Quick Reads

Focused excerpts from longer posts — one topic, one image, one answer.

Each quick read takes one section from a longer post and presents it as a standalone piece: a specific how-to, a product review, a race report, or a technical guide. The button at the bottom takes you to the full article.

Aves Gallery — A Privacy-First Photo Gallery App for Android

No cloud, no Google Photos dependency — a local-first gallery that just works.

If you're running Android without Google services, you need a photo gallery that works locally. Aves Gallery is the answer: fast, beautiful, and completely independent of any cloud service.

AWStats vs Google Analytics — A Privacy-Friendly Alternative

Server-side analytics that work without cookies, JavaScript, or tracking your visitors.

Google Analytics is powerful but tracks your visitors across the web. AWStats reads your server logs directly — no cookies, no JavaScript, no third-party data collection. Willem compared both and switched.

Batch Rename Photos by Date Using EXIF Data on Linux

Use exiftool to rename thousands of photos to YYYYMMDD-HHMM format in seconds.

After exporting your photos from Apple Photos, you're left with meaningless filenames like IMG_4523.jpg. Here's how to batch rename them all by their actual creation date using EXIF metadata and a single terminal command.

Building a Cross-Platform Game with HTML5 — The Snake '97 Engine

One codebase, every platform — how a retro game runs on iOS, Android, and web from a single HTML5 engine.

Snake '97 runs on iOS, Android, and web browsers — all from a single HTML5/JavaScript codebase. No React Native, no Unity, no cross-platform framework. Just canvas rendering, touch events, and a game loop.

Cyclemeter — The Best Bike Computer App for iPhone

GPS tracking, sensor support, and Apple Watch integration — without a subscription.

After testing multiple cycling apps, Willem settled on Cyclemeter as the best bike computer app for iPhone. It records rides via GPS, connects to Bluetooth sensors, displays data on Apple Watch, and works without a subscription.

Dovecot 2.4 mail_location Has Changed — How to Migrate

The mail_location setting has been split in Dovecot 2.4 — here's the new syntax.

One of the biggest breaking changes in Dovecot 2.4: the mail_location setting no longer works the old way. It's been split into separate settings for mail format and path. Here's how to update your configuration.

Dovecot 2.4 SSL Certificate Configuration Change

ssl_cert becomes ssl_server_cert_file — and other encryption changes.

Dovecot 2.4 renamed several SSL settings. If your mail server's TLS stopped working after the upgrade, this is probably why.

Fixing the dovecot_config_version Error in Dovecot 2.4

Dovecot 2.4 refuses to start without dovecot_config_version — here's how to fix it.

After upgrading to Dovecot 2.4, the server refuses to start with "dovecot_config_version not set." This is by design — Dovecot 2.4 requires a complete configuration rewrite. Here's what you need to know.

Game Localisation — How Snake '97 Supports 45+ Languages

From Arabic to Vietnamese — internationalising a game for a global audience.

Snake '97 is played in over 100 countries and supports 45+ languages — including right-to-left scripts like Arabic and Hebrew. Here's how one developer localised a game for the entire world.

Gates Carbon Drive on a Commuter Bike — Long-Term Review

A carbon belt instead of a chain — after thousands of kilometres, was it worth it?

Willem replaced the traditional chain on his commuter bike with a Gates Carbon Drive belt. After thousands of kilometres through Amsterdam rain and winter — here's the honest verdict on belt drives for daily commuting.

Google Search Operators — The Complete List for Power Users

site:, filetype:, intitle:, cache: — every operator explained.

Most people type words into Google. Power users use search operators to find exactly what they need.

How Much Data Does Google Collect from Your Android Phone

The hidden tracking inside a stock Android phone — and what you can do about it.

When Willem set up a budget Android phone, he discovered just how much data Google collects by default — location history, app usage, voice recordings, and more. Here's what he found and how to reduce it.

How to Clean a Vintage Automatic Watch by Hand

Found at a flea market, taken apart, cleaned, and brought back to life.

