Hello
My name is Maurice. I write a lot. Texts, code and music. It's always been important to me not just to "fill" one niche and only write articles about programming; but also to have a place where I can freely express myself creatively. My website is one of those places.
IndieWeb & OpenSource
Everything I do today - blogging, podcasting, programming - would not have been possible without what's known as the IndieWeb and Open Source. That's why I also publish many of my plugins and tools as Open Source.
My focus is currently on my Kirby-Plugins, such as the Podcaster-Plugin, the IndieConnector, and the Comments-Plugin. [You can find all of them here.] (https://plugins.getkirby.com/mauricerenck)
Web Development
For over 20 years now, I have been developing websites, tools, and services. For a long time, I worked as a freelancer for various agencies and companies.
As a full-time programmer, I work on large and small systems, tools, and services in the team at konzentrik. We develop our own SaaS solutions and also work on extensive systems for our clients.
My current tech stack is based on TypeScript, Node.js, and PHP.
Media and Publishing
What an Eye-Opener! When I realized in the middle/late 1990s that anyone with a computer could create a website, I was completely thrilled. There were even hosts where you could get a whole megabyte of free storage!
To this day, my excitement hasn't waned. The environment has become slightly more complex and professional over time. In the last 20 years, I've started my own blogs, tried to establish a web magazine based on blogging, worked for small and large media houses, online editorial offices like HÖRZU, supported professional bloggers, and worked on big systems for companies like Funke.
I've been following the media landscape, new formats, and distribution channels ever since. I watch how the major platforms are evolving and what that means for those who publish online text, audio, and video content. I'm constantly wondering how we can remain independent while still reaching our target audiences.
Blogging & Writing
When I first heard about blogs, I was immediately hooked. Now that I finally knew what I did online, I could start creating my own content! Over the years, I've started and abandoned numerous blogs - but this one on my site is a mix of old and new posts from the past 15 years.
For me, blogging isn't something you can imagine living without; it represents the freedom to express oneself online without restrictions. Blogs were once called "clownhouses of the internet" during the social media boom, declared dead, but they're still thriving - and more popular than ever!
Blogs can be isolated spaces where people write away, or open systems that allow you to connect with others through webmentions and comments. They can be complex yet simple to set up. To me, a blog is a democratic medium.
That's why I'm trying here to make blogging accessible and easy for as many people as possible using my writing, tools, and plugins.
Radio-On-Demand & Podcasts
I've always been a fan of radio. There were times when I was sitting in my room, doing something, and whenever it seemed like something cool was happening on the radio, I'd quickly record it. Of course, I also wanted to try it out myself - first on cassette, then live online, which unfortunately didn't work out with the ISDN connection at the time, and even caused a brief moment where I stood in front of the microphone.
Things really took off with "Radio-On-Demand", or online radio broadcasts that could be downloaded. In 2001, I joined RadioTux and did exactly that. Alongside Steffen, Ingo, and many other colleagues, we produced an online radio show with short and long segments and interviews. RadioTux is still active today as a podcast - it's likely one of the oldest still active podcasts out there.
Speaking of podcasts. The next game-changer for me was in 2005 when Steffen launched his first podcast, and since then I've been listening to and producing podcasts non-stop. For me, podcasts are an amazing playground and a medium that has grown up over time. A combination that's rarely seen in this form.
I'm a podcast fan - as both a listener and producer.
Journalism
For me back then was clear that continuing to blog and pursue journalism was the way to go. So I wanted to become a journalist. I applied for positions in online editorial departments, even started almost an internship at the radio, worked with FREIHAFEN magazine, took my Abitur (high school diploma) to prepare for possible studies, and eventually landed a job as a developer in the HÖRZU and TV Digital editorial team - albeit still on the outside looking in.
It quickly became apparent that the daily routine of being a journalist at the publishing house was not what I had envisioned. However, the topic has never left me. Today, you don't have to work for a large publishing company to be able to write journalism. And so, I continue to focus on this theme and try to find a middle ground that allows me to write while also giving me maximum freedom.
Freihafen & Tauschwohnung
I wouldn't call myself a classic founder, but I was involved with two. When FEIHAFEN magazine launched, I was on board and helped bring this youth magazine for Hamburg into existence along with many other excellent people. With an initial print run of 20,000, it was distributed in schools, universities, and other locations.
In 2010, I co-founded the apartment exchange portal tauschwohnung with Beate and Bastian and ran it for five years before selling it. At the time, it wasn't an easy undertaking, as many landlords were skeptical of the concept back then, but fortunately, that has changed since then.
Music
It's not always just about media and the internet. People need something to balance it out too. For me, that's music - something I've been doing for a long time. I play drums in an IndiePunk band and work on my own music at home, which is hard to even categorize as a genre.
The band has been around for over twenty years and means a lot to me. Music is something I can let myself fall into. Every week, I look forward to meeting the other three and making music together and chatting.