Thabo Pali

When Tech Burnout Hits — It’s OK to Pause

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“Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do… is take a walk and close all your tabs.” — Thabo-ism

We don’t talk about it enough, but here it is: burnout is real. Especially in tech.

Between Slack messages, deadline pings, and yet another sprint planning session, it’s easy to feel like we’re always on. But your brain? It wasn’t built for 10 hours of screen time + debugging + meetings + emails — all in one day.

This post isn’t technical. It’s human.

Signs You’re Burnt Out (But Ignoring It)

  • You stare at your code but nothing makes sense.
  • You “work” for hours but nothing moves forward.
  • Every notification feels like an attack.
  • You’ve opened and closed VS Code five times in the last 30 minutes.

Yup. Been there.

What Helped Me Reset

  • Walks around campus — No headphones. Just thoughts.
  • Mindfulness — 10 minutes of guided meditation on YouTube.
  • No-code days — I legit take “digital sabbaths.”
  • Talking to someone — Even a WhatsApp voice note rant helps.

Burnout ≠ Weakness

In fact, recognizing it is a developer skill. Just like version control, managing your own energy and attention is a career superpower.

You can’t refactor burnout. But you can step back, breathe, and come back stronger.

Final Thabo-ism:

“Code can wait. Your brain can’t. Close the IDE, go touch some grass.”

AI Hype or Apocalypse? A Developer’s Perspective

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“AI isn’t coming for your job. But you know what might? That JavaScript framework you didn’t learn last year.” — A Thabo-ism

We’ve officially entered the AI arms race. From GPTs that write essays to tools that generate pitch decks in minutes, the internet is freaking out — and with good reason.

But let’s get real for a second. AI isn’t a sentient overlord. It’s a tool. A powerful one, yes. But like any other tool, it’s only as useful as the person wielding it.

So, is this the end of developers, designers, writers, and thinkers? Nah. But things are changing.

The Hype

  • “AI will replace coders.”
  • “AI will design your website.”
  • “AI can build your business in 10 seconds.”

Yes, those are real headlines. Yes, some tools are impressive. But let’s separate productivity boosts from total replacement.

Reality Check (for Devs)

Here’s what AI can do:

  • Generate boilerplate code
  • Suggest smart autocompletions
  • Refactor repetitive functions
  • Generate UI layouts (to some extent)

Here’s what it can’t do (yet):

  • Understand your business logic
  • Handle nuanced data relationships
  • Replace your debugging instinct
  • Manage state across a full-stack app without breaking something

How to Stay Relevant

  • Learn to prompt — Prompt engineering is the new keyboard shortcut.
  • Understand context — AI tools need hand-holding.
  • Integrate AI into your workflow — Don’t fear it, delegate to it.

Final Thabo-ism:

“The real danger isn’t AI taking your job. It’s not learning how to use AI and being left behind.”

Leonardo.ai: Midjourney with a Toolbox

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“Midjourney is the cool art kid. Leonardo.ai is the cool art kid who brought tools, templates, and a project brief.” — A Thabo-ism

The AI art scene is evolving faster than a React version upgrade — and that’s saying something. While Midjourney still dominates Instagram timelines with ethereal vibes, Leonardo.ai has quietly become the go-to tool for creatives who want more than just pretty pictures.

I’ve spent some time testing it, and here’s why I think Leonardo.ai might be the AI art tool for devs, marketers, indie game creators, and your side hustle landing pages.

What Is Leonardo.ai?

Leonardo.ai is an AI-powered image generation platform similar to Midjourney and DALL·E, but with a twist:

  • It focuses on workflows.
  • It gives you control with training and finetuning.
  • It’s aimed at creators who build projects, not just moodboards.

Think of it as Midjourney’s cousin that went to design school and product management bootcamp.

Why It’s Awesome

Prompt Playground

The live editing tools are insane. You can literally tweak outputs in real time and rerun prompts with versioning.

AI Canvas

Need to extend, erase, or fix part of your image? The Canvas feature is Leonardo’s built-in Photoshop — but make it AI.

Custom Model Training

You can train your own model (seriously) based on your uploaded images. Want a consistent visual style across a brand or product? This is your cheat code.

Game Assets

2D sprites, background art, and UI mockups — game devs are already using Leonardo as their assistant art director.

How I Use It (as a dev/content creator)

  • Hero images for blog posts like this one
  • Mockups for app UIs and product pages
  • Client demo visuals when they say “Can you make it pop?”
  • Branded content — especially when budget = zero

You don’t need to be an artist. Just bring a good prompt and watch it do the heavy lifting.

Tips to Get Better Results

  • Use detailed prompts: Describe the subject, style, lighting, and background.
  • Reference styles: “In the style of Studio Ghibli” or “cyberpunk UI concept.”
  • Guide it with action: “A person typing on a glowing laptop surrounded by floating code.”

Final Thabo-ism

“Don’t fear the AI artist. Be the developer who knows how to brief the AI artist.”

We’re not being replaced. We’re evolving. If you build things for the web or mobile — heck, even if you just run a newsletter — Leonardo.ai is a visual weapon worth adding to your stack.

So You Wanna Be an Ethical Hacker? Start Here.

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“Why hack the planet when you can ethically test it first?” — A Thabo-ism

If you’d told me a year ago that I’d be knee-deep in port scanning, DNS recon, and penetration testing frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK, I probably would’ve nodded politely… and kept scrolling TikTok. But here we are.

Ethical Hacking isn’t just about hoodies and green terminal screens. It’s about thinking like an attacker to protect systems — legally, of course. With digital crime soaring and businesses scrambling to secure their data, ethical hacking is no longer a niche. It’s a critical skill, especially for developers like us who live in the stack.

Here’s how I got started and what you should know if you’re even remotely curious.

What Is Ethical Hacking Really?

In simple terms? It’s hacking… with permission.

Companies hire ethical hackers (aka white hats) to simulate real attacks on their systems. The goal? Find vulnerabilities before the bad guys do.

You’ll learn things like:

  • Footprinting & Reconnaissance – Gathering public info to understand the target.
  • Scanning & Enumeration – Identifying open ports, services, and user accounts.
  • Gaining Access – Exploiting weak points.
  • Maintaining Access – Staying undetected (as an attacker would).
  • Clearing Tracks – Understanding attacker behavior and covering traces.

These aren’t just cool movie scenes — they’re actual phases in a real-life engagement.

You’ll run into names like:

Tools of the Trade

  • Nmap – Your best friend for port scanning.
  • Wireshark – A deep dive into network traffic.
  • Burp Suite – For web app pentests.
  • Kali Linux – Basically the Swiss army knife for hackers.
  • Metasploit – A framework for exploiting known vulnerabilities.

If all of this sounds overwhelming, good. That means you’re taking it seriously. But once you start, the fog lifts fast.

How I’m Learning (and How You Can Too)

I’m currently enrolled at CUT(Central University of Technology, Free State) for an Ethical Hacking course with the CEHv12 (Certified Ethical Hacker) track — and trust me, it’s a beast. But a beautiful one. Here’s my routine:

  • Flashcards & Mind Maps: I create visual study aids to remember everything from DNS zone transfers to vulnerability types.
  • Practice Labs: Theory is cute, but hands-on practice is where the magic happens.
  • YouTube: Surprisingly good walkthroughs from certified professionals.
  • Simulation Tools: Platforms like TryHackMe and Hack The Box let you simulate attacks in safe environments.

Why Developers Should Care

Even if you’re not switching careers to cybersecurity, knowing how attackers think makes you a better developer. You’ll:

  • Write more secure code.
  • Validate inputs like your life depends on it.
  • Spot suspicious behavior in your apps.
  • Respect logs and error messages more than ever.

Cybersecurity isn’t a department — it’s a mindset. And if you’ve ever deployed anything to the internet, congratulations: you’re already part of the battlefield.

Final Thoughts (aka Thabo-ism No. 2)

“Just because you built the house doesn’t mean you know how a thief would break in.”

If you’re even mildly curious about ethical hacking, lean into it. Start small. Install Kali Linux in a VM. Run a simple Nmap scan on your local network. Read up on the OWASP Top 10. Before you know it, you’ll be the friend everyone calls when their Instagram gets hacked.

And if all else fails? At least you’ll understand how not to get pwned.

Embarking on a DevOps Journey with Azure DevOps

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As a developer constantly seeking ways to enhance efficiency and streamline workflows, I’ve decided to embark on an exciting journey: introducing Azure DevOps into my development process. This decision marks a significant milestone in my dev journey, and I’m thrilled to share this experience with you.

What is DevOps?

DevOps is a cultural and technical movement that brings together software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops). Its primary goal is to shorten the system development life cycle and deliver high-quality software continuously. By fostering a collaborative environment between development and operations teams, DevOps aims to improve efficiency, increase deployment frequency, and enhance reliability.

Why Azure DevOps?

Azure DevOps, a set of development tools and services from Microsoft, has gained popularity for its robust features and seamless integration capabilities. Here’s why I’ve chosen Azure DevOps for my projects:

  1. Comprehensive Toolset: Azure DevOps provides a full suite of tools, including Azure Repos for source control, Azure Pipelines for CI/CD, Azure Boards for work tracking, and Azure Test Plans for testing. This integrated approach simplifies managing different aspects of the development lifecycle.
  2. Scalability and Flexibility: Whether you’re a solo developer or part of a large team, Azure DevOps scales to meet your needs. Its flexibility allows integration with a wide range of third-party tools and services, ensuring it fits seamlessly into your existing workflow.
  3. Cloud Integration: As a cloud-based service, Azure DevOps offers excellent integration with Azure cloud services, making it easier to deploy and manage applications in the cloud.
  4. Continuous Improvement: Azure DevOps supports continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD), which are crucial for modern development practices. This enables faster feedback, quicker releases, and higher-quality code.

My DevOps Journey: Initial Steps

Starting this DevOps journey involves several steps, each contributing to a more streamlined and efficient development process. Here’s how I’m beginning:

1. Setting Up Azure DevOps

The first step is to set up an Azure DevOps organization. This serves as the central hub for all my projects, repositories, and pipelines. The setup process is straightforward, and Microsoft provides extensive documentation to guide you through it.

2. Migrating Repositories

Next, I’ll migrate my existing code repositories to Azure Repos. This move centralizes version control, making it easier to manage code changes, track history, and collaborate with others.

3. Configuring CI/CD Pipelines

Continuous integration and continuous deployment are core principles of DevOps. By configuring Azure Pipelines, I can automate the building, testing, and deployment of my applications. This automation reduces manual intervention, speeds up releases, and ensures consistent quality.

4. Managing Work with Azure Boards

Azure Boards will help me track work items, plan sprints, and manage backlogs. Its powerful features allow for better project management and team collaboration, ensuring that all tasks are visible and progress is easily monitored.

5. Implementing Testing Strategies

Quality is paramount in software development. Azure Test Plans offers tools for manual and exploratory testing, helping identify and address bugs before they reach production. Integrating these tests into CI/CD pipelines ensures ongoing quality assurance.

The Road Ahead

Introducing Azure DevOps is just the beginning. As I delve deeper into this journey, I anticipate encountering challenges and discovering best practices that will shape my development process. Here are some goals I aim to achieve:

  • Continuous Learning: DevOps is an ever-evolving field. Staying updated with the latest trends and best practices is crucial for long-term success.
  • Community Engagement: Sharing knowledge and learning from the DevOps community can provide valuable insights and foster innovation.
  • Efficiency Improvements: Continuously refining processes to enhance efficiency and reduce bottlenecks is a key objective.

Conclusion

Transitioning to Azure DevOps represents a commitment to embracing modern development practices and continuous improvement. By integrating Azure DevOps into my workflow, I’m not only enhancing my productivity but also ensuring that my applications are delivered with higher quality and greater reliability.

Stay tuned to this blog for updates on my progress, insights into the challenges I face, and tips on leveraging Azure DevOps to its fullest potential. Join me on this exciting journey, and let’s explore the future of DevOps together!

