TIL

Today I learned about ghtop for monitoring GitHub activity in real-time and GoAccess, a powerful visual web log analyzer for understanding website traffic patterns.

Today I learned about the comprehensive 'Build Your Own X' repository containing tutorials for building everything from operating systems to databases, and discovered the Web Dev Junkie YouTube channel for modern web development tutorials.

Today I learned about Gary Bernhardt's humorous take on software development culture, the pstrings tool for examining process memory strings, and pytest's powerful test collection and filtering capabilities.

Kubernetes Configuration Management Environment Variables in Kubernetes Define Environment Variables for a Container | Kubernetes Official guide for configuring environment variables in Kubernetes pods Essential for application configuration in containerized environments Covers direct values, ConfigMaps, and Secrets as environment variable sources Critical for twelve-factor app compliance and configuration management Kubernetes Environment Variable Methods Direct Values: Simple key-value pairs defined in pod specifications ConfigMaps: Shared configuration data across multiple pods Secrets: Sensitive data like passwords and API keys Field References: Dynamic values from pod or container metadata Configuration Best Practices Separation of Concerns: Keep configuration separate from application code Environment Parity: Consistent configuration across development, staging, and production Security: Use Secrets for sensitive data, ConfigMaps for non-sensitive configuration Observability: Log configuration loading and validation for debugging Git and GitHub Productivity Tools Gitsome - Enhanced Git CLI GitHub - donnemartin/gitsome: A supercharged Git/GitHub command line interface (CLI). An official integration for GitHub and GitHub Enterprise: https://github.com/works-with/category/desktop-tools Supercharged command-line interface for Git and GitHub Integrates Git commands with GitHub functionality Provides enhanced features like auto-completion and syntax highlighting Official GitHub integration for desktop tools Gitsome Features GitHub Integration: Seamless interaction with GitHub API from command line Enhanced CLI: Improved command-line experience with modern features Productivity Boost: Faster workflows for common Git/GitHub operations Official Recognition: Listed as official GitHub desktop tool integration SSH and Network Security SSH Host Key Management HowTo: Disable SSH Host Key Checking - ShellHacks Guide for disabling SSH host key verification Useful for automated scripts and testing environments Important security consideration - should be used carefully Balances convenience with security requirements SSH Security Considerations Host Key Verification: Prevents man-in-the-middle attacks Known Hosts: SSH maintains database of verified host keys Automated Systems: Scripts may need to bypass interactive key verification Security Trade-offs: Convenience vs. security in different environments Productivity and Skill Development Monkeytype - Typing Practice Monkeytype Modern typing practice and speed testing website Clean, minimalist interface focused on typing improvement Customizable practice sessions with different text types Community features and progress tracking Typing Skills for Developers Coding Efficiency: Faster typing directly impacts programming productivity Keyboard Shortcuts: Good typing skills enable better use of shortcuts Communication: Faster writing improves documentation and communication Career Development: Typing speed can impact overall professional efficiency Monkeytype Features Customizable Tests: Different languages, lengths, and difficulty levels Real-time Feedback: Accuracy and speed metrics during typing Progress Tracking: Historical performance data and improvement trends Modern Design: Clean, distraction-free interface optimized for focus Key Takeaways Configuration Management: Proper environment variable handling is crucial for Kubernetes applications CLI Enhancement: Tools like Gitsome demonstrate how traditional command-line tools can be improved Security Awareness: Understanding SSH security implications is important for automation and scripting Skill Investment: Basic skills like typing speed have outsized impact on daily productivity Tool Selection: Modern alternatives often provide better user experience than traditional tools Official Integration: Using officially recognized tools provides better long-term support and compatibility Balance Trade-offs: Security, convenience, and productivity often require careful balancing These resources highlight the intersection of infrastructure management (Kubernetes), development productivity (enhanced Git tools), security considerations (SSH), and fundamental skills (typing) that contribute to effective software development workflows. ...

