Notes
How we think about building.
Short essays on custom software, AI where it earns its place, and the work of fixing real workflows. Published as we write them.
What "you own it" actually means
Code, data, infrastructure, and no lock-in. What ownership includes and why it changes total cost over time.
The 20% problem: why the software everyone recommends still doesn't fit
Off-the-shelf software is built for the average company. The part it can't cover is the part that matters most.
The workaround tax
Invisible manual steps compound into real cost. How to spot the expensive ones before they become permanent.
When AI earns its place (and when a spreadsheet wins)
A practical test for where AI beats the alternative, and where simpler tools are the honest answer.
Build vs buy vs hire: the option nobody offers
The three usual paths for fixing a broken workflow, where each one breaks down, and a fourth that fits more often than people admit.