About Dustin Davis

Laziness Is My Superpower!

Laziness Is My Superpower!

Laziness Is My Superpower!

Why the right kind of laziness makes you a better developer. Strategic laziness isn't about avoiding work—it's about finding the path of least resistance to get results.

Introducing WebhookSpy: A Free Webhook Testing Tool Built with AI

Introducing WebhookSpy: A Free Webhook Testing Tool Built with AI

Introducing WebhookSpy: A Free Webhook Testing Tool Built with AI

How I built WebhookSpy, a free webhook testing tool, in just a few hours using OpenAI Codex and Claude. From frustration with existing tools to a fully deployed solution.

Upscaling Images with AI Tools

Upscaling Images with AI Tools

Upscaling Images with AI Tools

How I used AI tools to upscale and enhance a historical image for printing an 8x10 photo for Thanksgiving decor.

Use AI to Write Your Git Commit Messages

Use AI to Write Your Git Commit Messages

Use AI to Write Your Git Commit Messages

Discover how to leverage AI to generate informative git commit messages automatically. Learn to implement a bash script that uses OpenAI's GPT-4 to create consistent, detailed commit messages, saving time and improving your project's documentation.

My Software Easter Eggs

My Software Easter Eggs

My Software Easter Eggs

A developer's tale of implementing humorous easter eggs in a professional video clipping tool, featuring Konami code and a snarky Clippy revival.

From Gatsby to 11ty

From Gatsby to 11ty

From Gatsby to 11ty

A brief overview of moving my blog from Gatsby to 11ty, highlighting the simplicity and speed of 11ty compared to Gatsby.

UtahJS Conference 2024 Review

UtahJS Conference 2024 Review

UtahJS Conference 2024 Review

Explore key insights from UtahJS Conference 2024, including React Server Components, vanilla JS web components, DevOps with GitHub Actions, AI-powered features, and real-time hypermedia. Discover cutting-edge tools and techniques shared by industry experts to enhance your JavaScript development skills.

Resizing Classic Art for the Samsung Frame TV Without the Mat

Resizing Classic Art for the Samsung Frame TV Without the Mat

Resizing Classic Art for the Samsung Frame TV Without the Mat

A guide to using a custom script to resize and crop images for perfect display on a Samsung Frame TV.

Markdown to PDF Magic: Create a One-Command Converter for macOS

Markdown to PDF Magic: Create a One-Command Converter for macOS

Markdown to PDF Magic: Create a One-Command Converter for macOS

Learn how to streamline your documentation workflow by building a custom script that transforms Markdown files into professionally formatted PDFs with a single command. This step-by-step guide covers everything from installing prerequisites to creating and using your own mdtopdf tool on macOS.

Automate sending images via text with Mac OS Messages

Automate sending images via text with Mac OS Messages

Automate sending images via text with Mac OS Messages

How I sent out images to 80 phone numbers in 12 minutes with Mac OS Messages

156 Books in 156 Weeks

156 Books in 156 Weeks

156 Books in 156 Weeks

Highlights of some of my favorite books that I read in 2023

Get Latest Python Package Version

Get Latest Python Package Version

Get Latest Python Package Version

Discover how to quickly determine the latest version of any Python package using the pip command. Use my script to quickly get the text you need to paste into your requirements file.

Adding Note Margins to a PDF File

Adding Note Margins to a PDF File

Adding Note Margins to a PDF File

Learn how to effortlessly add note margins to PDF files for an enhanced note-taking experience on apps like Notability and GoodNotes.

UtahJS 2023 Conference Review

UtahJS 2023 Conference Review

UtahJS 2023 Conference Review

A review of the 2023 UtahJS conference - summaries of the talks attended including caching strategies, codemods, SvelteKit, debugging, the importance of side projects, and key takeaways.

Building a Backyard Shed

Building a Backyard Shed

Building a Backyard Shed

I bought a Sturdy-Built shed kit. Below are photos of the build process.

AutoSavvy / AutoSource - Save Yourself the Stress and Money

AutoSavvy / AutoSource - Save Yourself the Stress and Money

AutoSavvy / AutoSource - Save Yourself the Stress and Money

I've purchased 3 cars from AutoSource / AutoSavvy and it has been the most frustrating and most expensive car buying experience every. Save yourself!

