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A high-contrast, macro-style digital rendering of a central processing unit (CPU) featuring glowing neon teal circuit traces and deep purple data nodes on a dark obsidian background.

Tech without the corporate bloat.

Documenting FOSS and calling out the nonsense.

Explore my journey into privacy-first tech and self-hosting.

Welcome to The Unknown Universe. I write from a privacy‑first perspective about free and open source software (FOSS), Linux and practical self‑hosting.

This site is a mix of hands‑on guides, honest reviews and personal stories aimed at helping you take back control of your data and run services you can trust. Expect clear steps, config examples and what actually worked (and what didn’t) in my home lab.

My home lab runs on Proxmox and containers — mostly Docker — with tools such as AdGuard Home and Smokeping. Dive into categories like Home Lab, Linux & FOSS, Privacy & Security, and Tech Stories. Join the conversation on Mastodon, subscribe for new posts, or drop a comment.

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Home Lab

Self-hosting, Proxmox, Docker, and network privacy.

Linux & FOSS

Open source software, Linux tips, and distro journeys.

Privacy & Security

Tools and techniques to protect your digital life.

Tech Stories

Personal experiences and thoughts on technology.

Latest from the Blog

Conceptual digital illustration featuring the London skyline with the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. A suited government official stands on a platform marked "GOVERNMENT POWERS," overlooking the city. In the foreground, a large, glowing digital shield marked "VPN" protects streaming data, symbolising the tension between state oversight and digital privacy.

The Great VPN Humiliation: Why the Government Actually Backed Down

Privacy-focused Android smartphone with a lock icon on the screen, Android logo on the wall, and security and payment icons on a desk.

From GrapheneOS to iodéOS: finding a de-Googled phone that works for me

A black ASUS ROG Ally X handheld gaming console sitting on a rustic wooden desk, showing the Windows Xbox Mode interface with game tiles for Forza Horizon 4, Red Dead Redemption 2 and GTA V. In the background, a laptop displays a Linux terminal and a Tux penguin sticker.

The Great Betrayal: Why I Put Windows Back on My Handheld

A dystopian "CyberLink UK" biometric terminal on Westminster Bridge scanning a man’s eyes. A digital billboard in the rain displays an unblinking eye and the text "ALL CITIZENS ARE SUBJECT TO CONTINUOUS MONITORING." Thick, glowing data cables are coiled in a massive "vicious circle" around the man’s feet.

The Vicious Circle: Beyond the Political Theatre