Built to Last — Against Disposable Software and Half-Baked Products

Hand-crafted websites, offline-first software, and the belief that fewer things done well beats many things done badly.

In a world of WordPress templates, shared hosting, subscription apps, and products designed to be replaced — Willem builds the opposite. Hand-coded websites that load in milliseconds. Software that works without the internet. Servers configured line by line. These posts are a quiet argument for craft in a disposable industry.

The Web, Done Right

The Champions League of web design is Willem's manifesto: websites should be fast, light, and hand-built. No frameworks, no build pipelines, no third-party dependencies — just HTML, CSS, and JavaScript that a human wrote and understands. It's a direct challenge to the WordPress-industrial complex.

Champions League of Webdesign

Champions League of Webdesign

Cutting-edge technology meets top-tier digital demands

Creating a high-performance website is an art form that blends cutting-edge technology with an eye for design and commerce. At escape.nl, home to one of Amsterdam’s most iconic venues, every detail reflects the precision and care required to deliver seamless, engaging experiences to large audiences. This post highlights often-unseen details with big impact.

Software That Respects You

Working offline-first argues that software should work without an internet connection — not as a feature, but as a fundamental design principle. Auscultare — Willem's own podcast player — embodies this: no cloud, no account, no ads, no tracking. One thing done well.
Auscultare Podcast + Audiobook Player

Auscultare Podcast + Audiobook Player

Building a native Android app that remembers where you've left

Enjoy distraction free listening to long form audio files like podcasts and audiobooks using this app I made. Tired of bloated apps full of ads, subscriptions or 'suggestions', I wanted an app that gets out of my way by doing one thing only and one thing very well. This is Auscultare.

Working Offline First

Working Offline First

Learning from a 15-year old ThinkPad X200

As part of a greater plan to optimise my entire workflow, I am doing a little experiment this month: using a 15-year old ThinkPad X200 laptop as main computer. It’s from an era before “the cloud”, popular among free/libre software enthusiasts. What can we learn from this antithesis of modernity?

Infrastructure You Own

Breaking changes — the Dovecot 2.4 migration guide — is craft applied to server infrastructure. Not clicking buttons in a hosting panel, but understanding every configuration line and knowing exactly what your mail server is doing. The same philosophy drives the self-hosted cloud, the hand-configured DNS, the rsync backup scripts.

Breaking Changes

Breaking Changes

Upgrading Dovecot 2.3 to 2.4 in Debian Stable

Last week I ran into unexpected trouble during a routine maintenance procedure on my company's email infrastructure. Processing thousands of emails each day, we use Dovecot to give our clients access to their messages. That all came to a grinding halt when I updated to version 2.4 which features breaking changes... oh dear!

How to use rsync to make backups

How to use rsync to make backups

Explaining a powerful file transfer tool

It is very important to make backups of your data, as you never know when disaster strikes! One powerful, cross platform, tool to help you achieve this is 'rsync'. In this post I'll explain why rsync is useful and how you can use it to set up your own backups.

Also explore

self-hosting · writing code · digital minimalism · repair culture

The Principle

These posts share a common enemy: the "good enough" that's actually not good enough. Shared hosting that goes down. Apps that need WiFi to show you your own data. Websites that take five seconds to load a paragraph of text. Willem's answer is always the same: learn how it works, build it yourself, make it last.

Omarchy on iMac

Omarchy on iMac

Breathing new life into an old computer with Linux

After helping a family member migrate to a new computer, I found myself with an old iMac. The machine from 2017 was very slow running modern macOS, yet I have a soft spot for these all-in-one computers designed by Jony Ive and his team. Could I install Linux on it to give it a second life?

Durable Smartphone

Durable Smartphone

Fairphone with Google Free /e/OS

While sitting in the train the guy in front of me surprised me, out of his fancy pants he pulled this well worn, patina rich, piece of tech. We're travelling first class and judging by his classy attire, this man is not of limited means. Like a well-raced Porsche, this thing has seen some action. Sunlight hitting the metal frame reveals a green hue, I recognise it to be an earlier generation Fairphone still going strong. This changed my view on smartphones, please read along.

Better Laptop

Better Laptop

Assembling the DIY Framework 13

Consumer electronics often lock us into sealed hardware and forced upgrades, creating enormous e-waste. Framework challenges that norm by making laptops you can service, upgrade, and customise, which extends their lifespan and cuts down on unnecessary e-waste. My Framework 13 arrived this week and I assembled it myself. This post is a quick rundown of what that process involved, why I chose this brand, and what’s next.

And... there is light!

And... there is light!

Installing dynamo powered lights on my road bike

The darker days are here in the northern hemisphere, and so is the need for good lights on your bike. Although battery powered lights can do the job, you need to keep them charged. I wanted a light system on my road bike that just works. Read along for some light in the darkness!!

Working Offline First

Working Offline First

Learning from a 15-year old ThinkPad X200

As part of a greater plan to optimise my entire workflow, I am doing a little experiment this month: using a 15-year old ThinkPad X200 laptop as main computer. It’s from an era before “the cloud”, popular among free/libre software enthusiasts. What can we learn from this antithesis of modernity?

The Ultimate Freedom Bike

The Ultimate Freedom Bike

Riding the Brompton foldable bike

Rarely have I been so amazed by a bike: the past 5 months since I've picked up my Brompton foldable bike in Amsterdam have been great fun! About 500KM down the road, I'm happy to share some of my experiences with this ingenious piece of engineering, read on!

Designing my own watch

Designing my own watch

Timeless timepiece, both functional and comfortable

Last month a very special package arrived from Switzerland, containing my custom made wrist watch. I decided to sell all my big brand watches and have them replaced by something unique, tailored to my personal preferences. This is the story of my watch.

