Writing

Events are becoming digital-only - and that's generally a good thing!Drawing from my experience managing Microsoft’s event portfolio in Finland during the pandemic, I share how the forced shift to digital-only formats revealed both logistical challenges and unexpected benefits. While standard Teams meetings are straightforward, I highlight the complex planning required for larger-scale Teams Live Events, arguing that this transition has ultimately proven to be a positive development for community engagement.

microsoft teamsApril 3, 2020

Working from Home - reflections during the coronavirus crisisDiscover the chaotic reality of adapting to remote schooling in Finland during the early coronavirus crisis, where digital infrastructure failed to support effective distance learning. I share my personal experience navigating the unpreparedness of schools and the resulting busy-work with my three sons, offering a candid look at the challenges families faced while trying to balance work and home education.

microsoft teamsApril 1, 2020

Building a hybrid governance solution using Azure ArcI explore the evolution of hybrid cloud strategies by building a working governance solution using Azure Arc to manage on-premises virtual machines alongside Azure resources. By provisioning Ubuntu and Windows Server VMs through Hyper-V, I demonstrate how to extend Azure’s management capabilities to local environments for unified control. This walkthrough highlights the simplicity of integrating these disparate systems, proving that on-premises infrastructure remains relevant even as cloud adoption accelerates.

azureMarch 24, 2020

What's in your bag?Drawing from my years of remote work experience, I explain how I optimized my daily bag to balance portability with essential productivity tools. I share the specifics of my trusted Tuscany Leather Ventimiglia bag and my switch to the powerful Surface Book 2, highlighting why these items have become indispensable for my mobile workflow.

productivityMarch 20, 2020

I'm supporting the Hack the Crisis virtual hackathonIf you are looking for meaningful ways to contribute during these challenging times, this post explains how I am leveraging my role at Microsoft to support the Hack the Crisis virtual hackathon. I am forming an internal team to tackle community challenges and serving as a mentor alongside my colleague Mikko Viitaila, encouraging you to register and join us in making a tangible positive impact.

productivityMarch 19, 2020

Review: Plantronics (Poly) Calisto 7200, a Bluetooth speakerphone for the home officeAfter finding my premium headset tiring during long days of back-to-back meetings, I switched to the Plantronics Calisto 7200 speakerphone to enjoy hands-free flexibility without the physical discomfort. In this review, I share my experience with its simple setup, reliable connectivity, and neutral audio quality, highlighting how it has become a practical solution for my home office workflow.

productivityMarch 19, 2020

Building the perfect remote workstation in the cloudHaving worked remotely since 1997, I share my experience building the perfect remote workstation using Microsoft Azure’s DevTest Labs for superior productivity and control. I walk you through the step-by-step process of setting up your own cloud-based environment, from creating resource groups to configuring automatic shutdowns, so you can achieve a reliable and efficient virtual workspace.

azureMarch 16, 2020

Upcoming webinar: Azure Governance - insights and reflectionsIf you are interested in Azure Governance, join me and Stephane Lapointe from ShareGate for an upcoming webinar sharing our insights and reflections. We will host this hour-long session on Tuesday, March 31, at noon EDT, so be sure to sign up to hear our discussion.

azureMarch 16, 2020

Building a Raspberry Pi-based temperature monitoring solution with Sense HAT LED matrix display and Azure Logic Apps (and some LEGO!)I show you how I evolved my Raspberry Pi weather monitoring system to display real-time Azure data on a Sense HAT LED matrix, all housed in a custom LEGO case. By using Azure Logic Apps to retrieve latest temperature readings from a SQL database, I created an efficient setup that alerts me to high temperatures while reviving my passion for building with LEGOs.

azureMarch 12, 2020

5 things with productivity tools that frustrate me to no endI share the specific quirks of my tech toolkit that drive me crazy, from Microsoft Edge’s inability to support local avatars to the maddeningly persistent Windows taskbar flashes. While these may seem like minor annoyances, I hope venting about them helps me move on and might even inspire the developers behind these tools to implement the fixes I so desperately need.

