![[Review] Convoy: The Comprehensive Yet Untold Story](https://i0.wp.com/alan.is/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-09-05_15h22_57-1.png?fit=301%2C142&ssl=1)
-
Finally, rode the Skyline Drive
Rode 320 miles out on the Suzuki, and took in the full length of the Skyline Drive. Breathtaking views, once I got beyond the fog!
-
Human Slop vs AI Slop
The argument that AI code is slop and human code is clean is backwards. Humans have been shipping bad code for decades. Backdoor textareas, 1500-line methods, zero test coverage. AI just produces the same ratio faster. Your pipeline was already broken. Fix that.
-
Getting OpenClaw up and running
Discover how to get OpenClaw up and running. How easy it is as I walk you through a setup that lets you have your own virtual AI assistant ready, and willing to do your virtual tasks in a secure and controlled environment.
-
Rock me Amadeus (& Elvis)
Watching the new Amadeus series led me down a rabbit hole where I found a striking parallel between Mozart and Elvis. Both icons died broke, but their widows, Constanze and Priscilla, became the first accidental CEOs. They professionalized the legacies, cleared massive debts, and pioneered celebrity tourism to save the brands.
-
2025 in review
With the 1st of January now rolling us into 2026, it’s time for my annual review of the year that has just closed. Another beautiful sunny day here in Virginia, warm and blue skies as I sit down and reflect on some of the stats and journals I have maintained this year.
-
The Inevitable V3 Rewrite
Software rarely finds its feet until version three. Version one is an idealistic guess. Version two is a survival patch. Version three is the rewrite where you finally delete the noise and build what is actually needed. Real stability comes from subtraction, a lesson every architect learns the hard way.
-
Double NAT, 40 Terabytes, and a Christmas Miracle
I spent my Christmas downtime replacing a fragile, port-forwarded network with a resilient Tailscale mesh. I managed to overcome double NAT headaches to sync Synology units peer-to-peer, fixed the inevitable MTU “black holes,” and automated the DSM 7 sandboxing hurdles to build a private, encrypted family network.
-
“This ain’t no technological breakdown”
Honoring British rock legend Chris Rea, I recall 1989: a 16-year-old student in Paisley, wrestling with the guilt of spending my living grant on “The Road to Hell” vinyl. Purchased for £5.99 at Woolworths, it became the defining soundtrack of my university years. Thirty-five years later, the joy remains. RIP.
-
The CTO’s Year-End Audit: Are You Building Your Vision or Just a Backlog?
December is the only quiet time you have. Don’t waste it clearing your inbox. Use this silence to audit your architecture against your Vision Document. Move beyond simple feature roadmaps and focus on building strategic capabilities. If your environment doesn’t support your 2026 goals, fix it now before the chaos returns.
-
Morphing into James McAvoy
Playing with AI to transform a selfie into a stylistic portrait inspired by James McAvoy’s movie “Pose.” After describing the desired photo detail to Gemini Pro, they generated an impressive monochrome image. The process evolved into animating the image, showcasing a novel technique for creating unique personalized visuals.
-
Change Management
As a CTO, effective change management is crucial for delivering solutions to users who may resist significant changes. Develop a detailed project plan outlining responsibilities, timelines, and success criteria. Communicate extensively with stakeholders, providing training on new systems to ensure users understand the changes. Over-communicate throughout the process for success.
-
Only takes a minute
Navigating the rapidly changing technology landscape can be stressful. It’s essential to engage in regular, small learning increments, such as 15 minutes daily, to build knowledge over time. Embrace a self-learning model without pressure, prioritize your time effectively, and share your insights to reinforce understanding. Progress comes from consistent, bite-sized efforts.
the legend that is, Alan Williamson
For over 24 years, I’ve shared my thoughts here on this blog whenever the muse strikes.
It’s unpredictable, honest, unedited, and occasionally witty. I’m living the best years of my life, working harder than ever, learning each day and enjoying every second.
