Inside System76: Building Open Hardware and a Linux-First Future

Nerding Out With Viktor

45:16

What happens when photography becomes a tool for social change rather than just documentation? In this episode, Michael Dooney speaks with acclaimed British photographer and artist Mark Neville about his journey from art school to the front-lines of conflict, and how he uses collaborative photography projects to empower communities, challenge social norms, and effect real-world impact. Neville shares stories from his time as an official war artist in Afghanistan, discusses the making of influential projects like The Port Glasgow Book Project and Stop Tanks With Books , and reflects on his ongoing work in Ukraine. Listeners will gain insights into the ethics of documentary practice, the power of art as activism, and what it means to make photography for—and with—the people it represents. Timestamps (00:00) – Introduction and welcome (01:49) – Artist and photographer living and working in the Ukraine (04:54) – The Port Glasgow Book Project: Art for the community (08:04) – Getting attention of the art world (12:00) – Turning point towards a social engaged artistic practice (14:42) – Stop Tanks with Books Project: Art as activism in Ukraine (17:56) – Russian invasion of Ukriane (20:55) – Postcode Ukraine Charity (25:06) – War Artist in Helmand, Afghanistan (27:33) – Battle Against Stigma, book project (33:34) – Invitation to start making work in Ukraine (34:54) – Diary of a Volunteer, book project (37:51) – Individual experiences of Postcard Ukraine charity members (39:48) – Support for Ukrainian people (42:06) – How can listeners learn more and get involved? Mark Neville (b. 1966, London) is a British artist and photographer renowned for his socially engaged practice at the intersection of art, documentary, and activism. His projects often involve close collaboration with communities, aiming to empower subjects and address issues such as inequality, mental health, and conflict. Notable works include The Port Glasgow Book Project , Battle Against Stigma , Fancy Pictures , and Stop Tanks With Books . Neville has exhibited internationally, worked as an official war artist in Afghanistan, and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize by The New York Times in 2012. Mark Neville official website: https://www.markneville.com/ Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/marknevillestudio/ Postcode Ukraine: https://www.postcodeukraine.com/ This episode of Subtext & Discourse Art World Podcast was recorded on 28. March 2025 between Perth (AU) and Ukraine with Riverside . Michael Dooney official website: https://www.michaeldooney.net Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/michaeldooney/…

19 days ago 1:09:00

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In this episode of Nerding Out with Viktor, Viktor Petersson sits down with Carl Richell, founder and CEO of System76, to unpack how a small Linux-focused hardware company grew into a full-stack open source innovator. They explore System76's journey from shipping Ubuntu laptops to designing open firmware, building a factory, and launching their own desktop environment, Cosmic. Carl shares hard-earned lessons on supply chain trust, hardware enablement, and why openness, done right, can scale. If you're into Linux, open hardware, or building products that last, this one's for you.

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39 episodes

#Tech #Viktor Petersson

Inside System76: Building Open Hardware and a Linux-First Future

Nerding Out With Viktor

published 19 days ago

MP4•Episode home

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39 episodes

#Tech #Viktor Petersson

All episodes

Nerding Out With Viktor

1
Rethinking Startups: Inside the Venture Studio Model with Thorbjørn Rønje 1:07:50

5 days ago1:07:50

1:07:50

In this episode, Viktor Petersson sits down with Thorbjørn Rønje, founder of Bifrost Studios, to unpack the venture studio model and why he believes it’s a smarter, faster way to build startups. Thorbjørn explains how Bifrost applies a playbook-driven approach to validate product ideas quickly, reduce risk, and bring businesses to life without wasting time or capital. He shares how they’ve used frameworks like Purple Ocean and Apollo to launch companies such as Scaleup Finance, and why separating the early build team from the long-term operators makes their model scalable. They also explore how this model applies to acquiring legacy businesses, turning them around with tech and brand upgrades. If you're thinking about startups, product-market fit, or the future of micro private equity, this one is worth your time. ]]>…

