The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source Down the Linux rabbit hole (Friends)
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Dec 12, 2025 Alex Kretzschmar, a developer and content creator passionate about self-hosting and Linux, dives deep into the intricacies of home lab setup. He debates the pros and cons of Docker vs. Podman, reveals how he built a Kubernetes cluster, and discusses affordable offsite ZFS backups with ZFS.rent. Alex also shares insights on replacing Google Photos with self-hosted alternatives and reflects on the shifting landscape of media consumption, predicting a resurgence in piracy as streaming services fragment. It's a treasure trove for tech enthusiasts!
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Choose Containers By Tradeoffs
- Prefer Docker for usability when you want simple, reliable container workflows in a home lab.
- Use Podman when enterprise rootless security matters, but expect UID mapping and usability friction.
Leaving Google Photos For Self-Hosting
- Alex migrated off Google Photos and deleted ~250,000 images after self-hosting Image and Image Frame.
- He uses Tailscale to expose a self-hosted album to family photo frames and reclaimed data sovereignty.
Backups Move Beyond RAID
- Don’t rely on RAID alone; maintain an offsite copy of important data.
- Use ZFS replication over SSH (e.g., zrepl) with Tailscale or a remote host to mirror your pool offsite.