8:35

Ep. 13 Oct 16, 2024

Today's Deep-Dive: yousign

This episode provides a deep dive into yousign GmbH, an interactive design agency based in Berlin that is making a significant impact in the design world, especially in finance and real estate. The conversation focuses on their innovative approach to user-centered design, particularly with the Mine Project, a platform designed for real estate planning. It integrates financial planning tools and visual design features, allowing users to plan their dream homes while managing their budgets seamlessly. yousign GmbH approaches design with three key principles: strategy and concept, UX/UI design, and development. Their ability to merge these elements is demonstrated through various projects, including a virtual memorial for victims of Nazi crimes, showing sensitivity and emotional depth in their design. The agency’s portfolio also includes work on customer relationship management (CRM) systems for banks, all reflecting a focus on creating intuitive, user-friendly experiences. The discussion ends by imagining how yousign GmbH’s thoughtful, human-centered approach could revolutionize other sectors, such as healthcare, education, or government services. This philosophy highlights the potential of technology to be not only functional but also meaningful and humane. https://www.yousign.de

11:32

Ep. 12 Oct 15, 2024

Today's Deep-Dive: The early years of the Internet

This episode brings us back to the early days of the internet in Germany, exploring the lives of four digital pioneers through their online resumes from the late ’90s. Rather than offering a corporate view of the digital revolution, it provides a more personal, granular look into how these individuals built the web. Lars, who started as an electrician, transitioned to coding in the mid-’80s, eventually establishing his own company and consulting on early internet infrastructure, demonstrating the allure of the internet across various industries. Mat, with a background in design and publishing, bridged the gap between the print world and the digital realm, showing how art and technology collided. Step, a bandleader turned web developer, focused on the human aspect, emphasizing teamwork and understanding user needs as websites became more complex. Together, they formed a digital “dream team,” offering businesses a one-stop-shop for web development, e-commerce, and team-building coaching. Their combined approach illustrated how the internet wasn’t just about coding—it was a collaborative effort that required communication, creativity, and adaptability. The takeaway? While the technology has evolved, the core skills of problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability that drove the pioneers remain timeless. These stories remind us that the digital world was built by real people navigating the unknown, and that same spirit continues to shape the future. https://alabaster.de/team/

10:35

Ep. 11 Oct 14, 2024

Today's Deep-Dive: georg+georg

This episode is an in-depth analysis of the Berlin-based communications agency, Georg Plus Georg. The discussion highlights how the agency differentiates itself through a unique and authentic approach to branding and communication. Key aspects include: 1. Brand Identity: The agency’s name, “Georg Plus Georg,” symbolizes partnership and collaboration, using the founders’ shared middle name. Their tagline, “Meistered or a communication” (masters of communication), reflects both expertise and playfulness. 2. Service Range: They offer a broad range of services, including crafting communication strategies, designing logos, video production, and event management. Their projects include significant work in diverse locations, such as Ethiopia, where they engaged in documenting low-cost housing projects. 3. Clientele and Approach: The agency has worked with both major clients (like Audi, Deutsche Telekom, and MTV) and smaller entities, including political parties and indie bands. Their work is characterized by a focus on clients who push boundaries in areas like technology, sustainability, and the arts. 4. Local Engagement and Team Culture: They have a strong connection to Berlin, treating their projects as a “love letter” to the city. The agency’s team page emphasizes individuality and personal stories, celebrating the unique qualities of each team member and freelancer. This approach creates a warm and humanized company image. 5. Values and Process: Their working philosophy centers around collaboration, involving clients deeply in the creative process. They aim for solutions that are both bold and tailored to client needs, emphasizing creativity and authenticity. They have a knack for uncovering unique stories, whether in urban Berlin or in distant locales like Ethiopia. 6. Takeaway: The narrative suggests that Georg Plus Georg’s success lies not just in creative talent, but in their commitment to authenticity, community, and real connections. It serves as a model for other companies, showing the value of being true to one’s values while fostering genuine relationships. Overall, Georg Plus Georg is portrayed as an agency that blends creativity, authenticity, and a willingness to engage deeply with the communities and stories they encounter. Their approach makes them stand out in the competitive landscape of communications and branding. https://www.georgundgeorg.de/

17:00

Ep. 10 Oct 11, 2024

Today's Deep-Dive: Framework

This conversation explores the innovative approach of Framework, a company dedicated to creating sustainable and repairable laptops. The discussion covers how modern electronics contribute to a massive e-waste problem, and how Framework aims to tackle this by designing laptops with modular components that are easy to repair and upgrade. This stands in stark contrast to the prevailing industry trend of planned obsolescence, where devices are difficult to repair, encouraging consumers to buy new ones frequently. Framework’s approach centers on transparency and sustainability. They admit they are not fully sustainable yet, but they are committed to improving, offering initiatives like module reuse, refurbishing programs, and using recycled materials. They’ve partnered with companies like Running Tide, using innovative methods like kelp-based carbon sequestration to offset their emissions. The discussion emphasizes that sustainability is a journey, and Framework is leading by example, inspiring a potential shift in the tech industry. The conversation concludes by reflecting on the power of consumer choices and how supporting companies like Framework could drive industry-wide change towards more repairable, sustainable tech products. https://frame.work https://www.gesellschaft-zur-entwicklung-von-dingen.de/en/magazine/framework-laptop

