Writing

Driving a Tesla: Thoughts after 5 yearsAfter sharing ownership of a Tesla Model S and Model X with my brother for five years, I reflect on the exhilarating acceleration, ample space for our growing family, and the convenience of weekly home charging. While the driving experience was futuristic and fun, I also discuss practical challenges like freezing components and ineffective windshield wipers that tempered the luxury of owning these high-tech vehicles.

cloud computingDecember 23, 2021

Running a single Docker Container in Azure cost-effectivelyIf you are looking for a cost-effective way to host lightweight Docker containers like Bitwarden in Azure, this post explores why over-engineered solutions like Kubernetes may not be the best fit. I compare the complexities and costs of different Azure hosting options to help you determine the most efficient, cloud-native approach for running a single, essential service.

azureDecember 21, 2021

Building a modern data integration to Azure using SFTP with a Storage AccountI explore the modern shift from legacy FTP to SFTP for secure data ingestion into Azure Storage Accounts, highlighting why this new preview feature simplifies integrating external CSV data. By enrolling in the public preview, you can leverage SSH-based secure transfers directly within Azure Storage, offering a more robust alternative to the cumbersome FTPS setup in App Services.

azureDecember 15, 2021

Transforming your organization to cloud-only: Retiring the On-Premises Active DirectoryExplore why retiring on-premises Active Directory is a strategic shift for many organizations as they transition to cloud-only infrastructures. I outline the key considerations and benefits of moving away from legacy systems that are no longer essential for most small to medium-sized businesses, helping you determine if this transformation fits your operational needs.

azureDecember 7, 2021

Thoughts on completing the Certified Board Member accreditationIn this post, I share my personal experience and practical strategies for completing the Finnish Certified Board Member accreditation, offering insights that may help others navigate similar remote certification programs. I detail how I balanced the coursework with daily chores using a tablet, discuss the structure of the group work and pre-exam, and provide a candid look at the challenges of the final timed exam.

certificationsDecember 1, 2021

A look at the human presence detection sensor in the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 9)I explored how my ThinkPad X1 Carbon automatically locks and unlocks based on my presence, discovering that the feature relies on Novelda’s ultra-wideband sensor rather than standard Windows Hello facial recognition. By investigating the technology behind this seamless experience, I reveal how this hidden hardware component works to enhance convenience and security without requiring a camera.

windowsNovember 25, 2021

A look at fusion teams with Microsoft Azure and Power PlatformIn this post, I explore how fusion teams bridge the gap between professional developers and citizen developers when working with Microsoft Azure and the Power Platform. I argue that while developers possess valuable coding skills, their most impactful role in these hybrid teams is often limited to architecting custom APIs via Azure API Management and handling deployment and scalability concerns.

azureNovember 22, 2021

So, what's up?I take a moment to reflect on my life since July 2021, sharing personal highlights like hitting a bench press record, assembling LEGO sets, and enjoying Finland’s summers. By actively directing my own narrative instead of living on auto-pilot, I’ve found great satisfaction in these milestones, from building a new home to exploring national parks with my family.

homelabNovember 16, 2021

Planning for licensing in unattended and attended RPA solutions with Power Automate DesktopIf you are struggling to navigate the licensing complexities of Power Automate Desktop, this post breaks down the critical distinctions between attended and unattended RPA modes. I explain how the presence or absence of a logged-in user dictates your licensing requirements and influences how you should design your automation flows to avoid hanging processes.

power automateNovember 15, 2021

Building a secure remote access setup using TailscaleDiscover how I replaced my cumbersome manual VPN setup with Tailscale to create a seamless, secure mesh network for my homelab and personal devices. I explain why I switched to this zero-config solution and share the initial steps of integrating my server, NAS, and laptop into a unified, encrypted tunnel.

homelabNovember 8, 2021

For my Finnish audience: Azure Tour 2021 announcedIf you are interested in attending a series of free, full-day Azure events across four Finnish cities, I am excited to announce the return of the Azure Tour for 2021. Join Jouni Heikniemi, Sakari Nahi, and me for sessions tailored to security, infrastructure, development, and architecture roles, with all talks conducted in Finnish and slides in English. Secure your complimentary ticket by visiting the registration link.

azureNovember 1, 2021

Researching developer advocacy - a revisit to my Executive MBA thesis from 2020If you are curious about the challenges of defining and researching developer advocacy, you might find my retrospective on my 2020 Executive MBA thesis insightful. I share why I chose this complex, often misunderstood topic to bridge the gap between academic rigor and practical application, and I discuss the difficulties in navigating scarce literature to produce a meaningful contribution to the field.

ai and machine learningOctober 27, 2021

Tune in to our community-focused Microsoft Ignite Fall 2021 session on November 3!Join me and my colleagues as we explore real-world insights from Microsoft Partners on how organizations are reimagining the future of work during our live session at Microsoft Ignite Fall 2021. We cut through corporate buzzwords to discuss practical strategies for returning to the office, and if you missed the live event, you can now watch the full recording.

microsoft teamsOctober 20, 2021

Review: Wrist-friendly work with the Logitech MX Ergo trackball mouseSeeking relief from wrist discomfort after years of using standard mice, I decided to test the Logitech MX Ergo trackball mouse. In this review, I share my hands-on experience with its unique design features, including the adjustable steel plate and connectivity options, to determine if it truly offers a more ergonomic solution for daily work.

windowsOctober 11, 2021

Thoughts on passing the SC-200 security certification examIf you are interested in the practical realities of sitting for the SC-200 certification, read my candid experience taking the Security Operations Analyst exam. I share how I balanced preparation with my training schedule, dealt with the logistical challenges of remote proctoring, and navigated the specific question formats and difficulty levels on exam day.

certificationsOctober 8, 2021

Building a Point-to-Site VPN setup to Azure using Azure AD authenticationWith the shift to remote work, I explore why a Point-to-Site VPN remains relevant for accessing Azure-based resources like file shares and virtual machines from home. I detail how leveraging Azure AD authentication simplifies the traditional setup, avoiding the cumbersome management of certificates or RADIUS servers while providing secure access to the cloud.

azureOctober 1, 2021

Building a house: Construction and challengesIf you are curious about the reality of self-managing a home construction project, I share our progress update and the unexpected hurdles we’ve faced nine months into the build. While we are slightly ahead of schedule for our March 2022 move-in, navigating surprise costs and bureaucratic red tape has required significant resilience and constant decision-making.

homelabSeptember 18, 2021

Best practice: Subscribe to Azure Advisor alerts and recommendationsReaders interested in optimizing their Azure management workflows will find value in my recent series on capturing small but impactful best practices beyond Microsoft’s major frameworks. In this post, I explain how to configure Azure Advisor alerts and subscribe to weekly recommendation digests to ensure you stay proactive about security, cost, and performance improvements.

azureSeptember 16, 2021

Replicating files between two Azure Virtual Machines: Considerations and optionsI explore several strategies for securely replicating files between two Azure Virtual Machines in different virtual networks, specifically aiming to avoid opening direct traffic to the internal server. After evaluating standard scripting versus automation tools like Logic Apps and Azure Automation, I outline the trade-offs of each approach to help you determine the most efficient solution for your own infrastructure needs.

azureSeptember 7, 2021

I'm awarded as a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) on Azure!Discover the personal reaction behind my latest Microsoft MVP award, including a surprising spike in my heart rate upon receiving the news. I reflect on my journey as a seven-time winner, the renewed commitment to community engagement since leaving Microsoft, and my deep gratitude for the support I’ve received.

azureSeptember 3, 2021