879 karma · joined October 8, 2013
For work: I serve as CTO / technical partner for start-ups & entrepreneurs, team leader for product development teams, and pre-sales / solution engineer for sales teams. I enjoy spending time with clients, and am the go-to guy to "make it happen".
Locations: Medellin Colombia / Austin Texas / NYC
Website: https://Jonathan.Rogivue.net
Personal: Jonathan@Rogivue.Net Work: JRO@Cambria-Labs.com
This is an excellent guide for creating & running a successful maker-space: https://www.maker-works.com/operations-book
(2) Hoping you might be able to point me in the right direction. I often take notes with clients in Markdown, and then after the call, do some cleanup. At that point, I would love to export it as a slick-looking PDF, and also HTML which I could paste into Apple Mail. I've done a few experiments with Markdown --> Pandoc --> HTML, but I started to realize I would need to dig deeper into Pandoc, figure out its HTML templates, create CSS. And wasn't sure if I ought to be doing Markdown-->HTML-->PDF. My ideal "flow" would be something like...
pandoc 2025-07-18_Client1_Topic.md --style "Client1.css" ---output 2025-07-18_Client1_topic.pdf --output 2025-08.18_Client1_Topic.html
When digging around in Pandoc, I also got the impression I would need to learn Tex formatting. I haven't figured out a "stack" on this topic, so thought you might have ideas.
Currently, I am using Obsidian for taking notes. Then I use the "Copy as HTML" 3rd party plugin to copy my Markdown notes as basically themed HTML. I then open up MacOS TextEdit, on Rich Text mode, and paste that in. I might do a bit of text formatting here, clean out [ ] markdown links, etc. Next, I copy & paste from TextEdit to Apple Mail. I sometimes color the headings manually, and other basic formatting. Here I'll add the "Hello, " and "Sincerely" wrap around the notes, and send. I'll then check my iPhone Mail to make sure the mail looks OK on Dark Mode.
Seems like a huge gap in the "note taking" tooling, but I'm hoping that I'm just ignorant of a few solid tools that can handle this workflow: "Take notes on a call, send them nicely formatted to client in email / PDF"
Thanks for any ideas / suggestions you can share!
// JRO
Direct link: https://www.maker-works.com/operations-book
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Intentional-Makerspace-Operations-Dal...
Yes, I experienced the same on PeerTube (MakerTube.net is the instance I used). Recently I experimented with TwitchTV - but wow, I everything about the interface & experience shouted "this is not for me!". I don't have a Google account, so (currently) streaming through YouTube is out - got any suggestions?
Agreed - some automation would be good. It was insightful reading the posts and doing the manual research, but I'd love to be able to query the page more.
I really like the idea of doing a live HN code jam - what are some things you would be interested in for the next session, that would make it a total win?
// JRO
HN Who's Hiring post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44434576
Join the video collaboration room: https://pop.com/j/531-840-214
Watch the live stream (PeerTube / MakerTube): https://makertube.net/w/cAL1cRuHCCvvvJW43EDtyu
This can be helpful for job search, and also to to give guideance on what technologies & tools to invest your time in learning.
If this is fun & valuable, we'll do some more code jam sessions.
// JRO
How to handle images & video content, when using git to track files? I'll explain my setup...
My vision is a somewhat "lo-fi" and 10+ year durable system - so even my "CI/CD" is more local, in the form of shell scripts, rather than remotely (like GitHub Actions)
I have a folder, that's basically my-website.com, and it has a folder `docs` for content (that's `mkdocs` default content folder). The top level directory is a git repository, which is pushed to Codeberg (code repository, similar to GitHub).
As a content editor, I currently use VSCodium (open-source VSCode) + FOAM (clone of ROAM, similar to Obsidian, which lets you cross-link Markdown files with Obsidian-style links [[MyLink]]. To be specific here, on MacOS, I created a shortcut to the website folder on Finder, and I drag that onto the VSCodium app icon, when I want to write. It's a pretty easy workflow on my computer (not practical on mobile)
I use MkDocs to generate the HTML site. I use a simple deploy script to run `mkdocs build` and `aws s3 sync` to copy the files to an AWS S3 bucket.