52 Books in 52 Weeks

52 Books in 52 Weeks

52 Books in 52 Weeks

What I learned from reading/listening to 1 book per week.

Docker-Compose Overwriting Dockerfile Data

Docker-Compose Overwriting Dockerfile Data

Docker-Compose Overwriting Dockerfile Data

How to keep docker-compose volumes from overwriting container data.

Create Your Own Dynamic DNS Service

Create Your Own Dynamic DNS Service

Create Your Own Dynamic DNS Service

Don't pay for an expensive service when you can code it yourself in two lines.

Batching to Reduce Downtime

Batching to Reduce Downtime

Batching to Reduce Downtime

Adjusting the flow of your process can make good routines better.

Updating LetsEncrypt SSL Cert Remotely

Updating LetsEncrypt SSL Cert Remotely

Updating LetsEncrypt SSL Cert Remotely

When you can't get things to run properly on your server, do it on your dev machine!

PNG to ICNS Conversion Script and MacOS Automation

PNG to ICNS Conversion Script and MacOS Automation

PNG to ICNS Conversion Script and MacOS Automation

There are no special tools required to convert a PNG file to and ICNS file. Just use this simple script.

POC Use KeyCloak JWT to Authorize Hasura Queries

POC Use KeyCloak JWT to Authorize Hasura Queries

POC Use KeyCloak JWT to Authorize Hasura Queries

Proof-of-concept to use a JWT generated by KeyCloak to authorize queries in Hasura.

POC Authenticate with KeyCloak and Get JWT

POC Authenticate with KeyCloak and Get JWT

POC Authenticate with KeyCloak and Get JWT

First proof-of-concept - register and authenticate user and get valid token.

User Authentication

User Authentication

User Authentication

What led to our decision to use KeyCloak over other available options

Starting a New Side Hustle Startup

Starting a New Side Hustle Startup

Starting a New Side Hustle Startup

Follow me on a journey to create a new side hustle startup with some friends.

Missouri/Nauvoo Church History Tour

Missouri/Nauvoo Church History Tour

Missouri/Nauvoo Church History Tour

We took our 18 year old daughter on a tour of church history sites. This is my travel log.

Stop Being Late for Virtual Meetings

Stop Being Late for Virtual Meetings

Stop Being Late for Virtual Meetings

Tampermonkey script that completely interrupts your workflow to remind you of meetings.

Scripting MacOS Configuration

Scripting MacOS Configuration

Scripting MacOS Configuration

Tips for scripting your mac setup.

More Robust Virtual Note Taking

More Robust Virtual Note Taking

More Robust Virtual Note Taking

Using Notability or Goodnotes to enhance your study and note-taking on a digital device.

Disney World 2021

Disney World 2021

Disney World 2021

My experience and recommendations for the Happiest Place on Earth

Starting Front-End and Back-End Scripts at the Same Time

Starting Front-End and Back-End Scripts at the Same Time

Starting Front-End and Back-End Scripts at the Same Time

When you need to start a backend and transpile your front-end code for development purposes, here is a handy script to do both at the same time.

How to Convert an eBook to an Audiobook

How to Convert an eBook to an Audiobook

How to Convert an eBook to an Audiobook

Use text-to-speech and FFmpeg to generate an audiobook from an eBook on MacOS.

Goodbye LastPass, Hello Bitwarden

Goodbye LastPass, Hello Bitwarden

Goodbye LastPass, Hello Bitwarden

LastPass is a great tool, but I've found a solution I like more.

JAMstacks - Gatsby & 11ty

JAMstacks - Gatsby & 11ty

JAMstacks - Gatsby & 11ty

After spending a month migrating two WordPress sites to Gatsby and 11ty, here are a few of my thoughts.

