Latest posts
- Time Machine inside a FreeBSD jailJan 28, 2026Stefano Marinelli
A guide on how to set up Time Machine inside a FreeBSD jail.
- Installing Void Linux on ZFS with Hibernation SupportDec 22, 2025Stefano Marinelli
A practical guide to installing Void Linux on an encrypted ZFS root with LUKS-encrypted swap and working hibernation support.
- Why I (still) love LinuxNov 24, 2025Stefano Marinelli
I usually publish articles about how much I love the BSDs or illumos distributions, but today I want to talk about Linux (or, better, GNU/Linux) and why, despite everything, it still holds a place in my heart.
- Static Web Hosting on the Intel N150: FreeBSD, SmartOS, NetBSD, OpenBSD and Linux ComparedNov 19, 2025Stefano Marinelli
Compare static web hosting performance on an Intel N150 using the same nginx.conf across FreeBSD jails, SmartOS zones, NetBSD, OpenBSD and Linux, focusing on HTTP vs HTTPS and TLS CPU usage.
- Self-hosting your Mastodon media with SeaweedFSNov 06, 2025Stefano Marinelli
A practical guide to boosting Mastodon performance by self-hosting your media with SeaweedFS. Configure a fast, S3-compatible storage backend to efficiently handle your instance's files and take full control of your data.
- The Email They Shouldn't Have ReadOct 08, 2025Stefano Marinelli
A real-world horror story about contracts, control, and the dark side of managed open source.
- FreeBSD vs. SmartOS: Who's Faster for Jails, Zones, and bhyve VMs?Sep 19, 2025Stefano Marinelli
Which virtualization host performs better? I put FreeBSD and SmartOS in a head-to-head showdown. The performance of Jails, Zones, and bhyve VMs surprised me, forcing a second round of tests on different hardware to find the real winner.
- Introducing the illumos Cafe: Another Cozy Corner for OS DiversityAug 18, 2025Stefano Marinelli
Introducing illumos Cafe: a community-run hub on illumos, inspired by BSD Cafe. Fediverse-ready (Mastodon, snac). Built for OS diversity, transparency, and positivity.
- Make Your Own Backup System – Part 2: Forging the FreeBSD Backup StrongholdJul 29, 2025Stefano Marinelli
Build a bulletproof backup server with FreeBSD, ZFS, and jails. Complete guide covering encryption, security hardening, and multiple backup strategies for enterprise-grade data protection.
- New Article on BSD Cafe Journal: WordPress on FreeBSD with BastilleBSDJul 21, 2025Stefano Marinelli
A new article on running WordPress on FreeBSD with BastilleBSD has been published on the BSD Cafe Journal, plus a small update on future technical content.
- Make Your Own Backup System – Part 1: Strategy Before ScriptsJul 18, 2025Stefano Marinelli
When a datacenter fire threatened 142 of my servers, my backup strategy had them back online in hours. This post shares my personal philosophy on creating a resilient system, focusing on the crucial planning that must happen before you write a single script.
- How to install FreeBSD on providers that don't support it with mfsBSDJul 02, 2025Stefano Marinelli
A practical guide to installing FreeBSD on hosting providers that don't officially support it, using the powerful mfsBSD tool for rescue mode installations.
- Vibe Coding Will Rob Us of Our FreedomJun 05, 2025Stefano Marinelli
What happens when developers stop understanding code and just trust the 'vibe'? A real case of vulnerability hidden behind 'perfect' AI code and the implications for programming's future.
- The Day GlusterFS Tried to Kill My CareerMay 21, 2025Stefano Marinelli
A GlusterFS failure during a critical client upgrade turned into a nightmare of false accusations and politics, revealing a deeper story of corruption.
- The Server That Wasn't Meant to ExistMay 13, 2025Stefano Marinelli
A story from 16 years ago - trust, tech, and a server that had to disappear. They offered me a blank check. I said no.
- Make Your Own Internet Presence with NetBSD and a 1 euro VPS – Part 1: Your BlogApr 22, 2025Stefano Marinelli
Create a personal blog with NetBSD on a 1€ VPS - efficient, secure, and completely under your control. Minimal cost, maximum performance. Because your thoughts don't need to float in someone else's cloud.
- Launching BSSG - My Journey from Dynamic CMS to Bash Static Site GeneratorApr 07, 2025Stefano Marinelli
Announcing the public release of BSSG, a Bash Static Site Generator born from a personal journey away from complex dynamic CMS. Discover a simple, portable alternative for your blog.
- OSDay 2025 - Why Choose to Use the BSDs in 2025Mar 23, 2025Stefano Marinelli
The slides, the notes, and the text behind my presentation at OSDay 2025 in Florence, Italy - 'Why Choose to Use the BSDs in 2025.
- FediMeteo: How a Tiny €4 FreeBSD VPS Became a Global Weather Service for ThousandsFeb 26, 2025Stefano Marinelli
How a simple idea turned into an international weather service on the Fediverse.
- Caching snac Proxied Media with NginxFeb 08, 2025Stefano Marinelli
Using nginx to cache proxied media in snac to improve performance and privacy