Common Threads: Use Friction Strategically

2025-03-29 #common-threads

Common Threads: Use Friction Strategically#

This is a part of a series called “Common Threads”. My goal is to bring together ideas from different sources I interact with and synthesize them into a post as a means of learning in public. See the introductory post for a slightly more in-depth explanation of what this is and why I’m doing it.

Fibers#

Definition#

Outside of the ideal scenarios of physics problems, friction exists.¹ This is not a good or bad thing, it simply is. Every time we do something, there is some resistance we must overcome. We can use this strategically. Reduce friction for behaviors you want to encourage. Increase friction for those you want to prevent.

Common Threads: Planning is Good, Doing is Better

2025-03-22 #common-threads

Common Threads: Planning is Good, Doing is Better#

Fibers#

Definition#

“Everybody has plans until they get hit for the first time.”
– Mike Tyson
Read more...

Common Threads: Think Big, Build Small

2025-03-16 #common-threads

Common Threads: Think Big, Build Small#

This is the first in a series I’m calling “Common Threads”. My goal is to bring together ideas from different sources I interact with and synthesize them into a post as a means of learning in public. See the introductory post for a slightly more in-depth explanation of what this is and why I’m doing it.

Fibers#

Definition#

To extend Swizec’s brick layer metaphor, we must know we are building a cathedral and we must build it brick by brick. When building a product, we want to work in small batches. Small batches are easier to verify. They allow us to deliver value to users faster. But, we must never forget that we are building a product, not just a set of features. Each small batch should aim to be aligned with goals of the company¹ and the product we are building.

Common Threads

2025-03-06 #common-threads

Introduction to Common Threads#

I consume a lot of content¹, primarily books, blogs, and podcasts, about software engineering. I think about all of it often and try to implement some of the concepts into my workplace.

As I spend more time thinking about the ideas I’ve been exposed to, I’ve begun to notice some commonalities between them. I’d like to crystallize these observations in a series I’m calling “Common Threads”.² This is partly to compile and share information but mostly to help me keep track of things and be able to reference it in the future.

Self hosting TT-RSS with docker-compose

2025-03-02 #tutorial #rss

How to self-host Tiny Tiny RSS with Docker Compose#

Get a server#

There are a lot of options for where you host your instance: a Raspberry Pi, an old laptop, a VPS, NearlyFreeSpeech, etc. I trust you to make that decision for yourself based on your needs, technical ability, and financial situation.

I chose to go with an AWS EC2 instance purely because I am familiar with the platform through work and already had an account set up for some personal projects. I am considering switching over to NearlyFreeSpeech in the future, but for now this works.

Hello World

2025-02-24

Why start a blog?#

I’m starting this blog partly to become a better writer and communicator. I have so many ideas rumbling around in my head. The only way I’ve found to make them cohesive is to write them down.

I use Obsidian for all my notes. So I could just use it as a journal and only write to myself. There is absolutely value in personal writing.

I don’t want to just write for myself though. I’d like to share my ideas out loud. I left almost all social media¹ in 2020. It’s hard to recreate the feeling of blasting out half baked ideas into tweets without Twitter.² I have no desire to go back, but I do wish to release my thoughts somewhere besides my poor partner’s ears.³

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