How I Use AI To code. I use the following tools: Claude Code Windsurf IDE GitHub Copilot To brainstorm To clean-up text ℹ️ Note This /ai page is just one of my many “slash pages.” How I Do Not Use AI To replace my own critical thinking To get any factual information that’s important
Websites: Interesting and/or Useful 12ft BlueSky Profile Cleanup City Guesser Cool Tools Effective Shell Fold N’ Fly Hacker Laws Historical Technology Tree InterNACHI Home Inspection Image Gallery McMaster-Carr Online Catalog OpenTimes Sketchplanations ℹ️ Note This /bookmarks (AKA /save) page is just one of my many “slash pages.” Also, it’s similar to my blogroll page. Posts “How to Do Great Work” by Paul Graham “Get your work recognized: write a brag document” by Julia Evans
Every Day Carry (EDC) Items: Keys/Keychain: EXOTAC FreeKey System Phone: iPhone 16e Wallet: Gear Infusion Ultra Slim Wallet I also have an old slim leather wallet like this one from Aamazon that I really love: Slim Leather Wallet Watch: COROS Pace 3 Sport Watch Pen: uniball Power Tank RT I call this a poor man’s Fisher Space Pen, since it writes in extreme conditions but is way cheaper. It’s not sexy, but it works great. Notebook: one of the following Field Notes for pocket carry Leuchtturm1917 A5 Dotted for all-in-one Bullet Journal Knife: one of the following CIVIVI Mini Praxis as a standard pocket knife Gear Infusion GhostTi Utility Knife as the best utility blade knife I’ve found. Check it out! Flashlight: one of the following Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA Fidget: one of the following Stimagz ONO Roller ONO Slider Multitool: one of the following Leatherman Wave knockoff: Harbor Freight’s Gordon 20-in-1 Multitool or Workpro 18-in-1 Multitool Gear Infusion EverRatchet Clip Ratcheting Multitool Rope/Cordage/Line: 10-12ft. of either tarred, twisted nylon bank line or Lawson Equipment’s Ironwire High Strength Accessory Cord Lighter: Bic Classic Lighter EDC Pouch: Maxpedition Fatty Pocket Organizer Backpack: Osprey Daylite Commuter Backpack What are you carrying these days? ...
Whenever I write something online (whether it’s a blog post, a social media update, a comment, or an email), please keep the following caveats in mind: If it doesn’t directly apply to you, feel free to move along I’m usually writing for a broad audience and just trying to get people thinking. If I’m interested in starting a debate or argument with a specific individual, I will say so directly. If you think reality is more complicated than what I wrote, you’re right All communication is an oversimplification of reality. The shorter my post, the more I’ve purposefully left out. I will (almost) never get into extended arguments online If you still think you really need to say something, write your own post, write me an email, send me a letter, etc. (Just don’t call me, I’m a Millennial!) Finally, I’m just as susceptible to cognitive biases and logical fallacies as anyone else. Nevertheless, I’d like to do my best to stick to the following Rules of Civil Conversation. And I ask that you consider doing the same. ...
(For a brief profile of what I’m like and what makes me tick as a worker, read this self-assessment. You can also view my resume on LinkedIn.) EXPERIENCE Software Engineer III - Proofpoint July 2025 - Present Recently promoted to lead complex technical initiatives and drive architectural decisions across enterprise security solutions Focus areas include advanced system design, cross-team technical leadership, and strategic technology adoption including AI-assisted development practices Software Engineer II - Proofpoint February 2023 - July 2025 TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP & PROJECT MANAGEMENT ...
You can find other people’s /defaults pages at defaults.rknight.me. Here are the apps I use for various tasks: 📬 Mail Client: Fastmail 📮 Mail Server: Fastmail 🗒️ Notes: Obsidian and Drafts ✅ To-Do: Apple Reminders 📷 iPhone Photo Shooting: iOS Camera 🌅 Photo Management: Photos.app 📆 Calendar: Apple Calendar and Google Calendar, linked 📦 Cloud file storage: iCloud Drive and Dropbox 📖 RSS: Readwise Reader 👥 Contacts: Apple Contacts 🌐 Browser: Safari (iOS), Firefox (macOS) 🕵🏻 Search: Kagi and Perplexity 💬 Chat: Apple Messages, with WhatsApp and Signal on the side 🔖 Bookmarks: Saved in browser, Readwise Reader, or Obsidian 📑 Read It Later: Readwise Reader 📝 Word Processing: I avoid Microsoft Word whenever possible 📈 Spreadsheets: I avoid Microsoft Excel whenever possible 📊 Presentations: I avoid Microsoft PowerPoint whenever possible 🛒 Shopping Lists: Apple Reminders 🥘 Meal Planning: n/a 💸 Budgeting & Personal Finance: Rocket Money 🗞️ News: Ground News 🎹 Music: Spotify 🎙️ Podcasts: Apple Podcasts 🔑 Password Management: 1Password 🔐 VPN: Proton VPN 🎨 Photo Editing: n/a 🏡 Blog Hosting: Micro.blog and GitHub Pages ℹ️ Note This /defaults page is just one of my many “slash pages.” It’s similar to my /carry, /posse, and /uses pages, but focuses on the apps and software tools I use daily.
