Writing

A small CLI tool for browsing, searching, and resuming copilot-cli sessions. Built on the SQLite database copilot-cli already maintains for you.

Your .env files are a liability. Two simple patterns for injecting secrets from 1Password or macOS Keychain so credentials never touch disk as plaintext.

How I use AI as a writing collaborator without losing my voice. A step-by-step process for collecting context, finding story arcs, drafting, editing, and publishing writing that feels human.

How I turned home network security into a conversation with an AI agent, and ended up with a hardened NAS, documented infrastructure, and a self-improving project harness along the way.

A reflection on two 15-year halves of a career—entrepreneur from age 14 to 29, employee from 29 to 44—and discovering what I actually love about this work.

Stop treating agent misses as bugs to fix and start treating them as gaps to close. Every mistake becomes a reason to add a test, document a pattern in a skill, or tighten the instructions. Free yourself to solve new problems instead of re-solving the same ones.

Optimizing for your own brain, not someone else's system. How I use Markdown files in VS Code as my single source of truth, leverage Copilot as a pair partner, and capture everything from meetings to voice memos to close the loop from idea to artifact to decision.

Practical ways to build career security when job security feels fragile—strengthening relationships, keeping interview skills fresh, sharing work openly, and preparing on your own terms.

How the blind pursuit of automation can distract from the more important goal of building understanding and how designing collaborations may be the future of coding careers.

Capture once, reuse everywhere. I record meetings, auto-transcribe, then feed transcripts to AI prompts for summaries, action lists, and architecture drafts. Context Rules Everything Around Me.

Reflecting on 20 years as a Rails developer, attending the first RailsConf and the career it led to, and celebrating it's impact on my life.

How to add client-side semantic search to your static website, no server needed.

My thoughts on the future of coding careers in the age of AI, and why I believe that human creativity and ingenuity will always be in demand.

Streamline your peer feedback process: provide references to key projects and qualities when asking for feedback, and personalize responses for meaningful insights.

Reflecting on a year of family milestones, tech innovation at GitHub, and personal growth. Cheers to cherished moments and learning new things!

Reflecting on 10 years from tinkering to becoming a Senior Engineer at GitHub, exploring retrospectives, and diving into the exciting world of Machine Learning.

Explore the gap between intention and perception in leadership communication. Learn how trust, ownership, and openness can bridge misunderstandings and foster collaboration.

Level up personally and professionally with a chill SWOT analysis. Discover strengths, tackle weaknesses, and spot growth opportunities like a pro!

Deliberately iterating on life: mastering notebooks, calendars, and meetings has boosted productivity, balance, and connection. Discover the power of intentional change.

Discover how we taught a cheeky robot to handle FAQs in an IRC channel, making support faster and freeing us for more fun stuff. Check out our adventure!

I was saved from sleep apnea by the persistence of loved ones. If this story sounds familiar, act now to help someone else get the rest they deserve.

Building a GitHub team taught us to tackle impactful problems, iterate fast, and embrace simplicity. Learnings on mentorship and adaptability for success!

Struggling with work addiction and balance, I share my journey to break destructive cycles, prioritize relationships, and create healthier habits.

In just six months, we built GitHub's custom support system by learning to focus and prioritize core goals. Discover how commitment and innovation led the way.

Jet lagged, but thrilled in Verona! From exhilarating cab rides to savoring gelato by the river, immerse yourself in jsDay and Italy's vibrant charm.

Join a journey from London to Verona sharing the magic of Hubot—an open-source robot that’s sparking creativity and laughter in the tech world!

Experience Speaker Deck like never before with full-screen presentations! Dive into high-res slides seamlessly, thanks to the latest browser API magic.

Test JavaScript regex easily with Scriptular! No backend needed; everything runs in your browser. Perfect for developers seeking a simple testing tool.

Open new tabs in Cucumber with ease! Learn how to run expectations on them using selenium-webdriver. A simple switch for smooth testing on Chrome.

Discover how Ordered List's acquisition by GitHub turned seamless, avoiding culture clashes and harnessing synergy, making work more engaging and productive.

Diving into contributor workflows with RubyGems? Discover a simple, effective method for collaborating on massive GitHub pull requests without being a git wizard.

