project-nomad/admin/docs/faq.md

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What is N.O.M.A.D.?

N.O.M.A.D. (Node for Offline Media, Archives, and Data) is a personal server that gives you access to knowledge, education, and AI assistance without requiring an internet connection. It runs on your own hardware, keeping your data private and accessible anytime.

Do I need internet to use N.O.M.A.D.?

No — that's the whole point. Once your content is downloaded, everything works offline. You only need internet to:

• Download new content
• Update the software
• Sync the latest versions of Wikipedia, maps, etc.

What hardware do I need?

N.O.M.A.D. is designed for capable hardware, especially if you want to use the AI features. Recommended:

• Modern multi-core CPU
• 16GB+ RAM (32GB+ for best AI performance)
• SSD storage (size depends on content — 500GB minimum, 2TB+ recommended)
• GPU recommended for faster AI responses

How much storage do I need?

It depends on what you download:

• Full Wikipedia: ~95GB
• Khan Academy courses: ~50GB
• Medical references: ~500MB
• US state maps: ~2-3GB each
• AI models: 10-40GB depending on model

Start with essentials and add more as needed.

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Content Questions

How do I add more Wikipedia content?

1. Go to Settings (hamburger menu → Settings)
2. Click ZIM Manager
3. Browse available content
4. Click Download on items you want

How do I add more educational courses?

1. Open Kolibri
2. Sign in as an admin
3. Go to Device → Channels
4. Browse and import available channels

How current is the content?

Content is as current as when it was last downloaded. Wikipedia snapshots are typically updated monthly. Check the file names or descriptions for dates.

Can I add my own files?

Currently, N.O.M.A.D. uses standard content formats (ZIM files for Kiwix, Kolibri channels for education). Custom content support may be added in future versions.

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Troubleshooting

A feature isn't loading or shows a blank page

Try these steps:

1. Wait 30 seconds — some features take time to start
2. Refresh the page (Ctrl+R or Cmd+R)
3. Go back to the Command Center and try again
4. Check Settings → System to see if the service is running
5. Try restarting the service (Stop, then Start in Apps manager)

Maps show a gray/blank area

The Maps feature requires downloaded map data. If you see a blank area:

1. Go to Settings → Maps Manager
2. Download map regions for your area
3. Wait for downloads to complete
4. Return to Maps and refresh

AI responses are slow

Local AI requires significant computing power. To improve speed:

• Close other applications on the server
• Ensure adequate cooling (overheating causes throttling)
• Consider using a smaller/faster AI model if available
• Add a GPU if your hardware supports it

"Service unavailable" or connection errors

The service might still be starting up. Wait 1-2 minutes and try again.

If the problem persists:

1. Go to Settings → Apps
2. Find the problematic service
3. Click Restart
4. Wait 30 seconds, then try again

Downloads are stuck or failing

1. Check your internet connection
2. Go to Settings and check available storage
3. If storage is full, delete unused content
4. Cancel the stuck download and try again

The server won't start

If you can't access the Command Center at all:

1. Verify the server hardware is powered on
2. Check network connectivity
3. Try accessing directly via the server's IP address
4. Check server logs if you have console access

I forgot my Kolibri password

Kolibri passwords are managed separately:

1. If you're an admin, you can reset user passwords in Kolibri's user management
2. If you forgot the admin password, you may need to reset it via command line (contact your administrator)

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Updates and Maintenance

How do I update N.O.M.A.D.?

1. Go to Settings → Check for Updates
2. If an update is available, click to install
3. The system will download updates and restart automatically
4. This typically takes 2-5 minutes

Should I update regularly?

Yes, while you have internet access. Updates include:

• Bug fixes
• New features
• Security improvements
• Performance enhancements

How do I update content (Wikipedia, etc.)?

Content updates are separate from software updates:

1. Go to Settings → ZIM Manager
2. Check for newer versions of your installed content
3. Download updated versions as needed

Tip: New Wikipedia snapshots are released approximately monthly.

What happens if an update fails?

The system is designed to recover gracefully. If an update fails:

1. The previous version should continue working
2. Try the update again later
3. Check Settings → System for error messages

Command-Line Maintenance

For advanced troubleshooting or when you can't access the web interface, N.O.M.A.D. includes helper scripts in /opt/project-nomad:

Start all services:

sudo bash /opt/project-nomad/start_nomad.sh

Stop all services:

sudo bash /opt/project-nomad/stop_nomad.sh

Update Command Center:

sudo bash /opt/project-nomad/update_nomad.sh

Note: This updates the Command Center only, not individual apps. Update apps through the web interface.

Uninstall N.O.M.A.D.:

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Crosstalk-Solutions/project-nomad/refs/heads/master/install/uninstall_nomad.sh -o uninstall_nomad.sh
sudo bash uninstall_nomad.sh

Warning: This cannot be undone. All data will be deleted.

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Privacy and Security

Is my data private?

Yes. N.O.M.A.D. runs entirely on your hardware. Your searches, AI conversations, and usage data never leave your server.

Can others access my server?

By default, N.O.M.A.D. is accessible on your local network. Anyone on the same network can access it. For public networks, consider additional security measures.

Does the AI send data anywhere?

No. The AI runs completely locally. Your conversations are not sent to any external service.

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Getting More Help

The AI can help

Try asking Open WebUI for help. The local AI can answer questions about many topics, including technical troubleshooting.

Check the documentation

You're in the docs now. Use the menu to find specific topics.

Release Notes

See what's changed in each version: Release Notes