SOV-022: Matt Hill from Start9 - The Sovereign Computing Show
Release Date: 09/16/2025
SOV-022: Matt Hill from Start9 - The Sovereign Computing Show
ATL BitLab Podcast
Start9 CEO Matt Hill joins Jordan Bravo to discuss the evolution of sovereign computing and the upcoming StartOS 0.4.0 release. Learn about Start9's mission to democratize server administration, their revolutionary new networking capabilities, plans for an open-source router, and innovative community programs for scaling support and development. Plus: why dignity matters as much as privacy and security in computing. Show Notes: 00:00 Opening Quote: Sovereign Computing Definition 00:33 Introduction and Show Sponsorship 01:51 Welcome and Sovereign Computing Origins 03:21 What is...
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SOV-021: Google Kills Android Sideloading: The iOS-ification Begins - The Sovereign Computing Show
ATL BitLab Podcast
Google is making Android more like iOS by blocking "sideloading" of unverified apps starting next year. Jordan Bravo breaks down why "sideloading" is a psyop term designed to make normal software installation seem dangerous, how Google's new developer KYC requirements will kill freedom tech, and why this gradual "boiling of the frog" approach threatens projects like GrapheneOS. Plus a chilling reminder from former NSA/CIA director Michael Hayden: "We kill people based on metadata." Show Notes: 00:00 Opening Quote: Satoshi KYC Example 00:41 Introduction and Show Sponsorship...
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SOV-020: The Real Cost of "Free" Software - The Sovereign Computing Show
ATL BitLab Podcast
Not all "free" software is actually free - you're often paying with your data, privacy, or through deceptive subscription traps. In this episode, Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme break down the business models behind the software you use daily, from ethical freemium approaches like Tailscale to exploitative data harvesting like Gmail. They explore managed hosting models, the pros and cons of subscriptions versus one-time payments, and expose dark patterns that trick users into unwanted charges. Plus updates on Jordan's private SIM card journey and news about Google's forced Android changes and...
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SOV-019: How to Choose Sovereign Software - The Sovereign Computing Show
ATL BitLab Podcast
Not all software is created equal when it comes to digital sovereignty. In this episode, Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme break down their framework for evaluating software that respects your freedom and privacy. They cover why open source isn't always a guarantee, how to spot healthy vs abandoned projects on GitHub, the importance of data export capabilities, and sustainable business models that won't disappear overnight. Plus, news about Samsung killing bootloader unlocks, EU age verification requirements, and reviews of new authenticator apps from Proton and Ente. Show Notes: ...
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SOV-018: Private GPS & Maps: Ditch Google and Apple - The Sovereign Computing Show
ATL BitLab Podcast
Your location data is one of the most sensitive pieces of information you share, but are you trusting Google and Apple with every place you go? In this episode, Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme explore private alternatives to mainstream navigation apps that don't track your movements. They cover privacy-focused options like Magic Earth and Organic Maps built on Open Street Maps, reveal how to use Waze on GrapheneOS without Google Play Services, and discuss the ultimate privacy solution: standalone Garmin GPS devices. Plus, news about Proton's new AI assistant Lumo and the company's concerning...
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SOV-017: The Cypherpunk Manifesto - The Sovereign Computing Show
ATL BitLab Podcast
Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme dive deep into Eric Hughes' groundbreaking 1993 Cypherpunk Manifesto, exploring how this foundational document predicted Bitcoin, anonymous transaction systems, and modern digital privacy tools. They discuss the historical context of cryptography being illegal, the evolution from military-controlled encryption to widespread adoption, and how today's privacy-focused services like Mullvad exemplify the manifesto's principles. The hosts examine why "cypherpunks write code" and how this philosophy continues to drive sovereign computing solutions today. Show Notes: ...
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SOV-016: Privacy Violations and Self-Hosting Wins - The Sovereign Computing Show
ATL BitLab Podcast
Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme return with a news-packed episode covering the latest privacy violations and surveillance schemes. They discuss Trump's plan to create a master database of Americans using Palantir, WhatsApp AI accidentally leaking user phone numbers, Meta and Yandex exploiting Android phones to track browsing habits, and Ford's patent for cars that report speeding drivers. Plus, Jordan shares updates on his sovereign computing journey including anonymous phone services, Alby Hub lightning setup, and self-hosted lightning addresses. Show Notes:...