Replacing a Shimano shift cable

Replacing a Shimano shift cable

Fixing the cargo bike after hunting for bears

Last week my son and I where looking for bears in the local park... a child's fantasy is priceless! Unfortunately, during some off road riding with our cargo bike, one of the cables got tangled up with a sturdy branch! Our wounded carbo bike was in need for a repair!

Cleaning a vintage watch

Cleaning a vintage watch

Rediscovering old beauty under layers of dirt

This week I was cleaning my closet when I found an old watch. It came from my grandfather’s house. It looked like it had an adventurous live, full of wear and tear. I recognised that it had an automatic mechanical movement. Upon picking it up it almost instantly started running again. I wondered how cool it would be if I would gently clean it.

Repairing a Giro AEON bicycle helmet

Repairing a Giro AEON bicycle helmet

How to replace the Roc Loc 5 system

This month my trustworthy Giro Aeon bicycle helmet broke down! Normally I wouldn't hesitate to invest in safety and thus buying a new one. But I like the Aeon helmet so much that I went through some extra trouble to fix it. Read along to see how I did it.

Minimalistic road bike with Gates carbon drive

Minimalistic road bike with Gates carbon drive

Meet your new therapist: the Schindelhauer Siegfried Road

For the past few months I have been riding a special kind of bike, the minimalistic Siegfried Road from Schindelhauer. It is unlike most road bikes as it lacks a conventional chain and derailleur. It features the Gates CDX carbon drive. It's an exercise in minimal design. After riding it for nearly 1000KM, it's time to tell you all about it.

Supernova E3 Pro 2 dynamo powered headlight

Supernova E3 Pro 2 dynamo powered headlight

Replacing my bike's headlight

Earlier this month my dynamo powered headlight on my commuter bike needed replacing. One of the electrical connectors broke of, likely caused by intense daily use. I searched for the best possible light, one that would be extremely durable and bright. I found the Supernova E3 PRO 2 and decided to install it on my bike.

Servicing a robot vacuum cleaner

Servicing a robot vacuum cleaner

My iRobot Roomba is now running for 8 years and counting!

Back in 2011 I got myself an iRobot Roomba 555 robot vacuum cleaner to automatically clean my apartment. It's a little circle shaped robot that drives around sucking up dust bunnies. Over the years it has bravely fought the dangers of my apartment... shoes, cables, carpet and belts. It survived and it is still working perfectly! This week it was time for some maintenance.

One year on the ultimate commuter bike

One year on the ultimate commuter bike

6000KM in 12 months with Gates CDN/CDX and Shimano Alfine

A year ago I tried to create the ultimate commuter bike, a modified Sensa Cintura with the Gates CDN/CDX carbon belt drive. I received lots of messages from cyclists and commuters from all over the world. From the Swiss alps, France, Italy, Germany, United States and even "down under", Australia! You all wanted to know: how does the upgraded bike hold up?

Helping people with free software

Helping people with free software

Installing Debian GNU/Linux on an old laptop

This week a man brought his laptop to the community centre where I help people with computer problems as volunteer. The old laptop wouldn't start anymore and had to be reinstalled. Instead of Windows, I installed a free operating system. I think it is important to tell you how and why I did it.

Creating a minimal iPhone stand

Creating a minimal iPhone stand

Routing oak wood for a custom fit

Today I created a minimal iPhone stand from oak wood. While it's much faster to buy one online, I wanted one to fit my phone horizontally, with its case on. I like minimal design, so I opted to machine a single piece of wood to get it done.

Off the grid: Working on 100% renewable energy

Off the grid: Working on 100% renewable energy

Collecting, storing and using solar electricity to power my phone, computer and wearables

For the past 10 days I have powered my personal electronic devices (phone, computer, wearables) using nothing but energy collected using a small solar panel. I disconnected all grid-connected chargers. I hoped that by going off the grid, even in such a small way, I would gain insights that enable me to save energy (and money).

Creating the ultimate commuter bike

Creating the ultimate commuter bike

Riding at 35KM/h with Nexus Alfine 8 and Gates Carbon Drive

This winter I use a Sensa Cintura bike with a Gates Carbon belt drive as my daily commuter. It's a bike designed to be nice to ride thanks to its sporty lightweight frame. It's also meant to be low on maintenance thanks to the belt drive and Nexus Afline 8 integrated gear hub. After 1800KM in just eight weeks, it was time for some upgrades.

Lessons from a takeaway plastic bag

Lessons from a takeaway plastic bag

My ever increasing antipathy to planned obsolescence

About five months ago I got some take away food from our local Asian restaurant. They packaged the food and gave me a plastic bag to carry it home. On my way home I was thinking about the bag. Although it has some nice styling printed on it, it's designed for single use only. What a waste... making me wonder: how long would it last if you would use it on a daily basis?

Commuting by bike

Commuting by bike

One week (240KM) on the VanMoof Electrified S

For a few years now, I commute to work using a bicycle. I have lost more than 15KG since I stopped using my scooter. This week I tested a VanMoof Electrified S, an electric bike with an industrial, minimal design. Is it any good? How does it compare to a normal bike? Will an electric bike make you lazy? Read along to find out!

Saving a MacBook Air with exploded battery

Saving a MacBook Air with exploded battery

Don’t try this at home - but I did

Last night I had a nasty surprise: my original MacBook Air was swollen due to an exploded battery. I immediately had to take action, for reasons of safety and to preserve this piece of modern computer history. Don’t try this at home, but if you do... read along for some practical tips.

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