Meet Twelve, my gem for the Gauges API! Dive into fun API tinkering and unleash robust analytics control with this easy-to-use tool. Check it out!

Ordered List crew joins GitHub! Exciting new chapters, dream resets, and awesome opportunities. Together, we're ready to build something incredible.

Finish Weekend: Collaborate with a diverse crew to conquer your unfinished projects! Join inspiring people and tackle that final 5% together.

Get creative with hubot scripts! Use CoffeeScript and regex to add personality and automate tasks, from snarky replies to API interactions. Unleash the robot butler!

Unleash your own robot squad with Hubot and Siri! Dive into setting up your digital assistant dream team using Heroku and HipChat.

Mentorship transforms coding and life journeys. Dive into authentic stories on growth through guidance and the profound impact of wise mentors.

Boost your programming career by writing! Share your insights, tackle everyday challenges, and elevate your brand. Let's make learning & growth a shared journey.

Speaker Deck is live! With 2500+ signups and 1000+ presentations in 2 weeks, it’s redefining slide hosting and handling scale with ease. Join the ride!

Grim MultiProcessor saved the day! It smartly switches between GhostScript versions to fix PDF conversion issues for Speaker Deck. Now processing's a breeze!

Discover how switching to a Mac in 2002 transformed my tech journey, thanks to Steve Jobs and Apple's intuitive, powerful design ethos.

Speaker Deck's journey from a simple idea to launch highlights the power of passion and perseverance. Discover how a casual lunch turned into a successful slide-sharing platform!

Boost your memory and productivity with a simple hack: just write it down! Discover how jotting ideas can transform your recall and streamline your life.

Turn PDF pages into images or text with Grim, my first Ruby gem! A nifty tool for developers and Speaker Deck users working with presentations.

Break free from your comfort zone to grow as a programmer and person by meeting new peers, asking questions, and truly listening. You won't regret it!

Discover how a waiter in San Francisco taught me the art of customer interaction and the power of confident questioning, transforming service with pride.

Dive into Speaker Deck's tech stack! Check out the cool tools and services that make PDF-to-slide magic happen effortlessly. Curious how it all works?

Need pdftotext on Heroku? Discover a smooth hack for compiling executables directly on Heroku's Cedar Stack, making PDFs searchable in no time!

Speaker Deck now rocks on Heroku and S3! We scaled to 100 workers processing slides at lightning speed, pushing limits with ease and gearing up for new features.

Epic workday vibes: Collaborating with Steve and John, nailing new features, sharing wins, and staying stoked for what’s coming next. Pure team synergy!

Discover the joy of unplugging: transform tech habits to enjoy life more, connect deeply with loved ones, and find peace without constant digital buzz.

Balancing work passion with inner peace is key. Discover how finding fulfillment in growth, not obsession, leads to true joy and tranquility.

Appreciate the small acts of kindness! A simple thank-you turned my chocolate craving into a sweet surprise. Gratitude goes a long way—sometimes with chocolate!

Started building my dream 55-gallon smoker after a year of planning, with Dad’s help and a perfectly-timed print from a friend. BBQ bliss, here we come!

Finding balance between work and home life is tough, especially when you love what you do. Prioritize loved ones and cherish quality time—it makes all the difference!

Boost team spirit by sharing passions and dreams for mutual success at work. Embrace each other's energy to stay motivated and happy every day.

Feeling like the new kid at work? Discover how having a servant's heart, finding a mentor, and leveraging your strengths can help you shine in a new job.

Discover a web developer's journey through crafting a native-feeling phototherapy calculator app for iPhone and Android using Appcelerator and JqueryMobile.

Choosing a new Mac laptop is tough! The 13" MacBook Air is sleek and light, but will it keep up? Dreaming of a 15" Air with power and pixels! What's your take?

Exciting times ahead! I've left SabreTech and joined OrderedList, diving into a new chapter of learning, coding, and smart collaborations. Cheers to fresh starts!

Just back from a delicious adventure in Boston, Concord, and Milton—foodie gems like oysters and wineries made it unforgettable! Dive into our tasty journey.

Discover a charming studio at 46 Monument Avenue with a private patio in Charlestown. Enjoy superb hospitality and a cozy retreat near Boston's North Side.

