Tech Talk with Toni

What's 10 x 10? I started this blog on February 4th, 2023—almost two years ago (wow, I just checked!)—and I must say, writing consistently is a challenge that I gladly took on. Writing has been a constant theme in my life. It got me through my rebellious teen years and straight into adulthood (which, to be honest, I still have a hard time accepting). Many people ask me, "How do you do it?" To that, I say: I enjoy it, and I have a great support system. Today, I want to take a moment to reflect and give thanks—to those who read my posts, those who point out my typos, and especially to my dad, who always asks, "Toni, did you post yet?" But let’s be real: doing 100 of anything is difficult—whether it's 100 pull-ups or developing 100 apps. Even when you’re passionate about something, there are days when you just don’t have the energy or inspiration. And that’s okay! You just have to keep pushing forward—through the valley of despair, even when no one is watchin...

This is an acoustic guitar Today’s post is inspired by my childhood dream of learning to play the guitar. For years, I’d daydream about strumming chords and creating melodies, but it always felt like something I’d do “someday.”  That day finally arrived when I jokingly shared this dream aloud, and my dad decided it was time to make it a reality. Yesterday, he surprised me with my first guitar—a sleek, acoustic guitar with nylon strings. The moment I picked it up, I was both excited and intimidated. I immediately started tuning it and spent an hour practicing E-minor and A-minor chords.  My fingers quickly grew sore, and faint ridges were left behind from pressing on the strings—but I didn’t mind.  There was something unexpectedly soothing about the vibration of the strings resonating through the guitar, as if the instrument itself was encouraging me to keep going. Learning a new skill is a reminder of how persistence pays off. I know that mastering the guitar will take ti...

Stack: a pile of objects, typically one that is neatly arranged. Conversations about tech preferences tend to get heated, whether it’s Apple vs Android, Windows vs macOS, or the eternal debate about pineapple on pizza. But lately, I’ve found myself drawn to something : data stacks. Specifically, why do organizations choose Microsoft, Amazon, or Google as their cloud platform? Microsoft has quietly become the stack of choice for many enterprises, but why? What’s the real difference between AWS and Azure, and is one easier to learn than the other? More importantly, are we so locked into these proprietary tools that we’re missing out on better, open-source alternatives? Learning a new tool takes time, and that time investment often keeps us tethered to one ecosystem. But with so much innovation happening, it’s worth asking: Are we keeping our minds open to what’s out there? To answer these questions, it helps to ...

A battery's positive end, called the cathode, and its negative end, the anode, are fundamental to how it stores and delivers energy Long ago, humans mastered fire, combining a spark, a flammable object, and oxygen to create light, warmth, and a way to cook food. But as our world grew more complex, so did our energy needs.  Now, we rely on power not just to stay warm but also to cool our homes with air conditioning, fuel our devices, and even power electric vehicles. So, how did we go from the primitive glow of fire to a world powered by rechargeable batteries? Modern battery development began in 1800 when Italian scientist Alessandro Volta invented the voltaic pile, the first true battery capable of continuous electric current. James Prescott Joule formally described the Law of Conservation of Energy , which states: "Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it simply transfers from one form to another." Batteries are special because they allow us to capture and store energy...

  I can eat sushi with chopsticks! (sometimes) Today's post is inspired by a combination of my experience at a restaurant last night and the latest Bloomberg Technology podcast I listened to. Ordering Sushi x AI Agents! AI is going to remain a hot topic in 2025. But what’s especially exciting is how AI agents are evolving. These are highly autonomous tools capable of making complex decisions without constant human oversight. Think of AI agents as digital assistants who don’t just answer questions but take action on your behalf. They can place online orders, book hotels, send emails, and even manage schedules. For example, you could ask an AI agent to plan a weekend trip. It could find the best flight deals, reserve your hotel, and book dinner at your favorite sushi spot—all without you needing to check multiple websites yourself. But here’s the catch: this all depends on whether the agent understands your instructions correctly. It's easy to mess up orders. Just last night, I...

Wave (noun) - 2nd meaning: a sudden occurrence of or increase in a phenomenon, feeling, or emotion. Homo Technologicus —a term explored in Mustafa Suleyman’s The Coming Wave —captures the essence of humanity’s deep entanglement with technology. Suleyman observes a striking reality: “Our phones are the first thing we see in the morning and the last at night.” Our devices have evolved beyond tools; they are now extensions of our minds and identities.  Consider the device in your hand—it doesn’t just connect you to others but serves as your map, encyclopedia, personal assistant, and entertainment hub.  However, this symbiosis with technology goes far beyond smartphones. Suleyman warns that humanity is at the cusp of a technological wave unlike any before, driven by two core innovations: artificial intelligence (AI) and synthetic biology . Together, they promise godlike powers of creation but pose existential risks if not managed wisely. Artificial Intelligence (AI) AI syste...