The ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) data framework has been around for a long time. Its roots formed in the early days of data warehousing in the 1970s and 1980s when solid-state drives (SSDs), which use a technology commonly known as flash memory, first hit the market. You might remember the computer hard drives that buzzed,… Continue reading Data transformation >> data extraction
An exploration of deep exhaustion
This month I plan to push my endurance to the outer limits. I rode my bicycle 142 miles in just under 12 hours a week ago. https://twitter.com/rbucks/status/1642743764291846145 A week from now, I will do it again, but with twice the vertical climb. It will be my second year in a row doing the Belgian Waffle… Continue reading An exploration of deep exhaustion
1994: A year in music
I was twelve years old in 1994. I was in 7th grade and just started learning guitar. I played roller hockey after school, wore braces, held hands with my girlfriend, and competed with the other overachievers. It was a good year. Next year is the thirtieth anniversary of 1994. Thirty years! The Beatles put out… Continue reading 1994: A year in music
Knocking your NOx off
I just started learning about nitrous oxide (NOx). When we electrified our house, we did it to burn less carbon. I signed up for MCE Deep Green so our share of energy usage would come from renewable sources. I felt good about paying extra (the notorious "green premium") for our all-electric home appliances. I feel… Continue reading Knocking your NOx off
Mobile homes are a piece of the housing puzzle
Note: this is my first blog post written with an assist from ChatGPT. It was fun! Oh, the housing crisis. Let me dip my toe in. I am a YIMBY. I want to see new housing built close to BART and freeways. I'd much rather see downtowns built up than open spaces built out. Housing… Continue reading Mobile homes are a piece of the housing puzzle
Why I’m taking a break from parallel entrepreneurship
When I described what I'm doing now to a good friend, he chuckled and said, "Guess you're going to have to write a new forward for your book!" The book he referred to is The Parallel Entrepreneur, of course. It's hosted free on this blog and generates most of my organic traffic. I still believe… Continue reading Why I’m taking a break from parallel entrepreneurship
My trip to NYC with Lily
A long time from now, with any luck, I will be very old. I will look back on my experiences as a young father: in the delivery room, first steps, first words, first days of school, ice skating rinks, hot dogs, board games, bicycle rides, dinners, friends' houses... all of it. I have a feeling,… Continue reading My trip to NYC with Lily
Business evaluation: Slo Carbon
A little while ago, I made a website for Slo Carbon. I picked the name because it was available. I didn't love it, but it was there. So I picked it. The problem this hypothetical company tries to solve is also described in a different business evaluation for Clime. The "green premium" for carbon-free appliances… Continue reading Business evaluation: Slo Carbon
Is it okay to be a nice CEO?
As I take the CEO helm again with Shovels, I've been thinking more about what kind of CEO I want to be. Am I some visionary leader with all of the answers? A hard-nosed drill sergeant making sure we stick to our deadlines? A coder? A product whiz? Or the Chief Sales Officer? I simply… Continue reading Is it okay to be a nice CEO?
Taking advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act in Contra Costa County
After the success of The Future of Diablo Valley conference, for which I chaired and did the bulk of the organizing, I was approached by a friend in the local sustainability community. She asked me if I'd like to help organize a conference focusing on green tech in Contra Costa County. I enthusiastically said yes!… Continue reading Taking advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act in Contra Costa County