Willem found a Citizen Automatic at a flea market — dirty, stopped, forgotten. Instead of leaving it, he took it home, opened the case, cleaned every component by hand, and got it running again. Here's how.

How to Convert HEIC to JPG in Bulk Using ImageMagick

One command to convert all your iPhone HEIC photos to universally compatible JPG.

Modern iPhones shoot in HEIC format — smaller files, better quality, but poor compatibility with many apps and platforms. Here's the single command to convert them all to JPG without losing quality.

How to Export Photos from Apple Photos Without Losing Quality

Export your unmodified originals, batch rename by EXIF date, and convert HEIC to JPG.

Apple Photos makes it easy to store your pictures — and hard to get them out. Here's how to export your unmodified originals, rename them by date using EXIF data, and convert HEIC files to JPG. From Willem's complete guide to escaping Apple's photo ecosystem.

How to Open a 27-inch iMac 5K — Step by Step with Photos

The screen is glued on. Here's how to remove it without breaking anything.

The 27-inch iMac's screen is held on by adhesive strips. Opening it requires patience, a pizza cutter tool, and steady hands. Willem photographed every step during his 14TB upgrade — here's exactly how it's done.

How to Remove Paint from a Bike Frame

Chemical stripper, sandpaper, patience — the complete strip-and-repaint guide.

Whether you're restoring a vintage bike or customising a new one, removing paint from a steel frame is the first step. Here's the practical guide: which stripper to use, how long to wait, and how to get down to bare metal cleanly.

How to Replace a Swollen MacBook Air Battery

The trackpad bulges, the case warps — here's how to save it before it's too late.

A swollen lithium battery is a ticking bomb inside your MacBook. The trackpad stops clicking, the case bulges, and eventually the screen cracks from internal pressure. Willem caught it in time and replaced the battery himself.

How to Service and Repair an iRobot Roomba Vacuum Cleaner

Complete teardown and service guide — brushes, filters, sensors, wheels.

Most people throw away their robot vacuum when it stops working properly. Willem took his apart instead — and documented every step with photos. Here's the complete service guide for bringing an iRobot Roomba back to life.

How to Upgrade RAM in a 27-inch iMac 5K

The easiest iMac upgrade — accessible through a small hatch behind the screen.

Unlike most iMac upgrades, adding RAM to a 27-inch model doesn't require opening the screen. There's a small access hatch behind the stand — press a button, and the RAM slots are right there.

Installing and Riding with a 4iiii Power Meter on Your Bike

From installation to first ride — what power data actually tells you about your cycling.

A power meter measures exactly how much energy you're putting into the pedals — in watts. Willem installed a 4iiii Precision on his crank arm and discovered that power data changes how you think about cycling.

Installing Linux on a Microsoft Surface Go

From creating a bootable USB to a working touch-friendly Linux tablet.

The Surface Go is a compact Windows tablet that makes an excellent Linux machine — if you know how to set it up. Here's the practical guide: creating a bootable USB, choosing the right distro, and getting touch input working properly.

Leiden Marathon Review — When the Going Gets Tough

A flat course through Dutch history — and the mental game of pushing through the wall.

The Leiden Marathon runs through one of the Netherlands' most historic cities — past the Pieterskerk, along the canals, through the university quarter. Willem ran it and wrote about what happens when the body says stop but the mind says continue.

Living with MCADD — A Parent's Guide to the Metabolic Condition

What MCADD means for daily life, what to watch for, and how one family navigates it.

MCADD (Medium-Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency) is a rare metabolic condition that affects how the body processes fat for energy. When Willem's child was diagnosed, he wrote the post he wished he'd found — practical, honest, and written by a parent, not a doctor.

Managing Your Photo Library with Free Software Instead of iCloud

Shotwell on Linux as a complete replacement for Apple Photos and iCloud.

You don't need iCloud to manage your photos. Shotwell on Linux handles importing, organising, and browsing your entire library — locally, privately, on a device you control.

