My Article on Homelabs Published in Info Kairali

I am delighted to share some happy news with you, My article titled “Own Data, Own Control: The Era of Homelabs” (സ്വന്തം ഡാറ്റ, സ്വന്തം നിയന്ത്രണം: ഹോംലാബുകളുടെ കാലം) has been published in the July issue of Info Kairali, one of Kerala’s most respected Malayalam computer magazines.

As someone passionate about open-source technologies, self-hosting, Linux, and digital privacy, this publication is a significant milestone in my journey as a technology writer.

About the Article

The article introduces readers to the concept of Homelabs—personal servers and computing environments that individuals can set up at home to host their own digital services.

In an era where much of our personal and professional data resides on cloud platforms, many users are beginning to ask an important question:

Can we regain control over our own data?

This article explores how homelabs provide an answer by enabling individuals to host their own applications and services while maintaining privacy, flexibility, and complete ownership of their digital infrastructure.

The article covers:

  • What a Homelab is and why it is becoming increasingly popular.
  • Advantages of self-hosting compared with relying entirely on commercial cloud services.
  • Basic hardware requirements for setting up a homelab.
  • Operating systems and open-source software suitable for beginners.
  • Popular self-hosted applications for file storage, media streaming, password management, photo backup, surveillance, and more.
  • Practical guidance for anyone interested in building their first homelab.

Whether you are a student, librarian, IT professional, researcher, or technology enthusiast, the article serves as an accessible introduction to the exciting world of self-hosting.

Why This Topic Matters

Digital independence is becoming increasingly important. While cloud services offer convenience, they also raise concerns about privacy, subscription costs, and long-term control over personal information.

Homelabs empower users to:

  • Own and control their data.
  • Learn Linux, networking, virtualization, and server administration.
  • Experiment safely with new technologies.
  • Build practical skills valuable in both academic and professional environments.
  • Reduce dependence on proprietary cloud ecosystems.

I hope this article encourages more readers to explore self-hosting and discover how rewarding it can be.

A Word of Thanks

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the editorial team of Info Kairali for publishing my article in one of Kerala’s most respected Malayalam computer magazines. It is a privilege to contribute to a publication that has inspired technology enthusiasts for many years.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to Dr. Vimal Kumar, Assistant Librarian, M.G. University, whose constant encouragement, valuable insights, and passion for technology have been a source of inspiration throughout my learning and writing journey.

My sincere thanks also go to Dr. Simjith V., Librarian, Sahya Arts and Science College, Wandoor, Malappuram, for his thoughtful suggestions, constructive feedback, and encouragement, which greatly contributed to the refinement of this article.

Finally, I am grateful to my colleagues, friends, readers, and the open-source community for their continued support and motivation. Their encouragement inspires me to keep learning, experimenting, and sharing knowledge with the wider community.

Read the Article

If you have access to the July issue of Info Kairali, I invite you to read the article.

I hope the article inspires more people to explore homelabs, embrace open-source technologies, and take greater control of their digital lives.

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Koha Bulk Image Tool Released: Simplifying Patron Image Uploads in Koha

As library professionals, we often encounter repetitive technical tasks that consume valuable time and require command-line expertise. One such task is preparing and uploading patron images into the Koha Library Management System. To make this process easier and more accessible, I am pleased to announce the release of the Koha Bulk Image Tool, a desktop application designed specifically for Koha users.

What is the Koha Bulk Image Tool?

The Koha Bulk Image Tool is a Linux desktop application that helps libraries process patron photographs and generate Koha-compatible ZIP packages for bulk image uploads.

NB: Image filenames should be cardnumber of the patrons in koha

The application allows users to:

  • Select individual images or entire folders
  • Batch resize patron images to required dimensions
  • Automatically compress images to suitable file sizes
  • Generate the required IDLINK.TXT file
  • Create a Koha-ready ZIP package for direct upload
  • Use a simple graphical interface without requiring Linux terminal commands

The project is available on GitHub:

https://github.com/maheshpalamuttath/koha-bulk-image-tool

Why Was This Tool Created?

Many librarians using Koha are familiar with the challenge of preparing patron images for bulk upload. While effective scripts and methods already existed, they often required users to work through the Linux command line.

Not every library professional is comfortable using terminal commands, and this sometimes becomes a barrier to adopting useful automation tools.

The idea behind the Koha Bulk Image Tool was simple:

Make the process easier, more user-friendly, and accessible to every librarian.

