[{"content":"When building becomes easier than subscribing, business models shift.\nI replaced Trello in an afternoon.\nI replaced the system I use to manage all my tasks and projects.\nFor years, Trello has been my to-do list. A Kanban board where I brain dump ideas as they come to me, refine them, plan them, and then move them into what I need to do today. It holds personal work, hobbies, projects, loose thoughts, and commitments. It is how I track everything I am working on and keep my head clear.\nYesterday, I described what I wanted instead.\nClaude wrote the application. It generated the code, structured the logic, and produced a working web app. It then helped me install it in a container on my personal NAS, lock it down properly, and expose it securely using a Cloudflare tunnel. I can now access it from anywhere.\nIt works.\nI am a product person, not a professional software engineer.\nThat changes who gets to build, and how businesses operate.\nPutting software into a business generally requires compromise.\nSome large organisations build systems around their operating model. Most businesses adapt to the software they buy. They either shape their workflow to fit the product, or invest heavily to bend the product toward them. Both options carry cost. Financial cost. Time cost. Operational cost.\nProducts must generalise. Businesses operate in specifics.\nUntil now, the cost of building something specific was too high for a lot of businesses.\nThat balance has shifted.\nThere is an important nuance here.\nGetting to a working version is now cheap. Keeping it robust as it grows is still engineering.\nAI can generate a strong MVP quickly. But long-term maintainability, testing, security, clean architecture, and resilience still matter — especially once other people depend on the system. If I start layering features onto this app without structure, it will likely break.\nEngineering does not disappear.\nWhat changes is the sequence.\nIn the past, you needed engineering capacity before you could even test whether something was worth building. Now you can build, test, refine, and validate value before committing to formal engineering investment.\nThat shifts risk. It shifts capital allocation. It shifts speed.\nAnd with AI evolving as quickly as it is, the boundary is already moving. Today it scaffolds version one. It will not be long before it scaffolds production patterns — testing frameworks, modular design, deployment structure — from the outset.\nEngineering still matters. But the distance between operator and engineer is narrowing.\nThis is not about Trello.\nTrello is a good product. It solves a clear problem. But my workflow is personal. It evolves. I think in certain patterns. I structure tasks in a particular way. I want automation to behave differently from how a general SaaS platform designs it.\nIn the past, that meant compromise.\nNow it means describing what I want and refining it until it works.\nThe barrier between workflow and implementation has collapsed.\nBecause I own the application, I can now integrate AI directly into it in ways that suit me. Not as a plug-in bolted onto someone else\u0026rsquo;s roadmap, but embedded into the workflow itself.\nThe system is no longer static. It can evolve. It can assist. It can adapt.\nFor a small business, this could be enough. A focused, fit-for-purpose tool built quickly and owned entirely. That was rarely viable before.\nThe broader implication is economic.\nIf a single operator can build a working internal tool in hours:\nThe cost of experimentation drops. The cost of validation drops. The dependency on subscription software weakens. The leverage of operators increases. The question inside businesses shifts from:\n\u0026ldquo;Should we subscribe to this?\u0026rdquo;\nto\n\u0026ldquo;Can we build this?\u0026rdquo;\nThat is a different conversation.\nThere is already plenty of noise about AI writing code. That is not what this is about.\nThis is about sequencing, risk, and control.\nWhen version one is cheap, experimentation increases. When experimentation increases, business models adjust.\nAI is not removing engineering.\nIt is compressing the path to engineered systems.\nAnd that changes the build versus subscription equation.\nI have built the MVP.\nNow I will version it properly. I will look at how it scales, how features get added, where structure is needed, and what breaks when complexity increases.\nThat is the next phase.\nIf AI is already this capable at version one, the more interesting question is what version two looks like — and how quickly it arrives.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/ai-is-rewriting-the-build-vs-subscription-equation/","summary":"When building becomes easier than subscribing, business models shift.","title":"AI Is Rewriting the Build vs Subscription Equation"},{"content":"Last night I was talking to a young senior project manager who works at a university, and I caught myself asking my usual question: if he had started using AI yet.\nHis response was positive, and I was happy to hear that the university has been encouraging everyone to try it and has given people Copilot licences. He has been using it a bit. Mostly for meeting notes. Then he said he still enjoys doing the critical thinking himself. That is the part of the job he likes.\nI have heard some version of that answer a few times now, and I was glad he was actually using it.\nNormally this is where I go into my standard explanation. That he is the subject matter expert. That AI does not replace his thinking, it helps him move faster. That it can act as a kind of critic — something to push back on his ideas, ask the awkward questions, stress-test what he already knows.\nI know that explanation well. I have said it often enough!