The Token Tax of New Tech
AI-assisted development adds a new cost to tech choices: how much context, correction, and retrying your stack needs before it works.
Simple Stack Web Dev
Practical web development with simple stacks, including PHP, MySQL, Apache, LAMP, VPS hosting, and old-stack tools that still get work done.
TextToDeck: Turning Written Updates Into Short Video Decks
TextToDeck started as a workaround for making Old Stack Journal promo videos with HTML, OBS, and Clipchamp. Now it’s becoming a focused web app for turning written updates…
Automation Receipts: A Readable Record for Workflow Runs
A webhook is easy. The harder part is turning automation runs into readable receipts so someone can understand what happened without digging through old logs.
Building the OSJ AI Tool Matrix
I built the OSJ AI Tool Matrix as a custom WordPress plugin, because a hand-edited table of AI tools sounded like a future migraine with admin edits. Oh…
LAMP Is Still Enough for Most Web Projects
Most developers aren’t building Netflix. For normal web projects, PHP, MySQL, Apache and cron still do the job without startup architecture up front. Usually.
Not Every Side Project Needs a Modern JavaScript Stack
Simple stacks like PHP, MySQL, Apache, and cron jobs are still enough for many solo builder projects. Not every web app needs JavaScript complexity.
How to Point a Domain at Your Home Server Without Making a Mess
Getting a domain onto your home Ubuntu server is really DNS, port forwarding, and Apache working together. Here’s how to do it safely.
How to Set Up a Fresh Ubuntu Home Server for Local Web Development
Turn an old PC into a useful Ubuntu home server for web development, with Apache, MySQL, PHP, SSL, domains, and safer outside access.