Mindfold Sleep Mask — Total Darkness for Better Sleep

Not a regular sleep mask — the Mindfold blocks 100% of light while letting you open your eyes.

The Mindfold is a sleep mask with a foam cavity that creates total darkness while letting you open your eyes freely. Willem tested it with Whoop sleep data — the results were measurable.

NuPhy Air60 V2 Review — A Compact Mechanical Keyboard for Serious Typing

Low-profile mechanical switches, Bluetooth, compact layout — tested by someone who types for a living.

After decades of typing on laptop keyboards and Apple Magic Keyboards, Willem switched to a NuPhy Air60 V2 — a low-profile mechanical keyboard with Bluetooth. The difference in typing experience was immediate and dramatic.

Omarchy — A Minimal Linux Distribution on an iMac

Arch-based, tiling window manager, designed for focus — running on Apple hardware.

Omarchy is a minimal, opinionated Linux distribution based on Arch. Willem installed it on a 27-inch iMac 5K — repurposing Apple hardware with an OS that's the philosophical opposite of macOS.

Ortlieb Urban Daypack 15L — The Minimal Business Backpack

Waterproof, compact, and just big enough for a laptop, tablet, and nothing more.

Willem fits his entire business in this 15-litre backpack: laptop, tablet, cables, notebook. Waterproof for Amsterdam cycling, minimal enough to force discipline about what you carry.

Replacing the Roc Loc 5 Retention System on a Giro Helmet

The retention system broke, but the helmet itself is fine — here's the fix.

Giro helmets use a Roc Loc retention system — the adjustable dial at the back that holds the helmet on your head. When it breaks (and it does), most people throw the helmet away. But the retention system is a replaceable part.

Restoring a 1978 Batavus Champion — Vintage Bike Rebuild

Found in a shed, stripped to the frame, rebuilt with modern parts — the bike that started it all.

Willem's first bike project: a rusted 1978 Batavus Champion found in a shed and rebuilt from the frame up. New wheels, new drivetrain, new cables — but the same Dutch steel frame that was built to last.

rsync Backup Rotation — Daily, Weekly, Monthly Archives

A practical rsync backup scheme with incremental transfers and automatic rotation.

rsync is the most reliable backup tool on Linux — but setting up a proper rotation scheme takes thought. Here's a practical approach to daily, weekly, and monthly backups with incremental transfers that only copy what changed.

Shimano 7-Speed Shift Cable Replacement — Step by Step

The most bookmarked bike repair guide on the site — with photos of every step.

Replacing a shift cable on a Shimano 7-speed system is one of the most common bike repairs — and one of the most searched. Here's the complete guide with photos of every step, from removing the old cable to adjusting the derailleur.

Smart Roadster — The Impractical Car I Loved and Sold

A tiny sports car with a leaky roof, a sluggish gearbox, and an unforgettable driving experience.

Before going car-free, Willem drove a Smart Roadster — one of the quirkiest cars ever made. A mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive micro sports car that was terrible in every practical way and wonderful to drive.

Swimming with Apple Watch — Waterproof Performance Tested

Pool laps, open water, heart rate in the water — does it actually work?

The Apple Watch is rated water-resistant, but how does it actually perform during swimming? Willem tested it in the pool and in open water — tracking laps, heart rate, and stroke detection.

TCS Amsterdam Marathon Review — Running 42 km Through the City

One of Europe's fastest marathon courses — through the Vondelpark, along the Amstel, finishing in the Olympic Stadium.

The TCS Amsterdam Marathon is one of Europe's major marathons — a flat, fast course through the city, finishing in the iconic Olympic Stadium from the 1928 Games. Willem ran it after months of preparation with data, sensors, and the lessons from his half marathon.

Touch Screen UI Design — What Mouse Interfaces Got Wrong

Why most touch interfaces are broken — they were designed for a cursor, not a finger.

