Clarify CouchDB setup options and community hosting listings

README.md

@@ -43,10 +43,12 @@ Choose a synchronisation method, prepare its server where required, then follow
 
 | Method | What you need | Nice to have | Setup guides |
 | --- | --- | --- | --- |
-| CouchDB | A CouchDB server. | — | [Set up your own server](docs/setup_own_server.md), [Docker stack](docker/README.md), or [Fly.io](docs/setup_flyio.md); then [Quick Setup](docs/quick_setup.md). |
+| CouchDB | A CouchDB server. | — | [Set up your own server](docs/setup_own_server.md), [Docker stack](docker/README.md), [Fly.io](docs/setup_flyio.md), or [IBM Cloudant (managed)](docs/setup_cloudant.md); then [Quick Setup](docs/quick_setup.md). |
 | Object Storage | An S3-compatible service or server. | — | [Object Storage Setup](docs/setup_object_storage.md). |
 | Peer-to-Peer | Nothing. | Your own signalling server. | [P2P communication model](docs/p2p.md), then [Peer-to-Peer Setup](docs/setup_p2p.md). |
 
+With your own server, you manage both the host and CouchDB; Docker is one way to deploy it. On Fly.io, you manage your CouchDB instance on hosted infrastructure. IBM Cloudant manages the database service.
+
 P2P can use the project's public signalling relay, so there is no server to provision. An optional self-hosted signalling server must be Nostr-compatible. A maintained MinIO server installation guide is not currently available here, so Object Storage users need to prepare their chosen S3-compatible service or server separately.
 
 Each workflow establishes ordinary note synchronisation on the first device, generates a Setup URI for each additional device from that working device, and verifies synchronisation in both directions. The linked hosting guides explain provider-specific setup and costs.
@@ -55,7 +57,9 @@ Each workflow establishes ordinary note synchronisation on the first device, gen
 
 For the Fly.io video walkthrough, see [automated setup](docs/setup_flyio.md#a-very-automated-setup).
 
-### Third-party managed CouchDB hosting
+<a id="third-party-managed-couchdb-hosting"></a>
+
+### Hosting services proposed by the community
 
 > [!NOTE]
 > The services below are operated by third parties. They are not official Self-hosted LiveSync services, and this project neither endorses nor recommends them. The providers proposed the listings in the table.
@@ -66,8 +70,6 @@ If you would rather not set up and maintain a server yourself, the following pro
 | --- | --- |
 | [Zenith Hosting](https://zenith.hosting/host/obsidian-livesync) | Managed CouchDB hosting. |
 
-[IBM Cloudant](docs/setup_cloudant.md) is another managed alternative, with some limitations.
-
 Your synchronisation data will reside on a server operated by the provider. Consider whether that is acceptable for your Vault, and review the provider's current terms, pricing, and data-handling policies before using the service.
 
 ## Information in the Status Bar

docs/README.md

@@ -9,9 +9,9 @@ A document's original date and reviewed-version fields describe its baseline. Re
 | Task | Start here |
 |---|---|
 | Choose a synchronisation method | [Project overview and setup workflows](../README.md#setup-workflows) |
-| Run your own CouchDB server | [Own server](setup_own_server.md), [Docker stack](../docker/README.md), or [Fly.io](setup_flyio.md) |
+| Choose a CouchDB setup | [Own server](setup_own_server.md), [Docker stack](../docker/README.md), [Fly.io](setup_flyio.md), or [IBM Cloudant (managed)](setup_cloudant.md) |
 | Configure CouchDB clients | [Quick setup](quick_setup.md) |
-| Consider third-party managed services | [Alternatives to maintaining your own server](../README.md#third-party-managed-couchdb-hosting) |
+| Find hosting services proposed by the community | [Third-party hosting listings](../README.md#hosting-services-proposed-by-the-community) |
 | Set up S3-compatible storage | [Object Storage Setup](setup_object_storage.md) |
 | Set up peer-to-peer synchronisation | [P2P communication model](p2p.md), then [Peer-to-Peer Setup](setup_p2p.md) |
 | Diagnose P2P connectivity | [Browser-assisted check](../src/apps/webpeer/README.md#p2p-connection-check), [network tips](tips/p2p-sync-tips.md), and [self-hosted TURN](../docker/coturn/README.md) |