By providing a graphical desktop application and packaging it as a Debian (.deb) package, installation and usage become much simpler for libraries running Debian, Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and related distributions.

Inspired by the Work of Mr. A.J. Tomson

The original Python script developed by Mr. Tomson served as the inspiration and foundation for this project. His contributions to the Koha community and library automation initiatives have benefited numerous libraries over the years.

Building upon his work, I enhanced the functionality, added a graphical user interface, and packaged the application into an installable Debian package to make it easier for librarians to use and share.

Open Source and Community Driven

The Koha Bulk Image Tool is released as an open-source project. I believe that library technology grows stronger when professionals collaborate, share ideas, and contribute improvements.

I welcome:

  • Feedback from librarians
  • Bug reports
  • Feature suggestions
  • Code contributions
  • Testing on different Linux distributions

Your suggestions will help improve the tool and make it more useful for the wider Koha community.

Acknowledgements

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the following individuals for their support, guidance, and testing efforts:

  • Mr. A.J. Tomson, Librarian, Devagiri College, Kozhikode
  • Dr. Vimal Kumar, Assistant Librarian, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala
  • Mr. Subeesh Gopinathan, Librarian, St. Mary’s Women’s College for Teacher Education, Thiruvalla
  • Ms. Monika P.M., Librarian (UGC), SNM Training College, Moothakunnam

Their valuable feedback during the trial stages helped refine the application and improve its usability.

Download and contribute:

https://github.com/maheshpalamuttath/koha-bulk-image-too

How to Install

Getting Started with the Koha Bulk Image Tool – LIBTECHNOPHILE

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Release Party – Join Us Online!

The Kerala Library Association (KLA), Kottayam Region, in collaboration with the Democratic Knowledge and Freedom Alliance (DKAF), Kottayam District, is organizing an online Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Release Party to celebrate the launch of the latest Long-Term Support (LTS) release of Ubuntu.

We warmly invite free and open-source software enthusiasts, students, teachers, librarians, and technology enthusiasts to join us for an evening of learning, exploration, and discussion.

Event Details

Date: 3 June 2026 (Wednesday)
Time: 7:30 PM IST
Mode: Online

Add Invitation to your Google Calendar

https://calendar.app.google/9Ld4Sv2ZZuiHHDJaA

Google Meet Link
https://meet.google.com/cyi-eahk-vkz

Programme Highlights

• Talk on Ubuntu 26.04 LTS and its new features
• Ubuntu installation session
• Live demonstrations
• Interactive discussion and Q&A

Ubuntu has long been one of the most popular GNU/Linux distributions, empowering millions of users worldwide with a secure, reliable, and user-friendly open-source operating system. The release of Ubuntu 26.04 LTS marks another significant milestone, bringing new features, performance improvements, and long-term support for users and organizations.

Whether you are an experienced Linux user or someone curious about exploring free and open-source software, this event offers an excellent opportunity to learn, interact, and celebrate the spirit of open knowledge and technology.

Organizers

Kerala Library Association (KLA), Kottayam Region
Democratic Knowledge and Freedom Alliance (DKAF), Kottayam District

We look forward to your participation in this community celebration of Ubuntu and the free software movement.

Tailscale VPN: Making Homelabbing Simple and Secure

Anyone who has spent time building a homelab knows that the real challenge doesn’t begin with installing software or spinning up containers—it begins when you try to access everything from outside your home network. Opening ports on the router, dealing with dynamic IP addresses, and worrying about security can quickly drain the joy out of self-hosting.

This is where Tailscale quietly becomes one of the most useful tools in a homelabber’s toolkit.

Tailscale is a VPN built on WireGuard, but calling it “just another VPN” doesn’t quite do it justice. Instead of forcing all traffic through a central server, Tailscale creates a private, encrypted network between your own devices. Your laptop, phone, home server, and even a cloud VPS can all talk to each other as if they were on the same local network, no matter where they physically are.

What makes Tailscale especially appealing for homelabbing is how little effort it demands. Once installed and logged in, devices simply appear in your private network with their own IP addresses. There is no need to expose services to the public internet, no port forwarding on the router, and no dependency on a static IP. Even connections behind strict NAT or CGNAT—something many ISPs use today—work without any extra configuration.

Another reason Tailscale fits so well into personal homelabs is its pricing model. For individual users and small setups, the free plan is more than sufficient. It allows up to three users and as many as one hundred devices, which is far more than most home labs will ever need. Useful features such as access control lists and subnet routing are also included, meaning there is no pressure to upgrade just to use essential functionality. This makes Tailscale especially attractive for students, hobbyists, and anyone experimenting with self-hosted infrastructure.

