Dear Fedi friends,
The past few days have been quite dramatic: lots of highs and lows. I will write a recap of the events - while my memory is still fresh - on Monday as I learned important self-hosting lessons from what happened.
This weekend I need a break.
This post is not so much about self-hosting exploits (or fumbles) but rather: an important perspective from the POV of a newbie.
I’m hoping that this series - my so-called sudo life - can create a bridge between self-hosting newbies (like me) and experienced devs, so we can better communicate with each other. Because we think so differently!
The mind of a newbie
I had a eureka moment a couple of days ago.I was struggling with Docker, attempting to connect Docker Desktop to my VPS. Then "Irwene" sent me a really helpful message, advising me to “only use Docker Desktop to manage the Docker instance that is installed… on my desktop”.
Right then and there I realized I could use Docker only via CLI - which is ideal to me, as I’ve been practicing installing and managing my Ghost site via CLI all year long.
As ridiculous as it may sound, the Docker website shows Docker Desktop front and center and I thought that was the default way to use Docker... via its GUI (insert facepalm).
The Romance language analogy
On my time on the Fediverse I’ve befriended many devs, who regularly share super helpful advice.
If you wonder why I sometimes make really dumb moves (like installing Docker leaving my ports exposed), I want to make you understand what it’s like - as a non-dev - to attempt technical tasks.
I hope this analogy works:
As a native Italian speaker who understands some Spanish, it’s as if I’m sent a message written in Spanish. I can understand most words and grasp the gist of a sentence… but I couldn’t reply to it in Spanish because I have no vocabulary and I don’t know how to conjugate verbs or construct a sentence. I always need external help, like a translator tool.
Similarly, I have memorized basic Linux commands and I’ve followed instructions to achieve certain tasks (install software, change the listening port, etc.) but every time I have a new task ahead I need support; Linux is not a natural language to me. All I do is copy and paste commands and say a little prayer that I get the desired result.
Now, Docker documentation reads to me like Portuguese - another Romance language but harder to understand for an Italian, as it’s even more far removed from Spanish.
The road ahead will be long but I really want to learn how to self-host Ghost on Docker… and be self-sufficient, without relying on external platforms or devs. I’m giving myself till December to learn enough to make the move.
I need to be patient. One step at a time.
Just like I remind my little one that no, she cannot know how to ride a bike without training wheels the first time she tries… I also need practice. A LOT of practice.
My first Docker fail
If you have followed my OVH VPS misadventures this week and you were curious what went wrong (on my end) I think I found out what happened.
I installed Docker on the VPS and followed the security recommendations - “Protect the Docker daemon socket” - from the official Docker guide:
Problem is, I left the certs in the root folder.
How did I find out?
Once OVH re-activated my VPS (thank you!!!), I rushed to uninstall Docker. I did so with CLI and when I went typed “ls” to see what files remained in my root folder, I found the Docker TLS certificates. Yikes.
Final Thoughts
Please remember that I’m just a newbie who knows very little, despite the things I’ve accomplished in the past year (through basically a mix of curiosity, sheer luck and persistence).
I’m grateful for all your advice, but keep in mind that most of the time it sounds like a foreign language to me. And yes, I got many messages about Podman - which sounds great - but I’m following the official Ghost documentation that recommends Docker so I want to play it by the book (to ensure full compatibility).
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!
Your humble disciple,
Ele
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