Blog
Tips on privacy, development, kitchen organization, and getting the most out of your apps.
Why an Offline Password Manager Is More Secure Than Cloud-Based Alternatives
Cloud-based password managers are convenient, but they introduce risks that offline alternatives avoid entirely. Here is why keeping your passwords local matters.
Read article →Fixing Catastrophic Backtracking in Regular Expressions
A single poorly written regex can freeze your application for minutes or crash it entirely. Learn how to identify and fix catastrophic backtracking before it hits production.
Read article →Plausible Deniability in Mobile Security: Protecting Data Under Pressure
When someone forces you to unlock your device, encryption alone is not enough. Plausible deniability gives you a way to comply without exposing your real data.
Read article →JSON vs YAML vs TOML: Choosing the Right Configuration File Format
Configuration files come in many formats, each with distinct trade-offs. This guide compares JSON, YAML, and TOML to help you choose the right one for your project.
Read article →How to Stop Wasting Food at Home: A Practical Guide
The average US household wastes roughly 30% of the food it buys. Here are practical strategies to cut food waste, save money, and make the most of what you already have.
Read article →Regex Engines Compared: PCRE, JavaScript, Python, and More
Not all regex engines are created equal. Learn the key differences between PCRE, JavaScript, Python, and other regex implementations to avoid cross-platform surprises.
Read article →Meal Planning on a Budget: How to Eat Well for Less
Meal planning is the single most effective way to cut your grocery bill. Here's a step-by-step approach that starts with what you already have.
Read article →A Developer’s Guide to JSON Schema Validation
JSON Schema provides a standard way to validate JSON data structures. Learn how to use it to catch bugs early and document your APIs.
Read article →The Best Way to Track Expiration Dates on Your Phone
Stop relying on memory for expiration dates. Here's what to look for in a food tracking app and how the right one can save you money.
Read article →Grocery List Apps vs Pantry Trackers: Which Do You Actually Need?
Grocery list apps and pantry trackers solve different problems. Understanding the difference helps you pick the right tool and avoid wasting money on food you already have.
Read article →Share Your Pantry with Family Without Sharing Your Data
Multiple people in one household means duplicate purchases and missed expirations. Here's how to share a pantry inventory without giving your data to a third party.
Read article →How Barcode Scanning Makes Pantry Management Practical
Manual data entry kills pantry tracking habits. Barcode scanning transforms pantry management from a tedious chore into a two-second task.
Read article →Cook Mode: A Step-by-Step Cooking Interface That Tracks Your Ingredients
Most recipe apps tell you what to cook but don't track what you use. Cook Mode walks you through each step and automatically updates your inventory when you're done.
Read article →Why Tracking Kitchen Waste Saves More Money Than Coupons
Discover how tracking your kitchen waste reveals savings opportunities that dwarf what coupons and sales can offer.
Read article →How to Encrypt Files on iPhone Without Using iCloud
iCloud makes file access easy, but it also means Apple holds the keys to your data. Here is how to encrypt files locally on your iPhone without any cloud involvement.
Read article →Email Validation with Regex: Balancing Strictness and Practicality
Email validation with regex is deceptively complex. Learn practical patterns that catch real errors without rejecting valid addresses.
Read article →PGP Encryption for Beginners: A Practical Introduction
PGP encryption has been the gold standard for secure communication since 1991. This beginner-friendly guide explains how it works and how to start using it.
Read article →Essential Config File Tools Every Mobile Developer Needs
Mobile development involves dozens of configuration files across multiple formats. The right tools make managing them efficient instead of painful.
Read article →Learning Regex Through Gamification: Why Interactive Practice Beats Reading
Most developers learn regex by Googling patterns and copying them. Interactive, gamified learning builds real understanding that makes you faster and more confident.
Read article →The Complete Guide to Batch Cooking and Meal Prep
Master batch cooking to save hours during the week. This guide covers planning, cooking, storage, and how to keep track of what you have prepared.
