AI is a Tool, You Are the Owner
This guide was initially generated using AI. Rather than writing every sentence from scratch, I used AI as a research, drafting and teaching assistant to help produce a comprehensive first draft. The
Tech-Journey
Hands-on exploration of Linux, backend systems, system design, and DevOps with a focus on building transferable, production-ready engineering skills through real system behaviour, troubleshooting, and experimentation.
Latest articles
Local Dev Tools and Security Implications
Modern dev environments rely heavily on third-party extensions. Many of these extensions execute code locally and may have access to source code, config files, credentials, and other sensitive data. A
Part 1: Ubuntu System Hardening and Execution Baseline
A fresh Ubuntu installation is designed to be permissive, catering equally to desktop, server, and container workloads without assuming a strict security model. However, the moment a system is exposed
Production Considerations for Backend Systems
Developing software locally is only one part of the job. Systems must also operate reliably in production, handle failures, and remain maintainable as requirements change. A backend should be understa
Understanding the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
Modern software systems power nearly every aspect of business operations, from banking platforms and healthcare systems to cloud infrastructure, e-commerce applications, and enterprise automation. As
Systems Thinking & Engineering Decision-Making in Software Development
Most programming content I've come across focuses on syntax, frameworks, or how to build a generic app in ten minutes. That’s great for learning how to replicate a result, but it does absolutely nothi
REST APIs Through Rugby Systems Thinking
In South African rugby, coordination only works because every participant operates within defined rules. Cheslin Kolbe finishing a counter-attack, Damian Willemse shifting between positions, or Kurt-L
Understanding Programming Logic and System Design
Developers typically become comfortable with syntax first, while structural thinking develops much later. That gap is rarely visible in small systems. A few functions, a straightforward SQL query, and
Would You Hire Yourself? The Difference Between Stagnation and Growth
With over eight years in the tech industry, I’ve learned a simple but uncomfortable truth. Effort compounds. The work you put in today pays off later in ways you cannot predict when you’re just starti