About Me - who am I?
Born in 1981 in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, my journey into the digital world began early. As a child, I found myself captivated by the endless possibilities of technology. My earliest memories revolve around the glow of an Atari 2600, the hum of a CRT television, and the adventures of the Starship Enterprise. Little did I know then that my fascination with science fiction and computing would become the cornerstone of my life.
As I grew older, the Atari 7800 entered my life, followed by visits to friends who owned Commodore 64s and the first Amigas. These encounters were transformative, sparking my imagination and my desire to understand how these systems worked. By the time I owned my first Amiga 600, I was fully immersed in the magic of computing.
The dawn of the PC era brought new opportunities. I witnessed and played through groundbreaking games like Wolfenstein and Quake, each a window into the future of technology. In 1996, the internet arrived at my school, and with it came my first exposure to HTML, CSS, and web browsers. These tools opened up an entirely new world, and by 1998, I co-owned my first PC—a Pentium II with 32MB of RAM. It was during this time that I first encountered Linux, specifically Suse Linux, marking the beginning of my journey into open-source software.
By 1999, I had entered the gaming scene in earnest, and with my first self-earned money, I upgraded to an Athlon Thunderbird with 700MHz and a GeForce graphics card. This was the era of Half-Life, Unreal Tournament, and Quake III Arena—games that pushed the boundaries of what was possible on consumer hardware and ignited my passion for technology even further.
After completing high school in 2000, I pursued computer studies at the University of Paderborn from 2001 to 2006. This period marked the beginning of my professional journey, as I moved to Austria to work for internet agencies, building websites using a variety of CMS systems. During this time, I deepened my Linux skills and embraced open-source software, gradually moving away from proprietary systems like Windows and even distancing myself from major players like Apple and Google.
In 2010, I returned to Germany, continuing my work with internet agencies while diving into the world of IoT devices, experimenting with Odroids and Raspberry Pis. My focus shifted toward energy-efficient computing, reflecting my commitment to sustainable technology. Docker became part of my toolkit, though I maintained a critical eye, favoring control and customization over convenience.
Today, my primary workstation is a powerhouse: a Ryzen 3950X with 32 cores and 64GB of RAM, running Hyprland as my main desktop environment. My systems are designed to handle advanced AI workloads, running in containers and virtual machines with GPU passthrough, managed by Incus. Even my laptop, with 16 cores and 64GB of RAM, is a testament to my dedication to staying on the cutting edge of technology.
As an IT expert with over 20 years of professional experience, I’ve lived the connected digital native life since 1998. My mission now is to prepare for a future shaped by AI, to help others break free from the grip of big tech, and to advocate for open-source solutions. The future belongs to those who take control of their digital lives, and I am determined to lead by example. Together, we can reclaim technology, redefine progress, and shape a future where innovation and independence go hand in hand.
Our future
As a father of three children, I am increasingly alarmed by the stranglehold that big tech firms have on our lives. It’s not just about the data they take—it’s about the time they steal. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have become digital black holes, consuming hours that could be spent connecting with the people and moments that truly matter. Meanwhile, corporations quietly siphon away our personal information, turning it into a commodity without our consent. This cannot continue. We must break free, reclaim our time, and rebuild a digital world that works for us—not against us. For the sake of our children and the generations to come, it’s time to step out of the shadow of the giants and take back control of our lives.