8:10

Ep. 09 Oct 10, 2024

Today's Deep-Dive: Mautic

This episode is a conversational discussion about Mautic, an open-source marketing automation tool. It highlights the platform’s benefits, such as its affordability, control over data privacy, and customization potential. The speakers emphasize how Mautic allows users to track website visitors, convert them into leads, and nurture those leads through personalized campaigns based on user behavior. Mautic’s dynamic content feature, integrations with tools like WordPress and CRMs, and support from the open-source community make it a versatile option, especially for businesses focused on data ownership and ethical marketing. The conversation underscores that Mautic is designed to be user-friendly, even for those without advanced technical skills, and has strong community support for troubleshooting. Finally, the document stresses the importance of using such powerful tools responsibly to build genuine relationships with customers while respecting their privacy. https://www.mautic.org/ https://www.gesellschaft-zur-entwicklung-von-dingen.de/en/magazine/everything-your-selfhosted-marketing-automation

9:28

Ep. 08 Oct 9, 2024

Today's Deep-Dive: PeerTube

This is a conversational podcast episode that discusses PeerTube, a decentralized video platform. The hosts explore how PeerTube offers an alternative to YouTube, focusing on user control, freedom, and digital sovereignty. They explain that instead of one large platform, PeerTube operates through smaller, independent communities where creators have more autonomy over their content. The conversation touches on PeerTube’s transparency, open-source nature, and its decentralized moderation system, with each community setting its own rules. The episode emphasizes that PeerTube is not aiming to compete directly with YouTube but instead provides a different experience focused on collaboration and niche communities. The hosts also mention potential challenges, like moderation, and highlight an art project using PeerTube to bypass copyright restrictions. They conclude by encouraging listeners to explore PeerTube, emphasizing choice and control in the digital space. https://joinpeertube.org/ https://media.gzevd.de/ https://www.gesellschaft-zur-entwicklung-von-dingen.de/en

9:44

Ep. 07 Oct 8, 2024

Today's Deep-Dive: FLOSS videoconference solutions

The discussion focuses on the growing interest in open-source video conferencing solutions, emphasizing control, transparency, and customization. Open-source platforms like BigBlueButton allow users to view, modify, and share the code, ensuring data privacy and security, as seen in case studies like GzEvD’s switch to BigBlueButton for complete data control. The platform offers educational tools like breakout rooms and interactive whiteboards, enhancing participation and engagement beyond traditional video calls. The conversation contrasts different open-source platforms, from simple tools like Jitsi Meet to more complex, customizable solutions like BigBlueButton. The importance of HTML5 in modern conferencing (eliminating plugins) is highlighted, and the potential future of VR meetings is discussed, though barriers such as cost and usability remain. Lastly, the concept of RTMP streaming is explained, with tools like OBS allowing users to stream large-scale webinars seamlessly. Overall, open-source video conferencing is framed as empowering users to create tailored, flexible digital experiences. https://www.gesellschaft-zur-entwicklung-von-dingen.de/en/magazine/which-tool-which-type-videoconference https://www.gesellschaft-zur-entwicklung-von-dingen.de/en/magazine/bigbluebutton-video-conferencing https://www.gesellschaft-zur-entwicklung-von-dingen.de/en/magazine/sustainability-bigbluebutton https://bigbluebutton.org/ https://jitsi.org/

10:15

Ep. 06 Oct 7, 2024

Today's Deep-Dive: indielux

https://www.indielux.com/investieren

19:05

Ep. 05 Oct 4, 2024

Today's Deep-Dive: Cloudron

The conversation dives into Cloudron, a platform that allows users to self-host various web applications on their own servers, giving them more control over their data and privacy. The discussion compares Cloudron to the Fediverse, highlighting how it offers an alternative to centralized services like Google, Facebook, and other big tech platforms by decentralizing internet interactions and giving users ownership of their digital environment. Cloudron simplifies server management by handling tasks like setup, security updates, and backups, making it accessible even for non-technical users. The platform supports a wide range of apps, including WordPress, GitLab, Rocket.Chat, and even media streaming services like Jellyfin, empowering users to run their own infrastructure without depending on third parties. It also supports open-source tools like Taiga for project management and Invoice Ninja for invoicing, helping users save on SaaS subscriptions. The conversation touches on the concept of data privacy, control, and decentralization, emphasizing that Cloudron allows users to be more independent of large corporations that monetize their data. The Fediverse is introduced as a decentralized network of interconnected servers, allowing people to communicate and interact outside the walled gardens of social media giants. Despite the empowerment that Cloudron offers, the hosts acknowledge there’s a learning curve, but it’s not as daunting as traditional server management, with the platform designed to be user-friendly and supported by a helpful community. In summary, Cloudron represents a shift toward a more open, decentralized, and user-centric internet, empowering individuals to control their digital experiences and data without relying on big tech. https://www.cloudron.io https://www.gesellschaft-zur-entwicklung-von-dingen.de/en/magazine/costs-digital-transformation https://www.safeserver.de