Nerding Out With Viktor

1
Inside System76: Building Open Hardware and a Linux-First Future 1:09:00

19 days ago1:09:00

1:09:00

Nerding Out With Viktor

1
The Systems Behind Managing High-Performing Remote Teams with Jon Seager 1:06:02

5 weeks ago1:06:02

1:06:02

In this episode of Nerding Out with Viktor, host Viktor Petersson welcomes back Jon Seager, VP of Engineering at Canonical, for a candid conversation about managing remote teams. They explore how Canonical structures its fully distributed engineering org, why hybrid meetings rarely work, and how to build systems that support clarity, autonomy, and actual output. With Jon's experience scaling teams at Canonical and Viktor's 15+ years of running distributed organizations, this episode offers a clear, practical view of what makes remote teams succeed. Topics include performance frameworks, calendar ownership, documentation debt, onboarding traps, and hiring in the age of AI. This is a must-listen for engineering leaders, remote managers, and anyone serious about scaling remote teams. ]]>…

Nerding Out With Viktor

1
Why Web3, Crypto, and Blockchain Still Struggle in the Real World 1:18:43

7 weeks ago1:18:43

1:18:43

In this episode of Nerding Out with Viktor, host Viktor Petersson sits down with Vlad Trifa, founder of Zimt and co-founder of EVRYTHNG, to explore why Web3, crypto, and blockchain often fail to deliver on their promises in the real world. Drawing from Vlad's extensive background in IoT, supply chain traceability, and decentralized systems, they dive into the cultural and technical challenges that make blockchain adoption difficult in enterprise environments. The conversation unpacks how tokenomics and DAOs are frequently misused, why wallet UX and self-custody are blockers to mainstream adoption, and what meaningful NFT use cases might look like beyond digital art. They also discuss why many "decentralized" solutions are just overengineered databases, and how regulation, governance, and real-world incentive alignment remain unsolved problems in Web3 development. This episode is essential listening for Web3 builders, blockchain skeptics, and anyone looking for a clear-eyed take on what it really takes to scale decentralized technologies beyond prototypes. ]]>…

Nerding Out With Viktor

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Inside the Yocto Project's Evolving Tooling: SBOMs, SPDX 3.0, and Secure Embedded Systems 50:37

9 weeks ago50:37

50:37

In this episode of Nerding Out with Viktor, host Viktor Petersson speaks with Joshua Watt of Garmin and Ross Burton of ARM to explore how the Yocto Project is evolving to meet the growing demands of software supply chain security, embedded Linux customization, and long-term product maintenance. As two long-time contributors to Yocto and OpenEmbedded, Joshua and Ross share hard-earned insights on how build-time Software Bill of Materials (SBOMs) offer deeper accuracy and compliance benefits compared to traditional post-build analysis. They dig into how the integration of SPDX 3.0 in Yocto enables better license tracking, reproducibility, and component transparency, critical features for developers building connected products in regulated industries like industrial IoT, telecom, and automotive. The conversation also covers how VEX metadata can be used to prioritize vulnerabilities in real-world environments, and why reproducible builds using BitBake's hashserver infrastructure are becoming a cornerstone of secure firmware development. As global regulatory frameworks like the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) push for stricter transparency and vulnerability management, the Yocto Project's native SBOM tooling is helping teams future-proof their embedded Linux stacks. Joshua and Ross also discuss the challenges of managing multi-layer board support packages (BSPs), handling closed-source components responsibly, and navigating SBOM creation across vendors in complex system builds. This episode is a must-listen for embedded engineers, firmware architects, and product teams who want to build secure, scalable Linux-based devices while staying ahead of compliance and lifecycle management needs. ]]>…

Nerding Out With Viktor

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Startup Founder Lessons on Scaling Teams, Systems, and Culture with Kevin Henrikson 1:16:09

11 weeks ago1:16:09

1:16:09

In this episode of Nerding Out with Viktor, host Viktor Petersson is joined by Kevin Henrikson, an experienced engineering leader who's worked with Zimbra, Microsoft, and Instacart, to share real startup founder lessons on how to scale engineering teams, build resilient systems, and manage growth through acquisitions. Kevin explains what founders often get wrong when scaling, why a simple weekly shipping cadence changed everything at Outlook Mobile, and how aligning around a single operational metric helped Instacart navigate massive demand during the COVID surge. We talk about how to avoid "organ rejection" during an acquisition, the shift from founder to advisor inside large companies, and what breaks first when scaling from 10 to 1500 engineers. Kevin also covers org design for distributed teams, why CTOs need to think about people and systems as much as code, and how he's using AI and automation to operate leaner, more scalable SaaS businesses. Whether you're a startup founder, CTO, or building your first technical team, this episode is packed with insights from someone who has done it at every stage. ]]>…

