software development

After being inspired by a bedtime book on quantum computing, I decided to challenge myself by exploring Microsoft’s Q# development tools despite my lack of a physics background. This post details my initial forays into the Q# language, the different ways to run code using simulators, and my honest assessment of the steep learning curve involved in this complex field.

I share my experience building a custom Microsoft Edge extension to replace the default New Tab page, primarily to eliminate the intrusive Bing search toolbar. By leveraging Azure as a backend to serve daily images from Bing’s Image Search API, I demonstrate how to automate this client-side solution using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.

If you are a technical professional looking to improve your sales interactions, I share how my background as a techie has helped me succeed by focusing on empathy and emotional intelligence rather than just technical specs. I discuss the importance of acting as a trusted advisor who aligns with the customer’s needs, even if it means recommending alternative solutions, and explain why physically closing your laptop is crucial for building genuine connections.

If you are interested in open source platforms, I want to highlight the free European Open Source Virtual Summit taking place on June 16. This event features keynotes from GitHub and Red Hat leaders, along with deep-dive sessions presented by industry partners like Hashicorp and SUSE.

After closing my Dropbox account, I decided to audit my other monthly subscriptions to see how much I’ve really spent over the years. In this post, I break down the costs of services like Netflix, Spotify, and local news to help you evaluate whether your recurring expenses are truly worth it.