\nBut later, thinking about the conversation again, it struck me that the explanation felt small compared to what we are now seeing in AI tools.\nNot wrong. Just incomplete.\nOver the last few weeks, watching what is happening with tools like Claude Code, I have had a growing sense that using AI to refine writing, do research, or critique your work is useful, but it is not the real shift. The barrier to creating automation workflows, with inbuilt agentic AI, is now here for the masses. That feels structural. It feels like something underneath the work itself is moving.\nI feel this is where the conversation should be, rather than focusing on getting people to use AI for writing.\nA couple of years ago I worked with an automation company using one of the large enterprise platforms. Automating a business process was heavy work. Discovery. Specialists. Long timelines. Significant budgets. It was powerful but slow, and only certain organisations could afford to do it properly.\nAutomation felt like something you implemented.\nWhat feels different now is how light and accessible it has become.\nWith tools like Claude Code, anyone in a business doing a repetitive task can build a small capability for themselves. Something that runs in the background. Something they monitor while doing other work. They do not stop working. They start supervising work instead.\nThat shift feels like a turning point.\nIf businesses are not testing how they can use this technology to evolve, they may find their business model is no longer viable in the future.\nThat is the part I keep coming back to.\nLarge enterprise organisations often cannot move quickly. Small to medium sized businesses, however, have a real opportunity. They are agile enough to change how they work. They are close enough to their processes to see what is actually happening.\nAt the same time, they still have silos. Small systems. Local workarounds. Processes that have grown inside teams and stayed because they mostly work.\nThat is where this becomes interesting.\nIt is not about automating everything. It is about looking across those processes and spotting the smaller ones, the repetitive or invisible parts, that could genuinely change how people work day to day.\nFinding where automation frees people up instead of getting in the way.\nAnd having someone inside the business who can hold that view. Someone who can look across teams, notice patterns, and put enough structure around change so it does not become chaotic.\nThe work shifts away from doing the process and toward shaping it. Watching it. Governing it. Adjusting it as it runs.\nThat is the part that feels exciting to me.\nAI tools are moving so fast that what we build today may do much more in a few months, or be built directly into the platform itself. Changes need to be implemented lightly, in a way that allows them to evolve as the tooling evolves.\nEvery business needs a champion. Someone to educate. Provide governance and security. Help the organisation use these tools to evolve with them.\nBusiness models as we know them will change.\nIt feels like the beginning of a different kind of work, and I cannot stop thinking about what that might look like as it unfolds.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/medium-sized-businesses-and-the-next-shift/","summary":"The barrier to creating automation workflows, with inbuilt agentic AI, is now here for the masses.","title":"Medium Sized Businesses and the Next Shift"},{"content":"I keep noticing the same thing in different businesses.\nSystems go in. A lot of work goes into them. People try hard to make them succeed.\nAnd yet, I\u0026rsquo;m often left with the sense that some of the underlying problems are still there.\nWhen I think about why that happens, I usually end up back at the same place — the solution gets chosen too early. Once a tool or platform is locked in, everything that follows is about making it work, not questioning whether it was the right thing in the first place.\nI\u0026rsquo;ve seen this most clearly with infrastructure. People lean on what they know. I get it — familiarity feels safe, especially when you\u0026rsquo;re responsible for keeping things running. But I\u0026rsquo;ve also watched that familiarity quietly shape decisions, even when the business context is different from before.\nWith SaaS and applications, it plays out differently but lands in a similar spot. Decisions happen inside teams. They know their space well, but not always how it fits into the wider picture. The gaps don\u0026rsquo;t show up straight away. They appear later, when changing course is expensive.\nNone of this feels malicious or careless.\nIf anything, it feels like experience doing what experience does — narrowing your field of view.\nThat idea stuck with me after reading an interview with Ricardo Amper from Incode Technologies. He talked about valuing people who haven\u0026rsquo;t built up too many assumptions yet, because they start from first principles. It made me wonder how often \u0026ldquo;knowing too much\u0026rdquo; gets in the way of asking the right questions.\nI\u0026rsquo;ve found that when I\u0026rsquo;m most useful, it\u0026rsquo;s early on — when things are still unclear, when the problem isn\u0026rsquo;t well defined, and when there\u0026rsquo;s a bit of discomfort in the room. That\u0026rsquo;s usually where the real work is, even though it doesn\u0026rsquo;t look like progress yet.\nI still care a lot about technical depth. It matters.\nBut the longer I do this, the more I think good IT leadership is less about having the answers and more about staying curious for longer than is comfortable.\nThe best outcomes I\u0026rsquo;ve been part of didn\u0026rsquo;t come from clever tools. They came from slowing down early, resisting the urge to jump to solutions, and being honest about what we didn\u0026rsquo;t understand yet.