Google Bard: A Review

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Google Bard is a large language model (LLM) chatbot developed by Google AI. Bard is trained on a massive dataset of text and code, and can generate text, translate languages, write different kinds of creative content, and answer your questions in an informative way.

Bard is still under development, but it has learned to perform many kinds of tasks, including:

  • Following instructions and completing requests thoughtfully.
  • Answering questions in a comprehensive and informative way, even if they are open ended, challenging, or strange.
  • Generating different creative text formats of text content, like poems, code, scripts, musical pieces, email, letters, etc.

Bard is still under development, but it has the potential to be a powerful tool for a variety of tasks. It can be used for research, education, and entertainment. It can also be used to improve the quality of customer service and to create new and innovative pro ducts and services.

Comparison to Bing AI and ChatGPT

Google Bard is similar to other LLM chatbots, such as Bing AI and ChatGPT. However, Bard has some advantages over these other chatbots. For example, Bard is trained on a larger dataset of text and code, which gives it a wider range of knowledge. Bard is also able to generate more creative and informative text, and it is better at following instructions and completing requests.

ChatGPT

ChatGPT is a large language model chatbot developed by OpenAI. ChatGPT is trained on a massive dataset of text and code, and can generate text, translate languages, write different kinds of creative content, and answer your questions in an informative way.

ChatGPT has some features that Google Bard is yet to implement, such as:

  • Humor: ChatGPT is able to generate text that is funny and engaging. This is due to the fact that ChatGPT is trained on a dataset of text that includes a lot of humor. Google Bard, on the other hand, is not yet able to generate text that is as funny as ChatGPT.
  • Creativity: ChatGPT is able to generate text that is creative and original. This is due to the fact that ChatGPT is trained on a dataset of text that includes a lot of creative writing. Google Bard, on the other hand, is not yet able to generate text that is as creative as ChatGPT.
  • Empathy: ChatGPT is able to generate text that is empathetic and understanding. This is due to the fact that ChatGPT is trained on a dataset of text that includes a lot of conversations between people. Google Bard, on the other hand, is not yet able to generate text that is as empathetic as ChatGPT.

Conclusion

Google Bard, Bing AI, and ChatGPT are all powerful LLM chatbots that have the potential to be used for a variety of tasks. However, each chatbot has its own strengths and weaknesses. Google Bard is better at following instructions and completing requests, while ChatGPT is better at generating creative and humorous text. Ultimately, the best chatbot for you will depend on your specific needs.

Microsoft Build 2023: A Look at the Key Announcements

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Microsoft Build 2023 was a major event that showcased the company’s commitment to innovation. The announcements made at the event will have a significant impact on the way that developers build and deploy applications.

Here are some of the key announcements from Microsoft Build 2023:

  • Microsoft Fabric: Microsoft Fabric is a new analytics platform that is designed to help developers build and deploy AI-powered applications. Fabric is built on top of Azure and provides a unified view of data from multiple sources.
  • Windows Copilot: Windows Copilot is a new AI-powered tool that can help developers write code. Copilot can suggest code completions, fix errors, and even generate entire functions.
  • Dev Box: Dev Box is a new cloud-based development environment that is designed to make it easier for developers to get started with new projects. Dev Box provides developers with pre-configured virtual machines that are ready to code.
  • GitHub Advanced Security for Azure DevOps: GitHub Advanced Security for Azure DevOps is a new security solution that is designed to help organizations protect their code. GitHub Advanced Security provides a number of features, including code scanning, secret scanning, and code review.
  • The Power Platform: The Power Platform is a suite of tools that is designed to help businesses build and deploy custom applications. The Power Platform includes a number of components, including Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI.

In addition to these announcements, Microsoft also announced a number of new features for its existing products. For example, Microsoft Teams will soon have the ability to translate conversations in real time. And Microsoft Edge will be getting a new feature that will allow users to save passwords to the cloud.

Overall, Microsoft Build 2023 was a major event that showcased the company’s commitment to innovation. The announcements made at the event will have a significant impact on the way that developers build and deploy applications.

What does this mean for developers?

The announcements from Microsoft Build 2023 have a lot to offer developers. With new tools and features like Microsoft Fabric, Windows Copilot, Dev Box, and GitHub Advanced Security for Azure DevOps, developers will have the resources they need to build and deploy innovative applications.