Discover why "free" is becoming extinct online and why paying for services can lead to better, more sustainable options. It's all about value and longevity!

Enhance Asterisk with Gmail for fax emailing! Our perl script tweak lets you send fax attachments via Gmail effortlessly—tech magic you need today.

Enjoying BarCampGR! Dive into some smoky meat magic with my top BBQ tips and recipes. Follow along for cooking secrets and tech musings!

Upgrade your small business phone system cost-effectively with a PBX-based setup. Future-proof and easy to maintain, perfect for 2-100 extensions.

Cousin's here with his wife for a weekend of ribs, chats, and laughs! Dive into the fun as we prep, smoke, and savor delicious memories together! #FamilyTime

Tried to build an app in a day for my uncle using Rails; learned a ton about TDD, modals, and more. Not one-day magic, but close! Dive into the journey.

Whiskey glazed pork chops and crispy country-style tomato stacks make dinner special for Natalie and lil'sis. Discover this hearty, flavorful meal now!

Set up your Asterisk-based PBX easily with Rhino cards! Great support and seamless integration using PBX in a Flash—your telecom needs, simplified.

Follow my journey of crafting a custom Twitter client for Windows, inspired by Tweetie! Dive into the app's evolution with Ruby and Shoes.

When IT pros get bored, creativity strikes! Dive into their playful world and see what tech magic unfolds when curiosity meets free time.

Smoked spare ribs perfection with Nat! Our intense rub taught us lessons; next time: simpler rub, 3-2-1 method, and homemade BBQ sauce for our feast!

Easily sync your Ruby app with Quickbooks using a gem! Streamline client data and invoices for seamless business operations, saving time and hassle.

Get Mephisto running smoothly on Site5 with tips on setting up Ruby, Rails, and your own gem repository. Dive in for a simple, quirky setup guide!

Two friends' birthday trip turns into a hilarious spy thriller, co-written on Facebook during an IKEA visit. Dive into their adventure full of twists and laughs.

From high school to global IT support—our small Michigan consultancy just went international, helping clients from France to Egypt. So grateful for the journey!

Switching to Disqus made managing comments a breeze, even importing old ones from Mephisto! Check out my journey and grab the updated script I used.

Warm days bring joy: wore sandals, walked the dogs, and braved first solo baths. Winter might return, but for now, relishing every sunny moment!

Car troubles? Not really! Dive into a twisty tale of unexpected breakdowns and friendly adventures in Goshen. What's going on with that car?

Birthday joy redefined: Heartfelt wishes, surprise celebrations, and cherished moments with loved ones transform this special day into a new favorite tradition.

Resurrecting a vintage Globe Gravity Feed Slicer, I uncovered its 1949 charm and sliced my smoked roast like a pro. Check out my DIY restoration journey!

Transform your HTML select/option tags into a sleek input box with live search using jquery.quickselect.js. Discover better, quicker search results!

Tough brisket blues led to a cool smoker upgrade! Dive into my DIY mod with pics and see how this smoker might just master the perfect brisket.

Join my smoking adventure as I complete the trifecta: pork, chicken, and beef brisket! Discover delicious recipes and savor the smoky goodness with me!

Check out my OSX-inspired web GUI for a sleek, user-friendly interface using HTML, CSS, and jQuery. Dive into the code on GitHub and get creative!

Exploring passions: fixing tech, cherishing family moments, and coding for fun. Join the journey of juggling joys, finding purpose, and embracing the little things.

Marriage, new jobs, gaming habits, and family transitions—from Elkhart to Chicago, it's been a summer full of change, adventure, and unforgettable memories.

Got hacked last night! Someone cracked my email, tried to access my blog, and messed with my site. It's a wild ride—find out how it all went down.

Unearth your lost blog posts with the Wayback Machine! Relive the magic of your old content and discover forgotten gems from the past.

Building a custom corner desk from wood for my gaming and work setup! Dive into the process, check out progress photos, and see how it all comes together.

Upgraded my gaming rig with a PNY Geforce 9600 GT and a new power source. Stay tuned for how this hardware boosts my gaming adventures!

