Timothy Johnson's writing on science, AI, quantum computing, HPC, and productivity.https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-05-28-ai-plain-text-revolution/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-05-28-ai-plain-text-revolution/I spent years failing to convince people that plain text workflows were the right approach. AI is now doing the convincing for me, sideways, whether anyone intended it or not.Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-05-21-email-in-emacs/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-05-21-email-in-emacs/A practical guide to mu4e, mbsync, and GPG credentials - including the Gmail alias case-sensitivity bug that cost me an afternoon.Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-01-19-scheduled-prompts/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-01-19-scheduled-prompts/Using scheduled prompts in Perplexity and similar tools to surface relevant information automatically. A simple approach to staying informed without the doom-scrolling.Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-04-07-initweave/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-04-07-initweave/initweave is a web-based Emacs configuration builder that generates a clean, commented init.el - built to solve the friction of day one with Emacs.Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-02-12-ab731-exam-prep/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-02-12-ab731-exam-prep/How I used AI to generate progressively harder mock exams for the Microsoft AB-731 AI Transformation Leader certification.Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-02-08-emacsclient-and-claude-code/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-02-08-emacsclient-and-claude-code/Why emacsclient -n silently fails when running Emacs as a daemon, and how to configure Claude Code to always open files in a visible frame.Sun, 08 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-01-25-building-quantumnews-with-claude-code/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-01-25-building-quantumnews-with-claude-code/Practical lessons from building a complete AI-powered project with Claude Code - workflow tips that transfer to any project.Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-01-12-plain-text-ai/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-01-12-plain-text-ai/Plain text should be the default for notes, knowledge, and documentation - both personally and in industry. AI tools make this case undeniable.Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-01-11-1000-citations/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-01-11-1000-citations/Reaching 1000 citations as an industry scientist - why it matters, and why the credit belongs to collaborators and an employer that valued scientific exploration.Sun, 11 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-01-04-christmas-break-learning/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-01-04-christmas-break-learning/What I learned over Christmas 2025: hands-on AI collaboration with Claude Code, and discovering AI's hidden decade-long influence on tech.Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-01-01-refactoring-emacs-config-with-claude-code/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-01-01-refactoring-emacs-config-with-claude-code/Claude Code refactored 1,185 lines of Emacs config in 7 minutes. Learning :defer, modern completion frameworks, and why AI collaboration works.Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-01-01-happy-new-year/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2026-01-01-happy-new-year/2025 in review: breaking free from algorithms, building custom tools, and choosing quality over AI-generated slop. Reflections on intentional work.Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-12-30-emacs-daemon-restart/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-12-30-emacs-daemon-restart/Restart Emacs daemon without leaving Emacs. Simple Elisp function that saves work, restarts cleanly, and eliminates terminal context-switching.Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-12-30-ollama-and-emacs-ellama/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-12-30-ollama-and-emacs-ellama/Run LLMs locally in Emacs with Ollama and Ellama. No API costs, no internet required. Complete setup guide for offline AI assistance.Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-12-13-orgattach/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-12-13-orgattach/Open Org attachment directories in system file explorer from Emacs. Cross-platform Elisp function for seamless integration with external tools.Sat, 13 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-12-11-ai-for-ent/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-12-11-ai-for-ent/Translate WEF's AI governance playbook into enterprise reality. Nine practical plays for responsible AI that actually ships products instead of posters.Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-07-05-fastdocs/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-07-05-fastdocs/Why Emacs beats office software for quick document creation. Org-download and LaTeX export turned nursery homework into a 5-minute task, not 30.Sat, 05 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-06-10-how-to-stand-out-with-ai-slop/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-06-10-how-to-stand-out-with-ai-slop/Quality beats AI-generated slop. Why care and craftsmanship matter more than ever when everyone uses LLMs. Stand out with substance, not shame.Tue, 10 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-05-28-emacs-surprises-and-painting-the-forth-bridge/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-05-28-emacs-surprises-and-painting-the-forth-bridge/After five years with Emacs, discovering yas-expand transforms workflows. Why mastery is never finished and assumptions should always be re-examined.Wed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-05-27-quick-blogs/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-05-27-quick-blogs/Automate blog post creation in Emacs with custom Elisp functions. Generate front matter, slugs, and markdown files automatically from user input.Tue, 27 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-05-06-paidsoftware/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-05-06-paidsoftware/Learn tools once, benefit for decades. Why mastering foundational principles beats chasing corporate software trends. Open-source strategies for long-term success.Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-04-06_frameworks/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-04-06_frameworks/Create IDE-like layouts in Emacs with custom window configurations. Neotree file tree, terminal pane, and main editor in one simple Elisp function.Tue, 08 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-04-06_quanframework/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-04-06_quanframework/Cut through quantum computing hype with a practical framework. Assess industry impact, evaluate timelines, and develop strategic responses beyond marketing buzz.Sun, 06 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-02-24_curated/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-02-24_curated/Social media algorithms exploit human connection, not nurture it. Why intentional content curation beats algorithmic feeds for mindful internet consumption.Mon, 24 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-02-12_orgrecruit/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-02-12_orgrecruit/Automate recruitment workflows in Emacs with Denote. Custom Elisp functions for candidate tracking, feedback notes, and bi-directional linking.Wed, 12 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-02-13_catchups/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-02-13_catchups/Streamline 1-to-1 meeting notes with Denote in Emacs. Automated note creation, timestamp linking, and quick retrieval for efficient catch-up management.Wed, 12 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-02-09-gptel/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-02-09-gptel/Set up gptel in Emacs with OpenAI API keys securely. Step-by-step guide using environment variables and exec-path-from-shell for safe LLM integration.Sun, 09 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-02-06-orgdownload/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-02-06-orgdownload/Streamline screenshot insertion in Org-mode on Windows. Custom org-download function for hassle-free image capture and filing without drag-and-drop.Wed, 05 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-02-03_langtools/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-02-03_langtools/Add free, offline grammar checking to Emacs with LanguageTool. Complete setup guide for local spell and grammar checking in your writing workflow.Tue, 04 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-02-03_blogging/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-02-03_blogging/Break free from social media algorithms with Elfeed and RSS. Set up your own curated content feed in Emacs for mindful, independent blog reading.Mon, 03 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-01-18-matt/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-01-18-matt/PhD reflections from my supervisor's 60th symposium. Lessons on perseverance, preparation, and how influential people shape your problem-solving approach.Sat, 18 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-01-20-con-matters/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-01-20-con-matters/Thoughts on Addy Osmani's "Consistency Matters" - compounding habits, preparation meeting luck, and why sustained effort beats overnight success.Fri, 03 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-01-22-how-to-feel-bad/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-01-22-how-to-feel-bad/Thoughts on Adam Mastroianni's "How to Feel Bad & Be Wrong" - attribute substitution, swapping hard questions for easy ones, and not letting comparison steal the joy.Fri, 03 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-01-debog/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2025-01-debog/Thoughts on Adam Mastroianni's "So you wanna de-bog yourself" - activation energy, getting unstuck, and why naming the feeling of being stuck matters.Fri, 03 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-10-01_finops/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-10-01_finops/Master cloud cost management with FinOps Certified Practitioner certification. Training insights, exam tips, and the Inform-Optimize-Operate framework explained.Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-09-23-timeblocking/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-09-23-timeblocking/Time-blocking lessons learned: why paper beats digital, the importance of persistence, and integrating the Eisenhower matrix for better prioritization.Mon, 23 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-08-24_aigartner/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-08-24_aigartner/Navigate the Gartner hype cycle for AI. Why 80% of AI projects fail and how Applied AI with FinOps delivers real business value over empty promises.Sat, 24 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-08-12_holiday/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-08-12_holiday/Annual holiday notice. Taking a break to recharge - normal blog service will resume later this month with new content and insights.Mon, 12 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-08-06_heictojpg/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-08-06_heictojpg/Convert HEIC images to JPG on Linux using terminal commands. Batch conversion script included for processing multiple photos at once.Tue, 06 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-08-03_aispend/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-08-03_aispend/UK shelves £1.3bn in tech funding for exascale supercomputer and AI research. Why political instability threatens technological innovation and economic growth.Fri, 02 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-31_aiinfra/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-31_aiinfra/Manage AI infrastructure costs effectively with FinOps principles. Balance cost transparency, cloud optimization, and cross-functional collaboration for AI success.Wed, 31 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-29_woodwork/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-29_woodwork/From quantum computing to hand tools: A weekend woodworking course taught mindfulness and strategy beyond digital workflows. Make physical things matter again.Tue, 30 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-24_qc/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-24_qc/Quantum computing demands new governance frameworks. Explore WEF principles for ethical development and why continuous evolution matters for quantum tech.Wed, 24 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-21_shadowslinger/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-21_shadowslinger/The Black Company sequel weaves dual narratives of mercenaries and a desperate innkeeper. Dark fantasy storytelling that refuses to slow down.Sun, 21 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-19_blackcompany/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-19_blackcompany/Glen Cook's dark fantasy masterpiece challenges heroic tropes with morally complex mercenaries. Are we the bad guys? Explore gritty storytelling done right.Fri, 19 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-16_azure/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-16_azure/Deploy Hugo