Exploring Ideas: A Blog on Technology, Startups, Food, and More
Welcome to my blog where I share thoughts and insights on technology, startups, and life in Atlanta. Browse through the articles below or explore by topic.
Pad Kra Pao (Thai Basil Stir-Fry)
May 17, 2025
Pad Kra Pao is the ultimate Thai comfort food: fast, spicy, and deeply satisfying. The secret? Get a good sear on your ground pork and use the right basil (holy basil if you can find it, otherwise Thai basil). Ingredients 1 lb ground pork 4 cloves garlic, minced 2-4 Thai chilies, sliced (adjust to taste) 1 shallot, thinly sliced 2 tbsp neutral oil 2 tbsp soy sauce, mix dark and light 1 tbsp fish s...
Digging into Code Churn with GitPandas
May 16, 2025
Alright, let’s talk about Git history. Sometimes you just know a certain part of the codebase feels… messy. Maybe it’s that one module everyone’s afraid to touch, or a feature that seems to break every other week. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could quantify that gut feeling? Turns out, you can, and a neat little Python library called gitpandas makes it pretty straightforward. Today, we’re diving int...
Refactoring Library Interfaces
May 15, 2025
In our previous posts, we explored API design principles and developer ergonomics. Now, let’s tackle a common challenge: how do you take an existing library interface from clunky to elegant without breaking existing code? Identifying Pain Points Before we can improve an interface, we need to identify what makes it painful to use. Here are some common red flags I’ve encountered: 1. Inconsistent Nam...
Context-Aware Library Design: Build for Your Users
May 14, 2025
After diving into API design principles, developer ergonomics, and refactoring interfaces, let’s tackle a neat trick: making your library smart enough to feel right for everyone, from beginners to experts, without becoming a tangled mess. Know Who’s Using Your Code Building libraries like category-encoders, I’ve seen users generally fit into these buckets: Beginners: Want it simple. Give ’em clear...
Who Holds the Keys? Calculating Bus Factor with GitPandas
May 13, 2025
Ever had that nagging feeling about “what if Alice from accounting gets hit by a bus?” Okay, maybe not exactly that, but the underlying concern is real in software projects too. What happens if a key developer leaves? How much knowledge walks out the door with them? This concept is often (somewhat morbidly) called the Bus Factor. In essence, the bus factor is the minimum number of team members tha...
Building Your Digital Vault: Secure Document Organization Made Simple
May 12, 2025
One of the most practical family office functions is maintaining a secure, organized repository of important documents. Ultra-wealthy families employ dedicated staff to manage thousands of documents, from tax returns to estate plans to investment statements. But you don’t need staff or specialized software to create your own digital vault: just a thoughtful approach and some basic technology. A we...
Crafting Simple Chili Crush: A Spicy Homemade Condiment
May 11, 2025
Chili crush (also called chili crisp or chili oil) is a versatile condiment featuring crispy, crunchy bits of chili, aromatics, and spices suspended in oil. This simplified version delivers complex flavor with minimal effort, creating a customizable condiment that transforms everything from eggs and rice to noodles and roasted vegetables. Unlike many store-bought versions, this homemade chili crus...
PDCA Quality Control: Applying Plan-Do-Check-Act in Modern Industries
May 10, 2025
When organizations face high-consequence decisions under uncertainty (whether in healthcare, aviation, or nuclear power), the initial decision is just the beginning. How do these organizations ensure their decisions lead to desired outcomes while managing risks? How do they learn and adapt when lives or critical infrastructure are at stake? The PDCA Cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act), developed by W. Edwar...
Family Mission Statement: Foundation of Financial Clarity
May 9, 2025
When people are asked about their financial goals, most respond with numbers: “We want to retire with $2 million” or “We need to save $100,000 for college.” But many successful families, from billionaires to teachers, start with something deeper: a clear understanding of their core values and purpose. In the family office world, this understanding is typically captured in a family mission statemen...
Red Teaming: How to Stress-Test Your Most Important Decisions
May 8, 2025
The executive team sat around the conference table, confidence radiating from their faces. They tested the technology, confirmed market demand, and projected strong returns with their financial models, so they considered the new product strategy bulletproof. Then someone asked a simple question: “What are we missing?” The room fell silent. Despite months of planning, nobody had systematically trie...
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