Writing

Upgrading my travel kit with the Anker Prime 100W GaN chargerIf you are tired of untangling a chaotic mess of cables while traveling, you will want to hear how I finally simplified my gear with the Anker Prime 100W GaN charger. After adopting my colleague’s advice to ditch bulky laptop bricks, I discovered that this compact GaN-based charger efficiently powers my MacBook Pro and phone simultaneously without overheating, offering a fast and tidy solution for my on-the-go needs.

productivityNovember 2, 2023

How much RAM is enough for a MacBook Pro (M2)?Drawing on my experience using an M2 Max MacBook Pro for nearly nine months, I break down my actual RAM usage to answer how much memory you really need. My analysis shows that while 32 GB offers peace of mind, 16 GB is sufficient for typical workloads, helping you decide whether to splurge on extra RAM or stick with the standard configuration.

macosOctober 31, 2023

Yellow borders in Windows 11 - what's up with that?If you’ve ever wondered why your Windows 11 desktop suddenly sports yellow borders, I can explain that it’s likely due to accidentally triggering the screen recording feature in Sysinternals ZoomIt. I share this quick reminder after discovering a massive video file captured overnight, helping you avoid similar accidental recordings and storage surprises.

windowsOctober 26, 2023

We're delivering a full-day powerclass on Microsoft Copilot(s) at ECS 2024If you are planning to attend ECS 2024, you will want to join my full-day powerclass on Microsoft Copilot delivered alongside Microsoft MVP Chris O'Brien. We will dive deep into various Copilot services, licensing, technical requirements, and compliance issues, covering so much ground that we might even need a second day. Secure your spot now to ensure you don’t miss out on these comprehensive insights.

microsoft 365September 21, 2023

The European Power Platform Conference 2024 is June 11-13, 2024!If you are interested in the upcoming European Power Platform Conference or eager to share your expertise as a speaker, this post provides all the essential details you need to know. I am excited to share that I will serve as program chair alongside Antti Pajunen, Rebekka Aalbers, and Donald Hessing for the event taking place in Brussels from June 11-13, 2024. With the Call for Speakers open until November 30, 2023, I invite you to submit your sessions and book your tickets through the links provided.

power platformSeptember 19, 2023

Microsoft Chat Copilot vs. Azure ChatGPT - Which generative AI capability to choose for the enterprise?If you are looking to build a private, enterprise-grade ChatGPT experience on Azure, this post helps you choose between two powerful prototypes: Azure ChatGPT and Microsoft Chat Copilot. I compare their underlying architectures, such as Langchain versus Semantic Kernel, to help you decide which solution best fits your development workflow and technical needs.

azureSeptember 11, 2023

Understanding Bing Chat EnterpriseWhile I have primarily focused on OpenAI technologies this year, I recently revisited Bing Chat Enterprise to explore how it offers a secure, privacy-focused alternative to standard generative AI tools. This post explains how the service protects user data by excluding identifiable information and avoiding model training, while also detailing the necessary steps to enable it within your Microsoft 365 tenant.

ai and machine learningAugust 31, 2023

I'm presenting two sessions at ESPC '23!If you’re planning to attend ESPC '23 in Amsterdam, you’ll want to join me for two sessions that blend practical AI integration with robust security strategies. I’ll be sharing hands-on guidance for leveraging Azure OpenAI Services and demonstrating how to secure your infrastructure using Zero Trust principles and Microsoft Entra Global Secure Access.

azure openaiAugust 29, 2023

Using Parallels 19 to run Windows 11 on macOSIn this post, I share my experience running Windows 11 on Apple Silicon using Parallels 19, addressing common questions about ARM architecture and software compatibility. I provide practical advice on licensing, RAM allocation, and installation methods to help you set up a smooth virtualization environment on your MacBook.

macosAugust 23, 2023

Building a private ChatGPT service without custom code using Azure OpenAIDiscover how to build a private, enterprise-grade ChatGPT service using Azure OpenAI without writing any custom code. I will walk you through the key differences between OpenAI and Azure OpenAI, guide you through the access request process, and show you exactly how to provision the necessary resources in the Azure portal.