Wildcard Let's Encrypt SSL Cert on Synology NAS

Wildcard Let's Encrypt SSL Cert on Synology NAS

Wildcard Let's Encrypt SSL Cert on Synology NAS

How to set up a wildcard cert and auto-renew on Synology NAS

How to Create a Debt Snowball Spreadsheet

How to Create a Debt Snowball Spreadsheet

How to Create a Debt Snowball Spreadsheet

Watch my 16 minute tutorial on how to create a "living" debt snowball tracker

Goodbye WordPress

Goodbye WordPress

Goodbye WordPress

I've moved my blog from WordPress to Gatsby. Here's the WHY and HOW.

Google Meet - On Air Light Automation

Google Meet - On Air Light Automation

Google Meet - On Air Light Automation

Learn how to automate your desk lamp to turn on during virtual meetings, enhancing your work-from-home setup and improving communication with family members. This step-by-step guide covers the process and benefits of creating an 'On Air' light for Google Meet and other video conferencing platforms

Rebecca Roll'd

Rebecca Roll'd

Rebecca Roll'd

You've been Rick Roll'd, but have you been Rebecca Roll'd?

Tools We Use to Keep Our Kids Safe with Technology

Tools We Use to Keep Our Kids Safe with Technology

Tools We Use to Keep Our Kids Safe with Technology

We utilize every tool we can think of to keep our kids safe - both physically and mentally - when it comes to using cell phones, internet, television, and other technology.

Running Portainer on Synology

Running Portainer on Synology

Running Portainer on Synology

Portainer offers more features and control over docker containers. Here are two simple steps to get it up and running on your Synology NAS

Audible to Plex

Audible to Plex

Audible to Plex

How and why I migrated all my Audible audiobooks to my Plex server and how I consume them.

Keep Webmin Running

Keep Webmin Running

Keep Webmin Running

A simple bash script to check if services are running and start them if not.

Convert Audio Clip to Ringtone - Mac Automation

Convert Audio Clip to Ringtone - Mac Automation

Convert Audio Clip to Ringtone - Mac Automation

How turn MP3 files into ringtones with a simple right-click command on MacOS

Weight Loss Advice from a Dietician/Nutritionist

Weight Loss Advice from a Dietician/Nutritionist

Weight Loss Advice from a Dietician/Nutritionist

Some notes and learnings from visiting with a nutritionist

Building Your Own Website on a Budget in 2017

Building Your Own Website on a Budget in 2017

Building Your Own Website on a Budget in 2017

The tools I would use to build a personal website in 2017

Real-World Examples of Aurelia's Compose Tag

Real-World Examples of Aurelia's Compose Tag

Real-World Examples of Aurelia's Compose Tag

Let me show you a few examples of how we use the <compose> tag

Aurelia - Sharing Data Between Components

Aurelia - Sharing Data Between Components

Aurelia - Sharing Data Between Components

Using dependency injection to share data between components.

Observing Arrays in Aurelia

Observing Arrays in Aurelia

Observing Arrays in Aurelia

If you're struggling to observe array data changes in Aurelia, check out these code snippets.

Aurelia Replaceable Parts & HTML Only Templates

Aurelia Replaceable Parts & HTML Only Templates

Aurelia Replaceable Parts & HTML Only Templates

When you need dynamic content in a slot, you really need a replaceable part.

Internet Pause Button with DD-WRT

Internet Pause Button with DD-WRT

Internet Pause Button with DD-WRT

How to set up DD-WRT on a Nighthawk router to allow you to pause your home wifi from your phone.

Daily Passwords for Kids' Computer

Daily Passwords for Kids' Computer

Daily Passwords for Kids' Computer

How I change the logins everyday on the computer to make sure they get their jobs done before zoning out on the computer.

Aurelia Accordion Component From Scratch

Aurelia Accordion Component From Scratch

Aurelia Accordion Component From Scratch

How to build a simple accordion component in Aurelia

Why Aurelia over Angular, React, Ember or Meteor

Why Aurelia over Angular, React, Ember or Meteor

Why Aurelia over Angular, React, Ember or Meteor

After looking at the path of migrating from AngularJS to Angular 2, I'm changing lanes.

Right Click Folder & Create ISO in OSX

Right Click Folder & Create ISO in OSX

Right Click Folder & Create ISO in OSX

How to set up a right-click menu option to create an ISO file from a folder.

