# What is this?

The "**[Geek's Cookbook](https://geek-cookbook.funkypenguin.co.nz)**" is a collection of guides for establishing your own highly-available docker container cluster (swarm). This swarm enables you to run self-hosted services such as [GitLab](/recipies/gitlab/), [Plex](/recipies/plex/), [NextCloud](/recipies/nextcloud/), etc. Recent updates and additions are posted on the [CHANGELOG](/CHANGELOG/).

## Who is this for?

You already have a familiarity with concepts such as [virtual](https://libvirt.org/) [machines](https://www.virtualbox.org/), [Docker](https://www.docker.com/) containers, [LetsEncrypt SSL certificates](https://letsencrypt.org/), databases, and command-line interfaces.

You've probably played with self-hosting some mainstream apps yourself, like [Plex](https://www.plex.tv/), [OwnCloud](https://owncloud.org/), [Wordpress](https://wordpress.org/) or even [SandStorm](https://sandstorm.io/).

## Why should I read this?

So if you're familiar enough with the tools, and you've done self-hosting before, why would you read this book?

1. You want to upskill. You want to do container orchestration, LetsEncrypt certificates, git collaboration.
2. You want to play. You want a safe sandbox to test new tools, keeping the ones you want and tossing the ones you don't.
3. You want reliability. Once you go from __playing__ with a tool to actually __using__ it, you want it to be available when you need it. Having to "_quickly ssh into the host and restart the webserver_" doesn't cut it when your wife wants to know why her phone won't sync!

## What do you want from me?

I want your money.

No, seriously (_but yes, I do want your money - see below_), If the above applies to you, then you're like me. I want everything I wrote above, so I ended up learning all this as I went along. I enjoy it, and I'm good at it. So I created this website, partly to make sure I documented my own setup properly.

### Get in touch 👋

* Tweet me up, I'm [@funkypenguin](https://twitter.com/funkypenguin)! 🐦
* or better yet, come into the  [kitchen](https://discourse.geek-kitchen.funkypenguin.co.nz/) (discussion forums) to say hi, ask a question, or suggest a new recipe!

### Buy my book 📖

I'm also writing the Geek Cookbook as a formal eBook, on Leanpub (https://leanpub.com/geeks-cookbook). Buy it for $0.99 (_which is really just a token gesture of support_) - you can get it for free (_in PDF, mobi, or epub format_), or pay me what you think it's worth!

### Donate / [Support me 💰](https://www.patreon.com/funkypenguin)

The best way to support this work is to become a [Patreon patron](https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=6982506) (_for as little as $1/month!_) - You get :

* warm fuzzies,
* access to the pre-mix repo,
* an anonymous plug you can pull at any time,
* and a bunch more loot based on tier

.. and I get some pocket money every month to buy wine, cheese, and cryptocurrency! 🍷 💰

Impulsively **[click here (NOW quick do it!)](https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=6982506)** to patronize me, or instead thoughtfully and analytically review my Patreon page / history **[here](https://www.patreon.com/funkypenguin)** and make up your own mind.

I also gratefully accept donations of most fine socialist/anarchist/hobbyist cryptocurrencies, including the list below (_let me know if I've left out the coin-of-the-week, and I'll happily add it_):

| ist-currency | Address      
| ------------- |-------------|
| Bitcoin      | 1GBJfmqARmL66gQzUy9HtNWdmAEv74nfXj
| Ethereum     | 0x19e60ec49e1f053cfdfc193560ecfb3caed928f1
| Litecoin     | LYLEF7xTpeVbjjoZD3jGLVgvKSKTYDKbK8



### Hire me 🏢

Need some system design work done? I do freelance consulting - [contact](https://www.funkypenguin.co.nz/contact/) me for details.
