Meet Big Kel

Welcome to Big Kel Tech. I’m Big Kel, a retired IT professional with over 30 years of experience in the industry. After three decades of navigating the ever-evolving landscape of enterprise technology, I decided to retire to Coastal Georgia to focus on what matters most: spending time with my wife, children, and grandchildren, and soaking in the natural beauty of the coast.

Retirement, however, hasn't stopped my drive to learn. I run this home lab to stay current on the latest software and hardware trends, treating it as a sandbox for curiosity. I am deeply intrigued by the rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence and how it integrates with daily life.

My current setup relies heavily on a Mac Mini M4 running OrbStack and Docker for container management, alongside Proxmox for virtualization duties. From managing my EV charging to monitoring a full-scale solar installation, this journey is about continuing to learn, build, and explore throughout my years.

Areas of Focus

The Lab Environment

Leveraging the power of Apple Silicon (M4) to run local AI models and self-hosted services via Docker and OrbStack. It is a playground for testing new deployments without the constraints of a corporate environment.

Sustainable Energy

Managing a home solar installation and Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure. The goal is to maximize energy independence while analyzing the data that comes from generating and consuming my own power.

Artificial Intelligence

Exploring what AI has to offer, from local LLMs to automation logic. I am fascinated by the potential of these tools and how they can be practically applied in a home lab setting.