This all works pretty well, but I'm now trying to figure out how to handle photos & videos.
To give an example, I would have something like `~/_Websites/my-website.com/docs` and inside of that I would have `journal/2025/04/2025-04-23.md` as a journal entry. Related photos and videos, I use `journal/2025/04/media` - so its sort of a catch-all for all the media files for the month.
Recently, I added some large videos (unrelated: but I'm recording video of my CNC router doing cool stuff), and quickly realized
(1) Git is not the right spot for large media (I knew this, but just hadn't hit the problem yet - seeing how long `git pushes` take).
(1.1) I actually have a broken repo right now, as I committed video files into it, and can't `git push` without the network connection being cut. I think it may be on the Codeberg side, because they have a limit of 1 GB per repo.... So I'm also trying to figure out how to back out the change, get the video file out of there, and arrive to a better solution.
(2) After reading `git-lfs` (Git Large File Storage) website several times, I can't quite figure out how to integrate it - or IF I should integrate it.
(3) Now, I'm noodling on having something like a `MEDIA.my-website.com` directory, which is basically a non-git-tracked folder structure of photos/videos, which I would then rsync to a separate S3 bucket - and then website content could reference it. However - I'm fearful that over time, the markdown content and the media site would be out of "sync" - I frequently re-organize content as needed. For example, I might start with a `python` folder, and a `java` folder, but then later create a top-level `programming` folder. I could see doing the same with the media folder too. `padel` and `squash` folder (containing video clips of games, how-to's) might be grouped under a `sports` folder, and so on. Dragging these folders around while the media content is inside the folder usually doesn't cause problems, because of relative links. However when the content & media are in different file structures, broken links would happen - and this reduces the "fluidity" / increases friction in naturally re-organizing the site with time.
To conclude: - How to handle video media with git tracked markdown content?
Anyway! I appreciate your patience in reading this, and hope you get the idea of the setup - curious what folks who have been down this route can recommend.
- Computer: Used Dell Optiplex, bought on the streets of Medellin Colombia
- Operating system: Debian Linux / XFCE
- 2D design: Inkscape
- 3D design: Kiri:Moto (https://grid.space/kiri/), soon FreeCAD
- CNC controller: Universal G-Code Sender (UGS) --> GRBL
I am passionate about "maker-space entrepreneurship" (it's the dream job), so I'm meeting potential clients in my city to understand their ambitions and challenges, so we can work together to make useful prototypes to solve them.
Useful forums:
- https://forum.makerforums.info/ - This is my "new Hackernews"
(2) Affirmator - I'm building a system where you provide your goals as affirmations (example: "I feel healthy, fit and strong", "Today's the day to make it happen"). The system then uses Text-to-speech to generate voice audio files. Next Affirmator uses `mpv` (media player - similar to VLC) and `cron` to automatically shuffle-play these affirmations every day in the morning & evening. I recently used Python and FFMPEG to add "vocalization pauses" at the end of the affirmation audio, so that you have time to say the affirmation out loud.
Some of the driver & inspiration for this program is Earl Nightingale's "The Strangest Secret", Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich", James Clear's "Atomic Habits" and other personal development programs. These books always have these "every day, you should X" (meditate, write your goals, etc) - and I became frustated - Just how many "things" are you "supposed" to do per day, and how do they fit together, and how can you create helpful reminders & to turn these into habits? So far, I've been testing the system on myself, and it's been a HUGE help towards giving purpose to my life and day, and reducing feelings of depression & insecurity.
The solution is completely open-source (useable as web app, local docker container, and installable on a stand-alone computer - which I recommend), and I'll also soon offer it as a for-pay service.
If anyone is interested in these projects, I welcome contributors!
// JRO
// JRO from Cambria Labs
Location: Medellin Colombia / Austin Texas
Remote & Local
[ Technologies ]
• Web applications: Python, Django, React, SQLite, Docker, Render & AWS
• Specialty tech: Video & audio conversion (ffmpeg, sox), voice synthesis (ElevenLabs, Piper), document conversion, ebooks, interactive knowledge-bases (pandoc, mkdocs)
• Physical prototypes, using sustainable materials: 3D wood products (CNC routers), laser-etched metal (galvo fiber laser), 3D ceramics (3D ceramics printer), custom tech (example: new musical instruments)
[ Services ]
• Idea to Prototype / Agile product innovation
• Training & coaching - level up your team.
