You bought the computer. You pay for the internet. So why does somebody else get to make all the rules?
Welcome to Open Source Outlaw, where we believe technology should work for you, not the other way around.
We’re exploring Linux, self-hosting, open-source software, and practical ways to take control of our digital lives. Not because everything in the cloud is bad, but because having a choice matters.
No corporate playbook. No unnecessary subscriptions. Just real-world solutions, a little experimentation, and the occasional spectacular failure.
The Blog
Stories from the homelab, thoughts on Big Tech, lessons learned, and the occasional spectacular failure. Sometimes things work. Sometimes we learn why they don’t.
Hints & Tips
Real-world guides for Linux, self-hosting, Docker, and open-source software. No unnecessary complexity. Just practical solutions that get the job done.
Ask the Outlaw
Got a question? Wrestling with a stubborn server? Wondering whether there’s a better way? Pull up a chair. We’ll figure it out together.

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I Built a Document Management System. Then I Took the Scanner Out of the Equation.
I Built a Document Management System. Then I Took the Scanner Out of the Equation. Sometimes the best upgrade isn’t adding something new. It’s realizing you don’t need something old. The Outlaw has a confession to make. I love scanners. Not just any scanners. I’m talking about those beautiful, industrial-strength Fujitsu ScanSnaps. Automatic document feeders….
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Microsoft: Two Computers, One Network, and a Subscription?
The cloud was supposed to make computing easier. So why does moving files between two computers suddenly need it? By The Open Source Outlaw 🤠 Well, folks, Microsoft has done it again. Imagine this. You’ve just purchased a brand-new computer. Your old computer is sitting right beside it. Both computers are connected to the same…
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WHEN AN UPGRADE IS ACTUALLY A DOWNGRADE
Just Because It’s New Doesn’t Mean It’s Better By The Open Source Outlaw 🤠🐧 Let me tell you a little story. Today, I was working with a piece of software that we’ve used for years. It’s a commercial product, and like so many others, the company has been moving customers from traditional on-premises installations to…
Got a problem? Steve has a subscription for that.

