Brian KetelsenArrakis · est. 1993
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// Writing · 27 entries

Field notes from the desert

Long-form on Linux, Go, distributed systems, and the occasional detour into Arrakis. No newsletters-as-content. Just the work.

A bootable desert workstation maintenance bay with immutable OS modules and a dark terminal console.
linuxJan 14, 2026 · 7 min

Let It Snow: On Rabbit Holes and Linux

I just wanted to have a Debian based bootc image. I swear.

#linux#go#containers
A bootable desert workstation maintenance bay with immutable OS modules and a dark terminal console.
linuxDec 18, 2023 · 2 min

Scratching Your Own Itches

I love to use Incus for development environments. But I noticed that the version of Incus on my Bluefin workstation was out of date so I invested 15 minutes to fix the problem.

#linux#go#containers
A rugged Linux workstation glowing inside a desert workshop.
linuxNov 1, 2023 · 5 min

How I Bluefin: Using the ultimate developer Linux

The Bluefin team recently announced the beta of Project Bluefin. I've spent a lot of time over the past year working on the DX - Developer Experience - version of Bluefin. In this article I'll highlight some of the decisions we made, some of the features we included, and show you how you can use Bluefin DX as your daily driver for an amazing development workstation.

#linux#containers#cloud
A rugged Linux workstation glowing inside a desert workshop.
linuxJul 11, 2022 · 10 min

Forecast: Cloudy

It is finally convenient to dump localhost development.

#linux#go#containers
A desert edge datacenter and relay array glowing at twilight.
azureAug 24, 2020 · 1 min

List The Azure Virtual Machine Images Available

Get a list of the different VM base images available on Azure

#azure
A desert relay test range for Go services with modular compute pylons and signal pulses.
goAug 13, 2020 · 2 min

Bash Helpers for Quick Installs

A quick helper function and directory layout for repeatable software installs.

#go#macos
A split-world workstation bridging cool glass panes and a warm Linux terminal outpost.
wslMar 2, 2020 · 6 min

Remote SSH Connections to WSL2

Using Windows for Open Source Development

#wsl#linux#go
A desert gateway terminal bridging a cool glass workstation chamber into a warm Linux field environment.
wslFeb 23, 2020 · 9 min

Windows for Open Source Development

Using Windows for Open Source Development

#wsl#go#containers
A desert gateway terminal bridging a cool glass workstation chamber into a warm Linux field environment.
wslOct 8, 2019 · 3 min

Byobu on WSL

Make your life easier with Byobu

#wsl#windows
A lived-in desert developer workbench with terminals, notebooks, and tools.
devSep 12, 2019 · 2 min

Egg Bites

Quick Recipe for a home-made version of Starbucks Sous-vide Egg Bites

#dev
A desert relay test range for Go services with modular compute pylons and signal pulses.
goSep 2, 2019 · 8 min

Organizing Documents with Some AI, ML, and Elbow Grease

Organizing my loose documents with some machine learning, cognitive services, and elbow grease.

#go#azure#windows
A split-world workstation bridging cool glass panes and a warm Linux terminal outpost.
wslDec 4, 2018 · 3 min

VS Code Remote Development

Use VS Code against a remote computer or container

#wsl#containers#cloud
A compact desert debugging bench with a rugged terminal, notes, probes, and warm utility lights.
devOct 5, 2018 · 2 min

Retractable Green Screen On the Cheap

Low cost, high production value home-office hack.

#dev
A split-world workstation bridging cool glass panes and a warm Linux terminal outpost.
wslMar 9, 2018 · 6 min

Going Overboard with WSL metadata

Use a folder from your Windows drive as your $HOME directory in WSL

#wsl#linux#go
A desert gateway terminal bridging a cool glass workstation chamber into a warm Linux field environment.
wslDec 12, 2017 · 3 min

Getting Crazy with Windows Subsystem for Linux

Getting Crazy with Windows Subsystem for Linux

#wsl#linux#go
A portable cross-platform dev rig on a desert workbench with folded glass panels and a Linux terminal node.
wslSep 28, 2017 · 7 min

My Cross-Platform Dev Setup on Surface Laptop

My Cross-Platform Dev Setup on Surface Laptop

#wsl#go#containers
A rugged desert programming field station with compile instruments and subtle gopher-shaped equipment details.
goJul 30, 2017 · 2 min

Learn With Me: Moving Gophercon to Azure

Learn With Me: Moving Gophercon to Azure

#go#azure#containers
A desert gateway terminal bridging a cool glass workstation chamber into a warm Linux field environment.
wslNov 6, 2016 · 4 min

Switching - Irony and Operating Systems

Moving to Windows

#wsl#go#containers
A desert relay test range for Go services with modular compute pylons and signal pulses.
goSep 18, 2016 · 1 min

Errgroup

Using errgroup to coordinate goroutines

#go
A desert relay test range for Go services with modular compute pylons and signal pulses.
goAug 14, 2016 · 2 min

Go 1.7 Released

Go 1.17 Release Highlights

#go#macos
A split-world workstation bridging cool glass panes and a warm Linux terminal outpost.
wslJul 2, 2016 · 6 min

Running i3 Window Manager on Bash For Windows

Running i3 Window Manager on Bash For Windows

#wsl#go#macos
A portable cross-platform dev rig on a desert workbench with folded glass panels and a Linux terminal node.
wslJun 17, 2016 · 5 min

Career 2.0 - Go Training, Videos, Speaking

I made a career pivot. Read on to find out more.

#wsl#go#containers
A gopher engineer in a desert stillsuit beside a rugged field terminal.
goJun 12, 2016 · 2 min

Old Dogs, New Tricks, and Cognitive Bias

Getting over old preconceptions and learning new things.

#go
A gopher engineer in a desert stillsuit beside a rugged field terminal.
goMay 3, 2016 · 3 min

New Tricks - notes as I learn modern front-end development

I'm going in, cover me!

#go
recipeDec 4, 2015 · 1 min

TastyWorms

The tastiest looking sandworm ever — a spice-filled Dune recipe worth sharing.

#recipe#dune
A rugged desert programming field station with compile instruments and subtle gopher-shaped equipment details.
goNov 10, 2015 · 1 min

Caddy and Let's Encrypt

Caddy and Let's Encrypt make a perfect team.

#go
A rugged desert programming field station with compile instruments and subtle gopher-shaped equipment details.
goMay 10, 2015 · 4 min

Open Source Appreciation

Let 'em know you care.

#go