Nerding Out With Viktor

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Reimagining CI/CD and Engineering Culture at Scale with Vlad A. Ionescu from Earthly 1:10:06

12 weeks ago1:10:06

1:10:06

In this episode of "Nerding Out with Viktor," host Viktor Petersson is joined by Vlad A Ionescu, founder and CEO of Earthly, to explore the realities of modern CI/CD pipelines, why developer experience remains fragmented, and how platform and security teams can work more effectively across organizations. Vlad outlines the origins of Earthly and how their open-source build automation tool enables consistent CI/CD across teams. The conversation covers GitHub Actions, the challenge of running pipelines locally, and why container-based workflows offer practical improvements in debugging and collaboration. The discussion moves to Earthly's second product, Lunar, which focuses on monitoring and enforcing engineering practices in the SDLC. Vlad explains how this enables organizations to apply policies like test coverage and vulnerability scanning, without relying solely on teams to adopt them individually. Other key topics include plugin governance, differences in developer infrastructure at large companies versus smaller teams, and the complexity of managing shared CI/CD ownership. The conversation also touches on hybrid work challenges, remote team management, and strategies for building trust and documentation in distributed teams. Toward the end, the episode explores the potential impact of AI in software development. Vlad shares why he sees AI as a tool for accelerating skilled engineers, rather than a full replacement, and highlights the risks of relying on machine-generated code without proper verification. Whether you're working on developer tooling, building remote teams, or thinking about the role of AI in engineering workflows, this episode offers a grounded and technical perspective. ]]>…

Nerding Out With Viktor

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Europe's Battle for Tech Sovereignty: Why OpenStack Matters 1:12:11

14 weeks ago1:12:11

1:12:11

In this episode of "Nerding Out with Viktor," I'm joined by Johan Christenson, founder of Cleura, to dig into one of the most critical questions facing European tech today: how do we build a sovereign cloud that can actually compete? Johan brings decades of experience in open infrastructure and a front-row seat to the evolution of cloud computing. We talk about why Europe still leans so heavily on U.S. cloud platforms, and the real-world risks that come with that dependency whether it's pricing, control, or strategic leverage. We get into the friction points that keep Europe from moving faster: outdated procurement practices, broken incentive structures, and the lack of deep technical understanding inside policymaking circles. Johan also shares what it's been like building on OpenStack from the early days, and what Cleura has learned about scaling sovereign infrastructure in a space dominated by hyperscalers. I really enjoyed diving into how cloud-native tools like Kubernetes can unlock more flexibility and how standardization could help level the playing field for smaller providers. We also touch on the limitations of regulation when enforcement is missing, and why alignment between government goals and operational behavior is long overdue. Whether you're in cloud infrastructure, policy, or just curious about how Europe can chart its own course, this one's packed with insight. ]]>…

Nerding Out With Viktor

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Physical Pen Testing Secrets: Covert Building Infiltration Explained 1:09:19

16 weeks ago1:09:19

1:09:19

In this episode of "Nerding Out with Viktor," Warren Houghton returns to pull back the curtain on the covert world of physical penetration testing. As a seasoned security expert from Pentest Partners, Warren shares his extensive experience in breaching physical security measures, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the methodologies and techniques used by professional security testers. Viktor and Warren explore the fascinating realm of physical security assessments, from initial reconnaissance and planning to the execution of sophisticated social engineering tactics. Warren reveals how security professionals can clone access badges, bypass reception areas, and exploit human psychology to gain unauthorized access to secured facilities. Through compelling real-world examples, he demonstrates how even seemingly robust security systems can be compromised by determined adversaries who understand the vulnerabilities in both technology and human behavior. The conversation delves into the critical importance of physical security in the overall security posture of organizations, particularly those with sensitive data centers or restricted areas. Warren provides valuable insights into common weaknesses in building security, explaining how organizations can identify and address these vulnerabilities before they're exploited by malicious actors. He also discusses the ethical considerations and legal frameworks that govern physical penetration testing, emphasizing the importance of proper authorization and scope definition. Whether you're a security professional looking to enhance your organization's physical defenses, an IT manager concerned about holistic security approaches, or simply fascinated by the world of security testing, this episode offers invaluable knowledge about the realities of physical security in today's complex threat landscape. Join Viktor and Warren for this eye-opening discussion that will forever change how you view the security of physical spaces around you. ]]>…

