2024 Recap

2024 was "the year of Generative AI", and despite the hype, there are some excellent scenarios where it can augment or replace existing systems, workflows, and a few times the need of an expert. I'm using LLMs often and in various scenarios, one of the main ones being automation/replacement of boring tasks, so why not use GenAI to assist me with the classic "2024 recap" blog post?

I fed Google's NotebookLM all my 2024 blog posts (in Markdown format), and asked it to do two things: tell me a summary of the content, and generate an audio version of the content overview, which it does in the form of a podcast episode in which two speakers comment.

2024 Posts Summary

Quick Summary

Technical subjects dominate, covering debugging TypeScript errors in Bazel, Gazelle extension development, and implementing the RLE algorithm in JavaScript for game sprite compression. Personal projects are also featured, including a macOS cheatsheet, a book-tracking website review, and the creation of a hackable poker game. Finally, book reviews on diverse subjects ranging from Elon Musk's biography to works on roguelike games and design patterns, along with course reviews and reflections on the professional career.

Detailed Retrospective

The 2024 blog posts cover a range of topics, but several overarching themes connect them, primarily focusing on software development, retro gaming, and book reviews.

Here's a breakdown of these themes:

• Software Development: Many posts delve into the practical aspects of software development, often with a focus on tools and techniques.
  • Bazel: There's a significant focus on Bazel as a build system, including debugging Typescript errors, Gazelle extensions, and general usage. The author seems to be involved in migrating a large codebase to Bazel.
  • JavaScript/TypeScript: The author explores JavaScript and TypeScript, often in the context of web development and game development, including a deep dive into RLE compression applied to retro sprites using JavaScript.
  • Python: Python is also a recurring theme, particularly in relation to scripting and automation. There is mention of using Python for a BlueSky post deletion script.
  • Git: The author updates a Git cheatsheet, showing a continued interest in version control.
  • iOS Development: The author mentions learning iOS development and taking a course on the subject.
  • Design Patterns: There is also a review of a book about Python design patterns.
  • Debugging and Optimization: Several posts address debugging techniques, such as for Typescript errors in Bazel, and optimizing compression algorithms.
  • Tooling and Automation: The creation of tools, such as the BlueSky post eraser, and general tooling around web development and build systems are also present.
• Retro Gaming: This is a prominent theme, with several posts covering various aspects of retro game development and analysis.
  • RLE Compression: The author explores Run-Length Encoding (RLE) compression, particularly for use with retro game sprites. This shows a deep dive into graphics and data optimization techniques used in older systems.
  • Game Reviews: Reviews of books about the history of text adventure games and roguelikes are also included, and there is also a discussion about how to play the game Metal Gear Solid on PC, showing an interest in both the history and practical experience of retro gaming.
  • Game Development Experiments: The author documents the process of building a hackable poker game and other small experiments.
• Book Reviews: A significant portion of the blog posts are dedicated to book reviews, covering a wide range of topics including biographies, technology, game development, and even more esoteric subjects like the 48 Laws of Power. These reviews provide insights into the author's interests and thought processes, and serve as a way of documenting what the author has been reading.**
• Personal Development and Productivity: Some posts, such as the review of The Creative Programmer, explore themes related to personal growth and productivity within software development, highlighting the author's interest in improving skills and workflows.
• Operating Systems and Tools: There are posts that address operating system tweaks, tools, and configuration such as a macOS cheatsheet and how to install HP printer drivers on macOS.
• Social Media and Online Presence: The author reflects on their online presence, mentioning their move to BlueSky and their desire to have messages disappear after a few days. They also mention deleting their Twitter account, which shows a concern for managing their presence on social platforms.
• Reflection and Retrospection: Some posts show reflection on the author's career, and there is also a 20th blog anniversary post which reflects on the history and evolution of the blog content. This demonstrates the author's interest in documenting their experiences and progress over time.

2024 Audio Overview (Summary)

MP3 file (duration: 13'33")

Some blocks seem to be repeated. Plus the back and forth of both presenters, acting as if they were the authors, is a bit weird until you get used to it. Still, a remarkable tech demo of text-to-speech, we're at that "uncanny valley level" that it can almost pass as a real conversation.

Extra

And now for a human touch. Three of them, in fact.

A small 2024 achievement that I'm proud of: I set a goal of reading 12 books during the year, and it's been 14 in total. Well, technically 15, as another one is a trilogy, but the first "book" is finished. Plus a few papers, some comics, and tons of articles. I write reviews of most of them, and keep track of my progress and history at TheStoryGraph.

One unexpected twist: I switched to Apple. I already had an iPhone, now I also have an iPad and a mac. TL;DR: I needed a newer system with more RAM, and I got tired of dealing with Linux issues, so I'm now leaving it for servers, virtual machines and containers. I'm also not willing to ever touch an Android device until the planned obsolescence of only 2 years of security updates gets fixed everywhere (not only in Google official devices).

And something I failed at: Learning Swedish. But I'm going to remedy it this year.

Happy 2025! 🎉