About me

Who am I?

My name is Stefan. I am a computer-science student passionate about software freedom, as you probably figured out by now. In late 2019 I started my journey to improve myself, the beginning of a stoic’s journey in life. I discovered that most of my self-control problems traced back to my use of technology. After first installing Ubuntu on my desktop for testing, I researched the Linux rabbit hole and discovered something that I wouldn’t have ever considered: I am not in control of my devices but on the contrary, they are the ones controlling me… After having this realisation I started to only use libre software:

  • Linux instead of Windows
  • Matrix instead of Discord
  • Invidious instead of YouTube
  • Android (custom ROM) instead of IOS
  • … and more …

Ever since, my life took a turn, having more time to spend with my family and friends, being more focused on things that actually make me happy and meeting amazing people with the same goal as me: to escape from the corporate hell modern technology has put us in.

During this journey I’ve been researching cyber-security a lot, because knowing how to protect your data is the first step in taking back control online. Having to secure both my server and my personal computer taught me a lot about networking, encryption, private and public keys and programming, so I’m excited to see what comes next.

Why ElPengu?

I strongly believe that everyone should have a website, after all this is how the internet was first meant to be: everyone would host their own homepage, email server, IRC chat, etc. Decentralisation is the key to a safer internet.

I created elpengu.com at first in order to host my own instances of some privacy-friendly frontends, as well as host my Matrix homeserver. What was something designed initially to only benefit me now helps a lot of people learn about technology, software freedom and how to protect against corporate surveillance.

The name ElPengu is a tribute to the Linux mascot, the tux. If I hadn’t discovered Linux I wouldn’t have started my self-improvement journey and learn so much about computers in general. So it’s only fitting that my little place on the internet should carry its name.

What comes next?

I am willing to expand ElPengu even further, in order to inform as many people as possible about the dangers of proprietary software and corporate surveillance. I think that, through the means of decentralisation, we can have again an open internet that encourages knowledge, free-speech and virtue, as opposed to today’s web that promotes degeneracy, ignorance and surveillance.