# Article list

  1. Google Private API
  2. The Stack system
  3. CVE-2024-38063 - Remote over TCP/IP
  4. Buffer overflow and overread in Phar PHP
  5. MFA in Today's Cybersecurity Landscape.

The Stack system

My Productivity Engine

The Stack: My Productivity Engine

The Stack is the core system I've refined over decades to maximize productivity, automate decision-making, and streamline workflows. It combines purpose-built apps and strategies to classify, prioritize, and act on information—freeing mental bandwidth for high-value work. Below, I'll break it down into its essential components.

Core Philosophy

The Stack exists to reduce friction. It captures inputs (tasks, contacts, ideas), processes them through tailored tools, and routes outputs (meetings, reminders, projects) with minimal manual effort. Simplicity is key: fewer apps, deeper mastery.

Entry Point: Rapid Capture

The first layer is a low-friction note-taking tool that's always accessible. My current setup:

  • Primary: iPhone Notes app (instant access, offline sync, cross-device compatibility).
  • Alternatives: OneNote (structured notebooks) or Obsidian (markdown-friendly for power users).

Core Workflow: Triage & Organize

1. Calendar Management

  • Primary: Motion Calendar (AI-driven scheduling that auto-adjusts tasks based on priorities and calendar changes).
  • Alternative: Outlook Calendar (reliable for traditional time-blocking).

2. Contact Segmentation

  • Black Book (Inner Circle): Obsidian vault with encrypted, Git-versioned files for family/trusted partners.
  • Blue Book (Key Partners): Notion CRM for 100–1,000 professional contacts.
  • White Book (Service Network): Notion database for vetted vendors (e.g., lawyers, designers).
  • Yellow Book (Cold Leads): Salesforce (scalable for large networks; Notion works for smaller setups).

3. Knowledge Management

  • Obsidian Vault: All unclassified data starts here. Use hashtags (#client, #urgent) and internal links to gradually refine chaos into structured knowledge.

4. Project Management

  • Primary: Monday.com (customizable workflows, visual dashboards, and seamless integration with tools like Spark and Obsidian).
  • Alternatives: Trello (simplified Kanban for smaller teams) or Jira (advanced sprint tracking for developers).

Communication Hub

Unified channels prevent context-switching:

  • Beeper: Merges WhatsApp, Slack, Discord, and others into one inbox.
  • Discord: For team collaboration (superior to Teams in customization/voice clarity).
  • Spark Mail: Lightning-fast email with AI-assisted replies and consolidated inboxes.
  • WhatsApp: Encrypted, universal messaging for quick updates.

Key Principles

  1. Optimize for Speed: Tools must launch instantly and sync seamlessly.
  2. Automate Rigorously: Let AI (e.g., Motion) handle scheduling; use templates in Spark for repetitive emails.
  3. Segment Ruthlessly: Contacts/notes belong in specific buckets—no overlap.
  4. Iterate Continuously: Replace tools only if they offer improvement without adding too much overhead.

Final Thought

The Stack isn't static. Start with the apps you know, master their advanced features, and layer in automation over time. The goal isn't complexity—it's effortless flow.

The Graveyard

🗣️ Communication Tools

  • Slack: Performance issues and clunky onboarding led me to Discord/Beeper.
  • Telegram: Trust concerns after founder's legal issues.
  • Signal: Too minimalist for my workflow (lacks features like chat organization).
  • Messenger: Outdated design and limited productivity integrations.
  • X Chat: Promising but not yet a standalone solution.

📅 Productivity & Task Management

  • Reclaim: Motion's AI scheduling outshines its customization.
  • Microsoft To-Do: Only shines in full 365 ecosystems; redundant with Motion.
  • Superhuman: No consolidated inbox = dealbreaker vs. Spark.

📝 Note-Taking & Docs

  • Evernote: Superseded by simpler, faster solutions (Apple Notes, Obsidian).
  • Keybase: Post-Zoom acquisition, its encryption-first ethos vanished.

🔄 Automation & Workflow

  • Zapier: Overkill for my needs despite Zapier Central's potential.
  • Rewst: Complexity outweighed benefits for small-team workflows.

🗂️ Project Management

  • Trello: Felt outdated compared to Monday.com's dynamic boards.
  • IT Glue: Robust but slower than Notion/Obsidian for quick edits.

🧩 Miscellaneous

  • Wavebox: Replaced by Beeper for unified messaging + Zen/Workplace for app consolidation.

Why They're Retired

  • Speed: Tools like Slack/Wavebox drained RAM or had slow UIs.
  • Integration: Many lacked seamless ties to my core stack (e.g., Trello ↔️ Obsidian).
  • Trust: Keybase/Telegram lost credibility due to leadership shifts.

Your graveyard will vary—deprecate tools that no longer serve your velocity or values.