- The easiest way to run an LLM in Windows
If you're curious about large language models, here's a great way to learn more about them. Most of the LLM tools run in Linux or on a Mac. Do you want run your own large language model in Windows 11? Here's exactly how to do it.
6 min read - Nov 29, 2023 - 30 Midjourney Styles to Spark Your Creativity
Looking for inspiration for your art? Here are 30 awesome styles you'll love, with prompts included
7 min read - Nov 25, 2023 - Creating Videos with Stable Video Diffusion
Want to generate AI videos from your machine? Stability AI just released Stable Video Diffusion, which you can download and run on your own machine. Here's the full instructions to set it up.
4 min read - Nov 21, 2023 - Ten Awesome Midjourney Art Styles (with Prompts!)
Here are some awesome Midjourney art styles you should check out for your next project, with example prompts!
3 min read - Nov 6, 2023 - Running an LLM locally in Arch Linux
How to run a Large Language Model (LLM) locally in Arch Linux. The setup is a little tricker than the Windows or Mac versions, so here are the full instructions.
4 min read - Oct 30, 2023 - Running an LLM Locally on your machine
Want to run a ChatGPT like chatbot locally? Without being connected to the internet? Here's the full instructions on how to do it.
5 min read - Oct 21, 2023 - Dall-E 3 vs MidJourney - Which is better?
OpenAI released DALL-E 3 with some great improvements. But is it better than MidJourney? Let's find out
3 min read - Oct 1, 2023 - Trying out the Arch Linux Guided Installer
A step by step guide to using the Arch Linux installer. If you want to install Arch without knowing commands and editing configuration files, the installer is a great option. Let's jump in!
6 min read - Sep 20, 2023 - Trying Out GPT4All on Arch Linux
Want to run GPT on your own machine? Me too. I took GPT4All for a spin on my Arch Linux Machine. Here's the results.
7 min read - Apr 14, 2023 - Why I returned the Mac Mini M2 Pro
I was super excited when my M2 Pro Mac Mini arrived. But I returned it. Read to find out why.
10 min read - Mar 17, 2023 - Mac Mini M2 Pro vs Mac Mini M1
How much better is the M2 Pro Mac Mini to the M1? Find out!
2 min read - Mar 14, 2023 - I went to my First AWS re:Invent
My recap of AWS re:Invent 2022, an exciting show in Las Vegas, Nevada
5 min read - Dec 5, 2022 - How I got my Part 107 License
Here's how I studied for and passed my Part 107 exam to become a licensed drone operator. You can do it too.
7 min read - Aug 12, 2022 - Pop!_OS Linux 21.10: My Review
Here's what you need to know about the latest version of Pop!_OS just released by System76.
4 min read - Dec 19, 2021 - What's the Best Way to Optimize Images for the Web?
You probably aren't optimizing your images enough. I'll show you a few ways to do it, and the results from each.
5 min read - Nov 27, 2021 - Upgrading my Laptop for Windows 11
I love my Lenovo E590 Laptop and did some cheap upgrades to make it work great with Windows 11 and Visual Studio 2022
5 min read - Nov 12, 2021 - Don't be the Insecure Interviewer
Here's a rant about coding interviews. I've been on both sides of the table. If you're an interviewer, here's what NOT to do.
7 min read - Sep 17, 2021 - Pop!_OS 21.04 First Impressions
Pop!_OS 21.04 has been released, with a variety of changes to the desktop environment, here are my thoughts.
4 min read - Jul 4, 2021 - Pluralsight is Free in April!
Pluralsight is FREE for the entire month of April. Here are some cool things you can do this month
3 min read - Apr 10, 2021 - Should Developers Join Clubhouse?
Clubhouse is a new social media darling, but is it worth it for Developers?
3 min read - Mar 11, 2021 - What Do You Do for a Living Anyway?
I build cool stuff, talk with amazing people, and have fun. Maybe you can join me
4 min read - Mar 3, 2021 - Two Weeks with FreeBSD as My Daily Driver
Can I use FreeBSD as a "Daily Driver" machine? This article explores my most recent attempt at it.