[ Practices ]
Pivotal Labs-style Pair-programming, test-driven development, "ship daily" & close client collaboration
Passionate about open-source.
Website: https://Cambria-Labs.com
Email: ASK@Cambria-Labs.com
Let's build your dream idea.
https://www.vmware.com/docs/design-guide-tanzu-labs
I also suggest downloading a copy of the Product Manager playbook. https://www.vmware.com/docs/vmware-tanzu-labs-product-manage...
Language Exchanges.
Many cities have a regular (Language)/English meetup. Spanish/English, Italian/English, etc. You might have to search a bit, but check Meet-up.com
Basically, you go to a bar/cafe, there are tables with flags like "Basic English", "Advanced Spanish". You sit down, introduce yourself, and chit chat! Since I am a native english speaker, I usually start by sitting with English Basic, so I can help people really in need :) then I go find Spanish basic, and will later move go a higher level table when my brain is warmed up.
What's great is that (1) everyone wants to learn another language, (2) travel is fun to talk about, (3) This format "fixes the glitch" about going to a bar/cafe solo, and finding it socially challenging to approach new people - having lots of conversations here is the point!
The demographic is diverse! Locals, travelers, young & old, a great mix of girls and guys.
I'll share my past 2 month journey - because it's actually shocking to me to go from 2'ish years of loneliness-vibes, to within a couple months - meeting some amazing people and getting into a social groove.
Language exchange visit #1: Met lots of interesting people. Later the event had a club/dance vibe, ended up dancing with some of the new people I met. That was cool! Since this was in another city and I was traveling, I wasn't able to follow up and hang with the new people I met.
Language exchange visit #2: Found on Meet-up. At a loud bar, hard to converse. A regular there told me about another weekly language meetup, in a nearby area. Basically, its a latin dance school which hosts 3 languages exchanges a week.
Language exchange visit #3: I found the language learning part great (well structured, rotate tables each 5-10 minutes), the dancing was frustrating. Couldn't understand the dance instructions, felt lost and clumsy in the group setting, I left discouraged a few times - and did't want to go back. Bummed.
Met a neighbor of mine, told her about the recent experience. She told me about another regular language exchange, in a farther part of town - and suggested I go.
Language exchange visit #4: Great meet up - calm coffee shop / wine bar vibe. I met several people, exchanged contacts. One guy mentioned he's hosting an upcoming holiday party and invited me. I went to it, and it was fun! Some other people from the language exchange were there, so I had a couple of people to talk with at the party. "See you at the language exchange?" - "I'll be there!"
Language exchange visit #5. Returned to the previous bar/cafe, greeted by familiar faces (several people remembered my name). I've been trying to get group sports going - and there are padel courts near me (a game similar to pickleball, squash, tennis). The guy partner from a nice couple I met expressed interest in playing padel - so I thought it would be a good way to expand the friendship vibes, and lean into social / fitness / fun activity, rather than "let's get a drink"
Me and the guy booked a padel court, and had a ton of fun playing. Near the end of the game, he mentioned - Man, we should do this weekly!
The following week, we scheduled another padel session. My new padel buddy asked if he could invite a few friends to join us play (with padel, you can do 1v1 or 2v2 people). Sure!
That padel game was so much fun! 4 dudes on a court, with no ideas the rules of the game, just having a blast keeping the ball going back and forth. Felt like teenagers again!
While taking break between games, I got an invite to a small-gathering holiday dinner party. I had been planning to have a solo night with the dogs, but wanted to actually spend time with good people too. The holiday party was last night, and tons of fun!
Work-wise, got an immediate benefit.
At the padel game, when doing the "what do you do for work" convo, I mentioned I'm a software developer / entrepreneur, and help people build their dream thing. One of the guys asked if we could meet up for coffee and talk through his business idea, which is happening this weekend...
Since I'm on entrepreneur mode - and that's been challenging - this was validation that the group sports / work pathway seems pretty good. Healthy active people with good ideas / important problems - hoping it will lead to some great clients/projects/opportunities.
