Today's Deep-Dive: Cloudron

Hey everyone and welcome back. Today we're diving into something a little different.

It's called Clodron. And you guys have sent over a ton of information on this

articles, documentation, even comparisons to the Fediverse. Yeah. So clearly this

is more than just another app or software. It seems like a whole different

way of thinking about the internet. Absolutely. And you've hit the nail on

the head with that Fediverse mention, but we can circle back to that. For now,

think about this. Remember the days before app stores? I'm talking about when

you had to like hunt down apps on a weird website. Oh yeah, and then try to

install them and hope they didn't like break your phone. Exactly. It was the

Wild West and then boom, Apple comes along with the app store. Right. And

suddenly everything's centralized, easy to find, easy to update. Exactly. Clodron

wants to be the app store, but for your own server. Okay, so for someone who's

maybe afraid of the word server, because it sounds really technical, what are we

really talking about here? So in a nutshell, Clodron lets you install and

manage all sorts of web apps, but on your terms. We're talking about stuff you

probably use every day, like WordPress. Maybe you want to host your own blog.

Right. Or GitLab for your code or even rocket.chat for team communication. Okay.

All these things usually live in the cloud, hosted by someone else, but with

Clodron they live on your server. So I become my own Google, but cooler. More or

less, yeah. You're the captain now. You decide what apps are on your server, how

they're configured. You even get to manage who has access. Okay, I'm liking the

sound of captain listener name here, but let's break this down because I think a

lot of people, myself included, hear self-hosting and think, oh that's way too

technical for me. I can barely set up my Wi-Fi router. Totally understandable and

to be fair, running a server the traditional way can be a real pain. Right.

But that's where Clodron tries to be different. It handles a lot of the

complicated stuff for you, like the initial setup, the security updates, even

backups. So it's kind of like the difference between, I don't know, building

a house from scratch versus buying a prefab one. Yeah, that's a great analogy.

You still get a house, you can still customize it, but you don't have to be a

master builder to get started. Okay, I'm intrigued, but before we go any further, I

need a reality check for myself and for our listeners who might be thinking, this

all sounds great, but why should I even care? Right, why rock the boat, right?

Exactly. Everyone uses Google, everyone's on social media, why switch things up?

That's the million dollar question, isn't it? And I think it boils down to this. How

comfortable are you with your data being in someone else's hands? Okay, so we're

talking about data privacy here. Exactly, and control. Okay. When you rely on big

companies for everything, you're essentially trusting them with your

emails, your photos, your entire digital life. Right, and we all know how careful

those companies are with our data. And look, I'm not saying every big tech

company is out to get you, but the reality is they have different priorities.

Yeah. Their business model relies on collecting and analyzing your data. Okay,

so with Cloudran, I'm taking back control, becoming the master of my own data

destiny. Exactly. You're no longer a product, you're the customer, and you get

to set the rules. I'm liking where this is going, but I have a feeling this is

just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Cloudran and what it can do. Oh,

absolutely. We've just scratched the surface. Okay, so for our listeners who

are already hooked and want to dive deeper, where should they go? Well, the

Cloudran website is a great place to start. They've got tons of information,

documentation, and even a live demo you can play with. Perfect, and be sure to

check out the show notes for links to all of that. Absolutely, and we'd love to

hear your thoughts on this. Is self-hosting something you've considered

before? What are your biggest concerns? Hit us up on social media and let's keep

the conversation going. Definitely, we want to hear from you. Now, before we get

completely sidetracked by the ethical implications of data privacy, let's bring

things back down to earth for a bit and talk about what you actually get with

Cloudran. What are some concrete examples of apps I could run on this thing? Oh,

there are tons, and that's actually one of the things that surprised me the most

when I first started looking into this. Okay. It's not just about the big-name

apps, you know, like your WordPress or your Nextcloud. There's a whole world of

open-source software out there that most people have never even heard of, and

Cloudran makes it dead simple to install and manage. Okay, so paint me a picture.

What would my digital life look like if I went all in on Cloudran? Give me the

highlight reel. All right, so let's say you're a productivity junkie, you live and

breathe, to-do lists, calendars, all that jazz. Okay, I resemble that remark. Well,

with Cloudran, you can say goodbye to those pesky monthly subscriptions for

Asana or Trello. Really? Oh yeah, there's a fantastic open source alternative called

Taiga. It's like Asana, but way more customizable, and it runs flawlessly on

Cloudran. Okay, so I'm already saving money. Exactly, but it's more than just

the cost savings. It's about owning your workflow. Okay. Your data isn't being

bounced around different servers, analyzed, and monetized. Right, right. It's

all right there on my own little Cloudran server. Precisely, and if you're

a freelancer or a small business owner, you know how crucial invoicing can be.