8 min read - Jan 10, 2021 - Looking Back on 2020
2020 was a year none of us will forget. For me, it was a transformative one, and I wanted to share what I've done this year, what I learned, and what I expect for the next.
5 min read - Dec 31, 2020 - The Best Linux Distribution for Beginners? Arch Linux
OK, hear me out. Arch Linux is the best distribution for beginners who are just getting started with Linux.
6 min read - Nov 9, 2020 - Pop!_OS Linux 20.10: Review
Pop!_OS Linux, one of my favorite distributions, has relased a new version, let's check it out.
4 min read - Nov 6, 2020 - The Tech Conference You Must Check Out Today
Pluralsight Live 2020 has launched! This FREE tech conference covers everything that's happening in tech right now!
3 min read - Oct 13, 2020 - Optimizing String Comparisons in Go
Optimizing string comparisons in Go can improve your application's response time and help scalability. I'll show which methods are the fastest.
8 min read - Sep 4, 2020 - 7 Reasons Why Front End Developers Going Full Stack Should Choose Go
You want to become a full stack developer someday, so where do you start? Google's Go language is an excellent place.
4 min read - Aug 12, 2020 - How to Build Your First JAMstack Site
A complete guide to building your first JAMstack blog, from start to finish. Let's build a JAMstack site together!
10 min read - May 29, 2020 - What Is Deno and Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
Deno is a hot new runtime that may replace Node.js. Everyone's talking about it like it's the next big thing. It likely is. Here's why.
4 min read - May 15, 2020 - Setting Up Pop!_OS for Front End Development
I've been using Pop!_OS for front end development a lot lately. Here's how I set it up
4 min read - May 11, 2020 - Will Ubuntu 20.04 Steal More Windows Users?
I try out Ubuntu's Latest Release 20.04. Is it good enough to start stealing people away from Windows?
4 min read - May 7, 2020 - 90 Days With The Pinebook Pro
I recieved the PineBook Pro earlier this year, here's what it's like actually using it. A review after 90 days.
5 min read - May 2, 2020 - 9 Courses You Can Take to Become a JavaScript Wizard
sharpening your core JavaScript skills can make you better at all front-end frameworks. Here are some courses to help with that.
5 min read - Apr 25, 2020 - How to Install Linux for the First Time
Want to try Linux but don't know how? Here's a step by step guide to installing Linux without drastically changing your computer or complex repartitioning.
5 min read - Apr 22, 2020 - I Took a COBOL Course and I Liked It
This week, I took a course on COBOL. Here's what a modern developer can learn from this decades-old language
9 min read - Apr 15, 2020 - The Tech Challenges of Moving K-12 to a Distance Learning Model
The global shift to home isolation has unique implications for public education. The era of slow and steady plans to virtualize education was given a donkey kick by this virus and the quarantine, and here's what I've observed.
8 min read - Apr 9, 2020 - How I Got My Website to Load in 1 Second
I recently made changes to my site, and as a result it's screaming fast. Here's how I did it.
8 min read - Apr 4, 2020 - Donate Your Unused CPU Cycles to Fight Coronavirus
Here's how you can donate your unused processing power to fight the coronavirus.
3 min read - Mar 15, 2020 - Can you use FreeBSD for a Developer Machine in 2020?
FreeBSD has been around for decades. Is it still relevant as a development machine in 2020? I find out.
10 min read - Feb 19, 2020 - Become a React Developer in a Weekend
If you want to be a React Developer, there's a lot to learn. You can get started in a weekend. Yes, in a single weekend, you can learn React and start developing some cool applications!
4 min read - Feb 7, 2020 - What's the big deal with Pop!_OS?
Everybody's talking about Pop!_OS but is it a good Linux distro? Is it the right choice for developers?
7 min read - Jan 25, 2020 - Analyzing Attacks on my Server
I was casually doing a security audit on my blog recently and decided to look a little deeper into my security logs. With a bit of Linux command line kung fu, some Golang, and Google sheets, I was able to get a pretty good idea of where the attacks are coming from.
5 min read - Jan 16, 2020 - Trying out the Pinebook Pro - a $200 ARM Laptop
The Pinebook Pro is a $200 laptop with ARM processors that promises a lot. Does it deliver?
