If you’ve ever tried pulling your iPhone photo library onto your PC, you might’ve noticed two things:

1. Apple stores images in .HEIC format, which is something you’ve never heard of and don’t want to deal with
2. They nest photos inside a directory structure that looks like it was designed by a random number generator

All you wanted was a bunch of normal JPEGs. But instead, you’re stuck with mystery folders full of files your software can’t open. Neat.

All I wanted was a small web service. Nothing complex. Just something that:

• Pulled data from a few sources
• Cobbled it together
• Saved the results somewhere
• Exposed it via a simple REST API

That’s it. I didn’t need a UI. I didn’t have users. I didn’t even need a custom domain.

Naturally, I created it with:

• ECS on Fargate
• RDS (Postgres)
• Multiple Lambda functions
• API Gateway
• CodeBuild and CodeDeploy
• Terraform to orchestrate all of it
• And a decent chunk of time figuring out IAM

Total spend? About $600 in one month.

The Ideological Divide

Artificial Intelligence is not just technology. It’s philosophy.

With the emergence of ChatGPT, the tech world has fractured into three distinct factions.

Some fear it will unravel the fabric of society.

Others dream of AI-driven utopias where all work is automated.

And some think it is so overhyped that a dotcom-style bubble is inevitable.

ラーメン

As an avid lover of ramen, I made it my personal mission to stop at as many ramen shops as I possibly could while I traveled through Japan. There are several regions of Japan known for incredible cuisine. Osaka has a reputation for being a foodie’s paradise. Kyoto, the cultural capital of Japan, has perfected a specific style of thick, creamy bone broth called Tori Paitan that is difficult to find in other places. And Tokyo has enough varieties and reinterpretation of the dish to keep you occupied for a decade or more.

Who Are These Icons Even For?

As a primarily backend engineer, I don’t claim to fully understand User Experience. I like logic, math and system design, and trying to make a seamless user interface gives me a little bit of anxiety. Maybe I’m not the best at making UIs good, but I know when it looks bad.

So, naturally, I spent way too long crafting a logo I actually like.

You’ve heard the call to adventure. You’ve plotted a course and purchased the tickets.

Excitement and trepidation overtake you. Only a few days until you embark.

But before you leave, you need the right equipment.

This is an essential list of gear for serious adventures.

Must Have

Heavy Duty Backpack

Your mobile base of operations. Internal frame, weather-resistant, preferably with lockable zippers.

Weatherproof Jacket

Lightweight, breathable, and actually waterproof (not just “water resistant”).