Nerding Out With Viktor

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Balena, IoT Security, and the Future of Connected Devices 1:06:14

18 weeks ago1:06:14

1:06:14

Join host Viktor Petersson as he sits down with Marc Pous of Balena to explore the ever-evolving world of IoT, from remote management and fleet updates to security legislation and software bills of materials (SBOMs). Marc reveals how Balena pioneered container-based deployments on devices like Raspberry Pi, explains why over-the-air (OTA) updates are critical for any hardware project, and offers insights into upcoming regulations such as the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). Discover why IoT is quickly becoming "just connected products," how businesses can adapt to this new era, and why it's time to rethink everything from SD cards to DevOps workflows. Whether you're an IoT veteran or curious about the future of connected tech, this episode offers a deep dive into managing devices at scale and keeping them secure. ]]>…

Nerding Out With Viktor

1
Dustin Kirkland on Chainguard, Zero-CVE Containers, and Supply Chain Security 59:15

20 weeks ago59:15

59:15

In this episode of Nerding Out with Viktor , host Viktor Petersson sits down with Dustin Kirkland from Chainguard for an illuminating discussion on modern supply chain security and container hardening. Drawing from his rich experience across tech giants like IBM, Red Hat, Canonical, and Google, Dustin shares invaluable insights into the evolution of container security and the critical importance of maintaining secure infrastructure. The conversation delves deep into Chainguard's innovative approach to building minimal, hardened container images directly from source code. Dustin explains their groundbreaking Zero-CVE initiative, demonstrating how continuous rolling updates and careful dependency management can dramatically reduce vulnerability exposure. Through practical examples and real-world scenarios, he illustrates the delicate balance between security, functionality, and maintainability in modern container deployments. Viktor and Dustin explore the intricate world of Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs), diving into how attestations and digital signatures through tools like Sigstore and Cosign create a robust chain of trust. The discussion illuminates the critical role these technologies play in guaranteeing software provenance and enabling rapid vulnerability patching across complex deployments. The episode also tackles the challenges of navigating stringent compliance requirements such as FedRAMP and HIPAA, with Dustin sharing practical strategies for maintaining security without sacrificing agility. The conversation extends to the nuances of open source licensing and the future landscape of infrastructure security, offering listeners valuable insights into maintaining secure, modern systems in an increasingly complex technological environment. Whether you're a security professional, container enthusiast, or technology leader, this episode provides essential knowledge about the future of supply chain security and container hardening. Don't miss this comprehensive exploration of how organizations can build and maintain secure infrastructure in today's rapidly evolving technology landscape. ]]>…

Nerding Out With Viktor

1
Pentesting 101: Hacking Legally with Warren Houghton 1:01:25

22 weeks ago1:01:25

1:01:25

In this episode of "Nerding Out with Viktor," Warren Houghton from Pentest Partners joins Viktor to explore the fascinating world of professional penetration testing. As they delve into the intricacies of "legal hacking," Warren shares invaluable insights into the methodologies, tools, and best practices that define ethical hacking in today's cybersecurity landscape. The conversation covers crucial aspects of pentesting, from obtaining proper authorization and managing scope to selecting the right tools for different scenarios. Warren explains how seemingly minor oversights, such as exposed .git directories, can lead to significant security breaches, and demonstrates why thorough documentation and proper paperwork are as critical as technical expertise in professional pentesting. Viktor and Warren explore the essential toolkit of a modern pentester, discussing tools like Burp Suite for web application testing, Nmap for network discovery, and Metasploit for exploitation. Through real-world examples and engaging stories from the field, Warren illustrates how attackers can leverage small vulnerabilities to gain broader access to networks and systems. The episode also serves as a valuable resource for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, with Warren offering guidance on certifications, practical experience, and developing the investigative mindset necessary for success in the field. The discussion concludes with a preview of physical security testing, highlighting how the principles of penetration testing extend beyond the digital realm to encompass physical security controls and access systems. ]]>…

