About this podcast

Join David Pierce on The Vergecast as he embarks on an "impossible journey" into the world of self-hosting. This episode, the fourth in a series on connectivity, dives deep into how software connects us, how we interact with it, and its various interconnections. David shares his personal experiment with a Mini PC, attempting to transition from reliant cloud services to a self-managed system for his data. He discusses the conveniences and critical downsides of cloud software, from fragility to lack of ownership, and explores the arduous path of setting up self-hosted solutions like a Plex server or an Immich photo alternative. Featuring insights from Peter Van Hardenberg on cloud upsides and Alex Tran, the creator of Immich, on the challenges of making self-hosting accessible, this podcast provides a candid look at the technical hurdles and philosophical implications of reclaiming your digital independence.