The Nextcloud Podcast

This episode of the Nextcloud Podcast is an exciting story from the community. And just in time before holidays, we are talking about cooking… and code. Meet Christian Wolf, a long-term Nextcloud contributor and maintainer of the famous Cookbook app! During his early coding days, Christian was trying to learn more about web applications. Seeking an app to sharpen his skills with, he came across the Cookbook app. Many years later, Christian is the main brain behind Cookbook, while the app is one of the most popular apps on Nextcloud App Store. Christian shares with us how he got into coding and open source, his work on the Cookbook app and his vision for its future, and tips for people who want to start developing for Nextcloud. Take an issue, dig into the code. You will be surprised how much you can even learn if you start reading Nextcloud core. You can understand it actually if you are into programming at all. Christian WolfNextcloud contributor and maintainer of the Cookbook app Tune in and find out: How to get into coding from scratch? What’s next for the Cookbook app? Does AI have a place in the craft of cooking? And what will Christian cook for Christmas? Check out the Cookbook app on Nextcloud App store, organize and share your favourite recipes, and give your feedback to Christian if you have ideas for improvement. And happy holiday cooking! Episode links Cookbook app in Nextcloud App store Cookbook app on GitHub Schema.org Nextcloud Community Conference Nextcloud Developer program: start developing apps today! Nextcloud Community forum The post Curiosity, cooking and code: In conversation with Christian Wolf appeared first on Nextcloud.

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.