A playground for digital sovereignty
Imagine a digital environment in which you are in control of your own data. No ads, no hidden trackers, no reliance on American tech giants. Does that sound idealistic? Maybe it is. But also achievable. That's why I have a Nextcloud A server that everyone can play with freely.
address: https://nc.data-pro.nu
user: guest
pass: Letsplay!!
Oh, and if you want to reach me – feel free to click on the blue envelope top right on the page.
(And no, it's not the IRS.)
Open source software is not boring or inaccessible. It is a playground – if we dare to play.
“Freedom starts with the right to experiment with your own tools.”
Why this initiative?
I believe in a future where Europe does not outsource its digital infrastructure to external commercial interests. Think of privacy, transparency and sustainability. Nextcloud is a flagship of this movement: a self-hosted cloud solution that can compete with the big names, without monetizing your data.
“Digital autonomy is not a luxury – it is a prerequisite for a healthy democracy.”
What can you expect?
The server is deliberately not fully configured. You'll find countless apps and integrations – from sharing documents to video calling – but it's up to you to discover them. Play, click, break and build. Think of it as a sandbox in which you can experience the power and versatility of Nextcloud for yourself.
“Real innovation comes when we dare to mess around.”
Who am I inviting?
Anyone interested in alternatives to Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft 365 and co. Whether you're a techie, policy maker, educator or just curious about digital independence - you're welcome. And do you have feedback? I'd love to! Because only together do we make the ecosystem stronger.
“Technology should serve us, not the other way around.”
What's the bigger picture?
With this project I want to contribute to an awareness process. Nextcloud is not an end station, but a stepping stone to more ownership of our digital lives. The future is open if we choose it.
“Those who want to change the future start by building alternatives.”
But Henro... isn't this asking for misery?
“Henro, aren’t you creating a digital trash can where everyone can put their rubbish?”
“Are you not afraid to become part of a botnet?”
“How long will it take before you get a zip bomb in your aim?”
“Do you only stop after 100,000 viruses, or do you already cut down at 20,000?”
Right questions. And yes – I know that I am making this machine vulnerable. That's not a mistake, it's a choice. I love it when people dare to open up naively and with confidence. Because in a world that is becoming increasingly paranoid, I believe that openness is an act of strength.
So yes, I choose to allow that vulnerability – consciously, transparently, and temporarily. If there is rubbish, we clean up. And who knows, in the meantime something beautiful will be created.
“Trust is not a weakness. It is the courage to give someone else a chance.”
English (UK)