CONVOY
Your own email server in 8 hours
Stored on the servers of tech giants, mined by ‘AI’ and with shady data-sharing agreements, it’s as though our email isn’t really ours at all.
This 2x4hr intensive fully-supports complete newcomers through the process of deploying a fast, tightly-secured, private and sovereign email server. Easy to administer, dozens of accounts can be created and given to friends, family and colleagues – all under a chosen domain. With excellent spam detection and a high-reputation right from the start, emails land straight into the inbox of all the big providers.
The finished mailserver can not only be used with popular mail clients, but also has a modern and mobile-friendly webmail interface.
Time is given for personalised coaching, as needed, for two full days after the live training has completed. Following the training,all participants join an enduring self-hosted and private community chat platform where they can share notes with peers, and get tips and support as their server matures.
Q&A
When is the next course?
| Course start | April 10, 2026 |
| Live training session | April 10, 4pm-8pm UTC |
| Live training session | April 11, 4pm-8pm UTC |
| Live tuition | April 12, as arranged and if needed |
| Live tuition | April 13, as arranged and if needed |
| Course end | April 13, 2026 |
Please join the Signal group or email to stay updated.
What prior skills do I need to take this course?
None. There is no need for a comp-sci or engineering background.
Any experience with process-based technical work like baking, gardening, furniture-making, lego builds, electronics will be an advantage.
An attention to detail and a reasonable typing speed are good to have too.
What skills will I learn?
- UNIX command line basics
- Securely connecting to a remote server
- How email works
- Creating and encrypting partitions
- Server directory structure basics
- Server security fundamentals
- Email security fundamentals
- Basics of permissions and privilege separation
- Basics of server package management
- Firewalling fundamentals
- Working with Docker
- Common mistakes and oversights
- Jurisdictional and geographic considerations of a server deployment
Just how intense is this course?
There are 2 very focused 4hr sessions, with few breaks and a quick pace.
The goal is a strong deployment outcome for each participant, guided every step of the way, in turn giving them a good general understanding as to the overall build process and strategy. Post live training, documentation and follow-up material is provided, alongside support in chat, to then bolster and ingrain that understanding.
In the event a participant doesn’t come through with a deployment outcome in the live training due to an interruption or technical issue, a deployment is guaranteed, in 1:1 guidance scheduled to fit in the 2 days that follow.
How much does this course cost?
A one-time fee of EUR400.
This includes the live training, documentation and coaching, alongside casual support in chat after the training has completed.
Will the server I deploy be mine?
Yes, the server you deploy will wholly be yours, private and under your control. This is not a ‘managed server’, maintained by someone else.
Will there be a monthly cost for the server?
Yes, depending on what resources you wish your server to have, you will have to pay a minimum of EUR13/month. EUR15-20/month would give a mid-sized organisation years of email storage. More storage can be added in due course.
Please note contracts with the datacenter are month-to-month so you can cancel at any time.
Will the computer I have be OK for this course?
Any laptop or workstation is suitable for the course. GNU/Linux and OS X users have nothing to prepare. Windows users are encouraged to setup WSL on their Windows machines before taking the course. If that is not possible, the Putty client software is fine.
What payment methods do you accept?
Credit card, bank transfer and AfterPay
Where will my server be?
Your server will be hosted with Hetzner, in either Germany or Finland (the choice is yours!)
What will I be able to do with my new mail server?
- Send and receive email from a mail client on any smartphone, laptop or tablet
- Send and receive mail using a modern webmail interface
- Send and receive emails to/from all the big mail providers
- Create hundreds of accounts for friends, family, colleagues
- Automatically filter spam
- Manage and monitor the server using an online admin interface
- Sync calendars using Caldav and Cardav
Will the training session be recorded?
Yes it will.
Will my server be under any domain I choose?
Yes your mail server will be under a domain that you own.
Can anyone take this course?
This is a strictly inclusive course offering. Those that espouse hate speech, gender bigotry or racism of any sort, are not welcome.
Does this course use AI?
No it doesn’t. This course, from delivery to documentation, code to communication, is AI-free. At no point is it used nor will it be used.
Your instructor
Julian Oliver is a Critical Engineer, educator, infrastructure activist and electronic artist with over 2 decades of experience in server administration. Thousands of activists rising in defense of people and planet worldwide use secure server infrastructure Julian has deployed, some of which are active in very hostile operating conditions. He has given numerous workshops and master classes in data forensics, creative hacking, system administration, computer networking, counter-surveillance, software art, object-oriented programming, radio, disaster-resilient communications, UNIX/Linux and more.
Julian is co-director of Nīkau, a global platform, information and operations security consultancy in service to NGOs, impact-driven organisations and grassroots movements. His work and ideas have been presented at numerous universities, events and festivals worldwide, including Ars Electronica, the Vienna Biennale, the Frankfurter Kunstverein, the Japan Media Arts Festival, The Chaos Communication Congress, Tate Modern, Princeton University, and the ZKM in Karlsruhe.
Julian has also received several awards, most notably the distinguished Golden Nica at Prix Ars Electronica 2011. He is the co-author of the Critical Engineering Manifesto and member of the Critical Engineering Working Group.
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