In my work life, I use a company-issued Windows 11 laptop. I genuinely enjoy working across all the major operating systems, from Linux and macOS to Windows itself—I’ve found that Windows has evolved in some really interesting ways, especially when it comes to Linux and Open Source software. One of the very first things I do when setting up a new Windows system is make sure the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2) is installed and configured just the way I like it. I’ve been using WSL on a daily basis for years, and it’s become an essential part of my workflow, allowing me to run all the Linux tools I need in a familiar, integrated environment. Plus, it’s improved massively since I first tried it out on Windows 10 back in 2017.

What is an API? APIs, short for Application Programming Interfaces, are tools that allow software applications to communicate with each other. They define a set of rules and protocols that enable developers to access features or data from another service without needing to understand or modify the underlying code. Think of them as messengers that deliver your request to another service and return the response back to you.

Back in 2020 I finally set aside time to learn about containerisation. Docker had been on my radar for a while, but I kept putting it off, convinced it was strictly developer territory. Determined to challenge that belief, I spun up a modest Virtual Private Server (VPS) with Contabo and embarked on a learn‑by‑doing journey, self‑hosting a handful of services. The concepts felt tricky at first, but I persevered, and as I grew comfortable with the Docker CLI, the hype began to make sense.

Like many people, my daily routine involves a search engine. Whether it is a quick fact, the latest headlines, or a deep dive into a new topic, search engines have always been the gateway to discovery. For me, that changed in 2023, when I discovered Perplexity—an AI-powered research tool that’s quietly revolutionised how I find and use information. The Evolution of Everyday Search Traditional search engines have always been about links. Type a query, get a list of websites, and hope the answer is buried somewhere on page one. Perplexity takes a different approach: it delivers direct, well-sourced answers to your questions, right up front. No more hopping between tabs or skimming articles for a single fact. The experience is more like chatting with a knowledgeable assistant than using a search engine.

At the end of 2023 OpenAI introduced GPTs — custom versions of ChatGPT that anyone can create. These tailored assistants are designed to perform specific tasks, help with workflows, or simply provide a more personalised experience. In this post, I’ll explain what GPTs are, why they’re so useful, and how I created a custom GPT to help me learn Linux commands. What Are GPTs? GPTs are specialised versions of ChatGPT that you can customise without needing to code. You can: