Did some maintenance work on the blog today. Had to add a timestamp string to the resource calls to fix some cache issues. One of the pitfalls of rolling your own setup I suppose.

Screenshot of my Niri config

Trying out Niri, a scrollable tiling window manager and enjoying it so far.

Working on a timer

Coding a timer

Replacing clock sprites

I did a couple of quick improvised desk additions today. Making a hole for a countdown timer to sit and a mounting system for a roll of paper. Real task management tools.

Embedded countdown timer and todo list scroll

Process

First custom digit upload:

hand four as four

More clock work:

custom three

Working on a clock

New keyboard cutout and tray - and keyboard!

I finally got my chocofi keyboard build working and then immediately felt like I wanted it lower - closer to my lap. Part of the idea of keeping my desk in perpetual prototype mode is that I feel empowered to do things like cut a tray out of it - so I did.

The first step was a hole

Tools hanging on tool stands hung on a french cleat.

I reorganized the garage space a bit and decided to finally try something I've watched many youtube videos on - a French cleat. In it's simplest form it's a board with one edge cut at a 45 degree angle. You can hang things on it with backers cut at the matching angle.

I love this kind of adjustability mostly because it cuts down on paralysis. I'm not sure how much I'll actually rearrange here (probably some) but the real advantage is I could make these tool holders without feeling like I'm 'locked in' to them or that I should deeply consider and optimize.

Screenshot of the UI for my MP4 converter web app in progress

The frontend to node server to ffmpeg app is basically working. I want to do something fun but also not too rabbit hole-y with the interface though.

Thinking about a clock

Figuring out clock layout

Blaze Smith demoing constraint.systems

constraint.systems demo by Blaze Smith on TikTok

Thanks to Maxim for letting me know this happened.

Screenshot of prototype for converting movie files and GIFs

Making progress on the web-frontend + node-server-to-call-ffmpeg movie/gif converter. Mainly so far learning Node sort of has access to all your files if you want it too... optimistic if still not entirely sure where this one is going.

Screenshot of my desk with several computers out

Made some more wooden boxes. All the computers are out for some file transfer reorg.

I'm thinking about making a GIF/video converter with an HTML frontend that uses shell (ffmpeg and gifsicle) commands to do the conversions.

Screenshot of a figma prototype sketch

Desk with hanging box for mixer and hinged box for cords.

Three small additions to the desk today. Trying to tidy up based on where things have accumulated.

Open desk box with USB hubs.

Basement project table with sewing machine and marked off project section

I feel like these quick builds are an exercise in building intuition about "how wood goes together". And then using it is building intuition about "what makes a table feel good to use", that then feeds into the next build.

Process

Left wall I've my office, now filled with shoebox-sized bins.

I've gone all in on clear shoebox + masking tape storage. Great for locating cords and small electronics so far. Still more to be figured out in terms of overall sorting (I'm hoping a natural cache will emerge?).

Garden posting interface

New posting interface up for this site (garden.grantcuster.com). Complete with media (S3) upload, markdown preview and posting to Bluesky.