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Core Lab Joe

Core Lab Joe

Canada
Dad, IT guy, Self-Hosting Evangelist! https://www.reddit.com/r/corelabtech/
24
Oct

Finally Friday! Core Lab: Multiple New Guides & Updates🎆

Hello everyone, there's been a lot of changes on the site this past week and multiple new key
4 min read
24
Oct
Become a Digital Overlord, and use no local storage ;)

The Ultimate "Unlimited" Media Server: DUMB & Real-Debrid Guide (2026)

Stop buying hard drives. Build a 100TB media server for $3/mo. The complete guide to Plex or Jellyfin, Real-Debrid, and DUMB with zero-buffering 4K streaming.
42 min read
24
Oct
This Month in Cyber: When the Giants Stumble, We All Feel the Shake

This Month in Cyber: When the Giants Stumble, We All Feel the Shake

October 22, 2025 Hey everyone. I’ve been in the cybersecurity trenches for 19+ years, and I’ve seen a
3 min read
23
Oct
Be the Digital Wolf, feeding off and wrangling your containers!

The Definitive Arr Docker Compose Guide (2026) + Generator

Building a fully automated home media server used to require dozens of hours tinkering with individual config files and broken
31 min read
22
Oct
Iconographic image showing OPNsense logo and stating this guide has been updated & compatible with v26.x of OPNsense.

OPNsense 26.1 Setup Guide: The Ultimate Homelab Firewall 2026 (Part 1)

SERIES The OPNsense Architect 01 The Install Part 1: How to Set Up OPNsense: The Ultimate Homelab Firewall 02 The
32 min read
20
Oct
Will you be a Digital Dragon and Hoard? Or a Hybrid Cloud Streamer who operates their own Netflix like service? Either way - You will have Total Control!

The Ultimate Media Server Guide (2026): Plex vs. Jellyfin vs. Cloud-Hybrid Stacks

Should you build a NAS or stream from the cloud? We break down the 4 paths to media server mastery: The Digital Dragon (Arr Stack), The Streamer (Stremio), and The Hybrid (Zurg).
17 min read
20
Oct
Digital illustration of a starship with energy shields active, deflecting incoming cyber threats, representing homelab network defence-in-depth.

Networking & Cybersecurity Roadmap: The 2026 Guide to a Secure Homelab

"Build it and they will come" applies to attackers too. A default password or misconfigured container is a hacker's playground. This is your battle plan to fortify your homelab - from the muddy moat (Network Layer) up to the vault itself (Application Layer).
15 min read
20
Oct
Beyond the Fluff: Real-World CI/CD Automation for Your Homelab

Beyond the Fluff: Real-World CI/CD Automation for Your Homelab

CI/CD is more than just an enterprise buzzword; it’s a fundamental shift in how homelab enthusiasts and self-hosters
6 min read
15
Oct
Installing & Gaming on Pop!_OS (Steam, Lutris & Heroic, ProtonGE)

Installing & Gaming on Pop!_OS (Steam, Lutris & Heroic, ProtonGE)

Level Up Your OS: The Technical Switch from Windows 10/11 to Pop!_OS for Gaming Enter Pop!_OS. Developed
14 min read
14
Oct
So many choices for gaming via Linux now, PopOS, SteamOS, Nobara, Lakka, Garuda, Nobara and CachyOS!

State of Gaming on Linux in 2026

I started learning how to use Linux in 2013 after running up abruptly against it during a SANS cybersecurity course.
5 min read