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SOV-015: How to Get an Anonymous Website - The Sovereign Computing Show
ATL BitLab Podcast
In today's digital landscape, having your own website is more important than ever for true digital independence. Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme explain how to register domain names and set up web hosting with minimal personal information and maximum privacy. They cover Bitcoin-accepting registrars, anonymous VPS providers, and how the domain name system really works. Plus, they discuss a controversial Bitcoin update proposal that highlights why running your own node matters. Show Notes: https://atlbitlab.com/podcast/anonymous-website-hosting-and-domains 00:00 Why Own Websites Beat Social...
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SOV-014: Bitcoin Sovereignty: Running Your Own Full Node - The Sovereign Computing Show
ATL BitLab Podcast
Bitcoin is built on the principle of not trusting third parties, but are you trusting someone else's node to validate your transactions? In this episode, Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme explore why running your own Bitcoin and Lightning nodes is crucial for true financial sovereignty. They break down the hardware requirements, software options like Umbrel and Start OS, and how to connect popular wallets to your own node. Plus, news about Thunderbird's new email service and the concerning bankruptcy sale of 23andMe's genetic data. Show Notes: 00:00 Why You Should Run Your Own Bitcoin...
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SOV-013: Sovereign AI: Using LLMs Without Sacrificing Privacy - The Sovereign Computing Show
ATL BitLab Podcast
AI assistants like ChatGPT and Claude are powerful tools, but they come with significant privacy trade-offs. In this episode, Jordan Bravo and Stephen DeLorme explore practical approaches to using AI without surrendering your data to big tech companies. They compare privacy-focused third-party services that use confidential computing (like Maple) and local storage options (like Venice.AI) before diving into running open-source models entirely on your own hardware with tools like Ollama, GPT4All, and LM Studio. They also reveal how your Smart TV might take screenshots of what you're watching...
info_outlineStart9 CEO Matt Hill joins Jordan Bravo to discuss the evolution of sovereign computing and the upcoming StartOS 0.4.0 release. Learn about Start9's mission to democratize server administration, their revolutionary new networking capabilities, plans for an open-source router, and innovative community programs for scaling support and development. Plus: why dignity matters as much as privacy and security in computing.
Show Notes: https://atlbitlab.com/podcast/sov-022-matt-hill-start9
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00:00 Opening Quote: Sovereign Computing Definition
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00:33 Introduction and Show Sponsorship
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01:51 Welcome and Sovereign Computing Origins
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03:21 What is Sovereign Computing?
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04:54 Privacy vs Confidentiality and the Dignity Factor
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06:15 The Undignified Reality of Modern Computing
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08:37 Making Server Administration Accessible
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10:00 Democratizing Advanced Computing Skills
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11:42 Familiar User Experience Design Philosophy
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14:09 Learning from Mobile OS Evolution
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15:45 Bringing Linux Admin Experience "Above the Hood"
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18:05 StartOS Evolution: From 0.0.1 to 0.3.5.1
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19:28 Dependency Management and Configuration Breakthroughs
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20:17 Moving from Docker to Custom Container Runtime
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21:33 StartOS 0.4.0: Complete Architecture Rewrite
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24:44 Two Years of Development Hell and Breakthrough
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26:30 Custom LXC Container Runtime Development
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27:35 Advanced Networking Capabilities in 0.4.0
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28:29 Granular Interface Control Example
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31:49 Private Domains and DNS Management
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35:06 The "Digital IKEA" Philosophy
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36:34 VPN Tunneling and Network Abstractions
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37:57 Start9 vs Tailscale Comparison
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41:13 Router Hardware Prototypes and Development
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46:47 Router as Standalone vs Integrated Product
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52:00 StartOS and Router Integration Benefits
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53:26 Router Release Timeline: Not Before Mid-2026
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54:44 Community Tech Program: Scaling Support
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01:00:18 Community Developer Program Announcement
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01:05:02 Package Development and Crowdfunding Model
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01:11:56 AI in Development: Limited but Useful
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01:17:01 Self-Hosting AI Challenges and Hardware Limitations
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01:24:37 TabConf 2025: Workshop and Package Development
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01:26:55 Conclusion