Using Gmail for Support

Using Gmail for Support

Using Gmail for Support

How and why I prefer to simply use Gmail for customer support.

Top 8 ng-shirts

Top 8 ng-shirts

Top 8 ng-shirts

My favorite shirts frong ng-conf (AngularJS) ranked.

ng-conf Advanced Workshop Review

ng-conf Advanced Workshop Review

ng-conf Advanced Workshop Review

Summary of my experience with ng-conf workshops

How to Create Lego Logo Inspired Text in Illustrator

Quick and simple tutorial for creating Lego type fonts.

Setting up a Signed SSL Certificate on Nginx

Setting up a Signed SSL Certificate on Nginx

Setting up a Signed SSL Certificate on Nginx

How to add an SSL to a website running on nginx

Essentialism Book Review

Essentialism Book Review

Essentialism Book Review

My review of the highly-touted book, Essentialism

2014 Year In Review

2014 Year In Review

2014 Year In Review

A look back at all things 2014, and goals for 2015

Quick Recurring Payments with Stripe & Checkout

Quick Recurring Payments with Stripe & Checkout

Quick Recurring Payments with Stripe & Checkout

How to quickly set up a recurring payment page with PHP and Stripe

Setting up OpenSprinkler

Setting up OpenSprinkler

Setting up OpenSprinkler

How I set up OpenSprinkler

Productivity Tools & Processes

Productivity Tools & Processes

Productivity Tools & Processes

Some new productivity ideas and tools I want to try

Django Pluralize Outside of Templates

Django Pluralize Outside of Templates

Django Pluralize Outside of Templates

How to use the pluralize filter directly in python

Sync Personal Docs on Kindle for Mac

Sync Personal Docs on Kindle for Mac

Sync Personal Docs on Kindle for Mac

How to get your personal documents into Kindle

MemcachedKeyLengthError: Key length is > 250

MemcachedKeyLengthError: Key length is > 250

MemcachedKeyLengthError: Key length is > 250

Fixing a recurring problem with Django's built-in cache page decorator

Refactoring to Save 4805 Lines of Code

Refactoring to Save 4805 Lines of Code

Refactoring to Save 4805 Lines of Code

Using Python magic to save a lot of lines of code.

Python Twisted IRC Bot: Lazy Coder

Python Twisted IRC Bot: Lazy Coder

Python Twisted IRC Bot: Lazy Coder

IRC Bot that repsonds to the word "why" with lazy coder responses

SSH Tunnel in pgAdmin3 for PostgreSQL

SSH Tunnel in pgAdmin3 for PostgreSQL

SSH Tunnel in pgAdmin3 for PostgreSQL

How to create an SSH tunnel to pgAdmain for PostreSQL for a graphical experience on a remote server

Django MONTH_CHOICES

Django MONTH_CHOICES

Django MONTH_CHOICES

Short tip on getting month choices from django.contrib

Setting up a Django Server with PostgreSQL, Nginx, Celery & RabbitMQ

Setting up a Django Server with PostgreSQL, Nginx, Celery & RabbitMQ

Setting up a Django Server with PostgreSQL, Nginx, Celery & RabbitMQ

Step-by-step guide to setting up a Django server with all the works.

Python, Django & the Google Adsense API

Python, Django & the Google Adsense API

Python, Django & the Google Adsense API

How to talk to the Google Adsense API with Django/Python

Django Textile/Markdown Template Caching Speedup

Django Textile/Markdown Template Caching Speedup

Django Textile/Markdown Template Caching Speedup

Speeding up a Django site by transforming text during database saves.

Setting Up Your Own Sentry Server

Setting Up Your Own Sentry Server

Setting Up Your Own Sentry Server

Short tutorial on how to set up your own self-hosted Sentry server.

DigitalOcean, Heroku, Linode & Webfaction: Hosting Showdown

DigitalOcean, Heroku, Linode & Webfaction: Hosting Showdown

DigitalOcean, Heroku, Linode & Webfaction: Hosting Showdown

I tried out four different web hosts to determine where I want to host my next site.

