Writing

The European Power Platform Conference 2023 is June 20-22!I am excited to share that I am serving as the programme chair for the second European Power Platform Conference in Dublin, where the Call for Speakers is now open until December 14, 2022. If you are interested in showcasing your expertise in Microsoft Power Platform, Azure, or related solutions for IT Pros, developers, and business decision-makers, I invite you to submit your session proposals today.

power platformOctober 5, 2022

Back to the roots: A look at the SharePoint Architect's Planning Guide book (Packt Publishing)If you are a seasoned SharePoint professional struggling to catch up with modern cloud capabilities, I revisit my roots to review Patrick Tucker’s *SharePoint Architect’s Planning Guide*. I share how this comprehensive book bridges the gap between legacy knowledge and current Microsoft 365 governance, offering a fresh perspective on migration, architecture, and adoption that I wish I had years ago.

sharepointSeptember 14, 2022

Building sustainability with solar panels at homeIf you are weighing the practical benefits of adding solar panels to a highly efficient home, my experience with our new stone house in Helsinki offers a grounded perspective. I share how our south-facing design and Grade A energy rating influenced my decision to install solar panels, despite my initial indifference and lack of technical expertise in energy systems.

homelabSeptember 5, 2022

Modern notetaking with Obsidian (Also, goodbye, OneNote)After nearly two decades of frustration with Microsoft OneNote’s synchronization issues and identity glitches, I finally found a reliable replacement in Obsidian. I explain why this free, Markdown-based tool offers the simplicity and local storage I needed to organize my personal notes and to-do lists effectively.

productivityAugust 24, 2022

Living with the Yale Linus smartlockIf you are looking to add smart features to your home without overcomplicating the setup, this post details my practical experience integrating a Yale Linus smart lock into a newly built house. I explain why I shifted from a complex automation plan to a simpler solution, the technical hurdles I faced when switching from the Doorman to the Linus due to fitment issues, and an overview of the lock’s key features and installation.

automationAugust 15, 2022

Become more productive in Azure Portal with these shortcut keysIf you want to boost your efficiency in the Azure Portal, these five essential keyboard shortcuts will help you stay focused without touching the mouse. I share my daily go-to commands for navigating resources, creating new ones, and accessing pinned services to streamline your workflow.

azureJuly 17, 2022

I'm renewed as a Microsoft MVP!Discover what it really means to be renewed as a Microsoft MVP for the eighth time, shifting my focus from Office Apps & Services to Microsoft Azure. In this post, I share my journey, recent community contributions like blogging and mentoring, and my excitement for the Azure content and projects coming next.

azureJuly 14, 2022

Thoughts on preparing and passing the new Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect (SC-100) certificationAs someone who recently passed the beta version of the new Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect (SC-100) certification without official study materials, I share my insights on preparation strategies and exam focus areas. I recommend starting with the AZ-500 certification and leveraging resources like the Microsoft Cybersecurity Reference Architecture to master the design-oriented nature of the exam.

cybersecurityJuly 14, 2022

So, what's up?In this update, I share my progress over the past six months, highlighting major milestones like building a new home, launching a business, and sticking to a rigorous gym routine. I also discuss upgrading my workstation and reflect on lifestyle changes, including quitting wine and embracing active recovery.

windowsJune 27, 2022

Building a customer experience when you're running a businessDrawing from my recent, frustrating experience as a WeWork customer in Frankfurt, I explore how removing small blockers can significantly improve the customer experience in your own business. I share practical lessons learned from this encounter, emphasizing the importance of avoiding assumptions and prioritizing customer needs over convenience to build stronger, more trusting relationships.

productivityJune 23, 2022

Publishing open salary ranges when hiringInspired by Microsoft’s push for pay transparency, I reflect on why Finland’s culture of salary secrecy is problematic and how I overcame my unfounded fears about publishing ranges in my own hiring process. You will learn how openly sharing salary expectations actually improved the quality of applicants I received and why I am now committing to this practice to remove the guesswork for candidates.

productivityJune 21, 2022

Goodbye, Internet Explorer (1995-2022)As Internet Explorer finally retires, I reflect on its chaotic evolution from the simple days of IE 5.5 and the infamous Internet Radio button to the modern friction of forced Edge redirections. While I acknowledge IE’s foundational role in my career, I’m glad to have moved on to the streamlined, distraction-free experience that Mozilla Firefox offers today.

windowsJune 15, 2022

I'm thinking of getting the new MacBook Air (2022)As a self-proclaimed non-Apple fan, I’m surprisingly tempted by the new MacBook Air’s M2 chip and battery life, despite my usual preference for Microsoft-based tools. However, I’m weighing the appeal of its professional design against the steep price of 16 GB of RAM and the logistical headaches of importing a US model to support Nordic keyboard layouts.

macosJune 7, 2022

A look at the Azure Well-Architected Framework in the context of multiple Azure AD tenantsI explore how the Azure Well-Architected Framework guides modern identity management, highlighting the critical shift from fragmented on-premises directories to a unified Azure AD tenant. By examining the identity checklist and best practices, I demonstrate why centralizing identities into a single enterprise directory remains a fundamental pillar for effective cloud architecture.

azureJune 2, 2022

A lap around F5 NGINX on AzureI explore the newly announced F5 NGINX service on Azure, explaining why this Platform-as-a-Service offering is preferable to traditional compute-based deployments. By walking through the straightforward provisioning process and initial configuration steps, I demonstrate how to get started with this tool for load balancing and web serving.

azureMay 26, 2022

Review: Sennheiser Sport True Wireless earbuds for the gym enthusiastI struggled to find gym-friendly earbuds that met my strict criteria for fit, USB-C charging, and audio quality until I discovered the Sennheiser Sport True Wireless model. Intrigued by its surprisingly affordable price point and Sennheiser’s audio heritage, I decided to purchase them immediately to see if they finally solve the problem of earbuds falling out during intense workouts.

May 23, 2022

I'm speaking at the European SharePoint, Office 365 & Azure Conference in November - see you in Copenhagen!If you are interested in attending the European SharePoint, Office 365 & Azure Conference in Copenhagen, I invite you to join me for three upcoming sessions on Zero Trust, Secure Score, and Azure Sentinel. I am thrilled to present alongside my friend Thomas Vochten and look forward to reconnecting with old friends in person after years of isolation.

azureMay 18, 2022

Join us at Microsoft Build 2022 to hear what's up with the Finnish cloud?Join me and two fellow Microsoft Regional Directors for a rapid-fire, 30-minute debate on the future of Azure, cloud security, and multicloud strategies at Microsoft Build 2022. In this fast-paced session, we tackle these hot topics with deep insights and plenty of humor before the event wraps up.

cloud computingMay 10, 2022

"We don't need an office" - a summation of hybrid work in 2022I explore the ongoing debate over whether we truly need a physical office, balancing our companies’ diverse spatial needs with the reality of packed schedules and limited productivity gains from commuting. While I’ve tentatively designated Fridays for optional in-person interaction to foster human connection, I highlight the persistent challenge of carving out unstructured time for colleagues to simply hang out amidst a sea of remote meetings.

productivityMay 9, 2022

Streaming to Sonos with Stream What You HearIf you struggle with the limitations of single-account streaming services, I share my practical workaround for enjoying YouTube Music on your Sonos system without needing native integration. By using the Stream What You Hear application, I successfully route browser audio to my stereo setup, solving the conflict of sharing one Spotify account between home and car use while leveraging my existing YouTube Premium subscription.

homelabMay 3, 2022