About nerdz
auckland · self-host · build for the hobbies you love
Hey, I’m Gavin 👋. I run nerdz.cloud and most of what’s on the cluster above. I have a deep interest in all things nerdy, and I build self-hostable tools for the niche communities I’m in — because the tools they deserve usually don’t exist yet.
Kubernetes
- Self-hosting services for fun and learning
- Highly-available control planes & storage
- Talos OS as a Kubernetes-native operating system
Networking
- Ubiquiti gear from the shelf up
- VPNs: WireGuard, Tailscale, OpenVPN
- Hardening, VLANs, segmenting the IoT zoo
Home automation
- Apple HomeKit
- Home Assistant
- Matter, Thread, Zigbee, MQTT, BLE
Operating systems
- Linux: Ubuntu, Debian, Talos, SteamOS
- Windows
- macOS
Other rabbit holes
- Cars (motorsport, EVs)
- Neurodiversity
- Gaming (PC, Steam Deck, TTRPG, TCG, MMO orgs)
- 3D printing & STL hoarding
- Star Citizen orgs & fleet management
How I learn
Hands dirty, in production, on the cluster downstairs. Hobby projects shipped end-to-end are how the interesting questions surface.
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
Get in touch
- gavin@nerdz.co.nz letters
- github.com/gavinmcfall code
- linkedin.com/in/gavinmcfall work history
- home-ops monorepo the cluster, as code
- discord.gg/Exelus star citizen org
- makerworld.com/@nzvengeance 3d prints