azureAugust 22, 2023

How to prepare for Microsoft Security CopilotAs Microsoft Security Copilot nears release, I outline practical steps you can take today to prepare for its arrival. I recommend auditing your current security services to identify relevant data points and establishing a separate test tenant to safely trial the AI's capabilities without impacting your production environment.

azure openaiAugust 21, 2023

Fixing a Voyager Focus UC headset with a new batteryIf you have a dead wireless headset that is too expensive to replace, this guide shows you how I successfully revived my Plantronics Voyager Focus UC by swapping out its failed lithium-ion battery. I detail the specific replacement part I used, the challenges of soldering tiny wires without professional tools, and the satisfaction of restoring the device to its original 14-hour battery life.

homelabAugust 19, 2023

Deploying an Enterprise ChatGPT with Azure OpenAII explore the enterprise benefits of deploying a private ChatGPT using Azure OpenAI, highlighting how the Azure Chat solution allows companies to maintain full control over data privacy and access. I share my hands-on experience setting up this architecture, including practical tips on provisioning resources, navigating access requirements, and leveraging my forked repository since Microsoft removed the original public source.

azure openaiAugust 14, 2023

Connecting to Exchange Online with Connect-ExchangeOnline is slow within Azure FunctionIf you are struggling with slow connection times and excessive memory usage when using Connect-ExchangeOnline in Azure Functions, this post shares practical fixes that drastically improved my performance. I explain how specifying the CommandName parameter and properly managing session cleanup with Disconnect-ExchangeOnline and garbage collection reduced my execution time from 35 seconds to just 4 seconds while keeping memory usage well under control.

azureAugust 13, 2023

Lessons learned from building an Azure Function to configure Exchange Online mailboxesIf you need to programmatically manage Exchange Online mailbox properties like proxy addresses, this post shares my experience building an Azure Function to fill the gap left by unsupported APIs. I detail the challenges with authentication and dependencies, highlighting how leveraging Laura Kokkarinen’s Managed Identity approach helped resolve the issues.

azureAugust 10, 2023

I'm renewed as a Microsoft MVP for 2023-2024!If you're interested in my latest professional milestone, I’m excited to share that I’ve been renewed as a Microsoft MVP for the 2023-2024 term, marking my ninth year in the program. This renewal is particularly special because I have transitioned from the Azure category to Security, a shift that highlights the evolving nature of my contributions to the community.

azureJuly 28, 2023

Why is Microsoft Fabric complaining about my Azure AD tenant location?In this post, I explain why Microsoft Fabric prompts you to align your capacity location with your Azure AD tenant region and how to verify your current tenant setting. I highlight the significant compliance, performance, and data residency limitations that arise when these regions do not match, emphasizing why selecting the correct location is crucial for a smooth deployment.

azureJune 13, 2023

My experience with the new Outlook client (for Windows)As a long-time Outlook user who recently switched to the new Windows client, I share my journey of overcoming initial skepticism about its half-baked state to appreciate its recent improvements. I discuss why I remain attached to the classic desktop version for macOS users and highlight how the new app’s enhanced stability and calendar overlay features have finally made it a viable daily driver for my complex multi-identity workflow.

windowsJune 12, 2023

My experience using a MacBook Pro for 100 daysAfter using my MacBook Pro M2 Max for over 100 days as my primary travel companion, I share my firsthand experience balancing its incredible portability with the demands of remote consulting work. I discuss how the device handles diverse tasks like coding and content creation, highlight the impressive yet variable battery life influenced by apps like Firefox, and reflect on its seamless integration into my life outside the home office.

macosJune 1, 2023

Getting started with GrammarlyGOAs a long-time Grammarly user, I recently tested the new GrammarlyGO premium feature to determine if its Generative AI capabilities justify the added cost. While the integration is fast and neat, I found the pricing steep and the loss of local prompt data frustrating, leaving me uncertain if it offers enough value to replace my existing workflow.

productivityMay 3, 2023