Alex Kretzschmar

I like computers and stuff. Head of DevRel @Tailscale.

Public Key

npub1mvjc52ea8hdwqrzmsxwtaanqc80p2fwvsmvkn2s4zlw300msznpsy6jlw0

NIP-05 Address

ironicbadger_at_techhub.social@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsdkfv29v7nmkhqp3dcr8977esvrhs4yhxgdktf4g230hghhacpfscpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dsk9py2r

Publishing to

relay.damus.io

nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub1mvjc52ea8hdwqrzmsxwtaanqc80p2fwvsmvkn2s4zlw300msznpsy6jlw0

Show more details

Last Notes

2025-09-22 02:53:42 UTC

iperf3 showing me a ton of retries only on TX.
I have replaced the cable twice, the sfp/rj45 converter and booted into a different OS (to rule out kernel drivers as it’s an i226 NIC). Speeds are about 20-30% less than I would expect on a 2.5gbe NIC.
It’s an onboard mobo NIC. Safe to assume at this point that NIC is the culprit?

2025-09-21 18:41:33 UTC

Apps get exactly one chance to spam me with marketing offers via push notification before the app is either deleted or completely silenced.

2025-09-12 22:52:52 UTC

you know when you end up answering the same question multiple times? for me that's a good indication it's time to write a piece of documentation to answer it - or a blog post.
https://blog.ktz.me/my-terminal-and-editor-theming/

2025-09-11 03:17:47 UTC

Arch really is my forever Linux BFF. I’ve been a user for over 15 years now and it just does what it needs to year in year out. Simplicity meets function so perfectly.
Yeah I even named my dog Archie after it.

2025-09-04 13:59:44 UTC

- reply

i genuinely think I should start pushing for the Tailscale tagline to be “it doesnt matter where anything is anymore”

2025-08-27 12:46:03 UTC

In the last few months I have paid off several loans. And my credit score? It's dropped 60 points. SIXTY!

2025-08-23 01:12:54 UTC

#proxmox “Keep the host clean”
Also #proxmox “yeah btw q35 pci passthrough is broken atm. lol sorry”
v9 has really made me think about looking elsewhere for something like it. theres a lot it gets right but v9 is proving hard to love as the project (probably unsurprisingly given the vmware stuff) is lurching towards enterprises.
i have literally run proxmox almost non stop since 8 years everywhere. perhaps i should give it a break and chill and also not upgrade to .0 on “pseudo prod” homelab machines.

2025-08-19 18:32:19 UTC

"one ticket to London please"
we just found a Copperhead (very dangerous and poisonous snake) nest 4ft from our back door under a tarp. We counted 6 in person. NOOOOOOOPE.
1 big, 1 mid, 4 babies.
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/115/056/858/595/700/915/original/aba18abb0c7b2559.jpeg

2025-08-17 02:54:46 UTC

Two entire drawers worth of hanging files digitized today into paperless-ngx.
What. a. slog. But it is done.
Vital we had access to certain documents over the next 6 months but also vital we dont have to worry about their physical location anymore. Tagging done with a local AI model too.
Paperless isnt perfect. But it’s pretty darned great.

2025-08-09 03:32:28 UTC

My dog just fell off the sofa and woke himself up in the process. He then proceeded to look at me like it was my fault.

2025-08-09 02:40:43 UTC

Giving zrepl a spin tonight.
Boy howdy does it make sanoid and syncoid look simple (theres a compliment in there I think)

2025-08-01 01:27:42 UTC

- reply

but sometimes you do though

2025-07-30 23:29:31 UTC

I cannot back this assertion up with empirical data but macOS feels slow these days.
I feel less and less in control of what the machine under my fingers is doing. Despite using the ultra fast, ultra powerful Apple Silicon chips, the prevailing feeling I get whilst using the mac these days is that it's just sluggish.
I has me itching to find a viable Linux based desktop solution. If only I wasn't married to Final Cut and Adobe for $dayjob. Perhaps a Windows system? No that sucks too, but for entirely different, more insidious privacy reasons.
#apple #macos #slow #sluggish

2025-07-29 22:13:02 UTC

- reply

i5 13600k for the main nas.
lenovo is an i5 8400t iirc! not super powerful but really plenty of power for a few self hosted apps.

2025-07-29 20:26:03 UTC

- reply

i am trying to imagine a successful podcast where every episode is “yup. its still working everyone. see you next time!”
i do technically have a dedicated tailscale homelab box with a single dell 1L in its own vlan. which i suppose leads me to another conclusion that separating church and state (personal “prod” from what is ostensibly a demo environment) is absolutely essential for stability and sanity.