8:37

Ep. 04 Oct 3, 2024

Today's Deep-Dive: Invest in indielux

https://www.indielux.com/investieren

11:44

Ep. 03 Oct 2, 2024

Today's Deep-Dive: CMS Garden

The discussion dives into the world of open source software, particularly content management systems (CMS), and their impact on government websites. Open source software operates like a “community garden,” where the code is accessible for anyone to use, modify, and improve, leading to benefits like transparency, flexibility, and cost-efficiency. Governments, such as Germany, have embraced open-source systems like Typo3 for their digital infrastructure, motivated by campaigns like Public Money, Public Code, which advocate for software funded by taxpayers to be accessible to everyone. This move enhances transparency but requires constant updates and security checks to maintain safety. Alarming statistics show that nearly 30% of websites run outdated CMS versions, leaving them vulnerable to cyber threats. CMS Garden, an open-source advocate, has been involved in advising governments and leading projects like Follow the Money, which tracks the software used by governments and its associated costs and security vulnerabilities. Their detective-like approach uses platforms like Wikidata and versionmanager.io to assess and analyze government websites. They found that 70% of government websites use open-source CMS, though many still run outdated versions. Beyond governments, the conversation explores the importance of contributing back to open-source communities, highlighting the WordPress ecosystem’s tension between WordPress.org and companies like WP Engine that benefit from open source but don’t contribute equally. The episode concludes by emphasizing that everyone can support open-source projects, whether by contributing code, improving documentation, or simply advocating for its benefits. Open source offers a promising future of collaboration and equity across various sectors, raising questions about its potential applications in healthcare, education, and beyond. https://www.cms-garden.org https://www.gesellschaft-zur-entwicklung-von-dingen.de/en/magazine/what-cms-garden

11:05

Ep. 02 Oct 1, 2024

Today's Deep-Dive: OpenCulturas

This conversation centers around OpenCulturas, a new open-source platform that’s shaking up how people engage with arts and culture. It’s designed to streamline the experience for users and make cultural discovery easier. Unlike current platforms, which often require endless scrolling through generic event listings, OpenCulturas aims to be a one-stop hub, empowering both users and cultural organizers. It offers a more personalized experience, allowing users to not only find events but also explore related content and nearby services, such as restaurants. A key feature is user-generated content, enabling cultural organizations, especially smaller ones with limited resources, to create and manage events without needing technical expertise. The platform also provides automatic landing pages and content moderation tools to ensure accuracy and prevent chaos. This allows even less tech-savvy organizers to maintain a professional online presence, promoting digital sovereignty, where they have control over their data and content. OpenCulturas’s community-driven model, where users can actively contribute to improving the platform, sets it apart from closed-source platforms. It’s continually evolving through public input, whether it’s reporting bugs, suggesting new features, or writing code. This open-source approach makes it sustainable in the long term, as it’s not dependent on a single company’s decisions or profits. The platform is already being used in places like Göttingen, Germany, where it’s supporting local cultural initiatives like the Kulturpass, aimed at engaging young adults. Overall, OpenCulturas is more than just a tool for event listings—it’s a part of a broader movement toward a collaborative, participatory approach to arts and culture, offering a glimpse into a future where cultural discovery is more accessible, personalized, and community-driven. https://www.openculturas.org https://www.gesellschaft-zur-entwicklung-von-dingen.de/en/magazine/openculturas

9:03

Ep. 01 Sep 30, 2024

Today's Deep-Dive: Gesellschaft zur Entwicklung von Dingen

The deep dive into GzEvD highlights a fascinating tech company in Germany, Gesellschaft zur Entwicklung von Dingen (GzEvD), whose mission is to develop technology that genuinely makes the world a better place. Their approach is rooted in transparency and collaboration, with a commitment to open-source software. This allows anyone to view, modify, and share their code, fostering trust and innovation. They’re pushing for accessible, user-friendly, and inclusive technology that adheres to strict standards like WCAG, ensuring it works for everyone, including people with disabilities. GzEvD’s projects cover various sectors, from art (OpenCulturas, empowering arts organizations) to government (deGov, improving government websites). They’re also leading the charge on sustainability through their “Our Better World Manifesto,” which emphasizes reducing their carbon footprint, promoting ethical business practices, and addressing environmental concerns with innovative solutions like renewable energy via solar plug-in devices. The company prioritizes data privacy and security with projects like Safeserver, and they actively work toward creating tech that benefits communities rather than just corporate profits. Their ethical, sustainable approach is a powerful reminder that technology can be both innovative and socially responsible. GzEvD serves as an inspiring model of what tech companies can achieve when they focus on positive impact over just growth and profit. https://www.gesellschaft-zur-entwicklung-von-dingen.de/en https://www.gesellschaft-zur-entwicklung-von-dingen.de/en/our-better-world-manifesto https://www.safeserver.de https://www.cowain.eu