Kubernetes Tools and Management Kubernetes Context and Namespace Management GitHub - ahmetb/kubectx: Faster way to switch between clusters and namespaces in kubectl Essential tool for managing multiple Kubernetes clusters and namespaces Provides kubectx for switching between clusters and kubens for switching namespaces Significantly improves productivity when working with multiple Kubernetes environments Must-have tool for Kubernetes developers and administrators Kubernetes Tree Visualization GitHub - ahmetb/kubectl-tree: kubectl plugin to browse Kubernetes object hierarchies as a tree 🎄 (star the repo if you are using) kubectl plugin that shows Kubernetes resource relationships as a tree structure Helps understand object ownership and dependencies Useful for debugging and understanding complex deployments Visual representation of Kubernetes resource hierarchies Kubernetes Application Lens GitHub - kubelens/kubelens: A lightweight lens for applications running in Kubernetes Lightweight tool for monitoring applications in Kubernetes Provides insights into application performance and health Alternative to heavier monitoring solutions for simple use cases Focused on application-level observability Serverless Computing on Kubernetes Kubeless - Kubernetes-Native FaaS Kubeless Kubernetes-native serverless framework Enables running serverless functions on Kubernetes clusters Supports multiple programming languages (Python, Node.js, Go, etc.) Integrates with Kubernetes ecosystem and tooling Kui - Kubernetes UI in Terminal Kui Hybrid command-line/GUI tool for Kubernetes Combines kubectl functionality with visual elements Provides graphical insights while maintaining command-line workflow Novel approach to Kubernetes interaction and visualization Kubernetes Security and Configuration Pull an Image from a Private Registry | Kubernetes Official guide for using private container registries Essential for production Kubernetes deployments Covers image pull secrets and authentication Critical security consideration for container deployments Hardware and Ergonomics Split Keyboards and Ergonomics GitHub - diimdeep/awesome-split-keyboards: A collection of ergonomic split keyboards ⌨ Comprehensive resource for ergonomic split keyboard options Covers various layouts, switches, and build options Important for developers who spend long hours typing Growing community around ergonomic keyboard design Kinesis Keyboard Controller GitHub - kinx-project/kint: kinT keyboard controller (Kinesis controller replacement) Open-source replacement controller for Kinesis keyboards Enables modern features like USB-C, QMK firmware support Community-driven hardware improvement project Demonstrates intersection of open source software and hardware Ergonomic Considerations for Developers Repetitive Strain Injury Prevention: Proper keyboard and mouse positioning Long-term Health: Investment in ergonomic equipment pays health dividends Productivity: Comfortable setups can improve typing speed and accuracy Customization: Programmable keyboards allow personalized workflows Photography and Security Stolen Camera Recovery Stolen Camera Finder - find your photos, find your camera Service that helps recover stolen cameras using EXIF data Uses serial numbers embedded in photo metadata Community-driven approach to camera theft recovery Demonstrates practical applications of photo metadata Photo Metadata Applications Theft Recovery: Using EXIF data to identify stolen equipment Organization: Automatic photo cataloging and sorting Forensics: Digital evidence and authenticity verification Privacy: Understanding what information photos contain Key Takeaways Kubernetes Ecosystem: Rich ecosystem of tools improves Kubernetes productivity and observability Developer Productivity: Context switching tools like kubectx are essential for multi-environment work Ergonomic Investment: Hardware investments in keyboards and workspace setup prevent long-term health issues Open Source Hardware: Community-driven hardware improvements complement software projects Serverless Evolution: Kubernetes-native serverless solutions provide alternatives to cloud provider offerings Visual Tools: Hybrid command-line/GUI tools like Kui represent evolution in developer interfaces Metadata Applications: Photo metadata has practical applications beyond technical specifications Community Resources: Curated lists and community projects provide valuable resources for specialized interests These resources demonstrate the breadth of tools and considerations in modern software development, from Kubernetes management to developer health and hardware customization. ...