\nThat\u0026rsquo;s the mindset I keep trying to hold onto — even when everything around me is pushing for quick decisions and familiar answers.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/it-leadership-and-a-product-mindset/","summary":"Good IT leadership is less about having the answers and more about staying curious for longer than is comfortable.","title":"IT Leadership and a Product Mindset"},{"content":"I recently set up a Plex server with containerised applications — Plex, Sonarr, Radarr, Prowlarr, and Syncthing. A previous attempt months earlier had failed due to outdated guides, mismatched versions, and documentation written for different configurations.\nThis time, rather than consulting forums and YouTube videos, I used ChatGPT during active troubleshooting. I created a private project, shared screenshots, and asked specific questions as problems arose — permissions errors, folder mappings, and container visibility issues. While ChatGPT gets things wrong, the experience was like having a very capable tech mate sitting next to me while I worked through it, rather than decoding advice written for someone else\u0026rsquo;s setup.\nThe work involved 12–14 hour days debugging:\nWrong container versions requiring rebuilds User permission issues Complex folder mappings across containers Plex seeing files Radarr couldn\u0026rsquo;t access Radarr downloading content Plex ignored Syncthing executing commands incorrectly Rather than simply copying steps, I reasoned through why failures occurred, which meant genuine learning.\nThe outcome: a functional Plex setup I actually understand. ChatGPT helped document the configuration from our conversation history, creating reference notes for future troubleshooting.\nThe breakthrough wasn\u0026rsquo;t technical — it was about solving problems with a tool rather than jumping between disconnected advice sources. ChatGPT didn\u0026rsquo;t magically resolve issues; it helped me think, test, and keep moving.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/chatgpt-made-implementing-new-tech-fun-again/","summary":"The breakthrough was solving problems with a tool rather than jumping between disconnected advice sources.","title":"ChatGPT Made Implementing New Tech Fun Again"},{"content":"We have been sitting outside for dinner a lot of late. Melbourne weather finally turned to summer.\nStill have not got the perfect picture of our rainbow lorikeets but the camera always comes out with us.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/life-at-home/","summary":"Melbourne weather finally turned to summer.","title":"Life at Home"},{"content":"I carry a drink bottle everywhere now.\nI don\u0026rsquo;t really remember when that became normal, but somewhere along the way it just happened. These days my kids don\u0026rsquo;t go anywhere without one either.\nMy daughter got her first Frank Green bottle for Christmas, and I\u0026rsquo;ve noticed it gets moved around the house way more than her old plastic one from Officeworks ever did. It somehow feels more \u0026ldquo;important\u0026rdquo;.\nI am a sparkling water drinker.\nI love my Sodastream, and working from home I will easily get through three or four bottles a day. But if you have ever tried using a normal sports drink bottle with sparkling water, you will know it\u0026rsquo;s… not great.\nI have tried plenty of times. It works, technically, but it is far from ideal.\nIt doesn\u0026rsquo;t stay cold.\nThe fizz disappears quickly.\nAnd the pop-top lid pops open at the worst possible moment, spraying you — and anything nearby — with water.\nThe other night I decided I wanted a better option. Sodastream does make a bottle, but it\u0026rsquo;s a classic screw-lid style, which isn\u0026rsquo;t great when you are on the go or in the car.\nAnd I came across the Ninja Thirsti 530ml insulated travel bottle. It\u0026rsquo;s designed specifically for sparkling water.\nIt still has a screw lid, but it\u0026rsquo;s a fast-action one, so it\u0026rsquo;s much easier to use. I also didn\u0026rsquo;t want a huge bottle that\u0026rsquo;s annoying to carry around, and this is about the same size as my sports drink bottle.\nAmazon had it on sale for $35 AUD, so I now have one.\nNote that is a fair bit cheaper than a Frank Green, which usually sits around $60–$70.\nVerdict\nIt\u0026rsquo;s excellent. Easily my new favourite drink bottle, and it now goes everywhere with me.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/drink-bottles/","summary":"I carry a drink bottle everywhere now. When did that become normal?","title":"Drink Bottles Have Become a Thing"},{"content":"This piece was written about seven months ago but never published. I\u0026rsquo;m sharing it now to help others seeking cost clarity on cochlear implants.\nYesterday was my cochlear implant activation day.\nThe Hearing Aid Dilemma Before choosing a cochlear implant for my right ear and hearing aid for my left (both Advanced Bionics), I considered hearing aid options:\nSame end-of-life model: $4,200 Newer model (single Bluetooth connection): $4,800 Two new hearing aids with latest technology: $7,600 Working in technology, I recognised most improvements were software-based rather than hardware changes, making the pricing frustrating.\nThe Information Gap The central problem: no one could provide definitive pricing for cochlear implants.\nI received conflicting estimates. Online sources cited $30,000 to $50,000 AUD. Some specialists casually mentioned around $5,000. No clinic could confirm actual costs upfront.\nNotably, information about the public health system option — free surgery with 12+ month wait times — wasn\u0026rsquo;t presented early. Given my work impacts and social withdrawal, I prioritised faster private options.