I hope this inspires someone to give language exchange meet-ups a try, and also to lean into fun social group sports.
If you are passionate about open-source, give Codeberg a try. I linked to their Donate campaign - it would be good for our community for this organization and others to succeed.
Buena suerte!
Learn more about Codeberg: https://codeberg.org/
Thanks for bearing with the whiplash - my usual approach with open-source is that I try to figure out what the absolute best commercially-available tool is to solve a problem, then I go find out the best open-source equivalent and invest in that for the long term. Recent example (in speech synthesis): I'm prototyping with ElevenLabs (commercial/proprietary), and then investing in PiperTTS (open-source).
I bought one! When I got home, I was thinking - wow, it's been awhile since making a bootable linux USB drive. After figuring that out, the computer booted nicely into Debian, install was easy, but it brought back all these memories from college (at that time, I was using Mandrake and Gentoo - also on a Dell!).
My mind - full of ideas & possibilities, have been plugging random things into it to see what works - Logitech 3D Extreme flight stick: Yes! Yamaha keyboard - let's see!
I'm now on a journey to figure out how to get the sound system to work at root-level (so that 'cron' can play audio when a user's not logged in)
The whole point of the comment is that (1) this is so much fun, (2) Feels surprisingly good to be in open-source labd and not in MacOS world, (3) Debian Linux feels like a sturdy workhorse tool (4) Exploring the creative possibilities of open source tooling (and having patience for their user interfaces). For example, Inkscape, Blender 3D, music production.
Note: Even Steam worked, and the first game I installed (Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime) worked on the first try (!).
If you're in end-of-year tinker mode, consider picking up a used "mini computer" ("mini" is relative!) - slapping Linux on it, and making something cool.
It's a product of 20+ years of iteration & weekly retrospectives - and was used to coach clients on how to collaborate as a team and build high quality products. Definitely download it, and review from time to time - many gold nuggets.
https://tanzu.vmware.com/content/white-papers/vmware-tanzu-l...
(Used to work at Pivotal)
The idea is that mindset is important in the morning, and that we all want to do these healthy habits - meditation and yoga - and yet when life get's stressful, it's easy to fall out of a healthy rhythm.
I've been doing deep study about affirmations, our sub-conscious mind, and how to use repetition to change yourself - absolutely fascinating and effective. This Affirmatpr tool can help reduce the effects of depression & anxiety, help you set & internalize goals and habits for your dream life.
If anyone is interested in trying it out - I've got a prototype which can create customized affirmation sessions, and layer it on top of a calm music backing track)
Tech stack: Python / Django (soon) / Text to speech: ElevenLabs & Piper TTS. The automation currently runs with 'cron' on MacOS and Shortcuts.app/Music.app on iPhone.
Everything is open-source (Codeberg) and can run locally instead of cloud hosted, so maximum people can benefit (and so you can set private goals/affirmations that perhaps you don't want everyone to hear about).
I would love to meet others who would be interested in contributing / collaborating, as there is huge potential here. My contact is in my profile.
(2) Find out if there is a community maker-space in your area, and take a tour. You'll meet some of the most creative, entrepreneurial people there, and you'll see up-close, what's possible with product prototyping these days - 3D printed ceramics, robotics, CNC wood carving bots, metal carving, etc - and computer/code labs!
I ran a "Get your product on Shopify" workshop in a maker-space. It was tons of fun and high value - got people booted up with a custom domain name, photo of their product online, Buy it Now button, make a business card with a QR code. For software experts this kind of thing is easy (a couple of hours etc), but for most people - it can feel like an extremely complicated mission (managing DNS records, or adjusting a theme's CSS - super tricky!). Not that you need to go be a Shopify installer! But the point is that you can help turn someones dream into reality, and its satisfying for all involved.
Best of luck in the next chapter of your journey!
Note: I tried to run it on MacOS and had an issue with Python compatibility - ended up running it in a Docker container, got it working fine. If you experience the same issue, let me know - happy to share the code.
Putting principles into practice, we are exploring Codeberg for source code repository.
We evaluated GitLab - found the product confusing. Spoke to the organization, their priority is "enterprise" rather than open-source / entrepreneurship, so bounced out.