Corporate Culture and Communication Amazon’s Writing-Driven Culture How Jeff Bezos Turned Narrative into Amazon’s Competitive Advantage - Knock Down Silos What might Amazon’s 6 page narrative structure look like? White Papers At Amazon. How to write a business document the… | by Andrea Marchiotto | Medium Amazon’s famous 6-page narrative documents replace PowerPoint presentations Structured approach to business communication and decision-making Emphasizes deep thinking and clear communication over flashy presentations Amazon’s Writing Structure Problem Statement: Clear definition of the issue being addressed Context and Background: Historical information and current situation Analysis: Data-driven examination of the problem Options Considered: Alternative approaches and their trade-offs Recommendation: Specific course of action with rationale Implementation Plan: Concrete steps and timeline Benefits of Writing-First Culture Deep Thinking: Writing forces clearer thought processes Asynchronous Review: Documents can be reviewed independently Persistent Knowledge: Written records outlast meetings and presentations Democratic Participation: Reduces impact of presentation skills on idea evaluation Team Collaboration and Meetings Silent Meetings Can Silent Meetings Make Your Team More Collaborative? - Knock Down Silos Meeting format where participants read documents silently before discussion Allows for deeper preparation and more thoughtful responses Reduces dominance by quick speakers and helps introverted team members Used in conjunction with Amazon’s narrative document approach Workplace Writing Culture Why Everyone on Your Team Should Strive for Good Writing - Knock Down Silos Writing skills as essential professional development Clear communication improves team efficiency and decision-making Written documentation reduces misunderstandings and improves knowledge sharing Investment in writing skills pays long-term dividends for teams Python Web Development Flask Development Flask by Example – Project Setup – Real Python Comprehensive Flask tutorial series from Real Python Covers project structure, configuration, and best practices Step-by-step approach to building production-ready Flask applications Includes deployment considerations and modern development practices Redis with Python How to Use Redis With Python – Real Python Guide to integrating Redis with Python applications Covers caching, session storage, and data structures Performance optimization techniques for web applications Essential knowledge for scalable Python web development Redis Applications Caching: Improve application performance with fast data access Session Storage: Scalable session management for web applications Message Queues: Asynchronous task processing and communication Real-time Features: Support for live updates and notifications System Administration Tools duf - Better Disk Usage Tool GitHub - muesli/duf: Disk Usage/Free Utility - a better ‘df’ alternative Modern replacement for the traditional df command Colorized output with better formatting and readability Additional information like filesystem types and mount points Cross-platform support with consistent interface duf Features Visual Design: Color-coded output for quick understanding Comprehensive Information: More details than traditional df Modern Interface: Clean, easy-to-read formatting Cross-Platform: Works consistently across different operating systems Knowledge Management Tools Outline - Team Wiki Platform GitHub - outline/outline: The fastest wiki and knowledge base for growing teams. Beautiful, feature rich, and markdown compatible. Open-source knowledge base and wiki platform Markdown-compatible with modern editing experience Designed for growing teams and collaborative documentation Alternative to proprietary wiki and documentation platforms Knowledge Management Benefits Centralized Information: Single source of truth for team knowledge Collaborative Editing: Multiple team members can contribute and edit Search and Discovery: Easy to find relevant information Version Control: Track changes and document evolution Key Takeaways Writing as Competitive Advantage: Companies can gain significant advantages through superior written communication Process Innovation: Amazon’s meeting and document processes represent significant management innovation Tool Modernization: Traditional command-line tools continue to be improved and modernized Open Source Alternatives: Quality open-source alternatives exist for most proprietary tools Collaborative Culture: Effective teams invest in communication skills and processes Technical Skills Integration: Modern development requires understanding of multiple technologies (Flask, Redis, etc.) Knowledge Management: Systematic approaches to capturing and sharing knowledge are essential for team effectiveness These resources demonstrate how technical skills (Python development, system administration) intersect with organizational effectiveness (writing culture, collaboration tools) in modern software development environments. ...