\nThe Actual Cost Despite booking surgery without knowing final expenses, clarity came one week before the procedure. With private health insurance covering the procedure, I paid only my hospital excess: $500 AUD.\nAustralia-Specific Information For those considering this path:\nPublic system: Free but potentially lengthy wait times Private health: Requires mid-to-upper hospital coverage; base-level policies typically exclude it The uncertainty delayed my decision by years, despite earlier hearing loss.\nPossible Cost Breakdown Reflecting on the $5,000 estimate I\u0026rsquo;d heard, I suspect this may have included a matching Cochlear-brand hearing aid for the other ear ($3,000–$4,000), separate app systems, and potential additional out-of-pocket costs depending on insurance (up to $2,000).\nThis still falls far short of the $30,000–$50,000 figures circulating online.\nUnderstanding Australia\u0026rsquo;s actual system earlier would have prompted action sooner.\nNow what happened… that is for another post, but let\u0026rsquo;s say I am unique and now have had the surgery twice.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/cost-of-a-cochlear/","summary":"A procedure initially believed to cost tens of thousands resulted in a $500 out-of-pocket expense through private health insurance in Australia.","title":"Cost of a Cochlear"},{"content":"It\u0026rsquo;s a common workplace challenge: the gradual mixing of work and personal activities on a single work laptop. This usually happens unintentionally, as you open browsers, sign into multiple accounts, and eventually have everything — work email, personal email, saved passwords — living in one place.\nThe frustrations are familiar: unexpected logouts, links opening in the wrong accounts, confusion about which credentials you\u0026rsquo;re using. But most people don\u0026rsquo;t recognise this as a solvable problem; they simply accept it as normal.\nThe Simple Solution Keep work and personal browsing clearly separated using two browsers:\nMicrosoft Edge for work activities Google Chrome for personal use This works particularly well in Microsoft 365 environments and requires no complicated security measures — just intentional organisation.\nGetting Set Up Designate which browser handles work versus personal tasks Sign into work accounts only in Edge Move personal bookmarks to Chrome Review and organise saved passwords Create separate dock or taskbar icons for easy identification Consistently open relevant links in the appropriate browser This straightforward change reduces friction in daily work, making the laptop experience calmer and more straightforward. It doesn\u0026rsquo;t need to be perfect — just intentional.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/managing-personal-email-on-a-work-laptop/","summary":"A simple two-browser approach to keeping work and personal life cleanly separated.","title":"Managing Personal Email on a Work Laptop"},{"content":"During the COVID-19 pandemic, I transitioned to remote work and never returned to the office. Working from home with a remote team across different time zones became my standard arrangement. However, I gradually realised I was experiencing hearing loss in my right ear — a development I didn\u0026rsquo;t initially notice until early 2022 when socialising in a noisy café revealed my difficulty understanding conversations.\nIn August 2022, I received my first hearing aid for my right ear. Wow, I had forgotten what hearing was supposed to be like.\nI suffer from Menière\u0026rsquo;s disease, which causes severe vertigo episodes followed by progressive hearing loss. Over five years, I experienced three major episodes — likely stress-triggered — each resulting in significant deterioration of my right ear\u0026rsquo;s hearing capabilities.\nEven with hearing aid assistance, public spaces became increasingly challenging. During a mountain biking trip, a friend pointed out that I was interrupting conversations mid-discussion, prompting self-reflection about my social interactions.\nConnect Hearing and Cochlear\u0026rsquo;s Success Manager guided me through cochlear implant assessment. Testing revealed my left ear was also deteriorating rapidly. After researching options, I chose Advanced Bionics for its integrated technology solution, allowing wireless connectivity similar to a very expensive pair of AirPods.\nTwo days post-surgery following my right ear cochlear implant procedure, I\u0026rsquo;m experiencing expected tinnitus and mild discomfort but anticipate activation in two weeks.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/going-deaf/","summary":"A personal account of progressive hearing loss, Menière\u0026rsquo;s disease, and the path to a cochlear implant.","title":"Going Deaf"},{"content":"My first bag I had made was a colossal failure.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/my-first-bag-was-a-colossal-failure/","summary":"Sometimes the first attempt at creating something custom doesn\u0026rsquo;t go to plan.","title":"My First Bag I Had Made Was a Colossal Failure"},{"content":"I recently purchased a Waterfly sling bag to test against my requirements. Despite meeting some criteria on paper, the bag disappoints in execution.\nStructural Problems The bag lacks rigidity, making it difficult to insert water bottles into side pockets. Without structural support, putting a water bottle in the pouch was nearly impossible.\nPoor Feature Implementation The iPad pocket accommodates only 11-inch models without protective cases — puzzling, since users typically protect their devices. The phone-access pocket positioned too high on the strap requires pulling the bag forward to access, which is ineffective for taller users.