Diving back into gaming bliss with Valve's Portal—hilarious narration and epic ending! Next up, a fresh adventure with Team Fortress 2. Let's game on!

Building my ultimate tech/gaming PC at home: Asus board, Intel Core 2 Duo, Nvidia 9600GT, and more. Can't wait to dive into epic gaming sessions!

MacBook Air's design is sleek, but what’s up with the return to IDE tech? Thought we were all-in on SATA. Guess I'm holding out for the MacBook Pro.

Streamline your Rails app deployment with Capistrano, Nginx, and Mongrel. Optimize your setup with custom Capistrano recipes for Ubuntu-based servers.

Discover how 15 minutes of Thanksgiving fun transforms into storytelling magic on my mom's blog—it's warmth, humor, and nostalgia in one!

Explore SabreTech team blogs! Sam shares tips on running older Windows apps seamlessly, and Dan offers insights into tech mysteries. Dive in for tech wisdom!

Transform your media setup with a Mac Mini and Drobo: Compact, easy storage expansion, automatic downloads, and seamless backup for a sleek tech haven.

Master the art of Mac setup: streamline with fresh installs, essential utilities, and smart tweaks for a clutter-free and efficient workflow. Dive into simplicity!

Just got hitched on a stunning beach day with my amazing wife, Natalie! Stay tuned for more photos—love really does win!

Check out our freshly revamped website! From photoshopped ideas to a stunning live site in hours—ready for our open house. Dive in and explore the makeover!

Getting married on a Florida beach August 2nd! Join me in celebrating this joyous and life-changing moment.

Dealing with big companies like ATT can be a headache. A simple phone fix led to total chaos at work. Here’s what really goes down behind those customer service calls.

Our wedding's on hold for now—stay tuned for the new date! Can't wait to celebrate with you all when the time's right.

Jon Magic just got real with my first credit card in the official name. It's not just a brand; it's who I am now! Let's see where this magic takes me. ✨

Why are 6 totally different computers in 2 states randomly restarting? The mystery deepens as the only common link is Windows XP. Any ideas?

Ready to dive into tech education innovation? Explore the journey from epiphany to a fresh take on training future IT leaders with essential soft skills.

Frustrated with Buffalo's Terastation? Discover the pitfalls of poor tech support and endless RMA loops and why loyal customers are rethinking their options.

Reflecting on a year of gratitude: a new marriage, business milestones, travels, and family joys. Even small wins, like a new laptop, bring big smiles!

ClearCheckbook makes managing your money easy with online tracking and nifty features like IM access and handy payment reminders. Perfect for budget newbies!

Check out my epic Macbook setup: upgraded RAM, killer speed, and seamless OS juggling. Some hiccups? Sure, but the cool factor outweighs all that!

Diving into Web 2.0 and economics—the journey of a curious soul seeking epiphanies in the digital wave, hoping to make a mark in the web world!

Surviving a wild weekend adventure of hacking, reinstalling, and caffeine-fueled chaos with Windows 2000 servers. Can I finally catch some sleep?

Diving into Ruby on Rails with no prior coding skills led to a whirlwind four weeks, creating a web app from scratch. Embrace the challenge and learn!

Enjoying the storms while building "Optiks", a sleek alternative trouble ticket system for Sabretech with minimalism and 37 Signals magic.

Popped the question on our 4th anniversary and Natalie said yes! Totally surprised her and it was epic. Here's to forever together!

Just snagged a slick black MacBook for work! Can't wait to geek out on it and upgrade. Check out some cool links and reviews I dug up while I wait!

Hamachi makes VPNs a breeze, connecting computers anywhere with simplicity. Share files and more effortlessly—it's like your computers are neighbors!

Create heartfelt memorials for loved ones with Forever Remember Me. Share memories, photos, and tributes in one meaningful online space.

Flock's snappy speed and cool features make it worth a try, despite some bugs and hype. Is it the next go-to browser? Dive in and see for yourself!

Reflecting on a whirlwind year of growth, friendship, and personal milestones. Join my journey through late nights, work wins, and life's rollercoaster moments.

Switched things up with a fresh blog setup using Typo on RubyOnRails! Sleeker look, easier posting, and more fun features. Stay tuned for cool updates!