

2.5 Admins
The Late Night Linux Family
2.5 Admins is a podcast featuring two sysadmins called Allan Jude and Jim Salter, and a producer/editor who can just about configure a Samba share called Joe Ressington. Every week we get together, talk about recent tech news, and answer some of your admin-related questions.
Episodes
Mentioned books

21 snips
Aug 21, 2025 • 24min
2.5 Admins 261: Worms and Baskets
Discover the potential dangers of relying on a single cloud provider, illustrated by a shocking AWS account deletion story. Delve into the unsettling world of AI-driven email worms that could compromise corporate security. Learn about the importance of diversified backup strategies for safer data management. Plus, explore the intricacies of optimizing storage solutions, including the advantages of RAID configurations, and enjoy a humorous take on AI-generated imagery. A riveting blend of tech insights and cautionary tales!

24 snips
Aug 14, 2025 • 27min
2.5 Admins 260: Watery Email
The hosts dive into AMD’s latest impressive mobile processors, showcasing their performance. They question the UK government's bizarre suggestion to delete old emails to save water, highlighting its unrealistic approach. Technical discussions cover setting up verified boot with snapshots and optimizing ZFS for virtual machines, providing invaluable insights. The contrast between small form factor CPUs and higher-end models reveals interesting advances in efficiency. The conversation blends tech innovation with pressing environmental issues, making for a thought-provoking experience.

27 snips
Aug 7, 2025 • 25min
2.5 Admins 259: New Web?
The hosts tackle the chaos of the current web, debating whether a new version is even feasible amid AI scraping and aggressive tracking. They discuss the challenges of fostering sustainable online communities free from advertising pressures, emphasizing moderation and community growth. Practical tips for setting up servers in unique environments, like garages filled with woodworking tools, are offered, focusing on safety and climate control. They also explore the intricacies of managing power in these setups, highlighting the need for dedicated circuits.

21 snips
Jul 31, 2025 • 24min
2.5 Admins 258: Artificial Dirtbag
Dive into the intriguing world of large language models and the fine line between anthropomorphism and skepticism. Discover the latest shifts in AI, including Grok's decision to steer clear of controversial associations. Learn how to maintain aging ZFS pools, tackle performance issues like fragmentation, and ensure data integrity. Plus, explore vital accessibility tools for visually impaired users in FreeBSD and GhostBSD, and understand the unique support challenges during installation.

14 snips
Jul 24, 2025 • 29min
2.5 Admins 257: Outage365
The podcast dives into the recent 19-hour Outlook outage, revealing the fragility of cloud services and how company culture affects accountability. It discusses the introduction of IP address certificates by Let's Encrypt, exploring their impact on security and HTTPS encryption. Insights on optimizing ZFS replication and the importance of diversity in backup systems are shared. The nuances of disaster recovery and hot spare setups are also examined, highlighting critical strategies for enhancing server resilience.

27 snips
Jul 17, 2025 • 32min
2.5 Admins 256: Why ZFS
Celebrate a milestone by diving deep into ZFS! Discover the incredible reliability and ease of management ZFS offers, enhanced by its error correction capabilities. Learn how ZFS outshines traditional RAID systems, providing superior data safety. The discussion highlights efficient ZFS snapshots for quick data retention and recovery, making backups a breeze. Explore innovative strategies for data transfer that outperform standard methods. Plus, uncover valuable community resources for all things ZFS!

24 snips
Jul 10, 2025 • 30min
2.5 Admins 255: Copyright Your Face
Microsoft faces backlash for offering Windows 10 updates in exchange for user data. Denmark's innovative move aims to protect individuals from deepfakes by granting copyright over personal features. The discussion dives into RAID technology, clarifying misconceptions and highlighting the advantages of software RAID. Finally, listeners receive valuable advice on landing a sysadmin role later in life, emphasizing the importance of experience and adaptability in today's evolving tech landscape.

21 snips
Jul 3, 2025 • 29min
2.5 Admins 254: chrudo
The hosts dive into a critical vulnerability in sudo, sparking a debate about security practices and alternatives like doas. They discuss VMware's audits on customers, emphasizing the challenges of software license compliance. Navigating firewall configurations becomes essential as they explore optimizing outbound port settings for improved security. There's a call to avoid software monocultures, reflecting on the Unix philosophy and balancing simplicity with functionality. Plus, practical insights on disaster recovery with ZFS are shared!

26 snips
Jun 26, 2025 • 28min
2.5 Admins 253: ImpossibleFS
The discussion kicks off with concerns about the future of next-gen filesystems, particularly the dominance of ZFS. They question whether we might hit a cognitive limit in managing increasingly complex systems. A deep dive into Bcachefs improvements highlights the ongoing challenges in filesystem development. The conversation also weighs the pros and cons of switching to third-party firmware for home routers, examining performance trade-offs and personal experiences with options like Fresh Tomato. Innovation and diversity in storage technology hang in the balance!

12 snips
Jun 19, 2025 • 30min
2.5 Admins 252: Nintendon’t Back Up
Nintendo's recent crackdown on Switch users runs deep, with bans for those daring to back up their games. The conversation shifts to Microsoft, revealing a shocking zero-click vulnerability in their AI software, raising serious security concerns. Tips are shared on preventing NAS hard drive wear and tear by avoiding frequent spin-downs. Finally, insights into securing self-hosted applications highlight the importance of restricted access and sandboxing. Tune in for a blend of gaming controversy and tech-savvy advice!