\nUnnecessary Features An exterior open pocket complicates access to the main compartment unnecessarily. Bag makers add features as a low-cost selling point, but functionally, they can be a negative.\nUpdated Requirements After this experience, I refined my specifications to 13 prioritised requirements using the MoSCoW methodology:\nSingle-handed phone access Quick main pocket accessibility Structural integrity for water bottle storage Affordable pricing under $100 The detailed analysis reveals a gap between marketed features and genuine usability.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/do-bag-makers-understand-their-customers/","summary":"Examining whether bag manufacturers truly understand customer needs, through the lens of a Waterfly sling bag.","title":"Do Bag Makers Really Understand Their Customers?"},{"content":"I had one of those major life events this September.\nIt was my birthday week. Work was not a lot of fun, I couldn\u0026rsquo;t remember the last time I had really laughed at work and on top of that, they were making organisational changes and cut the Product department in half.\nThen that day happened, I was made redundant.\nI had the flight or fight experience.\nIt was a strong emotion and I wanted to fight!\nAnd you know what? I\u0026rsquo;m really at my best when I\u0026rsquo;m fit and regularly swimming and riding.\nSo I went with it.\nAnd 4 weeks on I am feeling great, I have lost weight, I know I will get a job when the right one comes up.\nReflection I had wanted a change, but was not ready for it. If I am honest with myself, I was unhappy at work, I was not being healthy in my personal life. But I was wanting to just get through this hump and I thought I would get back on track and make the changes then.\nBut life has taught me too many times — that some things are just not to be and to trust my gut and pivot when you need to and then run with it.\nI am really excited about the future!!\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/major-life-event/","summary":"Being made redundant, and the unexpected clarity that followed.","title":"Major Life Event"},{"content":"I have been searching for a specific type of bag that I believe may not exist. I\u0026rsquo;ve conducted extensive research but haven\u0026rsquo;t found a product meeting all my needs.\nInitial Requirements Using the MoSCoW prioritisation method, I outlined seven key criteria:\nMust-have: Water bottle capacity that keeps containers upright and prevents leakage Must-have: Small enough for frequent carrying with just water bottles Should-have: Large enough for children\u0026rsquo;s snacks and jackets Could-have: Safe storage for a 13-inch iPad Must-have: Lightweight and shoulder-friendly Must-have: Self-supporting structure (won\u0026rsquo;t tip over) Must-have: Budget under $100 Success Metrics Success would mean using the bag consistently and finding it versatile for multiple occasions.\nResearch Findings When discussing the problem with friends, I resisted jumping to solutions, preferring to stay in the discovery phase. Suggestions included baby bags and tool bags.\nAfter extensive research, I identified one potential candidate: the Ozcarry small canvas tool bag with external pockets, though it costs approximately $156 plus shipping — exceeding my budget.\nThe search continues. I may end up designing and creating my own bag if a suitable commercial option cannot be found.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/i-cant-find-a-bag-that-suits/","summary":"Using MoSCoW prioritisation to define what I actually need from a bag.","title":"I Can't Find a Bag That Suits"},{"content":"I love bags and have bought far too many over the years… this is my view on how we should look at bags.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/my-bag-philosophy/","summary":"I love bags and have bought far too many over the years.","title":"My Bag Philosophy"},{"content":"On May 27th, 2023, I experienced a serious mountain biking accident while attempting trails that exceeded my skill level. The incident resulted in four broken ribs, requiring rescue services to evacuate me from the trails.\nFollowing the accident, I spent a week hospitalised. Compounding this misfortune, I contracted COVID-19 the day before my accident, having been exposed at a work meeting. My COVID symptoms emerged during my hospital stay.\nI would not wish on anyone having the spicy cough with broken ribs. Even the smallest cough or movement would cause more pain than I had ever experienced.\nRecovery stretched across three months — a particularly difficult timeframe given my circumstances. I had been actively working to regain fitness, shedding pandemic-related weight gain and returning to my previous physical condition.\nI have struggled to get that mental drive back. The injury\u0026rsquo;s lasting impact extended beyond physical healing to emotional resilience and motivation.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/2023-isnt-working-out-as-expected/","summary":"A mountain biking accident, broken ribs, and COVID — all at once.","title":"2023 Isn't Working Out as Expected"},{"content":"I\u0026rsquo;ve been carrying bags for over 20 years in IT — including early Crumpler bags before they sold to venture capitalists — and none of them adequately meet my current needs as a parent.\nThe primary challenge: there aren\u0026rsquo;t bags designed specifically for family outings. Children require drink bottles during activities, but most bags don\u0026rsquo;t accommodate multiple bottles on the exterior. This is critical — when one leaks (and it\u0026rsquo;s not if, but when), if they are inside the bag, everything gets damaged.\nMy typical outing involves carrying three drink bottles, snacks, and children\u0026rsquo;s jumpers that accumulate throughout the day.