productivity

If you are looking to streamline your task management workflow, this post details my journey in building a custom .NET Core command-line tool for Microsoft To Do. I share the technical challenges of authenticating via Microsoft Graph’s Beta API using a Public Client Application flow, aiming to replace cumbersome GUI interactions with rapid, context-free command execution.

I built a custom presence light solution because existing tools relying on Microsoft Graph couldn’t accurately reflect my busy status across multiple accounts and applications like Zoom or recording software. By monitoring local microphone activity instead of calendar data, I created a system using Philips Hue lights and C# to signal to my family when I’m on calls or recording, effectively solving the problem of being interrupted during remote work.

Drawing 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.

If you’re curious about creating anonymous communication channels using Microsoft Azure, I’ll show you how I built a double-blind email distribution list with Logic Apps and Exchange Online in just a couple of hours. This guide walks through the simple workflow I designed to hide sender and recipient identities while enabling group conversations via unique thread identifiers.

Discover how you can leverage Microsoft Universal Print to share legacy hardware like my old HP LaserJet over the cloud, eliminating the need for third-party management servers. I walk through the practical setup process using Azure connectors and Intune, demonstrating how to enable print-from-anywhere capabilities for your on-premises devices in just about an hour.