5 min read - Jan 16, 2020 - The Developer Tool You Can't Live Without
NimbleText is the world's simplest code generator. It formats your data using the patterns you supply. Read about it here.
6 min read - Jan 10, 2020 - How Blazor is Going To Change Web Development
Blazor is Microsoft's hot new front end development framework. Here's how it works.
6 min read - Dec 27, 2019 - Build and Deploy a Blazor App Without Touching a Windows Machine
Want to try Blazor but you're not a Windows user? No problem!
8 min read - Dec 14, 2019 - A Visual Studio extension that makes you a better developer
It's a bold claim to say an IDE extension can make you a better developer, but you should install this new Pluralsight extension and see for yourself.
3 min read - Nov 16, 2019 - Getting Started with Haxe
I decided to try out HAXE, a language you've probably never heard of but fun to play with
6 min read - Nov 2, 2019 - Intel's Clear Linux: First Impressions
Intel's own distribution of Linux promises better performance, but does it stack up as good a Desktop machine?
7 min read - Oct 4, 2019 - How to Nail Your Next Coding Interview
Strut up to that whiteboard with confidence. You got this.
8 min read - Jul 29, 2019 - You Can Get the Source Code for Apollo 11 and Take a Course on It
For the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, take a tour of the code of the Apollo Guidance System.
4 min read - Jul 19, 2019 - Forget What You've Heard, Now Is the Best Time to Become a Coder
Do you want to be a coder? Are you on the fence about trying it? nervous to get started? The time is now. Time to pull the trigger.
6 min read - Jul 16, 2019 - Thinking About Reusable Code
The mythical reusable code idea has existed for decades. It showed up shortly after the first lines of code were written. We preach re-usability and sometimes strive for it but it rarely becomes a reality.
7 min read - Jun 3, 2019 - DevOps: Transforming Your Organization with the Andon Cord
In this article I'll talk about the Andon Cord, an idea from the Toyota Production System and how you can use it in your organization
6 min read - May 14, 2019 - Comparing and Syncing IIS Configurations
This article describes how to take the hassle out of moving IIS websites and applications by comparing two IIS Server configurations and syncing their settings.
8 min read - Apr 7, 2019 - Using DISM to Create a Repeatable IIS Installation
Repeatable installs are all the rage in Devops these days. As developers we have this "automate everything" mentality, and for good reason. In this article I'll show you how you can do that with IIS installation as well.
6 min read - Sep 28, 2018 - Set up easy file sharing with Samba
How to set up easy file sharing from a Linux machine to Windows with Samba. I'll show you how easy it is to setup file sharing on your network using SAMBA. You can easily share files between Linux and Windows machines with a minimal amount of setup.
5 min read - Mar 18, 2018 - Which Distribution of Linux Should I Use?
Want to try Linux for the first time? Not sure what to use? I can help you get answers with this comprehensive list
9 min read - Feb 20, 2018 - Intro to Application Pools in IIS
Application Pools in IIS can be somewhat of a mystery. Since they're created for you automatically many times Administrators don't give them a second thought. But understanding application pools is crucial to having a good running IIS server.
6 min read - Jul 9, 2016 - Failed Request Tracing with IIS
A great tool I've discovered recently is the Failed Request Tracing Tool is IIS. If you're building an ASP.Net application and having issues with requests it's a fantastic tool. I'll show you how to use it.
2 min read - Jan 8, 2016 - How to Restore Arch Linux Boot after Installing Windows
When you dual boot Windows and Arch Linux, any time you reinstall or upgrade Windows you lose the boot menu to get into Linux. In this tutorial I'll show you how to fix that.
4 min read - Aug 1, 2015 - Brief Introduction to REST
Perhaps you've seen the term REST being thrown around lately and have been a little curious what it's all about. If that's the case, or you know a little about it but never used it, this article is for you. Today I'm going to give a small overview of what REST services are, and why it's awesome.
8 min read - May 21, 2015 - How to Write Better Unit Tests
In working with some unit testing fairly extensively lately, I've gathered some guidelines I've tried to stick with over the years for writing better tests.
3 min read - Aug 24, 2014 - Common C# Interview Questions
I was reading a post about some common C# interview questions, and thought I'd share some of mine. These are questions that I asked in interviews, or was asked in past interviews. Try them out and see you how you do!