Absolutely, a necessary evil. Well, say hello to Invoice Ninja, another fantastic

open-source app that lives happily on Cloudran. Okay, so I'm managing projects,

sending invoices. What else can this magical Cloudran do? Let's talk about fun

stuff, you know, like streaming movies and music, because who doesn't love a good

movie night? Right, but I thought we were trying to get away from relying on big

companies and now you're talking about streaming services. Uh-huh, but that's the

beauty of Cloudran. You can actually host your own streaming service with an app

called Jellyfin. Wait, seriously? Yeah, you basically point Jellyfin at your

media library, whether it's on an external hard drive or even just a folder

on your computer, and it creates this beautiful Netflix-like interface that

you can access from anywhere. So I'm in control of the content, I'm in control of

the quality, and best of all, no ads. Exactly, it's like having your own

personal Netflix but curated by you for you. Okay, I'm sold. Yeah. But I have to

ask, what about the technical stuff? I'm not exactly a server wizard. And that's

okay. That's what makes Cloudran so compelling. Okay. It's designed with us,

the non-server wizards in mind. Okay, because every time I've ever even

thought about setting up my own server, it felt like I needed an engineering

degree. And that's the old way of thinking about it. Cloudran takes care of

the heavy lifting, the complicated configurations, the security updates, all

that jazz. So it's like having a personal IT department on call 24-7. Pretty much,

yeah. And this is where we start to see the real power of Cloudran. It's not just

about running a few apps, it's about shifting your entire mindset. Okay. How so?

Well, when you start self-hosting, you start to question everything. Like what?

Like, why am I giving all my data to these giant corporations? Why am I

limited by their features and their rules? Right, right. It's about taking back

control, becoming more than just a passive consumer of technology. Exactly.

And that's a powerful thing, and it's something that we believe more people

should be aware of. Absolutely. So we've talked about the benefits of self-hosting,

the ease of use of Cloudran, but let's be real, there has to be a catch, right? What

are the downsides? Of course, there are always trade-offs, and I think the

biggest one with Cloudran is that it's not free. Okay. How much are we talking?

It depends on the plan you choose, but it's generally a few dollars a month,

which isn't bad considering you're essentially getting your own little slice

of the internet. Right, and compared to the cost of multiple sauce subscriptions,

it might even save you money in the long run. Exactly, and for that price, you're

not just getting the software, you're getting peace of mind knowing that your

data is secure and that you're not beholden to some giant corporation. Okay,

that makes sense, but what about the learning curve? You mentioned it earlier.

Is it really that easy to use? That's a fair question, and honestly it depends on

your level of technical expertise. Okay. If you're comfortable with basic command

line stuff, you'll be up and running in no time, but even if you're not, the

cloudron community is incredibly helpful. There are tons of tutorials, forums, and

even a dedicated support team. So it's not exactly plug-and-play, but it's also

not rocket science. Precisely, and once you get the hang of it, it's actually

quite empowering. Okay, I'm starting to see the appeal here, but I have to admit

I'm still a little bit intimidated by the whole server thing. I hear you. It's

definitely a different way of thinking about technology, but that's what makes

it so exciting. Okay, I'm willing to keep an open mind, but before we get too far

ahead of ourselves, let's take a step back and address something you mentioned

earlier, the Fediverse. Ah yes, the Fediverse. We could spend an entire episode just

talking about that, but in the context of cloudron, it's important to

understand that cloudron isn't just about self-hosting, it's about joining a

movement. A movement towards what? A movement towards a more decentralized

internet, one where users have more control, more privacy, and more freedom.

Okay, I'm listening. So the Fediverse is essentially a network of interconnected

servers, each running different software, but all communicating with each other.

Okay. Think of it like email. You can send an email from your Gmail account to

someone with a Yahoo account. Right. Even though you're using different

providers, the underlying protocol allows you to communicate. Okay, I get it. The

Fediverse works in a similar way. You can have your own Cloudran server running

your own apps. Yeah. But you can also connect and interact with other people on

the Fediverse who are running their own servers. So it's like this whole

interconnected world of independent servers all talking to each other.

