Diving Into AI
One of my new year’s resolutions is to learn AI more deeply. Although I’ve kept up with how things are changing in the AI/LLM world, I actually use AI very rarely. It’s just not necessary for anything that I do. And before you say, “well then you must not do anything”, I should mention that my online books, scripts, and plugins enjoy well over one million active users. It’s a LOT of responsibility and work. And because I am a […] Continue reading »
Fix Apple Mail Using Incorrect Name for the “To” Field on Sent Messages
For several years, Apple Mail would specify the wrong name for the “To” field when sending email messages. It was very frustrating and confusing for numerous reasons. Whatever I tried to resolve the issue, nothing seemed to work. So for years using Apple Mail, which for the most part works very well, I was stuck sending messages that specified incorrect names for the “To” field. Well praise the Lord, today I found a simple solution that finally resolves the issue. Continue reading »
The 404 Web
Over the years, I’ve changed thousands of URIs. Maybe hundreds of thousands if you count changing everything over from http:// to https://. It always feels kinda wrong to modify URIs. Maybe that comes with a basic understanding that Cool URIs don’t change. But I also understand that, in reality, URIs change constantly. It’s just the nature of the World Wide Web, an endless perpetually evolving flow of digital information, URLs and links included. As stated by the W3C: Continue reading »
Top 10 Ways to Ruin Your Video
“sMaSh tHe LiKe bUtToN” Back in the day, video clips were simple and straightforward. People who were making videos and sharing them online did so because they had something to say, share, or rant about. These days things are different. Churning out endless video content has become a big money machine. Lifestyle videos. Hilarious pet videos. How to win videos. Acting stupid videos. And anything else you can think of, there are people recording it and putting it out there […] Continue reading »
What I Want in an App
Simplicity. Focus. Usability. Consistency. Just works. I don’t mind paying for an app that provides these features. They seem like simple enough concepts. But many of the apps out there today seem to be struggling. I know I am just dreaming, but here goes.. Continue reading »
My Shortlist for Managed VPS Hosting
I’ve been online since 1999. So 25+ years of finding and dealing with a wide variety of web hosts. While painful at times, this experience enables me to get out there and find better web hosting at the drop of a hat. It’s been a while since I’ve written about my web-hosting experiences, so this post is to share a recent foray into finding a solid managed-VPS solution in the year 2025. Shortcut: Not interested in the diatribe? Jump ahead […] Continue reading »
After 25+ Years, It’s Goodbye Hotmail
For me, 2024 is all about simplifying workflow and removing any speed bumps in my routine. Next stop: Goodbye to my two long-lived Hotmail accounts. I’ve had these accounts since forever, set up way back in 1998. For the first few years, I used my Hotmail accounts for everything. Then I got into web development and learned how to host my own email. As time went on, I used the Hotmail accounts less and less. Until now they are mostly […] Continue reading »
Sync News Feeds on All Devices for Free with Inoreader
There are plenty of ways to sync news feeds across all of your devices. There are free services, paid services, and even scripts that you can host on your server. This quick tutorial explains two ways to sync your feeds on any device. The first method uses the free service from Inoreader, which works via web browser on any device. And the second method combines Inoreader with the Reeder app for a better experience on macOS and iOS. Continue reading »
Why Automated Phone Systems SUCK
You’ve been there. You know what I’m talking about. Why do companies insist on making our lives difficult by implementing horrible automated phone systems? Continue reading »
Camera Review: Nikon D5100
I’ve owned a Nikon D5100 digital camera since September of 2011. It’s my primary camera for experimentation and serious, even commercial expeditions. Even after 10+ years, the camera captures excellent 16-MP photos and crisp, clear 1080p video. This post provides a quick review of the Nikon D5100, along with some example photos and lens information. Continue reading »
What Those Three Linux “CPU Usage” Numbers Mean
Just a quick note to self (and anyone looking for the same information). A common question I get for my free WordPress plugin, Dashboard Widgets Suite (DWS), is “what do the CPU Usage” numbers mean? Users get curious because the DWS plugin displays something like this on the WordPress Dashboard: Displaying CPU Usage and other stats on the WP Dashboard (click image for full-size view) Notice in the screenshot, where it shows the three numbers for “CPU Usage”: 0.75, 0.55, […] Continue reading »
Get Yourself Some Backup Internet Service Providers
As a full-time web developer and typical human being, I rely on the Internet for a great many things. So when the Internet is not available, my work (and play) comes to a grinding halt. Fortunately my primary ISP is pretty solid, but it still goes down every once in a while. So to maintain my workflow (and general sanity), having a backup Internet service provider is absolutely essential. Here’s one way to do it.. Continue reading »
Online Tools for Traceroute & Ping
Traceroute not working correctly via macOS Terminal app, which is how I’ve been doing it for years now. For some reason, the traces hang up and never complete for certain sites. After some time troubleshooting and not finding any solution, I decided to look for alternate ways of performing traceroutes and site pings. Fortunately there are tons of free tools. Here are some of the useful services and apps that I’ve found.. Continue reading »
Apple AirTag Review
Recently learned about Apple AirTag. Which is a small round device that you can put in your bag or whatever to track its location anywhere. Think I need to try one of those cool little gadgets. Here’s my experience in a nutshell.. Continue reading »
Self-Hosted, Domain-Based Email Addresses FTW
I use domain-based emails for 99% of my email activity. The other 1% is comprised of assorted 3rd-party email services and temporary slash disposable addresses (like for testing purposes and one-off sign-ups, etc.). I can tell you whole-heartedly based on 20+ years working online that self-hosted email is THE WAY to go. Continue reading »
Deleting Unused Online Accounts
Like many of you, I have been working online for years now, more than most. Over the course of the past 20 years, I have created accounts at hundreds and hundreds of websites. That includes all the work-related stuff, like web development, plus LOTS of social media sites, online services for everything from email to security monitoring. Not to mention all of the accounts created for mundane things like banking, utilities, Internet and phone service, and so forth. Continue reading »