\nExisting options fall into two categories: specialised drink carriers or standard backpacks, with nothing bridging both functions.\nIs this a genuine market need, or just a personal preference? I suspect others share this pain point in family outings.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/a-bag-for-a-dad-with-kids/","summary":"None of the bags I\u0026rsquo;ve owned in 20+ years of IT actually meet my current needs as a parent.","title":"I Want a Day Bag for a Dad with Kids"},{"content":"I attended a 4×4 camping show with two objectives: finding a ready-made camper/caravan and researching various design features. However, the excitement of potentially purchasing an Opus camper immediately overwhelmed my original plan.\nAt the show, sales staff persuaded me to consider the larger 4-person Opus model instead of the smaller 2-person version I\u0026rsquo;d researched. The bigger unit offered more room to pack the things I need and similar weight specifications. A discounted price with a 2-week delivery timeframe made the opportunity feel urgent.\nReality Check After the Show That evening, something felt amiss. I spent hours researching online, joining Facebook user groups, and watching setup videos. I discovered critical issues: the pack-down process took 20+ minutes rather than the advertised 5 minutes, storage for a monitor was impossible, and bicycles required roof mounting and removal before setup. The camper exceeded my weight limit and budget.\nThe Decision When I went to sleep that night with the conclusion I was not going to buy it, I slept sooo well.\nThe emotional rush of potentially getting something immediately had clouded my judgment.\nI applied the MoSCoW prioritisation method and removed emotion from the decision-making process — a valuable lesson in distinguishing genuine needs from impulsive desires.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/nearly-bought-a-camper/","summary":"When the excitement of buying something nearly overrides rational decision-making.","title":"Nearly Bought a Camper"},{"content":"I\u0026rsquo;ve been exploring the Australian caravan market while searching for a mobile office-residence solution. Compact hybrid vans with pop-top roofs — typically 10–12 feet long — command prices exceeding $90,000 AUD, despite their compromises in functionality and space.\nMy research reveals a troubling pattern: manufacturers frequently introduce these smaller models, then discontinue them within a couple of years, suggesting poor market reception. The compromises that come with a shorter van with a pop top are hard to justify at such a high price.\nBudget alternatives exist but often feature impractical components. Cheaper models include flimsy kitchens that won\u0026rsquo;t last more than a few years, making them questionable investments.\nFacing these limitations, I\u0026rsquo;m contemplating a DIY approach — acquiring a basic utility trailer with a custom-built box structure, allowing hobbyist customisation without the premium markup of commercial manufacturers.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/caravan-industry-in-au/","summary":"Exploring the Australian caravan market and finding that compact hybrid vans don\u0026rsquo;t add up.","title":"Caravan Industry in AU"},{"content":"I have an ongoing challenge of capturing ideas while engaged in activities like beach walks, mountain biking, or driving. I\u0026rsquo;ve experimented with built-in voice-to-text features across platforms including OneNote and Apple Notes, but found the transcriptions often confusing upon later review.\nI recently returned to using Otter.ai and its distinctive advantage stands out: it not only converts voice to text but also keeps the original voice recording for reference when the transcription isn\u0026rsquo;t quite right.\nThis dual functionality — maintaining both the audio file and the transcription — has been transformative for my note-taking workflow. It addresses a fundamental problem with voice capture: the unpredictability of speech-to-text interpretation. By preserving the original recording, you can verify unclear passages without losing the spontaneous insights captured in the moment.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/otter-ai-voice-to-text-notes/","summary":"A voice-to-text tool that keeps the original recording alongside the transcription.","title":"Otter.ai – Voice to Text Notes"},{"content":"I can\u0026rsquo;t emphasise enough how much a morning walk boosts my mental health, especially when working from home means my only interactions are through Teams calls for days on end.\nI\u0026rsquo;ve been capturing photos with my iPhone on walks over the past month. The phone\u0026rsquo;s image quality is more than sufficient for my purposes since I don\u0026rsquo;t plan to print the photos.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/beach-in-the-morning/","summary":"Morning walks and iPhone photography — a mental health essential when working from home.","title":"Beach in the Morning"},{"content":"I\u0026rsquo;ve been analysing the financial viability of purchasing an Office on Wheels (OoW) — a caravan — as an alternative to renting cabin accommodations for weekend getaways around Melbourne.\nThe Numbers Estimated OoW cost: approximately $40,000.\nFrequent usage (4 nights fortnightly): ROI in 2.96 years compared to cabin rentals.\nRealistic usage (2 nights monthly): ROI of 13.99 years — significantly longer than typical capital investment timelines.\nUsing caravan parks with an owned vehicle provides about $5,530 per year in savings versus cabin rentals, though total annual travel expenses reach approximately $17,880.\nAlternative: Renting Seasonally Renting a property seasonally in a single location proves substantially more expensive than caravan park fees with owned equipment, making the mobile lifestyle more economically attractive.