Writing

Understanding Developer Velocity to achieve better business performanceI explore how empowering developers with the right tools and removing friction can significantly improve business performance, based on insights from Microsoft Build 2020 and McKinsey’s research. By examining the four drivers of Developer Velocity across technology, working practices, and organizational enablement, I share how understanding this index can help enterprises innovate more effectively.

software developmentMay 22, 2020

Microsoft PowerToys Run is simply amazingIf you are looking to replace the classic Windows Run dialog with a more modern, efficient launcher, this post explores why Microsoft PowerToys Run is an essential upgrade for productivity. I share how I configured my minimalist Windows 10 environment to minimize distractions and why PowerToys Run perfectly complements my workflow by offering quick access to apps, files, and admin privileges.

windowsMay 21, 2020

Connect with Microsoft Western Europe and your local dev community at Build 2020Join me next Wednesday for a 90-minute Community Connection session at Microsoft Build 2020, where I’m proud to host a panel of stellar Azure Heroes and community leaders. We will dive into highlights from the Azure Heroes program, share learnings from the past fiscal year, and engage in live Q&A, so register today to save your seat and potentially win some Azure socks.

azureMay 15, 2020

Getting started with Microsoft Teams Live EventsIf you are looking to host large-scale virtual presentations or community events, this guide will help you understand the essential prerequisites for running Teams Live Events. I will walk you through the specific Microsoft 365 licensing requirements for producers and attendees, as well as how to configure the necessary policies in the Teams Admin Center to get started.

microsoft teamsMay 14, 2020

European Open Source Virtual Summit is June 16If you are interested in open source platforms, I want to highlight the free European Open Source Virtual Summit taking place on June 16. This event features keynotes from GitHub and Red Hat leaders, along with deep-dive sessions presented by industry partners like Hashicorp and SUSE.

microsoft 365May 12, 2020

Insights: Protecting the home network with Cloudflare's new (and free) 1.1.1.1 for Families, that now has malware blockingIn this post, I share my experience with Cloudflare’s new free 1.1.1.1 for Families service, which adds malware and adult content blocking to their popular DNS. I investigate how the filtering actually works by examining the underlying Cloudflare for Teams controls, ultimately finding that the service offers robust privacy and performance benefits for protecting a home network.

homelabMay 9, 2020

Thoughts on the new Microsoft Surface products - hello Surface Book 3, Surface Go 2, and others!I break down the key features and pricing of Microsoft's latest Surface lineup, including the Surface Book 3, Go 2, and new audio accessories, to help you understand what’s actually new. As a satisfied Surface Book 2 user who primarily works on a desktop, I share my perspective on whether these incremental upgrades, such as the added 32 GB RAM option, justify an upgrade for developers and power users.

microsoft 365May 7, 2020

Building a notification tool using .NET Core, Twilio and WhatsApp messagesI share how I replaced the LED display on my Raspberry Pi temperature monitor by integrating Twilio and the WhatsApp API to send direct notifications to my phone. This approach allows me to bypass visual alerts and instead receive immediate alerts on significant temperature changes through a platform everyone already uses.

software developmentMay 4, 2020

Microsoft Build 2020 (digital event) registration is now openIf you are interested in attending Microsoft Build 2020, you should know that registration is now open for this free, digital-only event taking place on May 19-20. Since the conference starts in the evening for European attendees, I recommend settling in on your couch to enjoy the full streaming experience of all sessions and Q&A.

microsoft 365May 2, 2020

Achieving internal efficiency by managing your time and organizing your tasksI share the specific time-management model that allows me to balance a full-time job at Microsoft with graduate school, a podcast, and family life without burning out. By revealing the personal habits I eliminated to reclaim my schedule, I offer transparent insights into how identifying time thieves and prioritizing speed can significantly boost your own internal efficiency.

productivityApril 30, 2020

I'm an Azure Developer Product Marketing Manager at Microsoft - what do I do?If you are curious about the multifaceted responsibilities of a Product Marketing Manager in the tech industry, this post offers a transparent look into my daily work and team dynamics at Microsoft. I reflect on my first five months in the role, detailing how our Western European team supports developers, engages with community leaders, and executes diverse initiatives like the Azure Heroes program to bridge the gap between product and community.

azureApril 28, 2020

Building a simple analytics and tracking solution for the web using Azure StorageI use Google Analytics on this blog, and I guess it’s the industry standard.

data managementApril 24, 2020

Windows 10 May 2020 (version 2004) update: Top 5 new featuresIf you are curious about what the Windows 10 May 2020 update brings to your desktop, I will walk you through the top five new features now available for testing. You will discover improvements like enriched search capabilities, the ability to rename virtual desktops, and significant updates to Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 that keep the kernel current.

windowsApril 21, 2020

Home upgrade: Extending the wireless network coverage to the balcony using Unifi MeshIf you are looking to extend your home Wi-Fi to outdoor areas without running new cables, this post details my successful experience using Ubiquiti UniFi Mesh access points on my balconies. I explain how these weather-proof, Power-over-Ethernet enabled devices seamlessly integrated with my existing network, providing reliable 100 Mbps speeds with minimal setup effort.

homelabApril 20, 2020

We are all working remotely now - how does that feel after the first month?I share my reflections on the first month of widespread remote work in Finland, highlighting how the new norm of keeping video on has improved my meeting focus and why I recommend upgrading your webcam. I also discuss how this period has revealed stark contrasts in productivity based on home circumstances and forced a necessary shift toward prioritizing only essential, result-oriented tasks.

microsoft teamsApril 16, 2020

What about those blog posts that I've never published?Ever wondered what happens to the blog posts you started but never finished? I recently decided to clean out my digital clutter, including old drafts that no longer fit my current workflow or technical knowledge, and I’m sharing a look at these abandoned pieces before deleting them for good.

sharepointApril 14, 2020

Check your grammar! Understanding the security implications with cloud-based grammar checkersHaving relied on Grammarly for a year to refine my English writing, I recently reconsidered its value after hearing concerns about the inherent security risks of cloud-based grammar checkers. My investigation into their encryption practices and past vulnerabilities reveals significant privacy gaps that ultimately make me question whether the convenience is worth the potential exposure of sensitive data.

productivityApril 10, 2020

Security awareness: Are you using separate laptops for work and personal use?In this post, I share the surprising results of a Twitter poll revealing that nearly half of respondents prefer using separate laptops for work and personal use to maintain clear boundaries. I explore the challenges of separating data and communications on a single device while evaluating potential technical solutions like Windows Sandbox and virtual machines. This discussion offers insights into how professionals can balance security and convenience when managing their digital lives.

securityApril 6, 2020

Updated dates for major Microsoft-focused tech conferences in H2/2020I share the latest updates on major Microsoft-focused tech conferences for the second half of 2020, highlighting the shift to digital-only formats and new in-person dates. This summary helps you plan your attendance at key events like Microsoft Ignite, the European Cloud Summit, and various online gatherings by the CollabSummit and ShareGate organizers.

sharepointApril 6, 2020

Azure Policy essentials: The webinar recording is now availableIf you are interested in mastering Azure governance, this post shares the recording of my recent webinar on Azure Policy essentials delivered with Stephane Lapointe. We cover key topics such as Azure Blueprints, management groups, and leveraging policy in hybrid settings with Azure Arc, along with answers to audience questions.

azureApril 4, 2020