The Tools I Use

The Tools I Use

The Tools I Use

Some of my favorite apps and websites

Django Custom Upload Handler to Compress Image Files

Django Custom Upload Handler to Compress Image Files

Django Custom Upload Handler to Compress Image Files

How to compress images when they are saved in a Django application.

What Every High School Student Should Know About Computing

What Every High School Student Should Know About Computing

What Every High School Student Should Know About Computing

What I would teach beginning computer students

How I Cured My RSI & Back Pain

How I Cured My RSI & Back Pain

How I Cured My RSI & Back Pain

I considered changing careers because of years of wrist pain. Now I'm pain-free after learning about the mindbody connection.

Replacing Myself

Replacing Myself

Replacing Myself

My plan to hire someone to help with my business

Phurlite: Simple PHP SQLite URL Shortener

Phurlite: Simple PHP SQLite URL Shortener

Phurlite: Simple PHP SQLite URL Shortener

A simple URL shortener contained in one PHP file and .htaccess file for Apache with support for Tweetbot

How to Reset a Django Admin Password

How to Reset a Django Admin Password

How to Reset a Django Admin Password

The most efficient way to change your admin password on a Django site.

Herniated L5-S1 Disc

Herniated L5-S1 Disc

Herniated L5-S1 Disc

How I herniated a disc in my back and what I am doing to cope and recover.

Setting Up a ZNC IRC Bouncer

Setting Up a ZNC IRC Bouncer

Setting Up a ZNC IRC Bouncer

How to stay logged in to IRC and connect on different machines

Audio Books!

Audio Books!

Audio Books!

Let me share my love of audiobooks!

My Django Dev Environment: Virtualenv, pip, git, & PyCharm

My Django Dev Environment: Virtualenv, pip, git, & PyCharm

My Django Dev Environment: Virtualenv, pip, git, & PyCharm

How I use virtualenv and pip to manager my python dependencies per project

How Sports Improves Programmer Focus

How Sports Improves Programmer Focus

How Sports Improves Programmer Focus

I played a lot of sports as a teenager and it has helped me focus as a programmer.

Django Color Theme for PyCharm

Django Color Theme for PyCharm

Django Color Theme for PyCharm

Django green theme for PyCharm

Python IRC Bot Using Twisted (Rollbot)

Python IRC Bot Using Twisted (Rollbot)

Python IRC Bot Using Twisted (Rollbot)

A simple IRC bot that will show the page titles of links posted

Top 10 Productivity Tips

Top 10 Productivity Tips

Top 10 Productivity Tips

Everyone has their productivity hacks. Let me share mind with you.

The Problem with Buying Templates

The Problem with Buying Templates

The Problem with Buying Templates

Scan your html carefully when you buy a template.

Django smart_unicode

Django smart_unicode

Django smart_unicode

Use Django's `smart_unicode` function to solve unicode errors

jQuery UI Dialog: OK click on Enter key

jQuery UI Dialog: OK click on Enter key

jQuery UI Dialog: OK click on Enter key

Simple jQuery snippet to close a dialog box on enter

SVN to Git

SVN to Git

SVN to Git

How to migrate a subversion repo to Git

Budgeting a Trip to Disneyland

Budgeting a Trip to Disneyland

Budgeting a Trip to Disneyland

How to plan a trip to Disneyland on a budget (circa 2011)

PHP, Python & Django

PHP, Python & Django

PHP, Python & Django

Why I'm moving from PHP to Django (instead of Ruby on Rails)

77 Things I Did in 2010

77 Things I Did in 2010

77 Things I Did in 2010

2010 was a busy and memorable year for me.

Implementing a Forgot Password Feature on a Django Site

Implementing a Forgot Password Feature on a Django Site

Implementing a Forgot Password Feature on a Django Site

Everyone forgets their password, help customers get it back.

Mobile App on Subdomain with Django

Mobile App on Subdomain with Django

Mobile App on Subdomain with Django

Using an alternate settings file for a mobile version of my site.

Django: ProgrammingError: Can't Adapt

Django: ProgrammingError: Can't Adapt

Django: ProgrammingError: Can't Adapt

An error I got often while learning Python and the simple fix.