Most touch screen interfaces are redesigned mouse interfaces — tiny hit targets, hover states that don't exist on touch, menus designed for precision that fingers can't deliver. Willem argues for a fundamentally different approach.

Traffic Shaping on Linux with iptables and tc — A Practical Guide

Limit bandwidth per IP or service using HTB queuing disciplines.

When one client or service eats all your bandwidth, traffic shaping is the surgical fix. Here's how to use iptables marks with tc's Hierarchy Token Bucket (HTB) to limit traffic per IP on Linux.

Tudor Black Bay 36 — Three Years of Daily Wear

Not a first-week review. This is what happens after 1,000+ days on the wrist.

Most watch reviews are written after a few days. This one was written after three years of wearing the Tudor Black Bay 36 every day — through swimming, cycling, sleeping, and everything in between. Every scratch earned.

Using an Apple Watch with Cellular as Your Only Phone

What happens when you ditch the iPhone entirely and live with just the watch.

Willem ditched his iPhone and lived with just an Apple Watch Ultra on cellular for months. Calls, messages, maps, music — all from a screen the size of a postage stamp. Here's what worked, what didn't, and what you learn about yourself when the big screen disappears.

Using dig to Query DNS — A Beginner's Guide

The most useful terminal command for debugging domains, email, and web hosting.

The dig command lets you query DNS servers directly — check if your domain points to the right IP, verify your mail server's MX records, debug SPF settings, and understand how the internet's naming system works.

Valencia Marathon Review — Running a World-Class Course in Spain

One of the world's top 5 fastest marathon courses — flat, warm, and finishing through the City of Arts and Sciences.

The Valencia Marathon is consistently ranked among the world's fastest — a flat coastal course with mild December weather, superb organisation, and a spectacular finish through Santiago Calatrava's City of Arts and Sciences. Willem ran it and shares the experience.

Venloop Half Marathon Review — Running 21 km in Venlo

A first half marathon through Limburg — with sensor data, honest preparation notes, and the finish line feeling.

The Venloop in Venlo was Willem's first half marathon — 21.1 kilometres through the Limburg countryside and city streets, wearing sensors, tracking heart rate, and learning what it means to run further than your body thinks it can.

Vibe Coding — When AI Writes Code from Natural Language Prompts

The trend of letting AI generate code from descriptions — tested by a developer who's been coding for decades.

"Vibe coding" is the practice of describing what you want in natural language and letting an AI write the code. Willem — who has been writing code by hand for decades — tried it himself and has thoughts.

Whoop Heart Rate Accuracy — Tested Against a Chest Strap

Optical wrist sensor vs clinical-grade chest strap — the real numbers.

The Whoop Strap uses an optical sensor on your wrist to measure heart rate. But how accurate is it compared to a chest strap? Willem wore both simultaneously during workouts and compared the data.

Whoop Sleep Tracking — What It Actually Measures

Sleep stages, HRV, respiratory rate — and the limits of wrist-based measurement.

The Whoop Strap tracks your sleep automatically — stages, duration, disturbances, HRV, and respiratory rate. But how accurate is it really? After months of nightly data, here's what Willem found.

Why a ThinkPad X200 is Still a Great Laptop

An old machine that outperforms new ones — for the work that actually matters.

The ThinkPad X200 was released in 2008. Willem still uses one — and argues it's better for actual work than most modern laptops. The keyboard, the repairability, the absence of distraction.

Working in VR — Can Apple Vision Pro Replace Your Monitor?

Spatial computing tested for real work — not demos, not games, but actual productivity.

Apple calls it spatial computing. The question Willem asked: can you actually work in it? Not watch movies, not play games — write code, answer emails, manage projects. The answer is more nuanced than Apple's marketing suggests.

Working Offline First — Why Your Software Should Work Without Internet

The case for computing that doesn't break when the WiFi drops.

Most modern software silently assumes you're always online. Willem argues this is a design flaw — and spent weeks working entirely offline to prove that a better approach exists.