For a homelab, this simplicity changes everything. Instead of worrying about securing dashboards and admin panels, you can keep them private and accessible only through Tailscale. A Docker service running on a home server, a Proxmox interface, or a personal finance app like Actual Budget suddenly becomes available from anywhere, safely and reliably. Logging in from a mobile phone while travelling or accessing your server from a college network feels no different from being at home.

Security is another area where Tailscale fits naturally into the homelab philosophy. Every device is authenticated individually, and all traffic is encrypted end-to-end. There are no shared passwords and no single point of failure. Access can be tightly controlled, and devices can be removed instantly if they are lost or no longer needed. For personal and educational setups, this level of security is more than sufficient and often far better than ad-hoc firewall rules.

One of the understated strengths of Tailscale is how well it scales with curiosity. Today it might be just a laptop and a single home server. Tomorrow it could include a Raspberry Pi, a NAS, or a small cloud VM. Tailscale grows along with the lab, connecting everything into one coherent network without adding complexity. Even entire local subnets can be routed through a single machine, making printers or other non-Tailscale devices reachable when required.

For many homelabbers, Tailscale becomes one of those tools you install once and then forget about—because it simply works. The focus shifts away from networking headaches and back to what matters most: learning, experimenting, and building useful services.

In a world where self-hosting is becoming more popular but networks are becoming more restrictive, Tailscale feels like the missing piece. It doesn’t try to be flashy or complicated. It just makes your homelab accessible, secure, and peaceful—exactly what a good tool should do.

The Strategic Choice: Navigating Koha’s Long-Term Support (LTS) Model

For any library administrator, the decision to upgrade software involves weighing the excitement of new features against the potential for system downtime or user confusion. Koha simplifies this dilemma through its Long-Term Support (LTS) versioning model. While Koha follows a rapid release cycle—launching a major feature update every six months in May and November—the community designates the November release of every even-numbered year as the official LTS version. This formal structure was solidified around version 22.11, creating a predictable roadmap for libraries that require a “set it and forget it” level of stability.

The core advantage of an LTS release, such as the current 24.11, is the extended maintenance window. While a standard feature release (like 25.05) is only supported for about 18 months, an LTS version is backed by the community for approximately 3.5 years. This means that even as newer versions with flashy features are released, the LTS version continues to receive critical security patches and high-priority bug fixes. For libraries with limited technical staff or those running complex, mission-critical operations, this extended window provides a “safe harbor” from the bugs that can occasionally accompany “bleeding-edge” software updates.

Choosing the LTS path also transforms the upgrade experience from a frequent chore into a manageable, biennial strategy. Instead of performing major upgrades every six months—which requires repeated staff retraining and testing—libraries can jump directly from one LTS to the next (e.g., from 24.11 to the upcoming 26.11). This “LTS-to-LTS” leap ensures that your system remains modern enough to be secure and compatible with web standards, while significantly reducing the administrative overhead and risk associated with “living on the edge.” By prioritizing a tested foundation over rapid feature adoption, the LTS model allows librarians to focus their energy on community service rather than software troubleshooting.

Reference: Koha on Debian and Ubuntu – Koha Wiki

Building a FOSS Digital Signage System for Sacred Heart College Libraries

At Sacred Heart College (Autonomous), Kochi, we’ve been steadily embracing Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) to enhance our library and campus services. From our Koha-based library management system to open-access repositories and communication tools, open technologies have helped us build scalable, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions tailored to our institutional needs.

Digital Signage for Libraries and Beyond

As part of our ongoing digital transformation, we explored the use of digital signage to broadcast library updates, promote resources, and share information dynamically with students and faculty. Instead of opting for costly proprietary platforms, we chose to deploy Xibo, a robust and community-driven open-source digital signage system.

What Is Xibo?

Xibo is a full-featured, open-source digital signage platform that enables you to display a mix of videos, images, live web pages, and text-based messages on any screen. Content can be managed centrally through a web-based Content Management System (CMS), while individual screens are powered by Xibo Players that automatically synchronize with the CMS.