Computer Science Fundamentals Big-O Notation for Self-Taught Programmers Big-O notation explained by a self-taught programmer Clear explanation of algorithmic complexity analysis Written from the perspective of a self-taught programmer Practical approach to understanding time and space complexity Bridges the gap between academic theory and practical programming Key Big-O Concepts Time Complexity: How algorithm performance scales with input size Space Complexity: How memory usage scales with input size Common Complexities: O(1), O(log n), O(n), O(n²), O(2^n) Real-World Applications: Understanding performance implications of algorithm choices Practical Algorithm Analysis Performance Prediction: Estimate how algorithms will perform at scale Optimization Decisions: Choose appropriate algorithms and data structures Interview Preparation: Essential concept for technical interviews Code Review: Evaluate code efficiency and scalability Personal Productivity and Health ADHD Productivity Strategies I went through 700 reddit comments and collected 131 ADHD pro-tips! : ADHD Community-curated collection of ADHD management strategies Practical tips from people with lived experience Covers various aspects of daily life and productivity Demonstrates value of community knowledge sharing Categories of ADHD Tips Time Management: Strategies for managing time and deadlines Organization: Systems for keeping track of tasks and items Focus Techniques: Methods for maintaining concentration Emotional Regulation: Dealing with ADHD-related emotional challenges Workplace Strategies: Adapting professional environments for ADHD Community-Driven Learning Peer Support: Learning from others with similar challenges Diverse Perspectives: Multiple approaches to common problems Practical Testing: Tips that have been tried and validated by community Accessibility: Free, accessible information sharing Relevance for Developers ADHD and Programming Hyperfocus: Understanding and leveraging periods of intense concentration Task Switching: Managing context switching and interruptions Project Management: Breaking down complex projects into manageable pieces Environment Design: Creating optimal work environments for focus Productivity Applications Pomodoro Technique: Time-boxed work sessions Task Chunking: Breaking large tasks into smaller, achievable goals Environmental Controls: Managing distractions and optimizing workspace Routine Development: Building consistent work habits and patterns Key Takeaways Self-Taught Learning: Quality educational content exists outside traditional academic settings Community Knowledge: Reddit and similar platforms can be valuable sources of practical information Neurodiversity in Tech: Understanding different cognitive styles and challenges in programming Algorithmic Thinking: Big-O notation is fundamental for writing efficient code Practical Application: Academic concepts like Big-O have direct real-world applications Productivity Systems: Effective productivity often requires understanding personal cognitive patterns Peer Learning: Learning from others’ experiences can be more valuable than theoretical knowledge These resources highlight the intersection of technical learning (algorithm analysis) with personal development (productivity and health management), showing how both contribute to effective software development careers. ...

Coding Interviews and Algorithms Coding Interview Patterns 14 Patterns to Ace Any Coding Interview Question | Hacker Noon Systematic approach to solving coding interview problems Identifies common patterns across different types of questions Helps recognize which pattern to apply to new problems More effective than memorizing individual solutions Curated LeetCode Problems New Year Gift - Curated List of Top 75 LeetCode Questions to Save Your Time - Blind Community-curated list of essential LeetCode problems Covers most important patterns and concepts Time-efficient alternative to solving hundreds of problems randomly Focuses on high-value problems that appear frequently in interviews Developer Tools and Platforms Backstage - Developer Portal Platform GitHub - backstage/backstage: Backstage is an open platform for building developer portals Open-source platform for building unified developer portals Created by Spotify and now a CNCF project Centralizes documentation, services, and tools for development teams Helps manage microservices complexity and improve developer experience Key Backstage Features Service Catalog: Centralized registry of all services and components Software Templates: Standardized project scaffolding TechDocs: Documentation-as-code integration Plugin Architecture: Extensible with custom plugins API Management: Central API discovery and documentation Privacy and Web Browsing Privacy-Focused Browsers Web Browsers | PrivacyTools Comprehensive guide to privacy-focused web browsers Compares different browsers’ privacy features and settings Recommendations for enhanced privacy and security Part of broader privacy-focused tool recommendations Browser Privacy Considerations Data Collection: Understanding what browsers collect and share Tracking Protection: Built-in anti-tracking features Extension Ecosystem: Privacy-enhancing browser extensions Configuration: Privacy-focused browser settings and configurations Writing and Documentation Academic Writing Standards APA Style 6th Edition Blog: Abbreviations Guidelines for using abbreviations in academic writing Important for technical documentation and research papers Helps maintain consistency and clarity in professional writing Part of broader academic writing standards Terminal and Command Line Less Pager Color Configuration If you’re setting LESS to a value, ensure that you use -R or colors in your terminal will be rendered in raw mode (their full escape sequence is printed) in any view that uses less as a pager, such as git Critical for maintaining colored output in Git and other tools Common configuration issue that breaks terminal color display Environment variable: export LESS="-R" Terminal Configuration Best Practices Color Support: Ensuring tools display colors correctly Pager Configuration: Optimizing less and other pagers Git Integration: Maintaining colored git output Cross-tool Consistency: Unified terminal experience Fun and Creative Tools Tengwar Transcriber Tengwar Feanor Elvish Transcriber Web tool for transcribing text into Tolkien’s Tengwar script Useful for fantasy writing, artistic projects, or Tolkien enthusiasts Demonstrates intersection of technology and creative/artistic interests Example of niche tools built for specific communities Key Takeaways Pattern Recognition: Learning patterns is more effective than memorizing individual solutions Curated Learning: High-quality, curated resources save time and improve learning outcomes Developer Experience: Tools like Backstage address real problems in modern software development Privacy Awareness: Understanding browser privacy implications is increasingly important Terminal Configuration: Proper environment variable setup is crucial for good terminal experience Niche Tools: Specialized tools serve specific communities and interests Documentation Standards: Professional writing requires understanding of style guidelines These resources span from practical development tools to privacy considerations to creative applications, showing the breadth of valuable learning available online. ...

