The Vergecast
An impossible journey into self-hosting
Oct 30, 2023
Peter Van Hardenburg, a researcher at Ink&Switch, and Cory Doctorow, an author and activist, dive into the world of self-hosting and local-first software. They discuss the challenges and benefits of self-hosting applications, highlighting privacy implications and technical complexities. Doctorow emphasizes the importance of interoperability, critiquing the influence of tech giants on user autonomy. The conversation also touches on the need for user-friendly tools and the future of technology that prioritizes flexibility, ownership, and meaningful design.
53:17
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Quick takeaways
- Cloud software lacks ownership and control, while self-hosting allows individuals to maintain their own software and data.
- Self-hosting presents challenges in terms of technical complexity and the time and effort required for setup.
Deep dives
The Shift Towards Cloud Software and Its Downsides
Over the past two decades, there has been a shift towards cloud software. While there are numerous advantages to this model, such as easier user acquisition and maintenance, there are also significant downsides. Cloud software is not functional when offline, and if a software developer discontinues the service, users can lose access to their data. Despite the convenience, cloud software lacks ownership and control for users.
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