Journal of System Maladministration

This is not an academic journal. It is merely the whimsical chronicle of my adventures and misadventures in self-hosting services (providing my own calendar, contacts, email, and web services) with FreeBSD (operating system), Apache httpd (web), Radicale (calendar and contacts), Postfix and Dovecot (mail). And a bit about mail user agents (Mutt, Mu4e, etc.).

Caveat Lector: I have made some mistakes, and doubtless I will make more mistakes. Do not blindly follow the things I have done.

Why, then, am I sharing this story, and who might even be interested in reading it?

I am sharing the story because I have done some things right. You might be interested in reading it if you have tried self-hosting and become frustrated, or if you have thought about self-hosting and become terrified. You may find relief in reading these pages. I am sharing the story because self-hosting, especially of email, is widely considered to be too difficult for the likes of me and thee.

But if me can do it, maybe thee can too!

Chronological Order

2025

Topics

Mail Administration