Nerding Out With Viktor

1
A deep dive into the SBOM format SPDX with Kate Stewart and Gary O'Neall 50:14

24 weeks ago50:14

50:14

In this episode of "Nerding Out with Viktor," Kate Stewart from the Linux Foundation and Gary O'Neall, a long-time SPDX contributor, join Viktor to explore the evolution and impact of SPDX (Systems Package Data Exchange) in software transparency. The conversation traces SPDX's journey from its origins in license compliance to its current pivotal role in security and vulnerability tracking, revealing how this open standard is shaping modern software development practices. Kate and Gary provide deep technical insights into the challenges teams face when generating accurate Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs), including complex scenarios involving circular dependencies and component uncertainty. Through practical examples from their work with various organizations, they demonstrate how these real-world challenges have influenced the development of SPDX tools and specifications. The discussion delves into current initiatives for integrating SBOM generation into build systems, with specific focus on implementations in the Zephyr and Yocto projects. They also explore ongoing efforts to implement build-time SBOM generation for the Linux kernel, highlighting both the technical approach and practical benefits for development teams. Viktor, Kate, and Gary examine the growing regulatory requirements surrounding SBOMs, particularly in safety-critical systems, and how SPDX 3.0 is being designed to meet these demands while supporting modern CI/CD pipelines. The conversation illuminates the technical considerations behind maintaining compatibility with existing tools while expanding functionality for new use cases. As an open, community-driven project, SPDX continues to evolve with industry needs, offering solutions for compliance, security vulnerabilities, and supply chain transparency in modern software development workflows. ]]>…

Nerding Out With Viktor

1
All things ZFS and FreeBSD with Allan Jude 1:18:17

31 weeks ago1:18:17

1:18:17

In a captivating deep dive into the world of advanced storage systems, Viktor welcomes ZFS expert and FreeBSD developer Allan Jude to explore the intricate landscape of modern filesystem architecture. This episode of Nerding Out with Viktor peels back the layers of enterprise storage solutions, offering listeners a masterclass in both theoretical foundations and practical implementations. Allan, drawing from his extensive experience in FreeBSD development and ZFS optimization, guides listeners through the sophisticated underpinnings of ZFS's copy-on-write architecture. The discussion illuminates how this fundamental design choice revolutionizes data integrity and storage management, while exploring the real-world implications for enterprise deployments. Through concrete examples and technical insights, Allan demonstrates why ZFS continues to be the go-to solution for organizations demanding unwavering data reliability. The conversation takes an exciting turn as Viktor and Allan explore FreeBSD's networking capabilities, unraveling how its architectural decisions contribute to its reputation for exceptional performance in production environments. Allan shares fascinating insider perspectives on why industry giants repeatedly choose FreeBSD for their critical infrastructure, backing these insights with compelling technical analysis and real-world case studies. Listeners will find themselves immersed in practical wisdom as Allan shares battle-tested strategies for ZFS deployment and optimization. The discussion covers everything from fine-tuning storage pools to leveraging advanced features for maximum efficiency, providing administrators and developers with actionable takeaways they can implement immediately. The episode also ventures into forward-looking territory, examining emerging trends in storage technology and operating system development. What sets this episode apart is Allan's remarkable ability to convey complex technical concepts with clarity and precision, making advanced topics accessible without sacrificing technical depth. Whether you're managing enterprise storage infrastructure, developing system-level software, or simply passionate about cutting-edge filesystem technology, this conversation offers invaluable insights into the present and future of storage solutions. Allan's expertise, combined with Viktor's engaging interview style, creates a compelling narrative that bridges theoretical knowledge with practical application in the ever-evolving landscape of enterprise storage and operating systems. ]]>…

Nerding Out With Viktor

1
Hacking airplanes, ships and IoT devices with Ken Munro 1:06:14

33 weeks ago1:06:14