Writing

Supercharging your productivity with your Android phone and the Windows 10 Your Phone Companion appDiscover how to streamline your workflow by using the Your Phone Companion app to manage texts, mirror your Android screen, and share a clipboard directly from your Windows 10 PC. I share my personal experience using these features over Wi-Fi to stay productive without constantly picking up my phone, highlighting the convenience of handling notifications and two-factor authentication codes remotely.

windowsAugust 6, 2020

Getting started with Azure Migrate: Migrating an on-premises Hyper-V Virtual Machine to AzureDiscover how I successfully migrated an on-premises Hyper-V virtual machine to Azure using Azure Migrate, overcoming previous challenges by deploying a dedicated Windows Server 2019 host. This guide walks through creating a server assessment and importing the Azure Migrate Appliance VM to facilitate a seamless 1:1 cutover migration from my local network to the cloud.

azureAugust 4, 2020

Thoughts on the Garmin outage and possible ransomware attackI examine the suspicious silence and widespread service disruption during Garmin’s recent outage, highlighting why the shutdown of communication channels suggests a potential ransomware attack rather than a simple technical failure. By analyzing reports of the WastedLocker malware alongside my own experience of uninterrupted local data storage, I discuss the likely emergency measures Garmin had to take to protect its infrastructure and user data.

cybersecurityJuly 29, 2020

A few updates, and transitioning to vacation modeI share recent updates on my significantly faster new workstation and my progress through the final 30% of my Executive MBA amidst pandemic-induced changes. Additionally, I discuss my new role at Microsoft and how these life transitions are leading up to an upcoming vacation.

homelabJuly 20, 2020

Building a high-performance workstation PC for professional use (Part 2)In this follow-up to my initial planning phase, I explain how I refined my high-end workstation build to better suit my professional workflow and budget constraints by opting for an AMD Ryzen 9 setup. I detail the specific component choices that prioritized storage performance and development tasks over gaming, along with the straightforward assembly process of this new 1,639 € configuration.

windowsJuly 14, 2020

Insights on building robust business process orchestrations using Power Automate, Logic Apps and Azure FunctionsIn this post, I share practical insights on building robust business process orchestrations using Power Automate, Logic Apps, and Azure Functions, drawing from my recent experiences troubleshooting complex implementations. I discuss why starting with Power Automate is often the best approach, while also highlighting its limitations regarding complex logic like recursion to help you avoid creating unmanageable workflow messes.

automationJuly 10, 2020

Building a custom URL shortener service using Azure and a Serverless approachI’ll show you how I built a custom URL shortener service on Azure using a serverless approach with .NET Core, Azure SQL, and Logic Apps. By avoiding virtual machines and minimal custom code, I designed a scalable solution that handles URL mapping and redirection efficiently. This post walks through the architecture and implementation steps, demonstrating how simple tools can solve complex routing challenges.

azureJuly 8, 2020

Building a custom command-line tool for Microsoft To DoIf you are looking to streamline your task management workflow, this post details my journey in building a custom .NET Core command-line tool for Microsoft To Do. I share the technical challenges of authenticating via Microsoft Graph’s Beta API using a Public Client Application flow, aiming to replace cumbersome GUI interactions with rapid, context-free command execution.

c#July 1, 2020

Building a custom Android app using Xamarin.Forms and C# to retrieve temperature data from AzureDiscover how I built a custom Android app using Xamarin.Forms and C# to monitor my hardware cabinet's temperature directly from Azure. This project evolved from a need to access real-time data on my mobile device while enjoying the Finnish summer, offering a practical learning experience in cross-platform development.

azureJune 23, 2020

Building a double-blind email distribution list using Azure Logic Apps and Exchange OnlineIf you’re curious about creating anonymous communication channels using Microsoft Azure, I’ll show you how I built a double-blind email distribution list with Logic Apps and Exchange Online in just a couple of hours. This guide walks through the simple workflow I designed to hide sender and recipient identities while enabling group conversations via unique thread identifiers.