Read article →CSV to JSON Conversion: Using Regex for Data Format Transformation
Converting between CSV and JSON is a common task that regex can simplify. Learn patterns for parsing CSV fields and transforming tabular data into structured JSON.
Read article →Hardware Security Keys and YubiKey: The Strongest Form of Two-Factor Authentication
Hardware security keys provide phishing-proof authentication that no software-based method can match. Here is what they are, how they work, and why they matter.
Read article →Why SMS-Based Two-Factor Authentication Is No Longer Enough
SMS-based 2FA is better than nothing, but it is vulnerable to SIM swapping, SS7 attacks, and real-time phishing. Here are stronger alternatives.
Read article →Keeping a Private Encrypted Digital Journal: Why Your Thoughts Deserve Protection
A digital journal is powerful for self-reflection, but only if your private thoughts remain truly private. Learn how to keep an encrypted journal that no one else can read.
Read article →AES-256 Encryption Explained: How the World’s Most Trusted Cipher Protects Your Data
AES-256 is the encryption standard trusted by governments and security professionals worldwide. This article explains how it works and why it is considered virtually unbreakable.
Read article →Should You Trust Open-Source Security Apps? Understanding Code Transparency
Open-source security apps allow anyone to inspect their code, but does transparency automatically mean trustworthiness? This article explores the nuances.
Read article →Peer-to-Peer Syncing Without the Cloud: Sharing Data Directly Between Devices
Cloud syncing puts your data on someone else’s server. Peer-to-peer syncing transfers data directly between your devices without any intermediary.
Read article →Regex Lookaheads and Lookbehinds: A Complete Guide to Zero-Width Assertions
Lookaheads and lookbehinds let you match patterns based on context without including that context in the result. Master these powerful zero-width assertions.
Read article →Generating Regex Code Across Multiple Programming Languages
Regex syntax varies between languages. Learn how to translate patterns across JavaScript, Python, Swift, Java, and Go without introducing bugs.
Read article →10 Essential Regex Patterns Every Developer Should Know
From input validation to log parsing, these ten regex patterns cover the most common text-processing tasks developers face daily.
Read article →Named Capture Groups: Writing Regex That Your Team Can Read
Named capture groups transform cryptic regex into self-documenting code. Learn how to write patterns that are easier to read, maintain, and debug.
Read article →Parsing Server Logs with Regex: Patterns and Techniques
Server logs contain valuable data buried in semi-structured text. Learn regex patterns and techniques for extracting timestamps, error codes, and request details.
Read article →URL Validation with Regex: Patterns for Real-World Web Development
URLs appear in user input, configuration files, and API responses. Learn regex patterns that balance strictness with real-world URL variety.
Read article →Is XML Still Relevant for Modern Developers?
JSON has replaced XML in many contexts, but XML remains essential in specific domains. Learn where XML still matters and when to choose it.
Read article →Using Diff Tools to Compare Data Files and Catch Bugs Faster
Standard text diffs miss structural changes in data files. Learn how semantic diff tools help you catch configuration bugs before they reach production.
Read article →Understanding Plist Files: The Apple Configuration Format Explained
Property list (plist) files are central to Apple development. Learn what they contain, how they work, and how to manage them effectively.
Read article →The Developer Guide to .env Files and Secret Management
Environment variables keep secrets out of source code, but .env files introduce their own risks. Learn best practices for managing secrets safely.
Read article →Batch Processing Data Files: Automate Repetitive Config Tasks
Stop editing configuration files one at a time. Learn how batch processing can update, validate, and transform multiple data files simultaneously.
Read article →Navigating Nested Data with Tree View: A Better Way to Understand Complex Files
Deeply nested JSON, XML, and YAML files are hard to read as text. Tree view navigation makes complex data structures accessible and understandable.
Read article →How to Organize Your Freezer Like a Professional Chef
Learn professional kitchen techniques for freezer organization that maximize space, minimize waste, and ensure you always know what you have.
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