2025-07-29 17:03:25 UTC

Over the last 2 months we have systemically dismantled and sold most of our life.
If feels FANTASTIC.
The lack of stuff is so liberating. The simplicity of server setups is a pure joy after doing the podcast for 6 years I just kept adding more and more.
But now I am down to one big file server with 150TB and a SFF Lenovo system as the core services app node. That's it!
It is so wonderfully simple to maintain. No complicated clustering. No big energy bill. So this is me admitting, perhaps, that I am guilty of overbuilding solutions in the past. In the next phase of life I am determined not to repeat these "mistakes". #selfhosting

2025-07-28 01:17:48 UTC

- reply

i think this is about 70% of what we are taking. but yeah… its been a rampage of a clearout.

2025-07-27 19:33:49 UTC

Fake ship container outlined in the former workshop - now garage - the end is in sight at last. #alexit
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/114/926/867/324/787/946/original/8fd4a24b09e447e1.jpeg

2025-07-27 03:17:26 UTC

I think Gleba has been the most rewarding and yet frustrating part of #factorio space age.
Just as you get a solid system in place, the locals get shirty. Or you need to scale up mash or jelly and then run out of seeds lol. 😂
I both absolutely love and hate it in equal measure. Its a masterpiece of game design forcing you to play the same game, with the same tools in a completely different way and yet, its still Factorio.

2025-07-26 23:33:36 UTC

- reply

ok but dumb question given that pihole is just dnsmasq really... why both?

2025-07-26 03:24:29 UTC

Smallest energy using thing that will run 24/7 specifically only for DNS. Adguard Home in HA or something for redundancy.
An SBC? But which one?
Gigabit ethernet and ideally usb boot as a minimum.
I have an older pi4 and think I may just go that route?

2025-07-24 19:40:04 UTC

UGH - whyyyyyyy do you have to enter a flipping password to download a free app from the Apple app store. it's so dumb.

2025-07-23 12:57:17 UTC

I was just ridiculed by an American for saying Beans on Toast is a delicacy.
I agree its not the same when a tin costs $4 and the bread is made of sugar.
Cannot wait to make myself a Warburtons and Beans on Toast for lunch.

2025-07-22 12:25:37 UTC

- reply

oh this needs a nsfw label.
that built in 10gbe though.

2025-06-03 11:52:00 UTC

Is Authentik worth the effort?

2025-04-29 13:21:27 UTC

- reply

so what's my alternative? because this isn't the first time.

2025-04-29 13:19:28 UTC

How can a package with failing tests make it stable? And a package as crucial as NodeJS at that? Really makes you wonder who is steering the ship at #nixos
https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/issues/402079#issuecomment-2838278903

2025-04-28 11:46:54 UTC

Special edition merch to commemorate Self-Hosted’s run. All the episode titles included (so far!).
Available as a shirt, mug or “Dad hat” over at https://jupitergarage.com
#selfhosted
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/114/415/423/362/614/688/original/db444fdf958097e6.png

2025-04-23 03:04:00 UTC

Part 1 of a massive new video series I've been working really hard on behind the scenes for the last few weeks.
100% open source. 100% free (as in beer and cost).
Join me on the journey to build the Perfect Media Server.
https://youtu.be/Yt67zz9p0FU
#selfhosting #mediaserver #homeinfra #mergerfs #snapraid #docker

2025-03-19 17:23:03 UTC

Plex are at it again! What will it take to get you to switch to #jellyfin? #plex
https://youtu.be/pt-dSeCUQI0

2025-02-23 01:36:56 UTC

- reply

it's a wild west out there for ethics in terms of shamelessly stealing others content to feed the AI brains.

2025-02-23 01:20:25 UTC

Thanks to my good friend Claude, I finally got this working a mere 10 months after the system was built! #nixos
#mediaserver
https://blog.ktz.me/how-to-enable-intel-quicksync-on-nixos-with-a-supermicro-x13sae-f-and-an-intel-i5-13600k-2/

2025-02-18 00:49:18 UTC

be honest. how many times have you mistaken a blanket on the couch as your dog?

2025-02-05 22:46:17 UTC

Back Bacon (British style) is very hard to come by here.
This pan brings me intense joy.
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/113/953/706/698/519/955/original/d9f25151089feaf8.jpeg

2025-01-26 12:45:17 UTC

Yesterday’s life box ticked that wasn’t even on the list…
✅ Drive an F-150 through Times Square

2024-11-29 12:51:05 UTC

- reply

it is pricey yeah, no way around it. Investment? lol

2024-11-29 05:25:22 UTC

My first ever desktop chip from AMD. I’ve been building PCs ever since my 13th birthday. Never bought a prebuilt (unless you count a MacBook, but I don’t).
Building computers is possibly my longest running hobby. And long may it continue. But throughout that entire journey I’ve always, always gone Intel.
But the state of the latest generation - power hungry and hot - coupled to how they handled the 13th gen recalls. For a desktop system (I.e one that doesn’t need quicksync), AM5 is the way to go.
Hopefully a 5+ year lifespan for the socket as we have seen with AM4. And absolutely chart topping performance for a fraction of the power Intel uses? What’s not to like?
I built a system around the 7800x3d (no 9800x3d stock) and an x870e proart motherboard from Asus with built in 10g saving me a pcie slot.
#pc
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/113/564/576/576/746/502/original/269fb7b987d0e451.jpeg

