FAQ

Most MSPs build their business around Windows and cloud subscriptions because those generate predictable recurring revenue. We take a different approach: we focus on creating genuine value for you, regardless of what platform that involves. We specialise in open source and self-hosted solutions because we believe they often deliver better outcomes, but we’re not dogmatic—we’ll recommend Windows or cloud services when they genuinely make sense for your situation. Our goal is to help you succeed, not to maximise your dependency on us.

We specialise in Linux and open source, but we’re not against Windows or cloud platforms. Technology choices should be based on what creates value for you, not on ideology. If Windows is the right tool for your situation—maybe you need specific software that only runs on Windows, or your team is already trained on it—we’ll support that. We’ll always give you honest advice about the trade-offs of different approaches.

Linux is a free operating system that runs your computer, like Windows or MacOS. The key difference is that it’s open-source: the code is publicly available for anyone to inspect, modify, and improve. This transparency means better security (vulnerabilities get found and fixed quickly), no vendor lock-in (you’re not dependent on one company’s decisions), and no licensing fees. Linux powers most of the internet’s servers, Android phones, and countless devices you use daily.

NixOS is a Linux distribution that takes reproducibility and transparency seriously. Your entire system configuration is defined in readable code—no hidden settings, no mysterious state. This means we can build the exact same system anywhere, document everything automatically, and roll back instantly if something goes wrong. We use NixOS because it embodies values we care about: transparency, reproducibility, and giving you full understanding of your own infrastructure.

Self-hosted solutions are services you run on your own hardware or servers, rather than using someone else’s cloud platform. Instead of paying monthly fees for Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, you could run your web applications, file storage, or collaboration tools. The trade-offs are: more control and potentially lower long-term costs, but more responsibility for maintenance and security. We help you understand whether self-hosting makes sense for your situation and handle the technical complexity if you choose that path.

Modern Linux desktop environments are straightforward for everyday tasks—browsing, email, documents, video calls. If that’s all you need, the transition is smooth. If you want to go deeper and understand how things work, there’s more to learn, but that knowledge is genuinely valuable. We’re happy to help you experiment safely and build your skills over time. Understanding your technology is empowering, and we encourage curiosity.

For many workflows, yes. Linux handles office work, web applications, email, video conferencing, and most business tasks well. Some specific software (Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office (the desktop version). certain industry applications, some games) doesn’t run natively on Linux, though alternatives or workarounds often exist. We’ll help you honestly assess whether Linux fits your needs—we’d rather tell you upfront if it won’t work than have you discover problems later.

Open source software gives you transparency (you can see what the code does), freedom (you’re not locked into one vendor), and often better security (many eyes reviewing the code). It also means your technology doesn’t disappear if a company goes out of business or decides to discontinue a product. From a career perspective, open source skills are increasingly valuable—the infrastructure of the modern internet runs largely on open source technology.