Microsoft Fabric is a powerful new analytics platform that can help developers build and deploy AI-powered applications. Fabric is built on top of Azure and provides a unified view of data from multiple sources. This makes it easier for developers to analyze data and build applications that are more intelligent and responsive.

Windows Copilot is a new AI-powered tool that can help developers write code. Copilot can suggest code completions, fix errors, and even generate entire functions. This can save developers a lot of time and effort, and it can help them to write better code.

Dev Box is a new cloud-based development environment that is designed to make it easier for developers to get started with new projects. Dev Box provides developers with pre-configured virtual machines that are ready to code. This can save developers a lot of time and effort, and it can help them to be more productive.

GitHub Advanced Security for Azure DevOps is a new security solution that is designed to help organizations protect their code. GitHub Advanced Security provides a number of features, including code scanning, secret scanning, and code review. This can help organizations to prevent security breaches and protect their intellectual property.

These are just a few of the ways that the announcements from Microsoft Build 2023 can benefit developers. With new tools and features like these, developers will be able to build and deploy innovative applications that are more intelligent, responsive, and secure.

Web3.0: The Future of the Internet and Generating Passive Income

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Exploring the New Possibilities of Decentralization: A Guide to Generating Passive Income in Web 3.0

The internet has come a long way since its inception. From static web pages to dynamic websites, and from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0, the internet has evolved to become a vast and complex network of interconnected systems. With the rise of Web 3.0, the internet is set to undergo another transformation that promises to be even more revolutionary than its predecessors.

What is Web 3.0?

Web 3.0 is the next generation of the internet, characterized by decentralization, interoperability, and transparency. It is a web where users have more control over their data, and where data is shared seamlessly between applications and services. In Web 3.0, the internet is no longer controlled by a few centralized entities, but rather by a decentralized network of users.

One of the key technologies behind Web 3.0 is blockchain, which provides a secure and transparent way of recording and verifying transactions. With blockchain, users can create and exchange digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies, without the need for intermediaries. This has opened up new possibilities for generating passive income in the Web 3.0 era.

How to Generate Passive Income in Web 3.0

1. Staking

Staking is the process of holding cryptocurrency in a wallet to support the network’s security and earn rewards. Users who stake their cryptocurrency can earn passive income in the form of additional tokens. For example, Ethereum users can stake their ETH and earn rewards in the form of ETH 2.0 tokens.

2. Yield Farming

Yield farming is the process of lending cryptocurrency to a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform to earn rewards. Users can lend their cryptocurrency to liquidity pools and earn passive income in the form of additional tokens or interest. For example, users can lend their stablecoins to the Aave platform and earn interest on their deposits.

3. NFTs

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are unique digital assets that are stored on a blockchain. NFTs can be used to represent artwork, music, and other digital assets. Users can earn passive income by creating and selling NFTs or by holding NFTs that generate royalties. For example, an artist can create an NFT representing their artwork and earn a percentage of the sales every time the NFT is sold.

4.DAO

Decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) are organizations that are run by smart contracts on a blockchain. DAOs allow users to pool their resources and make decisions collectively. Users can earn passive income by participating in DAOs and earning rewards for their contributions. For example, users can participate in the Compound protocol and earn COMP tokens as a reward for providing liquidity to the platform.

In conclusion, Web 3.0 represents a new era of the internet that promises to be more decentralized, interoperable, and transparent. With the rise of blockchain technology, users have more opportunities to generate passive income in the form of cryptocurrencies and digital assets. By staking, yield farming, creating NFTs, and participating in DAOs, users can earn passive income and participate in the new decentralized web.

Chatting Up a Storm: My Adventures in Testing Bing Chat

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Exploring the Versatility and Functionality of Bing Chat

As a Web Developer, I’ve had the opportunity to test a lot of applications. Some have been impressive, while others…not so much. But when I started testing Bing Chat, I was blown away. Here are some of my favorite moments from testing this delightful chatbot:

“It’s Like Talking to a Human!” – Bing Chat’s natural language processing abilities are truly top-notch. When testing it, I was impressed by how seamlessly it handled complex questions and understood the intent behind them. For example, when I asked Bing Chat “What’s the weather like today?”, it responded with the current weather conditions in my area. But when I followed up with “Will it rain later?”, Bing Chat knew that I was asking about the forecast and responded accordingly. It’s almost like chatting with a real human (but without the risk of awkward small talk).