Exactly. And that's what makes it so powerful. It's a decentralized

alternative to the walled gardens of Facebook and Twitter. Okay, now it's

starting to click. So Cloudran isn't just about escaping the clutches of big tech.

It's about building something new, something better. Exactly. It's about

taking back control not just of your data but of the entire online experience. I

like the sound of that. But before we dive headfirst into the Fediverse and

all its implications, let's take a quick break. Sounds good. We'll be right back

after these messages. Don't go anywhere. Alright, so we're back and we're trying

to wrap our heads around this whole Cloudran thing. It sounds amazing in

theory, but I think I need a little more convincing. Okay, I'm listening. What are

your biggest concerns? Well, for starters, let's talk about convenience. Sure. I

mean, Google's not perfect, but they make things pretty darn easy. True. They've

definitely mastered the art of user experience. Right, so why would I want to

give up that simplicity, that ease of use to manage my own server? It just seems

like a lot of work. You're not wrong. There's definitely a trade-off there and

I think it all comes down to your priorities. Okay, how so? Well, are you

comfortable with the trade-off that Google and others like them offer? Which

is convenience for your data. Right, because they're not offering these

services out of the goodness of their hearts. Exactly, they're in the business

of data collection and targeted advertising. Okay, so with Cloudran, I'm

essentially taking back control of my data saying, hey, this is my information

and I'm not gonna just hand it over without a second thought. Precisely. You

become the curator of your own digital life. I like that, but what about the

argument that these companies need our data to improve their services, you know,

to make things better for everyone? Sure, there's some truth to that. Data can be

used for good, but the question is at what cost and who gets to decide? That's

a good point because right now it feels like we, the users, don't really have a

say in how our data is being used. Exactly, and that's where Cloudran and

the whole self-hosting movement come in. It's about shifting the balance of power.

Okay, so less big brother, more individual empowerment. Exactly, you're

no longer a data point, you're a person with agency and control over your own

digital destiny. I like the way that sounds, but let's be real, there's still

the issue of security. A valid concern going. Because, let's face it, I'm not a

security expert, I can barely remember my own passwords. Sure, most of us aren't

security experts, and that's okay. But if I'm running my own server, doesn't that

make me more vulnerable to hackers and data breaches? It's a common

misconception, but not necessarily true, and this is where Cloud Run really

shines. Okay, tell me more. Remember how we talked about Cloud Run handling a lot

of the technical stuff for you? Right, like the setup, the updates, all that.

Exactly. Well, that includes security too. Okay, how so? So, for starters, Cloud Run

is built on Debian Linux, which is known for its robust security. Okay, but

that doesn't mean it's foolproof, right? Of course not, but Cloud Run takes it a

step further by automatically keeping all your apps up-to-date, including

security patches. So I don't have to worry about manually and starring updates

every time there's a new security vulnerability. Exactly. Cloud Run takes

care of that for you behind the scenes. Okay, that's reassuring, but what about

things like firewalls and two-factor authentication? Are those complicated to

set up with Cloud Run? Not at all. Cloud Run has a really user-friendly interface

for managing all of that. So even someone like me who's not exactly a tech whiz

can set up a secure server? Absolutely. Cloud Run makes it so much easier than

you might think. Oh, I'm starting to feel a little more confident about this whole

self-hosting thing, but what about the social aspect? What do you mean? Well, so

much of the internet today is about connecting with others, sharing

experiences, building communities. Can I still do that if I'm self-hosting

with Cloud Run? Or am I gonna be this isolated island in the vast ocean of the

internet? That's a great question and it brings us back to something we touched

on earlier. Federation. Right, the whole interconnected server thing. Exactly. So

while Cloud Run lets you create your own little corner of the internet, it also

gives you the tools to connect with others on your terms. Okay, I'm listening.

Remember how we talked about email being a federated protocol? Yeah, because I can

send an email from my Gmail to your Yahoo and we're all good. Precisely. Well, the

Fediverse works in a similar way. You can have your own Cloud Run server with your

own apps, but you can also communicate and interact with other people on the

Fediverse who are running their own servers. So it's like this whole

interconnected network of independent servers all talking to each other.

Exactly, and that's what makes it so powerful. It's a decentralized

alternative to the walled gardens of Facebook and Twitter. Okay, so with Cloud

Run, I can still be social, still be part of a community, but on my own terms.