Linux System Administration Tools Progress Monitor for File Operations GitHub - Xfennec/progress: Linux tool to show progress for cp, mv, dd, … (formerly known as cv) Command-line tool that shows progress for file operations Monitors commands like cp, mv, dd, tar, and others Previously known as “cv” (Coreutils Viewer) Displays progress bars, transfer rates, and estimated completion times Key Features and Usage Supported Operations File Copying: Progress for cp operations Moving Files: Progress for mv operations Disk Operations: Progress for dd and similar low-level operations Archive Operations: Progress for tar, gzip, and compression tools Generic Process Monitoring: Can monitor any process that reads/writes files Installation and Usage 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 # Installation (varies by distribution) sudo apt install progress # Ubuntu/Debian sudo yum install progress # CentOS/RHEL # Basic usage progress # Monitor specific processes progress -c cp,mv,dd # Watch mode (continuous updates) progress -w Benefits for System Administration Visibility: See progress of long-running file operations Time Estimation: Better planning for maintenance windows Troubleshooting: Identify stuck or slow operations User Experience: Provide feedback during lengthy operations Learning Resources Linux Handbook Linux Handbook Comprehensive resource for Linux learning and administration Covers beginner to advanced Linux topics Practical tutorials and guides Good complement to man pages and official documentation Educational Value Structured Learning: Organized approach to Linux education Practical Examples: Real-world scenarios and solutions Modern Approach: Up-to-date with current Linux practices Comprehensive Coverage: Wide range of Linux topics and tools Use Cases and Applications Development and Operations Build Processes: Monitor progress of large builds Data Transfer: Track file synchronization and backup operations System Maintenance: Visibility during system upgrades and migrations Database Operations: Monitor database dumps and restores Educational and Training Learning Linux: Understanding how file operations work System Monitoring: Teaching concepts of process monitoring Performance Analysis: Understanding I/O patterns and bottlenecks Troubleshooting Skills: Diagnosing slow file operations Key Takeaways Visibility Tools: Simple tools can greatly improve operational visibility User Experience: Progress indicators improve user experience even for command-line tools System Monitoring: Understanding what processes are doing is crucial for effective system administration Learning Resources: Quality educational resources like Linux Handbook accelerate learning Practical Tools: Tools like progress solve real daily problems for system administrators Open Source: Community-developed tools often fill gaps in standard toolsets The progress tool exemplifies how simple, focused tools can significantly improve the Linux command-line experience by providing visibility into long-running operations. ...

Today I learned about plain text accounting systems that use simple text files to track finances using double-entry bookkeeping principles, with tools like Beancount, Ledger, and the Fava web interface.