Copy Model Object in Django

Copy Model Object in Django

Copy Model Object in Django

How to copy a database record in Django

Why The Cash Envelope System Didn't Work for Us

Why The Cash Envelope System Didn't Work for Us

Why The Cash Envelope System Didn't Work for Us

The cash envelope system is not for everyone

Django cron on Webfaction

Django cron on Webfaction

Django cron on Webfaction

How to adjust the python path to run Django scripts in cron

Use Google Earth to Track Your Mileage

Use Google Earth to Track Your Mileage

Use Google Earth to Track Your Mileage

How to use Google Earth to track distance

Django: Filter Model on Date Range

Django: Filter Model on Date Range

Django: Filter Model on Date Range

A generic filter function to filter query results by data ranges

Django & Djson… er, JSON

Django & Djson… er, JSON

Django & Djson… er, JSON

Converting a DB object to JSON format

Webfaction Review

Webfaction Review

Webfaction Review

Why I love Webfaction so much as a Django developer

Simple PHP Pluralize

Simple PHP Pluralize

Simple PHP Pluralize

A simple function for pluralizing strings in PHP

Django: Login Form on Every Page

Django: Login Form on Every Page

Django: Login Form on Every Page

How to include a login form on every page of a Django app

Django: Filtering a ModelForm field

Django: Filtering a ModelForm field

Django: Filtering a ModelForm field

How to filter a ModelForm by foreign key in Django

Download POP3/IMAP Email Attachments with PHP

Download POP3/IMAP Email Attachments with PHP

Download POP3/IMAP Email Attachments with PHP

How to download email attachments via PHP

Webfaction Limited Review

Webfaction Limited Review

Webfaction Limited Review

A quick review of Webfaction hosting

Django Tip: get_FIELD_display()

Django Tip: get_FIELD_display()

Django Tip: get_FIELD_display()

Magic template functions in Django

Dynamic Filtered Drop-Down Choice Fields With Django

Dynamic Filtered Drop-Down Choice Fields With Django

Dynamic Filtered Drop-Down Choice Fields With Django

How to filter the options of a <select> component based on the selection of another <select> component.

Django Accounts on Subdomains

Django Accounts on Subdomains

Django Accounts on Subdomains

How to create a Django app where each user account gets their own subdomain

Django Model Style Guide

Django Model Style Guide

Django Model Style Guide

The preferred order of Model classes and methods

Remember TRBL

Remember TRBL

Remember TRBL

The TROUBLE remembering the order of things in CSS

Update Windows Path Without Rebooting

Update Windows Path Without Rebooting

Update Windows Path Without Rebooting

Updating the PATH environment variable without rebooting in Windows

Rails Creator Praises PHP

Rails Creator Praises PHP

Rails Creator Praises PHP

Ruby on Rails creator, DHH gives a little praise to PHP

Restoring MySQL InnoDB Files on Windows

Restoring MySQL InnoDB Files on Windows

Restoring MySQL InnoDB Files on Windows

How I escaped disaster by restoring a MySQL database

Paint.net Trim Function

Paint.net Trim Function

Paint.net Trim Function

How to trim an image like you would in Photoshop

The Naartjie

The Naartjie

The Naartjie

What is a naartjie and where did it come from?

Fun With Hot Linking

Fun With Hot Linking

Fun With Hot Linking

How to swap out images if other sites are using them on their site.

Gmail Addresses Ignore Dots

Gmail Addresses Ignore Dots

Gmail Addresses Ignore Dots

Gmail ignores periods in your email address. This can be good and bad.

Bedbugs & Beetles, or Skeeters?...

Bedbugs & Beetles, or Skeeters?...

Bedbugs & Beetles, or Skeeters?...

Old song from 2nd grade that sits in my head...

HTML Files Parsed Through PHP

HTML Files Parsed Through PHP

HTML Files Parsed Through PHP

How to pass .html files through the PHP parser with Apache

Thank You Andy!

Thank You Andy!

Thank You Andy!

The miracle product that removed the ballpoint pen ink from our new sofa

PHP Templating

PHP Templating

PHP Templating

Templating can be very simple with PHP, no other frameworks needed for basic templates.

Welcome me!

Welcome me!

Welcome me!

My first blog post ever. Jan 18, 2005