azureJune 18, 2020

My session from 365 Saturday titled "GitHub for non-developers" is now viewable on YoutubeIf you are curious to learn how to use GitHub without writing any code, my presentation from the 365 Saturday conference is now available on YouTube. I recorded a session specifically tailored for non-developers, which begins at the ten-minute mark.

devopsJune 16, 2020

Modernize your tooling deployment with Windows Package Manager (winget)If you are looking to streamline your software deployment process, this post explores how Windows Package Manager (winget) offers a Microsoft-backed alternative to tools like Ninite and Chocolatey. I walk you through installing winget, searching and installing packages with precision, and even how to submit your own packages to the official repository.

windowsJune 15, 2020

Back to basics: Two simple Outlook rules to reclaim your workdayIf you are overwhelmed by hundreds of unread emails, I share how two simple Outlook rules helped me reclaim control of my inbox and reduce daily stress. By automatically sorting messages where I am not the direct recipient into separate folders, I cut my immediate inbox load from 100 to just 10 emails a day, allowing me to focus on what truly requires my attention.

microsoft 365June 12, 2020

Building a custom presence light solution using Philips Hue lights and C#I built a custom presence light solution because existing tools relying on Microsoft Graph couldn’t accurately reflect my busy status across multiple accounts and applications like Zoom or recording software. By monitoring local microphone activity instead of calendar data, I created a system using Philips Hue lights and C# to signal to my family when I’m on calls or recording, effectively solving the problem of being interrupted during remote work.

c#June 8, 2020

Developing remotely on Raspberry Pi 4 and Linux using Visual Studio CodeI demonstrate how I transitioned from traditional SSH terminals to using Visual Studio Code’s Remote-SSH extension for seamless development on Raspberry Pi and Linux systems. By configuring host connections with identity files, you can edit code and manage files directly on remote machines using familiar local tools without the hassle of manual transfers.

linuxJune 5, 2020

Building an automated monitoring tool to track how many people are at the office by using Unifi network gear and Azure Logic AppsIf you are looking for a way to automate office occupancy tracking without requiring employees to manually check in, this post details my journey from failed hardware sensors to a Wi-Fi-based solution. I explain how I leveraged Unifi network gear to automatically detect connected mobile devices and determine presence based on their last seen connection time, eliminating the need for manual app interactions.

automationJune 3, 2020

Creating a custom Microsoft Edge (Chromium) extension using Azure Logic Apps and the Bing Image Search API for contentI share my experience building a custom Microsoft Edge extension to replace the default New Tab page, primarily to eliminate the intrusive Bing search toolbar. By leveraging Azure as a backend to serve daily images from Bing’s Image Search API, I demonstrate how to automate this client-side solution using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.

cloud computingJune 2, 2020

Five things you need to know nowCatch up on my recent activities, including a recap of Microsoft Build 2020, Azure cost-saving insights, and a conversation with Christian Buckley. I also share details about my upcoming presentations on future-ready cloud skills and a lecture on enterprise solutions at Metropolia University.

azureMay 28, 2020

90+ sessions announced for the European SharePoint, Office 365 & Azure ConferenceDiscover how our team navigated the unique challenges of curating the ESPC20 conference schedule entirely virtually during the pandemic. I share my insights on balancing inclusivity with deep technical analysis to create a stellar, representative program despite missing the traditional in-person bonding opportunities.

sharepointMay 26, 2020

Building a custom app using Universal Windows Platform and Microsoft Azure to monitor hardware temperatureI share my journey of upgrading a home office temperature monitoring system by replacing an unattractive Raspberry Pi LED display with a sleek Universal Windows Platform application. This post details how I leverage Microsoft Azure services, including IoT Hub and Functions, to collect sensor data and present it through a custom desktop interface that runs discreetly in the Windows System Tray.

windowsMay 24, 2020