2024-11-25 14:38:51 UTC

- reply

I’m not into the “for gamers” crap either

2024-11-25 01:10:07 UTC

It is time. My i7 8700k gaming chip cannot cope with late game Factorio. It has served me well - 7 years next month! But it is time.
An AM5 based system is my wish. If a 9950x3d existed I'd have that. As is, I'm going to get a more modest chip and wait for that one to come out and upgrade later.
Recommendations for motherboards? And which AM5 chip as a do-it-all workstation workhorse? Anything will be a huge upgrade so I don't think I want a "gaming focused" current x3d chip.

2024-09-17 23:17:36 UTC

Can you multi thread zfs replications?
I can achieve full line speed with iperf and 16 threads but zfs replications are running slower as they are single threaded.

2024-09-10 02:08:27 UTC

Holy cow I just realized 6 years ago today, I emigrated. Maybe I should write about that.

2024-09-05 12:13:11 UTC

- reply

fiber fiber fiber.

2024-09-05 12:08:23 UTC

- reply

in the fall when we don’t roast ourselves? I’m serious btw

2024-09-05 02:54:51 UTC

I’m officially a Milwaukee packout fanboy now. But only because I can customize it with #3dprinting
2024 is the year I bring order to the chaos of my tools and hobbies. Here’s my networking crimping box (debating whether to go full on custom for the crimpers or not).
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/113/082/688/311/241/957/original/8c5d55510e0916fe.jpeg

2024-08-31 12:13:58 UTC

Fiber install canceled by ATT with only a few hours notice.
Now rescheduled for 9/17 :/

2024-08-29 02:21:37 UTC

In Canada playing with servers with my buddies!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CZad9Qjfxo

2024-08-26 02:40:00 UTC

man down! UK backup server is dead.
IPMI responds but system will not power on. several critical voltages appear to be null. darn.

2024-08-25 03:30:31 UTC

I upgraded my Prusa mk3s+ to a mk3.5 this week. It’s a totally different machine now.
With a 0.6mm nozzle it outruns my bambu X1c on most prints (mainly functional stuff like gridfinity and other stuff like that I.e. not fine detail).
The 32bit processor upgrade has totally transformed every aspect of the experience. The bed leveling is insanely good now. It’s fast. It’s quieter I swear (same stepper motors as before, same entire extruder setup as before).
Well done #prusa you’ve really stepped up and met the competition head on.
Now give me a core xy enclosed machine like the bambu and I will give you lots of money (the XL is too big for me).

2024-08-22 03:48:54 UTC

- reply

I have one of these on the way.
https://globi.us/shop/group-buys/azores-xss-transciever/?v=7516fd43adaa

2024-08-22 03:16:06 UTC

AT&T enabled the Fiber order form today for my neighborhood! I have an install booked already. 5 gig here I come!!!!

2024-08-18 18:48:29 UTC

- reply

I’m honestly not sure whether I’ll mount my monitor or quite where the desk is going yet.
Next step is to make a new mega desk. Then I’ll have a better idea on the specifics.
I can’t put all this time and effort into the rest of the room and ignore a gaping hole in the paint can I? lol

2024-08-18 18:42:14 UTC

- reply

lol yes. I’m currently rebuilding the whole setup from scratch and the walls are on the list :)

2024-08-18 17:37:22 UTC

- reply

docker-compose v1 to docker compose v2?
v1 is a separate package and now deprecated, one is newer and ships with docker natively now?

2024-08-18 00:44:02 UTC

Finished up the desk sidecar rack with a hardwareless drawer tonight. #woodworking #homelab
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/980/251/704/769/040/original/47ade0e3920aad46.jpeg
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/980/252/035/866/696/original/8b924647d3ce0f5d.jpeg
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/980/252/353/159/161/original/106e2006144cb22c.jpeg

2024-08-16 03:23:36 UTC

Got my sidecar desk rack finally wired up with pikvm built in. I can connect any PC up with 4 cables (power, usb, network and hdmi) all through keystone jacks into the pikvm so it’s all hot swap. #homelab
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/969/554/811/407/386/original/9e7d99186b13c68f.jpeg
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/969/555/180/359/198/original/16af59ab2cf6b2a1.jpeg

2024-08-01 00:36:20 UTC

I realized today I’ve never ever been to a Taco Bell.