How choosing server-side rendering solved security, CORS, and credential management problems I didn't know I had
After years of building client-side dashboards with React, I kept running into the same frustrating problems: CORS configuration headaches, API credentials that needed to be secured, and the complexity of managing data fetching in the browser. Then I built Slate, a dashboard that moves all data fetching to build-time, and realized I'd been solving the wrong problems all along.
The Hidden Problems with Client-Side Dashboards
Most personal dashboards follow a familiar pattern: React...... read more >
Personal knowledge management suffers from a fundamental interface problem. Complex note-taking systems like Trilium Notes offer powerful organizational capabilities, but accessing that information requires context switching, manual navigation, and interface complexity that disrupts thought processes. The promise of conversational AI suggests a different approach: instead of learning software interfaces, users could simply ask questions about their own knowledge.
Building a bridge between Claude Desktop and Trilium Notes through the Model Context Protocol transforms this possibility into... read more >
A comprehensive technical deep-dive into transforming self-hosted infrastructure architecture through Docker Tailscale sidecar patterns, documenting the evolution from traditional networking approaches to a revolutionary containerized 'personal OS' methodology. This article chronicles the complete journey from initial networking frustrations—managing dozens of port forwards, firewall configurations, and certificate headaches—to discovering an elegant solution that fundamentally changes how we architect secure, distributed personal infrastructure. The piece explores the critical shift from monolithic server thinking to Docker's 'independent servers' philosophy, where each containerized service (password managers, media streaming, file storage, monitoring tools) operates as its own isolated server while maintaining seamless mesh network connectivity. Through detailed technical implementations, real-world configuration examples, and security analysis, the article demonstrates how Tailscale sidecars eliminate the classic self-hosting dilemma: achieving cloud-like convenience and accessibility while maintaining complete control and security without becoming a full-time systems administrator. Key technical insights include network namespace sharing mechanics, production-hardened Docker configurations, performance benchmarking results, security model transformations from network-based to identity-based threats, and scalable deployment patterns validated across 15+ production services. The article provides battle-tested configurations for popular self-hosted services (Vaultwarden, Jellyfin, NextCloud, Grafana), addresses common implementation pitfalls, and offers practical recommendations for both development and production environments. This represents a paradigm shift from traditional VPN/reverse proxy architectures to mesh networking approaches that honor Docker's containerization benefits while solving remote access challenges through cryptographically secure, zero-trust networking principles. The solution scales through simple repetition rather than complex orchestration, making it accessible to both hobbyist self-hosters and professional DevOps engineers seeking simplified yet secure infrastructure patterns. read more >
Introduction
In continuing education, learning doesn’t end when the course is completed. Professionals, executives, and lifelong learners often require months of follow-up, guidance, and reinforcement to fully integrate new knowledge into their work and personal lives. Traditionally, human coaches have filled this role—whether in leadership development, career advancement, corporate training, or personal growth. However, the cost and accessibility of one-on-one coaching remain significant barriers. AI-driven coaching has the potential to bridge this gap, providing continuous, personalized... read more >
Introduction
The traditional education model has long struggled with its one-size-fits-all approach. Course content remains static, instruction is largely uniform, and personalization is limited to what an instructor can provide within the constraints of time and resources. However, artificial intelligence (AI) is now redefining curriculum design, enabling hyperpersonalized learning that adapts to individual students' needs, abilities, and preferences. With AI-driven tools, education is shifting from rigid, standardized instruction to dynamic, student-centered learning pathways.
The Rise of...... read more >
Good branding establishes an understanding of the essence of a company. Just as a writer’s characterization allows the reader to grasp the true nature of an individual—whether fictional or nonfictional—the brander must discern and articulate the company’s fundamental identity. This identity, once understood, serves as a touchstone for all future branding efforts.
A well-defined brand becomes the foundation upon which all company materials, designs, and operations are built. It provides coherence and direction, ensuring that every action and representation aligns with the company’s core... read more >
Marketing is a dominant force in nearly every industry, shaping consumer behavior, driving engagement, and defining brand perception. Yet, in academia, marketing remains an underdeveloped and often misunderstood function. Institutions market themselves, albeit indirectly, but rarely do they engage in the kind of targeted, strategic marketing seen in the corporate world. Academic marketing is not simply another term for college marketing, which often refers to promotional efforts directed at students through non-traditional tactics like on-campus events and giveaways. Nor is it limited to... read more >
We are essentializing beings. That is, our way of knowing the world tends heavily towards looking for the essential, the typical, and the regular. We tend to see the general, the core, the one single "thing" that summarizes, encapsulates, or explains what we're looking at.
And this is the core thought behind the importance of branding.
This post will discuss something that is at the heart of everything we do as human beings. It also shows why we have marketing and branding companies at all. Finally, it shows why I love this business so much.
We are essentializing beings. That is, our way of...... read more >
From Scope to Time, Content to Purpose: A Transformative Journey
In the early stages of my career, my approach to work was straightforward: scope ruled supreme. The task was the task, and its completion—no matter how long it took—was the goal. I assumed that work itself inherently carried value, and as long as I could deliver the entire scope, success was guaranteed. There was little consideration for the time spent. My focus was entirely on the content—on completing what was assigned or imagined—without questioning why we were doing it in the first place. It was a natural way of thinking:... read more >
Introduction
“I don’t know” often serves as a convenient excuse for inaction. It’s tempting to defer decisions when the information feels incomplete or uncertain. But in my experience, waiting for perfect information isn’t just impractical—it’s often detrimental. Progress depends on moving forward, even when all the answers aren’t clear.
That’s why I advocate for a different mindset: when faced with ambiguity, make a reasonable assumption, document it, and proceed. This approach doesn’t eliminate uncertainty, but it reframes it as a manageable challenge rather than a roadblock. By leaning... read more >
The idea of intentionally making oneself obsolete challenges the conventional mindset about work and job security. Instead of striving to prove irreplaceability, this approach advocates for identifying inefficiencies, eliminating redundant tasks, and questioning the necessity of one’s actions. This intentional drive for obsolescence not only sharpens personal and organizational efficiency but also fosters innovation, growth, and meaningful contributions.
At its core, this philosophy encourages a critical reassessment of daily tasks. Are they essential? Could they be automated, streamlined, or...... read more >
