Writing

A look back: Two years of working out at the gymIf you are curious about how long-term gym consistency translates into tangible results, read on as I reflect on my two-year fitness journey and the shift from chasing maximum lifts to prioritizing volume and proper form. I share my current one-rep maxes, detailed training schedules, and the importance of rotating programs to prevent monotony while maintaining steady progress.

August 26, 2021

Building a homelab – finalizing the setup (Part 2)In this follow-up to my homelab series, I share the final hardware configuration of my 18U rack, detailing the integration of a 4U server, NAS, and networking equipment. I also address practical concerns like noise levels, providing decibel measurements to show how the setup operates quietly enough to sit beside my daily workstation.

homelabAugust 23, 2021

Best practice: Use health alerts with Azure Site-to-Site VPN connectionsRead on to discover why configuring health alerts for your Azure Site-to-Site VPN is a critical yet often overlooked best practice. I walk you through the simple process of setting up these alerts in the Azure Portal to ensure you are immediately notified if your tunnel connection drops or experiences issues.

azureAugust 19, 2021

Can you access Microsoft Azure if your firewall is blocking all traffic?If you have ever wondered whether blocking all traffic in your firewall completely cuts off access to Microsoft Azure, I decided to test this scenario in a controlled lab environment. I configured a Windows 10 VM to deny all outbound connections and confirmed that Azure access is indeed blocked, prompting an investigation into how to selectively allow necessary traffic using Microsoft’s published IP ranges.

azureAugust 16, 2021

Review: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 9), the 2021 modelI detail my transition from a Microsoft Surface Book to the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9, explaining how its lightweight design and built-in mobile data support met my specific productivity needs. This review outlines the high-end specifications I chose, including 32 GB of RAM and a UHD+ display, along with the premium price tag and wait times associated with this 2021 model.

windowsAugust 11, 2021

A look at Windows 365 - the Cloud PC serviceAfter activating a Windows 365 trial to test its performance and practical value, I break down the licensing structures and pricing differences between the Business and Enterprise editions. I explain why I chose the Business edition for my cloud-only corporate environment and argue that the $45/month Standard plan offers the most reasonable balance of speed and resources for typical desktop tasks.

windowsAugust 9, 2021

My experience using Windows 11 with the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 9)If you’re curious about the real-world performance of Windows 11 on the latest Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, this post shares my initial impressions after a week of testing. I discuss the seamless upgrade process, minor UI quirks, and stable file explorer performance, while also reporting on battery life that falls short of manufacturer claims but remains sufficient for daily use.

windowsJuly 31, 2021

Goodbye telemetry and ads - running Pi-Hole in a home networkIf you are curious about eliminating ads and telemetry from your entire home network, I share my experience setting up Pi-Hole as a DNS-based solution. I detail the process of deploying it within a Docker container on my Synology NAS, covering installation, configuration, and automated updates.

dockerJuly 28, 2021

Episode #91 is out for our Ctrl+Alt+Azure podcastIf you are interested in staying current with the latest Azure developments, my recent episode with Tobias Zimmergren covers the key announcements and updates from the past month. We discuss these changes in detail on our Ctrl+Alt+Azure podcast, which you can stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or directly in your browser.

azureJuly 21, 2021

Using Azure Application Insights to monitor for expiring SSL certificatesI demonstrate how to automate SSL certificate expiration monitoring using Azure Application Insights, offering a more reliable alternative to error-prone calendar-based tracking. By leveraging the new Standard Test feature, you can easily configure alerts for expiring certificates without the need for custom tooling or manual oversight.

azureJuly 19, 2021

Self-hosting memories: Migrating from Google Photos to Synology PhotosIf you are concerned about Google analyzing your personal photos, this post shares my journey from paying for cloud storage to self-hosting with Synology Photos for greater privacy and control. I detail the straightforward process of enabling the app on my NAS and exporting my archive via Google Takeout, highlighting why I believe managing my own data is worth the effort.

data managementJuly 15, 2021

Episode #90 is out for our Ctrl+Alt+Azure podcastYou might be interested in this post if you are looking for an honest assessment of Azure Automanage’s utility for managing virtual machines. In the 90th episode of Ctrl+Alt+Azure, I sit down with Tobias Zimmergren to discuss this preview feature and share our insights on its practical value. You can listen to the conversation on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or directly in your browser.

azureJuly 14, 2021

So, what's up?In this quarterly life update, I share how I adapted to gym closures in Finland by setting up a smart bike trainer on my balcony and pursuing a new homelab server project. Alongside these DIY endeavors, I reflect on family moments in Helsinki and celebrate the completion of my Executive MBA before heading off for a well-deserved summer break.

July 7, 2021

Using a DSLR as a webcamIf you’re curious about upgrading your video quality by repurposing a DSLR or mirrorless camera as a webcam, this post shares my frustrating yet insightful journey to make it work. After failing with direct HDMI connections and Canon’s software utility due to on-screen overlays and cropping issues, I discovered that hardware capture cards like the Elgato Cam Link 4K are necessary for a clean, professional feed.

windowsJuly 7, 2021

Quick fix: Moving resources in Azure failsIf you are struggling with unhelpful error messages when trying to move Azure resources between subscriptions, this post shares how I resolved a blocking issue caused by an inaccessible leftover Office 365 subscription. I demonstrate how filtering out that specific subscription in the Azure Portal allows both the web interface and PowerShell validation to work correctly.

azureJune 30, 2021

A look at TPM and Windows 11 hardware requirementsI examine the hardware requirements for Windows 11, specifically focusing on the surprising mandatory inclusion of a TPM 2.0 chip. While most specifications seem manageable for modern systems, I explain what this security feature entails and why it might be a hurdle for some users.

windowsJune 28, 2021

Quick review: Elgato Wave Panels for acoustic treatment of the home officeIf you struggle with audio quality in your home office, this review of Elgato Wave Panels might offer a practical solution for acoustic treatment without damaging your walls. I share my experience upgrading from previous panels that failed with adhesive, detailing the installation process and performance benefits of these hexagonal foam inserts for podcast recording.

homelabJune 21, 2021

Building a Kubernetes cluster using Raspberry Pi 4I’ll show you how I built an on-premises Kubernetes cluster using three affordable, low-power Raspberry Pi 4 devices to learn container orchestration without breaking the bank. This post walks through my entire process, from rack-mounting the hardware and configuring headless SSH access to deploying the Kubernetes environment itself.

containersJune 14, 2021

First look at Power Platform CLI: Command-line tools for developersIf you are interested in streamlining your Power Platform development workflow, this post shares my hands-on experience with the newly released Power Platform CLI. I walk through the installation, authentication process, and demonstrate key administrative commands like environment management and solution handling to show how these command-line tools can enhance your productivity.

power platformJune 9, 2021

Building a mailbox sensor solution using Raspberry Pi and a wireless sensorIf you are looking for a practical way to digitize your physical mail delivery, this post details how I built a wireless notification system using a Raspberry Pi Zero WH and a Ruuvitag beacon. I explain my specific design choices, including leveraging the Pi's Bluetooth capabilities to detect mail arrival via the sensor's accelerometer and integrating Azure Logic Apps for immediate alerts.

homelabJune 7, 2021