The IT Guy Show - Episodes Tagged with “Nixos”

Episode 19: The Problem with Subscriptions

Eric Hendricks — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0600

We’re starting 2026 with a reality check: subscriptions are eating our wallets. From streaming services to password managers, cloud storage to to-do apps — the "monthly drip" is everywhere.

In this solo episode, Eric breaks down why recurring subscription models have become the default, how they impact both consumers and creators, and what it looks like to take back control through self-hosting and open source alternatives.

This episode kicks off a new arc focused on building a personal homelab, reducing reliance on cloud services, and reclaiming your tech stack one app at a time.

Welcome to The IT Guy Show, your go-to destination for all things tech with Eric, your friendly neighborhood IT guy! Join Eric as he shares his wealth of knowledge, insights, and experiences gained from years of working in the IT industry. From troubleshooting common tech issues to exploring the latest trends and innovations, each episode is packed with practical tips, skilled advice, and engaging discussions.

Connect with me! https://linktr.ee/itguyeric

Chapters:
00:00 Stream Start
00:33 What’s the Problem
06:38 Eric’s Setup
14:13 Self Hosting Stack
23:08 Planning
24:15 Upcoming and Closing

Graphics and bumpers by Free Hive Agency
Photo by Christina Radevich on Unsplash

Support The IT Guy Show

Episode 18: Wayland and My eX-11 | The IT Guy Show 018

Eric Hendricks — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0600

In this episode of The IT Guy Show, Eric is joined by Linux content creator Brodie Robertson to dive into the display server drama of the decade: the end of X11 and the rise of Wayland.

Together they explore the history of X11, its weird quirks, and why it stuck around so long, before unpacking what makes Wayland different, better, and sometimes frustrating. From screen tearing and window managers to PipeWire, gaming, and remote desktops, this episode covers the past, present, and future of the Linux desktop experience.

Whether you’re a veteran sysadmin who lived through the xhost + days or a curious distro-hopper wondering why Wayland keeps breaking your screen sharing, this episode has something for you.

Connect with me! https://linktr.ee/itguyeric
Connect with Brodie: https://brodierobertson.xyz/link_tree

X Window System: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_Window_System
Wayland Homepage: https://wayland.freedesktop.org/

Wayland Protocols Table: https://absurdlysuspicious.github.io/wayland-protocols-table
Awesome Wayland: https://github.com/rcalixte/awesome-wayland

Chapters:
00:00 Stream Start
00:13 Introduction
01:21 Brodie Robertson
04:45 What is X11?
11:56 What did X11 solve?
19:42 What is Wayland?
36:18 Full Wayland mode
44:52 Wrap up

Graphics and bumpers by Free Hive Agency
Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash

Special Guest: Brodie Robertson.

Support The IT Guy Show

Episode 11: NixOS: The Distro That Thinks Code

Eric Hendricks — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0500

For many Linux users, configuration means dotfiles, bash scripts, and duct tape. But what if your entire system, from packages to users to services could be described, versioned, and rolled back like code?

In this episode of The IT Guy Show, Eric is joined by Aaron Honeycutt to demystify NixOS, the declarative, reproducible Linux distribution that’s changing how people think about system configuration. We’ll cover what makes NixOS different, how to get started without pulling your hair out, and how this distro fits into modern DevOps, home lab, and desktop workflows.

If you’ve ever heard the term “declarative infrastructure” and wondered what it actually looks like in practice, this is your chance to find out.

Connect with me! https://linktr.ee/itguyeric
Join our:
Discord: https://itguyeric.com/discord
Matrix: https://matrix.to/#/#podcast-itguyeric:matrix.org

Connect with Aaron: https://aaron.honeycutt.family
Inside a NixOS Homelab: Real-World Walkthrough with Aaron Honeycutt
https://youtu.be/pQTiucyjIjc

NixOS: https://nixos.org
NixOS Discord: https://discord.com/invite/RbvHtGa
Medium - What is Nix / NixOS: https://medium.com/@Erik_Krieg/what-is-nix-nixos-aab5610f0d7f

Chapters:
00:00 Stream Start
00:15 Welcome
01:05 Aaron Honeycutt
02:23 What is NixOS
04:14 How is it different?
06:20 What’s the learning curve?
12:20 Contributing to NixOS
16:59 The Future
23:38 Outro

Graphics and bumpers by Free Hive Agency
Photo by Malachi Brooks on Unsplash

Support The IT Guy Show