Exactly, you're not limited by the algorithms or the rules of any one

platform. This is definitely a lot to wrap my head around, but I'm starting to

see the appeal. It's a paradigm shift, no doubt about it. It sounds like Cloud Run

is about more than just technology, it's about a different way of thinking about

the internet. Absolutely, it's about empowerment, ownership, and the freedom to

create the online experience you want. Okay, I'm intrigued, but before we get too

far ahead of ourselves, I think it's time to bring things back down to earth a bit.

Sounds good. For all our listeners who are now thinking, okay, this Cloud Run

thing sounds amazing, but how do I actually use it? What are some concrete

examples of what I could do with this platform? Oh, there are tons. It's really

only limited by your imagination, but let's start with some practical examples

that might resonate with our listeners. Alright, so let's get practical. What are

some real-world examples of Cloud Run in action? Let's say you're the ultimate

productivity guru. Okay. You live and breathe by your to-do lists and project

management apps. Guilty as charged. Well, kiss those monthly Asana subscriptions

goodbye. Cloud Run's got you covered with Taiga. Taiga? Yeah, it's like the open

source cousin of Asana, super powerful, but you host it yourself. So I'm saving

money and I'm in control of my data. Exactly. No more wondering where your

tasks are floating around in the cloud. Okay, I'm liking this already, but what

about invoicing? I'm always scrambling to keep track of invoices and payments.

Cloud Run's got your back. Check out Invoice Ninja, another fantastic open

source app that integrates seamlessly. So I could ditch the expensive accounting

software and keep everything under my own roof. You got it. And here's the best

part. Since Cloud Run handles the security, you can rest easy knowing your

financial data is safe and sound. Okay, this is starting to sound too good to be

true. What's the catch? Honestly, there isn't a major catch. It's more about

making sure Cloud Run aligns with your needs and your comfort level. Okay, so

what do I need to consider? Well, first and foremost, are you comfortable with a

little bit of a learning curve? How much are we talking? Cloud Run has done a

great job of making things user-friendly, but it's still a step up from using a

pre-configured service. So I might need to get my hands a little dirty, learn

some new tricks. Exactly, think of it like this. You're trading in the convenience

of a rental for the freedom and flexibility of owning your own home. Okay,

that makes sense, so I need to be prepared to invest some time and effort.

Precisely, but the payoff is huge. You're no longer limited by the rules and

restrictions of someone else's platform. Right, right, it's about taking back

control. Exactly, and that's a powerful feeling, especially in today's digital

landscape. Okay, I'm convinced, but let's circle back to something we briefly

touched upon earlier, the Fediverse. Ah, yes, the Fediverse. It's like the holy

grail of decentralized internet. Okay, break it down for me. What's the

connection between Cloudran and the Fediverse? So imagine a world where you

can run your own social media platform, your own chat service, your own

everything. Okay, that sounds pretty utopian. It's not as far-fetched as you

might think. The Fediverse is all about interconnected, decentralized services,

and Cloudran plays a key role in making this vision a reality. How so? Well,

Cloudran makes it incredibly easy to install and manage apps that are

compatible with the Fediverse. Things like Mastodon for social networking, or

PixelFed for photo sharing. Okay, so instead of being stuck in the walled

gardens of Facebook and Instagram. Exactly, you can join a network of

interconnected communities all owned and operated by the users themselves. That

sounds amazing, but is it really realistic? I mean, can the Fediverse

really compete with the likes of Google and Facebook? That's the million dollar

question, isn't it? But here's the thing, it's not about competing on their terms.

Okay. It's about offering an alternative, a different way of thinking about online

interactions. Okay, so it's less about market share, more about a fundamental

shift in how we use the Internet. Exactly, and that's what makes Cloudran so

exciting. It's not just a piece of software, it's a gateway to a more open,

more Democrat, more user centric Internet. Okay, I'm sold, but I have a feeling this

is just the beginning of a much larger conversation. Oh, absolutely. We've barely

scratched the surface. Well, on that note, I think it's time to wrap up this deep

dive. It's been a pleasure exploring the world of Cloudran with you. Likewise, and

for our listeners, we hope you found this deep dive informative and thought

provoking. We encourage you to check out the show notes for links to all the

resources we mentioned. And as always, we'd love to hear your thoughts. Hit us

up on social media and let us know what you think about Cloudran, self-hosting,

and the future of the internet.

And stay in control.

And stay in control.