Bing Chat: Almost like talking to a real human!

“The Conversationalist” – Bing Chat’s ability to carry on a conversation is truly impressive. It doesn’t just respond with canned answers; it picks up on context clues and keeps the conversation going. For example, when I asked Bing Chat “I need help with managing my daily tasks, can you help me?”, it responded with “Of course! There are many ways to manage your daily tasks. Do you have any specific requirements or preferences?” This not only shows that Bing Chat can hold a conversation, but it also adds a touch of personality to the chatbot.

A particularly impressive moment from testing Bing Chat

“The Multitasker” – Bing Chat’s integration with other tools, like Microsoft Teams and Slack, is a real game-changer. When testing it, I was able to seamlessly switch between platforms and continue my chat with Bing Chat without missing a beat. Plus, it makes testing so much easier when you can use your preferred platform. For example, when testing the Microsoft Teams integration, I was able to ask Bing Chat to schedule a meeting with a coworker without ever leaving the chat window.

“Accessible to All” – One of the coolest things about Bing Chat is how accessible it is for people with disabilities. When testing the chatbot’s accessibility features, I was impressed by how well they worked. For example, Bing Chat’s screen reader support allows visually impaired users to easily interact with the chatbot. And its keyboard navigation support makes it easy for users with motor impairments to navigate the chat interface. Bing Chat truly is a chatbot for everyone.

Conclusion: In conclusion, if you haven’t tried Bing Chat yet, I highly recommend giving it a spin. It’s witty, charming, and downright impressive. Plus, it’s always up for a chat (unlike some humans I know). So go ahead, give it a try, and let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

The Search Engine Wars: Microsoft’s Billion-Dollar Investment in ChatGPT

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The world of search engines has always been a highly competitive arena, with various players vying for supremacy in the digital landscape. In recent years, however, the stakes have become even higher, with the rise of new technologies and changing consumer behaviors leading to a reshuffling of the traditional power dynamics. One recent development that has caught the attention of many in the tech industry is Microsoft’s billion-dollar investment in OpenAI’s ChatGPT language model.

For those unfamiliar with the technology, ChatGPT is a state-of-the-art language model that has been trained on a massive amount of data to understand and respond to natural language queries. The potential applications of this technology are far-reaching and could revolutionize the way we interact with search engines, making the results more conversational and intuitive.

This latest move by Microsoft is a clear indication of the growing importance of AI-powered search engines and a signal of the company’s commitment to staying at the forefront of this rapidly evolving industry. Microsoft has long been a major player in the search engine space, with its Bing search engine competing against market leader Google. However, with this investment in ChatGPT, Microsoft is looking to take things to the next level and create a truly cutting-edge search experience for users.

Of course, Microsoft is not alone in its pursuit of AI-powered search. Google has also been investing heavily in this area, and the company’s Google Assistant is a testament to the company’s commitment to using AI to enhance the user experience. While Google may currently have a significant lead in the search engine market, the rapid pace of technological advancement means that the playing field is constantly shifting.

It’s worth noting that Microsoft’s investment in ChatGPT is not just about search engines. The technology has the potential to be applied in a wide range of industries, from customer service to e-commerce. This means that Microsoft’s investment could have far-reaching implications beyond just the search engine market and could help the company establish itself as a major player in the AI space more broadly.

In conclusion, the search engine wars are heating up, with Microsoft’s billion-dollar investment in ChatGPT serving as a clear signal of the company’s commitment to staying at the forefront of this rapidly evolving industry. With AI-powered search engines becoming increasingly important for both consumers and businesses, it’s clear that the future of search will be shaped by the companies that are able to effectively leverage this technology. Whether Microsoft’s investment will give the company the edge it needs to compete with Google remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the search engine wars are far from over.