Welcome to German Gerken! I’m German, a data engineer passionate about sharing insights on technology, career growth, and the world of data engineering. Here, we explore the practical side of tech—from hands-on tutorials on tools like Docker, ClickHouse, and Apache Airflow, to real-life stories about navigating a career in data. Whether you’re just starting, aiming to advance in tech, or simply curious about data-driven solutions, this channel is here to inspire, inform, and give you the edge you need to succeed. Let’s learn, grow, and explore the future of data together!


German Gerken

🚀 New video is LIVE: Apache Kafka Explained in 15 Minutes

Just dropped a complete breakdown of the message broker used by Netflix, Uber, and LinkedIn.

Covered everything:
→ Topics & Partitions for scalability
→ Consumer Groups for parallel processing
→ Delivery guarantees (at-least-once vs exactly-once)
→ Real Python code examples

Quick question: What's your biggest challenge when working with Kafka? 👇

Drop a comment - I'm reading all of them!

🎥 Watch here: https://youtu.be/uckDbCuZ-JA

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

German Gerken

Hey everyone! 🚀

New documentary just dropped: "INTERNET: How Fear Built Freedom"

Did you know the internet was born from Cold War paranoia? In 1957, a beeping Soviet satellite terrified America... and accidentally sparked the creation of the technology that now connects 5 billion people.

This isn't a Silicon Valley startup story. It's about psychologists, military engineers, and a failed login attempt that changed everything.

From Sputnik to ARPANET to your smartphone—discover the shocking origin story: https://youtu.be/NU7intUgZms

What surprised you most about the internet's history? Drop a comment! 💻

#TechOrigins #InternetHistory #Documentary

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

German Gerken

Hint for my next big video!

Take a look at this machine. This is where it all began.

3 months ago | [YT] | 0

German Gerken

Recently, I posted a poll asking what type of content you wanted to see first, and "The history and stories behind IT technologies" was the winner!

I know it was just by one vote, but every single vote matters to me. I've already started working on a video on this topic, and I'm really enjoying the process of creating it. The video will be 30-45 minutes long, and I hope you'll love it.

While I'm working on it, I'll post some clues here in the community tab so you can guess what the video will be about! 😉

Thank you all for your support. I'm excited to bring you more great content!

3 months ago | [YT] | 0

German Gerken

Hey everyone! I have lots of exciting ideas I'd love to create content around, but I also want to focus on what interests YOU the most. Here are some topic options:

I'll be working on all of these topics over time, but I'd love to know. What should I prioritize first? Vote in the poll below and share your thoughts! Your feedback really helps me create the content you want to see. Thanks!

3 months ago | [YT] | 0

German Gerken

Hey everyone in the German Gerken community! 🚀

Exciting news! I've just dropped a brand-new video: "How to Set Up Docker for Beginners"! If you've ever felt overwhelmed by app deployment or wanted to dive into containerization without the hassle, this is your perfect starting point.

In this step-by-step guide, we'll cover:

- Easy installation on Windows, macOS, or Linux
- Breakdown of key Docker components (Engine, Daemon, Images, Containers, and more)
- Hands-on examples, like running your first container and building a simple Python app

Whether you're a newbie developer, data engineer, or just curious about tools like Docker, this video will get you up and running in no time. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/qHVvBYIeydQ

What’s your first Docker project going to be? Drop a comment below, like if it helps, and subscribe for more tutorials on data engineering, automation, and career tips. Let's build something awesome together! 💻

#Docker #BeginnersGuide #DataEngineering #TechTutorials

4 months ago | [YT] | 1

German Gerken

🚀 New Video Just Dropped!
"Self-Hosted N8N Setup with Docker - Full Guide + Why It Beats Cloud Automation" is now live! 🎬

In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll show you how to deploy N8N in a production-ready environment using Docker, PostgreSQL, Redis, and Nginx, all self-hosted. 💡

You’ll learn:
✅ Why self-hosting N8N can save you money and give you more control
✅ How to build a real-world workflow with Telegram alerts
✅ How to secure and scale your own automation system

🔗 Watch it here → https://youtu.be/YgzrME_8Q14
💬 Let me know what workflows you'd love to see in the next video!

#N8N #Automation #SelfHosted #Docker #DevOps #Productivity

4 months ago | [YT] | 0

German Gerken

Why Every Developer Should Master Unix Fundamentals

Hey fellow developers! 👋


I've been thinking about something important I want to share with you. In our world of high-level frameworks and cloud solutions, we sometimes overlook one of the most crucial foundational skills - understanding Unix systems.

Why Unix Knowledge Matters Today

Even in 2025, with all our modern tools and abstractions, Unix/Linux powers:
- 96.3% of the world's top 1 million web servers
- Most cloud infrastructure
- The majority of CI/CD systems
- Nearly all DevOps tools
- Android (which is Linux-based)

The Real-World Impact
I've noticed that developers who understand Unix fundamentals:
- Debug production issues faster
- Write more efficient automation scripts
- Have better command over Docker and containerization
- Understand system resources and performance better
- Can easily navigate and work in remote environments

Core Skills That Make a Difference
These aren't just "nice-to-have" skills anymore. They're becoming essential for:

- Container orchestration
- Cloud deployment
- System monitoring
- Performance optimization
- Security hardening

What Do You Think?
I plan to create a series of videos covering Unix fundamentals for modern developers. What's your take on this?
- Do you feel Unix knowledge is still relevant in today's development landscape?
- What specific Unix topics would you like to learn about?
- Have you ever found yourself struggling with Unix concepts in your daily work?

I'd like to discuss this below. Your input will help shape this upcoming series! 🚀


#Programming #Unix #SoftwareDevelopment #DevOps #CodingEducation

11 months ago | [YT] | 0