Posts
All the articles I've posted.
Load Testing Guide
Published: at 06:22 PMWe built a new service that handled 20x more traffic than expected. When we load tested it, it died at 20% of expected traffic. My complete guide to load testing, from choosing tools to interpreting results.
Getting Unstuck
Published: at 01:00 PMWe all get stuck. The trick is knowing when and how to ask for help. My framework for troubleshooting problems and, when that fails, how to ask for help in a way that gets you the answers you need.
My Path to Software Engineering
Published: at 12:35 PMI've gone between software engineering and film for most of my career. People often wonder about my unusual path, so I'm sharing the story of how I bounced between these two worlds and found my way to tech.
The Princess and the Pea
Published: at 12:35 PMThe Princess and the Pea fairy tale perfectly captures a problem I see in software teams. When someone on your team is overly sensitive to small issues, it can create tension. How to handle it constructively.
Don't Bake a Cake
Published: at 01:35 PMDon't bake a cake became my shorthand for a common problem in software teams. What I learned about communicating status updates effectively and why transparency, even when things go wrong, builds trust.
AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate Notes
Published: at 09:23 AMI recently passed the AWS Solutions Architect - Associate exam and wanted to share my study notes. These cover the key services, concepts, and gotchas you need to know to pass.
An Intro to AWS Certifications
Published: at 01:23 PMI'm usually skeptical of certification programs, but AWS certifications felt different. They focus on how to build scalable and reliable services. My take on why they're worth it and how to prepare for the exams.
What is Churning and Why Should I Care?
Published: at 05:32 AMI got into credit card churning a few years ago, and it's become a rewarding hobby. My wife and I went on our honeymoon using rewards points. This introductory guide covers the world of credit card rewards.
More Code Review Best Practices
Published: at 03:50 PMThree years after my first code review best practices post, I've learned even more about what makes reviews effective. Here are additional strategies for making your code reviews more valuable and less painful.
Programmer Resources
Published: at 03:50 PMA friend asked me what I've used to improve as a software engineer. When he asked for a list, I realized I didn't have one yet. Here are the blogs, books, and online courses that have helped me grow as a developer.