 stores all required code, libraries, and resources locally on the server where HRConvert2 is installed.
• All file processing is done locally by the server. All rendering is done by the client.
• There are no Google Fonts, no analytics of any kind, no hosted libraries, no CDN hosted resources.
• HRConvert2 is a complete product that will operate even when client & server are completely isolated from the internet.

Who develops / pays for HRConvert2 development?

• Justin Grimes (@zelon88) develops HRConvert2 mostly in protest of commercial servitization, DRM, censorship, information siloing, and vendor-lock-in.
• This project will gladly accept your donations. Reach out to @zelon88 for more information.

Can I use HRConvert2 in a commercial setting?

• Yes, when you publicly share the changes you've made.
• The default license is GPLv3.
• You can buy an MIT or BSD-3 license if you need one. Reach out to @zelon88 for more information.
• With a GPLv3 license, if you use HRConvert2 commercially ANY CHANGES YOU MAKE MUST BE MADE PUBLIC.

How does HRConvert2 support so many files?

• HRConvert2 leverages a variety of dependencies installed on the server which it calls upon to perform file conversions.
• By maintaing a relatively small list of highly specialized dependencies we are able to operate a server that supports a wide variety of file formats.

Where did HRConvert2 come from?

• HonestRepair (HR) Software generally falls into one of three generations. Genesis, Valkyre, or Diablo.
• The original HRConvert was a module of the HRCloud platform, collectively dubbed the "Genesis Engine".
• HRCloud2 was the successor to HRCloud and was called the "Valkyre Engine" which had built in file conversion capabilities instead of an external module.
• HRConvert2 was born from the "Valkyre Engine" when the file conversion capabilities were separated into their own independent application.
• HRCloud2 / Valkyre development tapered off as popularity waned, but HRConvert2 continued to receive updates as the community was still active.
• Between 2021 and 2022 the "Valkyre Engine" was supersceeded by prototype code for the "Diablo Engine".
• In 2022 at v2.7, all "Valkyre Engine" code in HRConvert2 is re-written to the latest "Diablo Engine" convention.
• The "Genesis Engine" is 'Spaghetti Code' that tried to be modular. In reality it was a stepping stone.
• The "Valkyre Engine" is 'Procedural Code' with an insistence on being lightweight & performant.
• The "Diablo Engine" is 'Functional Code' with an insistence on being modular, scalable, reliable, & secure.
• HRConvert2 spans 2 generations. Versions earlier than v2.7 are based on the "Valkyre Engine" while v2.7 and later are based on "Diablo Engine".