Series · Ongoing · 2 parts · 15 min total
You Can Just … Things
A beginner series on running your own corner of the internet from a laptop you already own.
Most people have a laptop in a drawer that still works. This series turns it into something useful, one weekend project at a time, without asking you to become a sysadmin.
Each part stands alone, and they build on each other: first a real app running on hardware you already own, then a real domain with HTTPS and no open ports, then backups and monitoring, the parts you only learn about when something breaks.
- 1Part 1Aug 1, 2026· 6 min read
You Can Just Host Things
That old laptop in your drawer can become your own private cloud this weekend. A beginner's guide to self-hosting: what it is, why it's worth it, and a 30-minute Docker how-to.
Read part 1 - 2Part 2Aug 23, 2026· 9 min read
You Can Just Publish Things
Your self-hosted app works, but only at home. Here is how to put it on a real domain with real HTTPS, reachable from anywhere, without opening a single port on your router.
Read part 2 Next part in progress. Subscribe below to get it by email.
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Notes from the Machine
Occasional emails on AI and automation, building products, and the climb. Tell me what you are here for and I will keep it relevant.