Blog RSS Feed Bluesky GitHub LinkedIn Micro.Blog I don’t have an email newsletter at the moment. If you think I should start one, please let me know! I appreciate your interest in my work. Choose the method that works best for you! ℹ️ Note This /follow page is just one of my many “slash pages.”
ℹ️ Note This /interests page is just one of my many “slash pages.” Here are some of my interests, hobbies, and things I like to do in my free time. This is not an exhaustive list, but it gives you a good idea of what I’m into. Things I’m Interested In Books Tools Home repair Auto repair DIY projects Soccer Rucking Writing instruments (pens, pencils, etc.) Stationery (notebooks, paper, etc.) Language learning Travel Relaxing television shows (This Old House, Great British Bake Off, etc.) Things I’m Not Interested In Crypto Culture wars Right-wing propaganda Guest posts on my blog
ℹ️ Note This /now page is just one of my many “slash pages.” More About Me: About • CV/Resume • My Story • Essays • Sermons • Philosophy of Ministry These days, I’m: Raising 3 young kids (6yo, 4yo, 2yo) with my wife Enjoying my work as a software engineer Trying to lose weight (current weight: 215lbs; goal: 200lbs) Working on home repair projects Buying too many books and tools Playing on a coed rec soccer team Trying to get into smoking meats (just bought an Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco smoker!) (This is a now page, and if you have your own site, you should make one, too.) ...
A “tool” is “anything that can make your life better.” I love tools, whether physical or digital. And I love books, because they’re some of the best tools out there! (For my personal “tech stack” recommendations, including what I use for email, social media, etc., see my /tech-stack page.) DIY/Home Repair Tools Toolbox: AWP TrapJaw 3-in-1 Electrician Tool Pouch Previous: Hyper Tough 16-inch Open Top Tool Tote Drill and Driver Set: BOSCH CLPK22–120 12V Max Cordless 2-Tool 3/8 in. Drill/Driver and 1/4 in. Impact Driver Combo Kit Utility Knives: Gear Infusion GhostTi Utility Knife Milwaukee Fastback 6-in-1 48-22-1505 OLFA 25mm Utility Knife OLFA 18mm Utility Knife Hammers: ESTWING 12 oz Straight Rip Claw - E3-12S ESTWING 16 oz Straight Rip Claw - E3-16S Screwdrivers: WORKPRO 12-in-1 Ratcheting Multi-Bit Screwdriver Wera 838 RA-R M Ratcheting Screwdriver HOTO 24-in-1 Precision Screwdriver Pliers / Wrenches: KNIPEX Tools - Pliers Wrench, Chrome (8603250), 10-Inch KNIPEX Tools - Cobra Water Pump Pliers (8701250),10-Inch In addition to the “250mm” size above, I also own the Pliers Wrench in 100mm and 180mm sizes, and the Cobra Pliers in 100mm and 180mm sizes. Measuring Tapes: Stanley FatMax 25-foot Measuring Tape Stanley Powerlock 25-foot Measuring Tape FastCap Standard Reverse Measuring Tape FastCap Metric Reverse Measuring Tape Stud Finder: C.H. Hanson Magnetic Stud Finder Pry Bar / Nail Puller: ESTWING Pro Claw Moulding Puller - 10" Pry Bar SMALL Pry Bar: Lisle 35100 1/4" Pry Bar with Strike Cap Ridiculously Useful Pry Bar: 4140 Pry Tool (I guess these are used for sheet metal and airplane work, but you can use them for a TON of other stuff, too.) Hex / Allen Wrenches: TEKTON Ball End Hex Key Wrench Set, 26-Piece Tire Pressure Gauge: ETENWOLF Digital Tire Pressure Gauge, 2 Pack Home Coffee Maker: OXO 9-Cup Coffee Maker Coffee Grinder: Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder Water Bottle: Owala FreeSip, 24oz Previous: Iron Flask, 64oz Nail Clippers: Muji Nail Clipper Cleaning Wipes: Tub O’ Towels Heavy Duty Cleaning Wipes Health/Fitness Squat Rack: REP Fitness PR-1100 Power Rack Previous: Valor Fitness BD–9 Squat Stands Bench: Amazon Basics Flat Weight Bench Barbell and Weights: Fitness Gear 300lb. Olympic Weight Set Kettlebell(s): CAP Barbell Cast Iron Kettlebells Steel Mace(s): Retrospec Steel Macebells Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, by Mark Rippetoe Kettlebell Simple & Sinister: Revised and Updated Edition, by Pavel Tsatsouline Darebee: https://darebee.com/ Office Computer: MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) Notebook: Leuchtturm1917 Medium Size