3 min read - Aug 3, 2014 - Properties vs Fields in C#
One of the areas that cause a lot of confusion for new C# developers is the idea of properties and fields. It's an easy thing to mess up, and there aren't really any solid rules on it, but here are some general guidelines to help you decide how to use these members in your project.
5 min read - May 4, 2014 - Programming: Smell It Before You Eat It
Whether you're developing for a personal project, small business or Fortune 100, you should take the time to make sure your changes aren't going to break things. In times past this usually meant spending lots of money. These days the only thing you'll need to spend for quality is time, and not much of it.
6 min read - Apr 29, 2014 - Just How Fast Are GitHub Pages?
Recently GitHub rolled out some improvements to their GitHub Pages static page hosting services. I decided to do a comparison and put them to the test.
5 min read - Feb 7, 2014 - Hazardous Attitudes in Software Development
With software projects it's rare that a failure can be pointed a single cause, or a certain person. Usually it's a culmination of many smaller mistakes. With technology and formal project management, best practices are usually well documented and available, but one thing that isn't talked about as much is attitude. The attitude of persons in your group or your group as a whole is one of the biggest factors of your success.
5 min read - Dec 7, 2013 - Top Free Image Optimization Tools
Making your images load faster is extremely important for page load performance on your site. Here are some free tools to help you shave down your image size while retaining quality
4 min read - Sep 17, 2013 - Why Linux Mint is Awesome
Linux Mint is one of the most under-rated Linux distribution out there, yet it really does provide a lot of value, even for seasoned Linux hackers. If you haven't tried it out yet, you're missing out.
4 min read - Sep 10, 2013 - Common Code Smells
Code Smells are becoming the new hotness again. You may have heard the term, here's what it means and a few to look out for.
6 min read - Aug 28, 2013 - Dont Build El Caminos
The quickest way to disappoint everyone is by trying to please everyone and software is no different. Sometimes trying to make a one size fits all solution can get you into trouble.
6 min read - May 29, 2013 - The Single Responsibility Principle
There's a lot of genius in simplicity. This applies to many things in life and definitely in software development. SRP, or Single Responsibility Principle is one of the foundations building better software.
4 min read - Mar 20, 2013 - We're here to put a dent in the universe
The famous words of Steve Jobs have been ringing in my head a lot since my Dad passed away last week. He and Steve Jobs were not very much alike, in fact probably complete opposites. Dad wasn't much of a dreamer or rock the boat kind of guy, and believed in treating everyone with respect.
5 min read - Feb 4, 2013 - What is a Polyglot Programmer?
What is a polyglot programmer and should you strive to be one?
6 min read - Jan 17, 2013 - An Introduction to Object Oriented Programming
Today I'm going to talk about Object Oriented Programming (OOP). This is the first in a series of articles that will aim to teach you more about OOP and how you can use it to develop better software.
5 min read - May 31, 2012 - Setting up Linux: Use a Package Manager or Build From Source?
Should you use a package manager to install your software or build from source? I take a look at some of the reasons for both
8 min read - May 12, 2012 - Old G4 + Debian Linux = Dirt Cheap Development Machine
My story of turning an old G4 Mac into a sweet development machine
4 min read - Aug 15, 2011 - 7 Ways to Make your Website Faster
A fast website is important for usability and SEO. Here's how you can make your website faster today
5 min read - Mar 31, 2011 - A Geek's Trip Down Memory Lane - The BBS (Bulletin Board System)
While browsing a forum recently, I found a thread that really made me reminisce. Someone has asked about browsing the internet before it was popular, and what it was like.
10 min read - Jul 27, 2009 - How to use OR operator with Strings in C#
I just had this problem tonight, so I thought I'd share the solution. In many languages you can do a string comparison in the following way
2 min read - Dec 8, 2008 - How to Learn Computer Programming
So you want to be a computer programmer? Want to write software? Here is how you can get started with this awesome hobby / profession right away, for next to nothing.
14 min read - Dec 27, 2007
Blog Articles
Here is a list of tech articles I've written over the years on a variety of tech topics.