For libraries and educational institutions, Xibo opens up a world of possibilities, such as:

  • Broadcasting announcements, events, and library hours
  • Showcasing student achievements or research highlights
  • Displaying live dashboards, reading lists, or inspirational quotes
  • Integrating with existing systems for real-time data displays

Scaling It Across the Campus

After successfully deploying Xibo in the library, the system’s flexibility and ease of use encouraged us to extend it across the entire Sacred Heart College campus. Now, multiple departments can broadcast their updates, event posters, and information slides seamlessly — all managed from a single dashboard.

The signage screens, placed strategically across the campus, have become an integral part of our internal communication strategy, reducing reliance on print notices and ensuring timely, visually engaging information delivery.

Why We Chose FOSS for Signage

Our choice of Xibo was guided by several factors that align with our institution’s open-source philosophy:

  • Cost-effective: No recurring licensing fees or vendor lock-in
  • Customizable: Complete control over software and deployment
  • Cross-platform: Works on Linux, Windows, and Docker environments
  • Self-hosted: Data privacy and control remain within the institution
  • Community-driven: Supported by an active open-source community

Our Installation Experience

We deployed Xibo CMS using Docker on our Debian server, which simplified the setup and maintenance. The Xibo Player was installed on a dedicated display NUC, configured to auto-start on boot, ensuring uninterrupted display service.

We also experimented with Anthias (formerly Screenly OSE) — another open-source signage system — for lighter setups, particularly for Raspberry Pi and single-screen displays. Xibo gave us a powerful and flexible signage ecosystem for varied campus use cases.

With Xibo, Sacred Heart College now enjoys a cost-effective, flexible, and fully open-source signage solution. Whether used for information displays, event announcements, or real-time dashboards, Xibo delivers a professional presentation layer built entirely on open technologies.

Want to Try It Yourself?

If you’d like to experiment with Xibo, follow the official installation guide below to set up the CMS and Player:

Xibo for Docker | Xibo Digital Signage

Talk on “Revolutionising Library Services through WhatsApp” at National Seminar

On 23rd August 2025, I had the privilege of delivering a talk on “Revolutionising Library Services through WhatsApp” during the Case Studies & Innovations session at the National Seminar on Reimagining Library Visibility: Connecting People and Possibilities organized by St. Aloysius College Library, Thrissur.

My presentation focused on how WhatsApp can be effectively integrated into library services to enhance communication, improve user engagement, and provide instant access to information. I highlighted practical use cases, implementation experiences, and the potential of instant messaging platforms in reshaping the service landscape of libraries.

The seminar brought together library professionals, researchers, and practitioners from across the region to share ideas and explore innovative strategies that can redefine the visibility and relevance of libraries in the digital age. It was an enriching experience to contribute to the dialogue and exchange perspectives with fellow professionals.

Moments

Enroll in the 5th Batch of the Diploma in Library Automation!

Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous), Kochi, is proud to announce the 5th Batch of the Diploma in Library Automation, commencing October 4, 2025.

This six-month program is designed for library professionals who want to stay ahead in the digital era. With a strong blend of theory and hands-on practice, you’ll gain the confidence to transform traditional libraries into technology-driven knowledge hubs.

What You’ll Gain

  • Linux Mastery – Understand open-source systems and learn practical setup & configuration.
  • Koha ILS Expertise – Install, customize, and manage the world’s leading open-source library system.
  • DSpace IR Skills – Build and maintain digital repositories for managing scholarly content.
  • Cloud Deployment – Learn to host and scale library applications on cloud platforms.

View Syllabus

Why Choose?

  • Training by experienced professionals in library automation
  • Practical sessions that focus on real-world implementation
  • Classes scheduled twice a month (1st & 3rd Sundays) to suit working professionals
  • Total 60 hours of immersive learning, 10 AM – 4 PM

Starts: October 4, 2025
Venue: Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kochi

For details & registration:
Dr. Joshy George, HoD, DLIS & Program Coordinator
8606365566

Proud to Join the Madras Library Association as a Life Member

I am delighted to share that I have become a Life Member of the Madras Library Association (MALA), one of the oldest and most prestigious library associations in India.

Founded in 1928, MALA has played a pivotal role in shaping the library movement in the country, advocating for professional development, library modernization, and access to information for all. Becoming a part of this vibrant community of library professionals, educators, and knowledge seekers is both an honor and a responsibility.

As a life member, I look forward to contributing to MALA’s initiatives, engaging in meaningful dialogues on the evolving role of libraries, and participating in efforts that promote lifelong learning and digital transformation in the LIS domain.

This step strengthens my commitment to the profession and aligns with my vision of innovative, user-centered library services.