\nBeyond the Numbers There are non-monetary advantages too: increased travel flexibility, family weekend getaway capability, and the ability to camp during interstate trips to Adelaide during holidays.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/oow-cost-of-caravan-parks/","summary":"A financial analysis of whether owning a camper actually saves money compared to cabin rentals.","title":"OoW – Cost of Caravan Parks"},{"content":"I planned to create a video from this trip using iPhone clips and GoPro footage, but never got around to completing it. I didn\u0026rsquo;t end up with many photos because I planned to create a video instead.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/tasmania-mtb-trip/","summary":"A mountain biking adventure to Tasmania — photos from the trip.","title":"Tasmania MTB Trip"},{"content":"I\u0026rsquo;ve been documenting my initial planning phase for an Office on Wheels project — a mobile workspace and camper trailer combination. I\u0026rsquo;m using Notion to organise research and define the project\u0026rsquo;s capabilities and requirements.\nI initially envisioned a single-bed design, emphasising the office functionality over sleeping quarters. However, upon developing user stories, I had a realisation: it needs to have a double bed as I will use it to go away other than for just working trips.\nDesign Specifications My preliminary sketches outline dimensions of approximately 2200mm wide with a 3600mm main cabin length. The trailer features an extended drawbar with an integrated bike rack to keep the overall structure lightweight and portable.\nPrototyping Strategy Drawing on past experience, I reference a cautionary lesson: furniture pieces that met individual requirements proved too small for all the things we had not thought of… and ultimately they were very expensive failures.\nTo mitigate similar issues, I plan to construct a full-scale mockup of the interior within my studio space.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/where-to-start-office-on-wheels/","summary":"Using Notion to plan the Office on Wheels project — and discovering it needs a double bed.","title":"Where to Start – Office on Wheels"},{"content":"Melbourne turning it on this morning.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/morning-walks/","summary":"Melbourne turning it on this morning.","title":"Morning Walks"},{"content":"As a Product Manager working from home as a single father, I\u0026rsquo;ve long desired a camper trailer to enable weekend getaways for mountain biking and photography while maintaining work capability.\nAs a remote worker with weekday flexibility, I could utilise caravan parks during less crowded periods at reduced costs compared to cabin rentals.\nThe Reframe How might I have a place to work from that is easily transportable, lightweight, so I take it more often than not, has room for a desk and proper chair, plus a bed and kitchen?\nThe core question I\u0026rsquo;m reconsidering: does a hybrid solution exist? An Office on Wheels that can also serve as a camper trailer or caravan?\nRather than viewing these as separate needs, combining mobile workspace functionality with traditional camper amenities could address an underserved market segment.\nDo others share similar needs for integrated work-and-travel solutions?\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/office-on-wheels-looking-at-this-wrong/","summary":"Reframing the challenge: what if a camper trailer could also be a mobile office?","title":"Office on Wheels – Have I Been Looking at This Wrong?"},{"content":"After chatting with a mate at work post-Easter, I learned he and his partner took the train from Melbourne to Warrnambool to spend the long weekend with family. In Australia, long-distance train travel isn\u0026rsquo;t as common as in the UK or Europe — people usually drive or fly instead.\nBut it wasn\u0026rsquo;t the transportation method that captured my attention; it was the destination itself.\nI frequently drive between Melbourne and Adelaide to visit family, a journey requiring 9–10 hours depending on bathroom breaks. Departing at 6:30 in the morning typically results in mid-afternoon arrival.\nRecently, my children and I have begun adding stopovers in country towns along the main route. These areas remain largely unexplored, and numerous mountain bike trails between the two cities await discovery.\nI have significant advantages: my work environment allows remote operation from anywhere, and I have every second weekend free when my children stay with their mother. Currently, I take short mountain biking trips during these free periods.\nThis Easter, camping in a swag provided adventure but limited convenience. Cabin stays offer better amenities but prove expensive, discouraging extended stays.\nThe central question: should I, like many Australians currently doing, purchase a camper trailer?\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/getting-out-to-see-australia/","summary":"Should I, like many Australians currently doing, purchase a camper trailer?","title":"Getting Out to See Australia"},{"content":"I\u0026rsquo;ve outlined my specific requirements for a camper trailer suited to solo travel:\nA lightweight trailer that won\u0026rsquo;t strain the towing vehicle or budget Quick setup and breakdown Dedicated workspace Covered outdoor area via awning Standing room for changing clothes Toilet and shower facilities Bike rack capacity for at least four bicycles Reasonable cost A Potential Solution I initially planned to build my own trailer while driving extensive distances during Easter. However, I discovered the Opus Lite model, which could meet my needs effectively.