The Nextcloud Podcast

In this chat, Simon Lindner, a software engineer at Nextcloud and the mastermind behind Nextcloud All-in-One (AIO), shares insights about simplifying self-hosting. He discusses the popularity of AIO, including how it's designed to run on various platforms using Docker. Simon highlights included services like Postgres and Redis, and talks about the importance of built-in backups and optional apps. For users hesitant about migrating, he clarifies when to use AIO versus traditional setups and offers advice on contributing to the community.

Join database legends Michael "Monty" Widenius, the mastermind behind MySQL and MariaDB, along with Anna Widenius, CEO of the MariaDB Foundation. They explore the origin of MariaDB, driven by the need for data sovereignty in the face of commercial challenges. Monty shares insights on shifting away from vendor lock-in while Anna emphasizes community growth and education. They discuss the importance of open formats for long-term data accessibility and sound the alarm on AI's centralization of power, advocating for self-hosting and controlling your own data.

Andy Scherzinger, Director of Engineering at Nextcloud, shares his inspiring journey from community contributor to leadership. He emphasizes the importance of open source values like privacy and sovereignty. Andy discusses balancing innovation with stability in development, his passion for compliance in software, and the role of community in driving change. He highlights his commitment to guiding others and the significance of ethical practices in technology. Andy's insights are invaluable for anyone interested in open source and personal growth.

Sven Thomsen is the CIO of Schleswig-Holstein, leading the charge in open source and digital sovereignty in government. He discusses the motivations behind adopting open source solutions, like cost pressures and enhancing local ecosystems. Sven shares insights on the pivotal role of Nextcloud as a collaboration hub and its integration of AI to streamline workflows, especially in meeting regulatory challenges. He emphasizes a strategy of small pilot projects for effective implementation, highlighting the value of community engagement and user feedback in this transformative journey.

Constanze Kurz, a prominent German computer scientist and activist with the Chaos Computer Club, discusses the urgent issues of mass surveillance and digital politics. She emphasizes the complacency of the public since Snowden's revelations, expressing concern over the expanding powers of intelligence agencies. The conversation explores the evolution of hacktivism, the challenges of modern investigative journalism, and the implications of predictive policing. Constanze also shares insights on necessary activism strategies and the ongoing fight against state malware.

Manuel Liesenfeld, Head of the Public Sector Division at Bechtle AG, shares insights from his extensive experience in public administration and digital technology. He discusses the rising importance of digital sovereignty in the European public sector, underscoring how it drives the need for resilient IT systems. The conversation delves into Bechtle's partnership with Nextcloud to provide open source solutions, the fast-evolving landscape of public procurement, and the promising yet cautious integration of AI in public services. Liesenfeld emphasizes a citizen-first approach in IT innovation.

Lea Gröber, a PhD student at CISPA Helmholtz Center, specializes in usable security and self-hosting motivations. In this engaging discussion, she reveals surprising insights from her studies, including the social aspects of self-hosting and the common misconception that self-hosters are more privacy-aware than the general population. Lea emphasizes the importance of understanding user behaviors in security and suggests that lowering technical barriers could enhance participation in self-hosting, making it a democratic act.

Jos Poortvliet, Director of Communications at Nextcloud and a veteran in the open source community, shares his insights on the intersection of AI and open source philosophy. He discusses ethical AI integration and how Nextcloud balances on-premise privacy with innovation. Jos emphasizes community as the backbone of Nextcloud’s success, celebrating the contributions of volunteers. He also highlights the importance of merging business strategies with community values to remain competitive against big tech.

Frank Karlitschek, founder and CEO of Nextcloud, shares his journey in open source, from early days with KDE to launching a privacy-focused alternative to Big Tech. He discusses Nextcloud's antitrust case against Microsoft, highlighting issues like bundling practices. Frank reveals how AI has transformed from a threat to an opportunity for collaboration, while emphasizing the importance of digital privacy. He also shares personal insights, including his passion for travel photography and connecting with diverse individuals.

In this discussion, Bernd Rederlechner, Principal Lead Cloud Architect at T-Systems and a veteran of Deutsche Telekom, reveals how he led the successful migration to Nextcloud for MagentaCLOUD, now serving 2.2 million users. He shares insights into the technical challenges faced, including the significant rewrite of the S3 driver for better performance. Bernd highlights the importance of collaboration with Nextcloud engineers and how open-source innovation has been critical to their success. He also discusses the future of cloud technologies and AI's role in architecture decisions.