Hardcover A5 Notebook - Dotted Pages Pocket Notebook: Field Notes Pen: Uni-ball Power Tank 0.7mm, Blue or Black Password Manager: 1Password Notes / Personal Knowledge Management: Obsidian Task Management: Apple Reminders (used to use Todoist) and Jira Thinking and Learning Resources How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading, by Mortimer J. Adler The Personal MBA, by Josh Kaufman The Practicing Stoic: A Philosophical User’s Manual, by Ward Farnsworth Super Thinking: The Big Book of Mental Models, by Gabriel Weinberg and Lauren McCann Untools: https://untools.co/ James Clear: https://jamesclear.com/ Farnam Street: https://fs.blog/ Your Logical Fallacy Is: https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/ Your Bias Is: https://yourbias.is/ Productivity and Time Management Resources The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change, by Stephen Covey Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time, by Brian Tracy Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, by Cal Newport Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, by David Allen Software Development Resources Software Terminal: Warp IDEs: IntelliJ IDEA and VS Code Database Management: Datagrip Version Control: Git and GitHub Containerization: Docker and Rancher Desktop API Testing: Postman Books Code Complete: A Practical Handbook of Software Construction, Second Edition by Steve McConnell (old, but still good!) Cracking the Coding Interview: 189 Programming Questions and Solutions by Gayle Laakmann McDowell Designing Data-Intensive Applications: The Big Ideas Behind Reliable, Scalable, and Maintainable Systems by Martin Kleppmann The Effective Engineer by Edmond Lau The Missing README: A Guide for the New Software Engineer by Chris Riccomini and Dmitriy Ryaboy The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering by Frederick P. Brooks Jr. (again, old, but still very good!) The Pragmatic Programmer: Your Journey to Mastery by David Thomas and Andrew Hunt The Software Engineer’s Guidebook by Gergely Orosz System Design Interview and System Design Interview, Volume 2 by Alex Xu Understanding Distributed Systems, Second Edition by Roberto Vitillo Other “The Pragmatic Engineer” newsletter by Gergely Orosz “How to Do Great Work” by Paul Graham “Get your work recognized: write a brag document” by Julia Evans ByteByteGo, especially the ByteByteGo Youtube channel Stack Overflow: https://stackoverflow.com/ O’Reilly: https://learning.oreilly.com/ roadmap.sh: https://roadmap.sh/ cheat.sh: https://cheat.sh/ DevHints.io: https://devhints.io/ Learn X in Y minutes: https://learnxinyminutes.com/ Baeldung (for Java/Spring): https://www.baeldung.com/
Here’s a wish list I regularly update. I also keep my Amazon wish list updated here. (Related: My Someday page.) Health & Fitness ✅ Power rack with a pull-up bar (like the REP Fitness PR–1100 or Rogue R–3; Went with the REP Fitness PR-1100!) ✅ Deadlift platform (build my own with horse stall mats from Tractor Supply Co.) ✅ Hex bar (trap bar) for deadlifts (CAP Barbell) Home New roof New furnace New central AC To own a house with ✅ central AC, ✅ dry basement, ✅ home office, ✅ workshop (garage), and ✅ home gym (also garage) ✅ Tool shed Tools Knipex Forged Wirestripper, 8-inch Wera Kraftform Kompakt 26 RA-R ratcheting screwdriver with onboard bit storage Veto Pro Pac SP-MC tool bag Leatherman ARC multitool Planer Jointer Belt sander ✅ Router ✅ Extension ladder ✅ Come-along winch ✅ Chain (to use with come-along) ✅ Hi-lift jack ✅ Bottle jack ✅ Table saw ✅ Wheelbarrow ✅ Post hole digger ✅ Chalk line ✅ Calipers ✅ Workbench ✅ Table saw ✅ Miter saw ✅ Reciprocating saw, AKA “Sawzall”) ✅ Pocket hole jig ✅ Hand truck ✅ Floor jack ✅ Jack stands ✅ Stanley FuBar III pry bar ✅ “Burke bar” pry bar Hobbies, Tech, etc. New MacBook Pro (Current: 2016) 3D printer Electric guitar, amp, and pedals: Yamaha GigMaker set ✅ New iPhone (iPhone XR -> iPhone 16e) Books TBD, working on reading the books I already own! Other, Someday/Maybe Toyota Tacoma truck Dedicated workshop shed At least a couple acres of land Last updated 2025-11-26 ...