Blogs on Alex Becker

What if the answer is less?

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 20:59:37 -0500

To say I am a massive fan of Linux dotfiles and tools would be an understatement. I have invested more time than I care to admit into crafting the perfect concoction of Linux tools and their associated dotfiles to get the most out of my system. From ripgrep to zoxide, a custom built dwm setup to hyprland…I have tried (or at least heard of) a good chunk of the tools out there. I also switch between several different Linux devices/operating systems, so I need something that would work across all of my systems.

NetworkChuck: I hate AI

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:51:17 -0500

NetworkChuck has long been one of my favorite channels for learning new things, particularly (as the name would suggest!) networking and infrastructure topics. His recent content on AI tools and workflows have also helped me learn new things, and think about many of the ways development is changing with the advent of new AI tools.

I appreciate balanced and honest takes like this…they are refreshing amidst the waves of hype around new technologies. There is a lot of uncertainty about where the market for software engineers is headed, but I tend to agree with more balanced takes like those in this video.

Community

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 22:39:21 -0600

Community is a powerful thing

Some of the greatest technological achievements have only been possible because groups of talented individuals band together to make something awesome. Not necessarily because they wanted to make a ton of money, but because they wanted something that did not yet exist and chose to create, rather than just settle. Open source is a truly powerful storm that has given rise to some of the best software on the market, including the operating system that powers nearly the entire internet (Linux).