\nThe Trade-off The Opus Lite features rapid setup and takedown, including the awning mechanism. While I\u0026rsquo;d prefer hard walls for weather protection, I recognise this as a compromise. The cost saving outlays the compromise — the financial benefits outweigh the structural limitations of a soft-sided design.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/what-does-a-camper-trailer-look-like/","summary":"Defining requirements for a lightweight camper trailer and discovering the Opus Lite.","title":"What Does a Camper Trailer Look Like?"},{"content":"My fitness has declined over the past three years, and old photos reveal I was considerably more fit previously. While I\u0026rsquo;ve managed to stay reasonably fit throughout my life, taking occasional breaks from swimming and cycling, the pandemic and shift to remote work have been particularly damaging to my health.\nOver the years, I\u0026rsquo;ve managed to stay reasonably fit, but whenever work gets crazy or life throws a curveball, I\u0026rsquo;ve taken breaks from swimming — and typically recovered quickly. However, recent years proved different. I\u0026rsquo;ve gained more weight than ever and become increasingly sedentary.\nFor 2023, I\u0026rsquo;m committing to transformation through daily movement and improved fitness. The motivation struck while photographing children and fathers enjoying the beach. Observing their big smiles and boundless energy inspired me to pursue my health goals with renewed determination, using movement as my primary strategy for recovery.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/2023-the-year-of-movement/","summary":"Committing to daily movement after years of pandemic-related fitness decline.","title":"2023 – The Year of Movement"},{"content":"Most people tend to look at the available technology and then determine how it fits into their lives, rather than defining needs first.\nI\u0026rsquo;ve observed significant fragmentation in Australia\u0026rsquo;s DIY smart home market. Many products lack integration capabilities, and retail displays from major vendors remain broken without repairs. Sales staff often lack adequate product knowledge.\nFor Non-Technical Users I recommend commercial solutions installed by systems integrators, despite higher upfront costs. Alternatively, for simple needs, Philips Hue just works — though it\u0026rsquo;s expensive and not the brightest option available.\nFor Technical Enthusiasts Home Assistant integrates with nearly all other vendors\u0026rsquo; platforms, creating a single interface. However, users should expect ongoing maintenance and troubleshooting.\nFor Casual Builders The Tuya Smart Life platform offers affordable options through retailers like Kogan and JB HiFi, with Google speaker integration available.\nMarket Observations Many vendors white-label Tuya\u0026rsquo;s platform under different brand names, creating unnecessary app fragmentation. I consolidated 60+ devices under Smart Life\u0026rsquo;s original application.\nI\u0026rsquo;ve been wondering whether upskilling electricians to become DIY smart home integrators could create viable business opportunities in this emerging market.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/posts/what-is-the-best-smart-home-system/","summary":"Exploring smart home solutions for different technical skill levels in the Australian market.","title":"What Is the Best Smart Home System?"},{"content":" \u0026ldquo;I really like understanding people\u0026rsquo;s problems.\u0026rdquo;\nI spend a lot of time in conversations with friends, users, and teams trying to understand what they actually need — not what they assume they need. I help businesses extract value from existing IT systems and streamline technology landscapes cluttered by years of departmental silos.\nMy recent work concentrates on AI adoption, moving beyond prompt optimisation toward workflow redesign. AI tools in small and medium businesses can reshape operational processes while building capability without creating technical debt.\nConnect with me on LinkedIn\nWhat I\u0026rsquo;m Interested In User Experience — I can not help it. Every app, every form, every business process, I am always looking at it. I constantly evaluate whether systems are intuitive and consider how they might be improved or rebuilt.\nTechnology \u0026amp; Learning — I maintain continuous learning through podcasts on business, technology, and AI during commutes. You should never stop learning.\nAI — I address widespread anxiety about artificial intelligence by demonstrating practical applications relevant to individual roles, helping people transition from intimidation to curiosity about the technology.\nOutside Work I prioritise time with my children while they are still willing to hang out with me. Beyond that, I balance numerous hobbies including mountain biking (particularly Victoria\u0026rsquo;s trails), morning swimming, photography, 3D printing, home automation, drawing and sketching, and collecting bags for every possible scenario.\nThe Meaning of \u0026ldquo;42\u0026rdquo; The site name references Douglas Adams\u0026rsquo; The Hitchhiker\u0026rsquo;s Guide to the Galaxy, where 42 is the answer to life, the universe, and everything. I connect this to the question: \u0026ldquo;How many roads must a man walk down?\u0026rdquo; — representing my desire to walk down as many roads as possible.\nI never know what is around the corner, and I do not regret any roads I have travelled.\n","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/about/","summary":"About Simon Paynter","title":"About"},{"content":"Send me a message using the form below, or connect on LinkedIn.\nName Email Message Website Send message ","permalink":"https://simonsays42.com/contact/","summary":"Get in touch","title":"Contact"}]