productivityMarch 11, 2020

Building a site-to-site VPN between Unifi network hardware and AzureIf you are looking to connect your home network to the cloud, this post walks you through establishing a site-to-site VPN between Ubiquiti Unifi hardware and Microsoft Azure. I detail the straightforward Azure configuration using the Basic SKU and share my experience troubleshooting the Unifi side to get the connection running smoothly.

azureMarch 3, 2020

An update to Microsoft certifications: MCSA, MCSD, and MCSE retiring end of June 2020If you are concerned about the recent announcement that Microsoft is retiring the MCSA, MCSD, and MCSE certifications by June 30, 2020, this post explains why this shift toward role-based training is actually a positive evolution in the IT industry. I break down exactly which credentials are being phased out, what the new certification paths look like, and what steps you should take now to ensure your professional development remains on track.

microsoft 365February 28, 2020

Hello, 802.11b - again!Curious why modern Wi-Fi networks often break compatibility with older smart home gadgets? I recently encountered this issue when my 2012 Fitbit Aria scale failed to connect to my upgraded Ubiquiti UniFi network, despite my other devices working flawlessly on 5 GHz. This post details my troubleshooting process and the eventual realization that the scale’s reliance on legacy 802.11b standards caused the connectivity failure.

networkingFebruary 27, 2020

Building a command-line utility to search for WordPress content using .NET Core and System.Text.JsonIf you are looking for a quick way to search your published WordPress content directly from the terminal, this post shares how I built a simple command-line utility in just 15 minutes using .NET Core and System.Text.Json. I explain my motivation for creating the tool to check for duplicate topics and walk through the straightforward code required to interact with the WordPress REST API.

c#February 24, 2020

Getting started with Azure Database for PostgreSQLAs a long-time SQL Server user, I share my experience exploring Azure Database for PostgreSQL to expand my knowledge beyond my usual defaults. I walk through the platform's history and edition options before demonstrating how to provision a single server instance using Azure CLI, including a breakdown of compute generations and associated costs.

azureFebruary 19, 2020

A few quick updates - and everything is awesome!Discover my recent professional and personal milestones, from speaking engagements at Azure Fest and the European Collaboration Summit to the continued growth of the Ctrl+Alt+Azure podcast. I also share updates on my home studio equipment upgrades and celebrate reaching significant strength training goals in the gym.

azureFebruary 18, 2020

Planning my IKEA desktop projectI share my plan to upgrade my home office setup by integrating a new Alex cabinet for network gear ventilation and adding monitor arms to maximize workspace. Using a Dremel to modify IKEA furniture, I aim to improve both the functionality and ergonomics of my existing Karlby walnut desk while keeping costs down.

homelabFebruary 13, 2020

Building a custom container-based API using Docker Desktop and Azure App ServiceIn this post, I share my experience building and deploying a custom .NET Core API as a Docker container on Azure App Service to demonstrate the simplicity of this approach. I walk through the essential steps of setting up Azure resources via the CLI, including creating a resource group, container registry, and Linux-based web app, while also covering authentication methods for deploying your image.

azureFebruary 11, 2020

Learn the fundamentals of Azure today, and pass the exam!I share my personal experience with the AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam, which I view as an essential entry point for validating your understanding of core cloud concepts. You can prepare for this milestone by utilizing free online training paths, instructor-led sessions, or community study guides before scheduling your $99 certification exam.

azureFebruary 6, 2020

Building a simple yet robust monitoring solution for a website using Azure Application InsightsI share how I leverage Azure Application Insights to create a simple yet powerful monitoring solution for my hosted WordPress blog, ensuring I’m alerted to potential outages or certificate expirations. I detail the process of provisioning the service via Azure CLI for automation readiness and configuring URL ping tests through the portal to track availability.

azureFebruary 4, 2020