About
Who I Am
My name is Denis Toupin and I am a DevOps engineer and a technology enthusiast deeply passionate about understanding how things work. Whether it is a CLI tool, a terminal command, a Linux kernel, a macOS system, or the fascinating internals of a Flipper Zero, I find myself constantly exploring and learning.
My interests span across the entire technology spectrum: from hardware to software, command line to cloud infrastructure, from open source projects on GitHub to decentralized social networks like Bluesky and Mastodon. I am equally comfortable diving into the depths of local AI models, exploring the capabilities of Raspberry Pi boards, or tinkering with network security and home automation solutions.
My Goal
My main goal is simple: own my digital life and technology products completely.
I do not believe in renting technology or using services where I am dependent on a company’s continued existence or good will. When a company goes bankrupt, gets acquired, or decides to shut down a service, I want my tools, data, and systems to still work. I want to be in control.
This is why I am committed to self-hosting. Whether it is running services in my homelab with Docker, Kubernetes, and open source tools, or deploying applications on my own VPS infrastructure, I am determined to host as much as possible myself. This approach ensures that:
- My data belongs to me, not some cloud provider
- My tools and services continue to work even if the original company disappears
- I have complete control over my digital ecosystem
- I understand exactly what is happening with my information and services
Beyond just self-hosting for myself, I am passionate about understanding technology and security at a deep level. This knowledge allows me to build systems that are not only functional but secure, maintainable, and future-proof. More importantly, I want to share this journey with others so they can reclaim ownership of their own digital lives.
Why This Site Exists
This site is a living documentation of my experiences, experiments, and learnings in the world of self-hosting, open source software, and technology independence. Here, you will find:
- Detailed documention of homelab projects and configurations
- Solutions to technical challenges I have encountered
- Best practices for self-hosting and securing your own infrastructure
- Explorations into emerging technologies and tools
- Real-world examples of building with open source tools
My goal is not just to document for myself, but to create a resource where others can learn from my experiences, build upon my work, and share their own insights back. Technology is best when it is collaborative and community-driven. If something I have built or documented helps you solve a problem, inspires a new project, or teaches you something valuable, I would love to hear about it.
This site is a work in progress, much like the homelab it documents. Check back often for new projects, learnings, and updates.