Membership Certificate

-Mahesh Palamuttath

Setting Up My Homelab: A Journey Into Self-Sufficiency

As a tech enthusiast, I’ve always found the idea of building my own server environment at home fascinating. The idea of having full control over my data, creating a personal cloud, and experimenting with various applications is something that excites me both professionally and personally. So, I decided to take the plunge and set up my very own homelab. Here’s a look at the journey and how I made it happen.

The Hardware: Building the Base

For my homelab project, I needed something compact yet capable enough to handle the tasks I planned on running. After considering various options, I landed on the Intel Celeron NUC, which was one unused in my library. It’s small, efficient, and perfect for a home server setup. With 4GB of RAM and a 120GB SSD, it was ideal for my use case — no need for a massive server, just something reliable.

The beauty of the NUC is its minimal power consumption and tiny footprint. It doesn’t take up much space and won’t run up your electricity bill. This made it the perfect starting point for my lab. After getting the hardware in place, I decided to go with Debian 12 as the operating system. It’s a stable, lightweight OS that gave me the flexibility I needed to run various applications.

The Software: CasaOS and the Cloud VPS

Once I had the hardware ready, the next step was finding a way to manage all the services I wanted to run. I didn’t want something too complex, so I needed a simple and user-friendly interface. After doing some research, I discovered CasaOS, an open-source home server operating system. It offers an intuitive dashboard that lets you easily manage cloud storage, services, and applications. It was exactly what I needed to bring everything together.

However, there was a small problem: I didn’t have a public static IP at home, which meant accessing my homelab remotely would be tricky. To get around this, I subscribed to a cloud VPS to act as a bridge between my home network and the outside world. This VPS runs Debian 12 and offers 1 vCPU, 512MB of RAM, and 10GB of SSD storage. For just $3.5/month, it was an affordable solution that allowed me to access my lab remotely without any issues.

VPN Setup: Securing Connections with Netbird

Security is always a top priority, especially when you’re exposing your network to the internet. To ensure that my homelab remained safe, I decided to set up Netbird VPN. Netbird is an open-source VPN based on WireGuard, a fast and secure protocol that’s perfect for this type of setup.

With the VPN in place, I could securely connect to my homelab from anywhere without risking exposure to external threats. I configured the VPN on both the cloud VPS and my local machine, which gave me a secure tunnel to access all the services I was running. Now I had peace of mind knowing my data was safe and my connections were encrypted.

For completely free remote access to your homelab, you can use Twingate, which offers a personal plan free for one device—perfect for homelab setups. Click here to learn more about Twingate.

Final Touches and Running Services

After setting up the hardware, software, and security, it was time to get everything running. I began by experimenting with various services that could run smoothly on my homelab. From personal cloud storage to home automation tools, I wanted to make the most out of the setup. The beauty of using CasaOS was how easy it was to deploy apps like Nextcloud (for cloud storage), Jellyfin (for media streaming), and Pi-hole (for ad-blocking).

I could access everything remotely through the Netbird VPN, which meant I wasn’t tied to a single location. Whether I was at home or on the go, I could manage and monitor my services with ease.

Reflection: The Rewards of a DIY Homelab

Looking back at the process, setting up this homelab has been incredibly rewarding. Not only did I learn a lot about networking, security, and cloud management, but it also gave me full control over my own infrastructure. I now have a fully functional, secure, and remote-accessible homelab that meets all my personal and professional needs without relying on third-party services.

Even though the hardware is modest, the ability to experiment, learn, and have control over my setup has been invaluable. There’s something incredibly satisfying about knowing you’ve built something from scratch that works just the way you want it.

Looking Ahead

My homelab is still in its early stages, and I’m excited to expand it in the future. I plan to integrate more applications, experiment with automation, and scale up the setup as needed. One of my future goals is to upgrade to a more efficient and compact form factor machine—specifically, an HP EliteDesk 800 G5 High Performance Mini PC featuring an Intel Core i5 9th Gen processor, 16 GB DDR4 RAM, and a 256 GB NVMe SSD (refurbished). This device not only supports RAM upgrades up to 64 GB but also allows for storage expansion, making it an ideal candidate for running Proxmox VE, the open-source virtualization platform.

If you’ve ever considered building your own homelab, I highly recommend taking the plunge. It’s a fantastic way to develop new skills, explore emerging technologies, and gain a hands-on understanding of how systems operate behind the scenes. The possibilities are endless—and the best part? You’re in full control of your learning journey.

– Mahesh Palamuttath