Writing

Is it worth going to large, international tech conferences anymore?Struggling to justify the high costs and significant time investment of large international tech conferences? I break down the real expenses and personal trade-offs of attending Microsoft Build 2019 to help you decide if the in-person experience is still worth it. By weighing the financial burden against the value of networking and session access, I aim to clarify whether physical attendance remains a necessary part of professional development.

microsoft 365May 8, 2019

Windows 10 19H1 (1903) update: Top 5 new featuresAs a long-time Windows 10 user and IT Pro, I share my top five favorite features from the 19H1 update that I now use daily. This post highlights practical improvements like Windows Sandbox and a reworked Insider menu, focusing on how these changes benefit real-world workflows rather than just technical specifications.

windowsApril 11, 2019

What's next for me: Starting the Executive MBA journeyAfter three decades in IT and a decade of entrepreneurship, a period of global travel and reflection revealed my need for new intellectual challenges without leaving my current company. I decided that pursuing an Executive MBA was the perfect way to step out of my comfort zone and continue growing both professionally and mentally. This post shares my personal journey and the reasons behind this significant next step in my career.

productivityApril 5, 2019

[Updated] Making Remote Desktop fun again: Dynamic resizing and resolution changes while connectedIf you’ve ever struggled with the cumbersome process of resizing Remote Desktop sessions, I’ll show you how to finally make the experience smoother and more intuitive. By leveraging the dynamic resizing and resolution change features available in modern Windows versions, you can adjust your remote session window freely while connected, eliminating the need to disconnect or purchase third-party tools.

windowsApril 2, 2019

...But I like email!I challenge the prevailing narrative that email is obsolete by explaining why I still rely on it daily despite being a consultant who implements modern collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams. By comparing email’s enduring utility to the occasional but vital phone call, I argue that these communication channels serve distinct, complementary purposes and should coexist rather than compete.

microsoft 365March 26, 2019

Mastering Azure CLIDrawing on my long history with command-line tools, I share my journey from early scripting days to adopting Azure CLI as a nimble, cross-platform alternative to PowerShell. This guide is designed to help IT professionals and developers transition to Azure CLI or enhance their efficiency by mastering this flexible command-line interface for managing Microsoft Azure resources.

azureMarch 14, 2019

Anonymizing and masking sensitive data in SQL databases before migrating to Azure SQLIf you are planning to migrate legacy SQL Server databases to Azure, this post explores practical methods for anonymizing sensitive data within your on-premises infrastructure before moving it to the cloud. I walk through my experience setting up a local test environment with the AdventureWorks sample database and demonstrate how PowerShell can be used to effectively mask personally identifiable information while keeping costs in mind.

azureMarch 13, 2019

Be better - or how to consistently succeed as a techieDrawing on nearly thirty years of experience, I share practical guidance and personal habits that have helped me consistently succeed in the tech industry without the need for complex formulas. I invite you to take what resonates from my journey—particularly my emphasis on daily, purposeful learning—and discard the rest to help you reach your own professional goals.

productivityMarch 7, 2019

Tracking, resolving, storing and presenting AKA.MS short links from social media using Serverless capabilities in AzureRead on to see how I leveraged Azure Logic Apps to create a cost-effective, serverless prototype that tracks and resolves AKA.MS short links from Twitter. By automating the process of extracting, verifying, and storing these URLs in a database, I demonstrate a practical approach to rapid learning and data collection without significant overhead.

azureMarch 2, 2019

Building a custom connector for Power BI that supports OAuth2 to visualize my wellness dataIf you are looking to visualize personal wellness data from the Oura Ring in Power BI, this post details my process for building a custom connector that supports OAuth2 authentication. I share how I overcame the limitations of standard JSON connectors to create a solution that automatically pulls live data from the Oura API, offering steps that are applicable to any custom API integration.

data managementFebruary 27, 2019

Living with Oura Ring - the smart way to track wellness and activityI share my experience with the Oura Ring, detailing why I chose to support this high-demand Finnish startup and how the device balances aesthetics with advanced health tracking. From navigating the sizing process to evaluating its comfort and premium feel against the steep price tag, I offer an honest look at whether this discreet wellness gadget lives up to the hype.

productivityFebruary 26, 2019

Fun with Azure Functions: Building a lookup tool for Azure AD tenant IDsI recently encountered a tedious workflow where repeatedly navigating the Azure Portal to copy-paste tenant IDs disrupted my productivity, prompting me to clarify the often-confused differences between Tenant, Subscription, and Directory IDs. To streamline this process, I decided to build a custom lookup tool using Azure Functions, offering a faster alternative to manual portal navigation for retrieving these critical identifiers.

azureFebruary 20, 2019

One password to rule them all: Migrating to 1Password from KeePass and text filesIf you are curious about the practical trade-offs of switching from a long-term, self-hosted password manager to a modern commercial solution, this post details my decade-long journey with KeePass. I explain why the tool’s lack of seamless sharing and modern authentication features like Windows Hello finally pushed me to migrate to 1Password, despite the strong attachment I had built to my free, local database over the years.

cybersecurityFebruary 18, 2019

Migrating SQL Server 2008 databases to Azure SQLI share my experience migrating a legacy 11.6 GB SQL Server 2008 database to Azure SQL, detailing the cost-effective provisioning of a Standard S0 instance via the Azure Portal. This walkthrough highlights the practical steps for restoring the .BAK file using SQL Server Management Studio while addressing the specific challenges encountered during the transition from on-premises hardware.

azureFebruary 15, 2019

Building a secure remote access solution for Azure-based virtual machines using Azure AD and Windows Admin CenterI explore the challenges of securing remote access to Azure virtual machines for both internal staff and external consultants, highlighting the risks of traditional RDP exposure. By mapping out various authentication options, including Azure AD and MFA, I share my findings on establishing a robust and secure management strategy.

azureFebruary 5, 2019

An adventure in containers and command-line tools: Running MongoDB in AzureDiscover how I navigated the complexity of running MongoDB in Azure while strictly adhering to a no-virtual-machine policy. This post chronicles my journey from early container experimentation to solving a specific business challenge by leveraging PaaS offerings instead of traditional IaaS services.

azureFebruary 4, 2019

The comprehensive licensing guide to Microsoft Power Automate (formerly Flow) and Power AppsDrawing on my past experience at Microsoft and my subsequent work as an independent consultant, I have compiled this comprehensive guide to demystify the complex licensing landscape for Power Automate and Power Apps. I break down the essential basics, recent policy changes, and specific nuances like multiplexing to help you navigate the options with greater clarity and confidence.

power automateJanuary 30, 2019

Automation made easy: Using Microsoft Visio to create FlowsIf you are eager to leverage the new public preview feature that allows you to plan and create Microsoft Flows directly within Visio, this post is for you. I walk you through the essential prerequisites, including how to activate a free 30-day trial for Visio Online Plan 2 and the steps required to install the software on your workstation. By following my firsthand walkthrough, you will be ready to design your first Flow using this powerful integration.

power automateJanuary 22, 2019

I want to become a carpenter - and here's my planRead on for a humorous look at my ambitious yet hilariously ineffective plan to transition from IT to carpentry. I outline my strategy of spending weeks browsing tool pictures online, organizing my existing toolbox, and attending "user groups" before ever touching a piece of wood.

productivityJanuary 17, 2019

I'm done with browser bookmarksIf you feel overwhelmed by the mental clutter of managing hundreds of browser bookmarks, you might appreciate my journey to finally delete them all. I found that relying on search history and address bar autocomplete not only sparked more joy than hoarding links but also reduced my anxiety and mindless browsing.

productivityJanuary 14, 2019