Hi everyone! 👋

I figured it was overdue to introduce myself and join the conversation properly.

A bit about me

I'm Ed Stuurman, an infrastructure and reliability engineer based in Japan (originally from Europe).

My path in tech started in enterprise hardware escalations, debugging kernel dumps, and tracking down CPU microcode bugs at Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Since moving to Japan, my focus centered on carrier-grade messaging and distributed systems—scaling email security pipelines, MTAs, and observability systems protecting millions of domains.

After daily driving Linux for 15 years (and a Mac for the last 5), Linux and BSD remain the backbone of everything I run—both in production and across my homelab.

What I’m currently building & tinkering with

When I'm not in my terminal debugging Layer 1–7 networking quirks or pruning trees in the yard, I've been spending time on:

  • Minimalist Web Engineering: Building fast, static web experiences with Astro and Tailwind CSS, keeping client-side JavaScript to an absolute minimum (~5 KB).
  • The Homelab & Networking: Running a low-power Proxmox cluster, WireGuard edge relays, and navigating the weird and wonderful world of Japanese fiber ISP routing (MAP-E, IPv6 IPoE, and carrier NATs).
  • AI-Assisted Pair Programming: Treating modern AI coding agents not as magic autocomplete, but as high-leverage junior partners in a disciplined test-and-verify workflow.
  • The Physical Stack: M4/3 photography, DIY yard irrigation, and teaching my preteen how real computers and physical tools work.

What I’ll be writing about here

I enjoy writing about the gritty realities between software abstractions and physical hardware:

  • Post-mortems, hardware mysteries, and why systems fail in surprising ways
  • Homelab architecture, self-hosting, and practical networking
  • Lightweight web architectures and modern developer workflows
  • Musings on career longevity, international moves, and work-life balance

Let's connect!

  • What is your favorite piece of hardware or self-hosted service running in your homelab right now?
  • Anyone else navigating tech infrastructure from Japan or the APAC region?

Looking forward to reading your stories and sharing notes in the comments!