Jimmy Miller reflects on his upbringing, marked by financial struggles and family challenges. Despite growing up in a relatively poor environment, he had access to basic necessities like a roof over his head, clean water, electricity, a computer, and the internet. However, food was often scarce, especially after his mother left to marry her uncle and his father dealt with schizophrenia. At the age of 12, he was given a limited weekly allowance for food, which made it difficult to sustain himself, particularly during the summer months when school lunches were unavailable. Miller recounts a pivotal moment when he ventured out alone to buy groceries for the first time, despite the snow and his lack of proper clothing. This experience marked the beginning of his newfound independence. His cooking skills were minimal, leading him to rely on inexpensive meals like ramen and Velveeta cheese. He often splurged on burritos and fries from local restaurants, which provided a sense of satisfaction amidst his struggles. The turning point in Miller's life came when he discovered computers. His brother brought home a discarded computer, which became a gateway for Miller to explore the digital world. Initially, he faced challenges in getting the computer to work, particularly with installing Linux and configuring a wireless card. However, through persistence and online research, he overcame these obstacles, igniting a passion for technology. Miller describes how the internet became an escape from his difficult reality. He spent countless hours learning and experimenting with programming, engaging with online communities, and tackling various projects. This self-directed learning was instrumental in shaping his skills and confidence, ultimately leading him to a better life. He expresses gratitude for the countless strangers whose work and resources contributed to his education. These individuals, often unknown to him, shared their knowledge through tutorials, open-source software, and tech blogs, which became the foundation of his learning. Miller acknowledges that these contributions, regardless of the creators' intentions or success, profoundly impacted his life. In closing, he emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge and resources openly. The kindness of those who freely shared their work not only helped him escape poverty but also inspired him to pursue a fulfilling career. Miller's story is a testament to the transformative power of the internet and the generosity of individuals who contribute to the collective knowledge of the world.

Jimmy Miller reflects on his upbringing, marked by financial struggles and family challenges. Despite growing up in a relatively poor environment, he had access to basic necessities like a roof over his head, clean water, electricity, a computer, and the internet. However, food was often scarce, especially after his mother left to marry her uncle and his father dealt with schizophrenia. At the age of 12, he was given a limited weekly allowance for food, which made it difficult to sustain himself, particularly during the summer months when school lunches were unavailable. Miller recounts a pivotal moment when he ventured out alone to buy groceries for the first time, despite the snow and his lack of proper clothing. This experience marked the beginning of his newfound independence. His cooking skills were minimal, leading him to rely on inexpensive meals like ramen and Velveeta cheese. He often splurged on burritos and fries from local restaurants, which provided a sense of satisfaction amidst his struggles. The turning point in Miller's life came with his introduction to computers. His brother salvaged a computer from a dumpster, which became a gateway for Miller. Initially, he faced challenges in setting it up, particularly with the operating system and internet connectivity. However, through persistence and a willingness to learn, he discovered Linux and eventually got his computer working. This sparked a passion for technology, leading him to spend countless hours exploring programming, building projects, and engaging with online communities. Miller expresses gratitude for the kindness of strangers who contributed to his education and growth. He acknowledges that many of the resources he relied on—tutorials, open-source software, and tech blogs—were created by individuals who had no idea of the impact they would have on his life. These contributions provided him with the skills and confidence to rise above his circumstances and pursue a better future. He emphasizes the importance of openness and sharing in the tech community, recognizing that many of those who helped him were not famous or successful in traditional terms. Their willingness to share their knowledge and experiences, regardless of their motivations, played a crucial role in shaping his life. Miller concludes with heartfelt thanks to those who contributed to his journey, acknowledging that even the smallest acts of sharing can have a profound impact on someone else's life.

The "build in public" trend within the indie hacker community has an over-reliance on sharing revenue figures. While initially attention-grabbing, the constant stream of success stories may be losing its impact and overshadowing the discussion of actual product development. Also, the "build in public" approach may not be necessary for success, as some prominent indie hackers have achieved great results without actively sharing their progress publicly.

This author worked full-time on an open-source project for 503 days and learned a large number of lessons, such as how to interact properly with project users and contributors. He shares the importance of using your online presence to find opportunities and embracing feedback during code reviews instead of being defensive.

Popular developer Shawn "swyx" Wang talks about hidden opportunities for traditional software developers looking to transition into AI. Specifically, looking at building on top of current tools, using AI for summarization, and more.

This blog post contains a list of lessons learned by a developer from 35 years of making software. The advice covers topics such as relationships, chasing interests, how people see the world, different mindsets to develop, and more. A lot of career progression in white-collar work is gained through developing relationships.

This blog post contains a list of lessons learned by a developer from 35 years of making software. The advice covers topics such as relationships, chasing interests, how people see the world, different mindsets to develop, and more. A lot of career progression in white-collar work is gained through developing relationships.

Mark Zuckerberg outlined why open source is key to Meta's strategy and how Meta plans to support this work.

Stefano Marinelli, a passionate advocate for BSD operating systems, shares his journey and insights in a detailed presentation at EuroBSDCon 2024. His talk, titled "Why (and how) we’re migrating many of our servers from Linux to the BSDs," reflects his extensive experience in the IT field, particularly in the context of Open Source solutions. Marinelli introduces himself as the founder of the BSD Cafe, a community for BSD enthusiasts, and the owner of Prodottoinrete, a company dedicated to providing innovative IT solutions. His journey began in 1996 with Linux, which he initially used alongside Windows. However, as he delved deeper into Linux during his university years, he became increasingly interested in alternative operating systems, particularly the BSDs. His exploration of FreeBSD began in 2002, and he quickly adopted it as his primary operating system due to its superior performance compared to Linux on his hardware. Throughout his career, Marinelli has focused on solving problems rather than merely selling products. He emphasizes the importance of understanding clients' specific needs and providing tailored solutions. His philosophy is rooted in the belief that Open Source systems, particularly BSDs, offer significant advantages in terms of stability, reliability, and performance. He recounts experiences where clients were initially skeptical of BSDs but ultimately appreciated the benefits, such as reduced maintenance and increased uptime. Marinelli discusses the challenges he faced in promoting BSDs over Linux, particularly in a market that often favors the latter due to its popularity and commercial appeal. He highlights the ideological barriers that exist, as many decision-makers are influenced by trends rather than practical considerations. Despite these challenges, he has successfully migrated a significant portion of his infrastructure to BSD systems, achieving positive results in performance and reliability. He details the technical aspects of his migration strategy, including the use of FreeBSD for hypervisors and the implementation of jails for various workloads. This approach not only streamlined operations but also led to substantial cost savings for clients. Marinelli notes that the transition to BSDs has been met with enthusiasm from many developers, who appreciate the stability and efficiency of the systems. Marinelli's commitment to solving problems is evident throughout his narrative. He emphasizes that the ultimate goal of technology should be to provide effective solutions rather than to chase the latest trends. His experiences illustrate the importance of choosing the right tools for the job, advocating for BSDs as a reliable alternative to Linux in many scenarios. In conclusion, Marinelli's presentation serves as a testament to the value of BSD systems in the modern IT landscape. His journey reflects a deep understanding of technology and a dedication to providing clients with the best possible solutions, reinforcing his mantra: "I solve problems."

Observing accessibility barriers personally and their impact on others helps you see how technology can help bridge divides. We need to make digital accessibility a fundamental right and a prerequisite for technology to better humanity. Only when AI, the web, and technology are available to benefit all humankind will they become truly powerful.