Learn how to run a Community Web Server in the Climate Crisis
Systems Administration / Operations
Community
Intermediate
You may know how to use Linux, or install open-source software, but can these skills be used to keep your local community online during an emergency?
In this workshop, we'll be setting up a Local Resilience Mesh. This is a network of web-servers that each run popular open-source web software that people can use everyday, but also communicate with each other via a peer-to-peer network. For information on the why we might want such a network in our communities, you can see my talk at Everything Open 2026.
Running a “LoRes Node” is a fusion of two different skills: systems administration using tools like Linux and Docker, and an understanding of distributed systems, P2P technologies and event sourcing. You can enjoy this workshop without either or both of those skills, and either build confidence in the basics, or learn how to knit your existing skills together in this new way.
By the end of the workshop, we aim to each have a working installation of a web server, actively networked with each other, and be testing out various things it can do. More important that outcomes, however, is making sure that we have a great time, help each other out, and ensure that everyone feels included regardless of skill level and background. If we are going to move entire communities off big tech and onto local servers, we're going to need to involve lots of people, from lots of different walks of life.
To attend, you will need a laptop. You'll likely be installing the LoRes software on your laptop (you can delete it afterwards) which will be easiest on Linux, but can work on other platforms. Alternatively, it's possible to install the software on a Raspberry Pi (model 4 or 5) instead. We will provide a couple in case anyone's computer isn't working well, but please contact us if you're unsure if you have the right equipment.
1. Raspberry Pis
Note that if accepted, this workshop might be nicer if everyone had a Raspberry Pi instead of installing on their own computer. Merri-bek Tech Inc, the organisation running the LoRes project, has a number of Pi's (some from a previous Linux Australia Grant) but most are in use by volunteers and we can't free up enough for all workshop participants.
I'm going to try applying for another Linux Australia grant for Pi's for this workshop, as we think they're a particularly great way to teach Linux to beginners who don't want to move their laptop off windows/mac. If we get such a grant (or otherwise get a bunch of Pis) we would like to tweak the abstract slightly to indicate that we'd be providing them (but we'd still need people to bring laptops).
This workshop can certainly go ahead regardless of whether we can supply Pis.
2. General knowledge vs Project Specific
This is a project specific workshop, but we have a strong focus on general knowledge that can be used outside of this project. Installers will be tackling command line linux, git, docker, docker compose, abra, co-op cloud, p2panda, iroh and a bunch of other useful things.
Additionally, all project code is open source and both Merri-bek Tech and the LoRes Mesh project have no connection to making profit, so all the code and ideas used can be taken home by participants and used in their local contexts.
I'll need to run an additional WiFi access point, temporarily, which will not be connected to the internet or the conference network, in order to demonstrate offline networking. I'll bring this myself, and give it a clear SSID to indicate it's for the workshop. It will not be on outside of the workshop time-slot.
Workshop participants will be using computers, and so we will need tables, chairs, and power.
LoRes Mesh