sites for free with Azure Static Web Apps. Complete tutorial from GitHub setup to custom domains, eliminating monthly hosting costs.Tue, 16 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-15-finops/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-15-finops/FinOps explained: a cultural practice uniting finance and engineering to maximize cloud value. Learn core principles for financial accountability.Mon, 15 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-03-weekly/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-03-weekly/Master the GTD weekly review: Get Clear, Get Current, Get Creative. Transform busyness into purposeful action with this productivity compass.Sat, 13 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-11-split/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-11-split/Why split keyboards transform typing comfort. Explore ergonomic benefits, shoulder alignment, and the ZSA Moonlander's customization capabilities.Thu, 11 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-09-timeblock/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-09-timeblock/Reclaim your day with time blocking. Eliminate decision paralysis, defeat context-switching, and balance work with family life intentionally.Tue, 09 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-04-life/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-04-life/You don't know what you've got until it's gone. Reflections on parenthood, impermanence, and learning to appreciate the present moment fully.Thu, 04 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-03-example/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-07-03-example/Discover Fabric: a curated prompt repository that bridges AI capabilities and practical value creation. Transform how you integrate AI into daily workflows.Wed, 03 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-05-13-parkrun/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-05-13-parkrun/Discover how slow running in heart rate zone 2 prevents injuries and builds consistent fitness. First Parkrun experience and goals for sub-30 minute 5K.Mon, 13 May 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-04-28-phone/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2024-04-28-phone/Reclaim time lost to smartphone distractions without sacrificing camera quality. Compare Digital Wellbeing, Nova Launcher, and Minimalist Phone solutions.Sun, 28 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2023-10-06-ai102/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2023-10-06-ai102/Navigate Microsoft AI-102 certification with a new parent's schedule. Study resources, open-book exam strategies, and time management tips for success.Fri, 06 Oct 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2023-04-08-az-900/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2023-04-08-az-900/First-timer's guide to passing Microsoft AZ-900 Azure certification. Study tips, exam format insights, and honest assessment of its value for career growth.Sat, 08 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2023-01-02-fake/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2023-01-02-fake/Exploring ChatGPT's impact on scientific writing in industry. When is AI-generated text acceptable? Navigate ethics, transparency, and IP concerns.Mon, 02 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2022-09-24-emacsasaserver/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2022-09-24-emacsasaserver/Configure Emacs daemon on Linux for instant startup. Step-by-step guide to systemd service setup, emacsclient aliases, and automatic file associations.Sat, 24 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2022-07-09-covid/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2022-07-09-covid/Personal account of finally catching COVID-19 after two years. Lessons learned about illness, recovery, and the importance of rest and tracking medication.Sat, 09 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2022-01-31-emacs-as-a-tool/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2022-01-31-emacs-as-a-tool/Reflections on publishing research about Emacs in chemical R&D. Why this paper matters for scientists seeking workflow flexibility and approval.Mon, 31 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2021-12-26-start-up-scripts-screens-and-jekyll/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2021-12-26-start-up-scripts-screens-and-jekyll/Automate multiple Jekyll sites on server restart using Bash scripts and GNU Screen. Scalable solution for managing static website deployments.Sun, 26 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2021-11-27-garmin-data/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2021-11-27-garmin-data/Export Garmin fitness data to CSV format using Python and FitParse. Break free from proprietary formats and analyze your workout data freely.Sat, 27 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2021-08-04-learning-by-doing-emacs-and-fastref/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2021-08-04-learning-by-doing-emacs-and-fastref/Learn Elisp by building fastref, an Emacs mode for capturing academic references quickly. Complete walkthrough with code explanations included.Wed, 04 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2021-01-24-the_use_of_yasnippet_to_super_charge_science_workflows/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2021-01-24-the_use_of_yasnippet_to_super_charge_science_workflows/Automate scientific writing with YASnippet in Emacs. Create templates for meeting notes, Python code blocks, and LaTeX documents effortlessly.Sun, 24 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2021-01-16-tidal_api_for_linux/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2021-01-16-tidal_api_for_linux/Stream Tidal HiFi music on Linux using Strawberry player. Extract API tokens from Android, configure OAuth, and enjoy high-quality audio.Sat, 16 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2020-07-20-steam-pulse-audio-fix/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2020-07-20-steam-pulse-audio-fix/Fix crackling audio issues in Steam games on Linux by configuring PulseAudio. Complete guide with daemon.conf settings and backup instructions.Mon, 20 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2020-07-05-creating-a-boot-drive-on-linux/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2020-07-05-creating-a-boot-drive-on-linux/Learn how to create a bootable USB drive on Linux using the terminal. Step-by-step guide with dd command and troubleshooting tips.Sun, 05 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2020-05-18-blogging-with-emacs/https://timothyjohnsonsci.com/writing/2020-05-18-blogging-with-emacs/Discover how to create a distraction-free writing workflow using Emacs, org-mode, and Jekyll for blogging and content creation.Mon, 18 May 2020 00:00:00 GMT