This last year has been a difficult one for events, conferences, and user groups. A lot have just shut up their doors and are waiting for the current COVID-19 pandemic to settle down again. As a result, there has not been too many speaking opportunities to come across, even virtually.

When I was awarded the Microsoft Certified Trainer last year, I talked about how it had been on my wish list for some time and how I was blown away by the award. Well, guess what … I use the word humble a lot, but I truly am humbled to once again be part of the Microsoft Certified Trainer program. I said it all last year, so I’ll keep this short.

On 14 January I will be presenting, virtually, to the Glasgow Data User Group. This will be the first time I have presented The What, Where and Why of Git to an audience.

Like most people in IT, I’ve taken my fair share of courses and workshops. Back when I started in IT, online courses were not really a thing (it’s true, kids) so they were all taken in person. I was always in awe in how the trainers casually handled the class, the questions and easily talk in depth about their subject. Working primarily in the Windows ecosystem, many of the trainers were Microsoft certified.

After my MVP award last year, Imposter Syndrome visited and has stayed a while. I’d be lying if I denied wondering about the next renewal date and whether what I’ve done this year is worthy of the MVP award. Being given the award was a massive milestone for me. To be recognised in the community, by my peers as deserving of it, was humbling.

I actually didn’t know that high DPI scaling still existed on Windows 10 until I got a 34" 4K monitor. But it is. In 2020. And while I know that Microsoft have made a lot of changes in this area to help, it’s still frustrating when I come across that one application that still doesn’t play ball.

With all the changes, Microsoft has given us a few ways to help work with this issue.

We are all living through an unusual time at the moment. COVID-19 has forced us to stay indoors and minimise social contact. Talk to anybody who already works from home on a regular basis and you will hear its not as easy as you think. It requires discipline, focus and vigilance.

So I am going to tell you what works for me. It might not work for you, exactly. It might not work at all for you. That is okay. We are all different people. But I hope you get something out of this.

In the previous post I talked about how to set up the GL.iNet AR300M router to connect to hotel WiFi and be used as a hotspot. While having all of your devices behind a NAT router enhances their security on public WiFi, what are the options if you want to encrypt that outbound connection?

The first ever #BridgeConf was awesome. Really enjoyed presenting to PowerShell peers from the PowerShell Slack / Discord #bridge channel.

I’m travelling a lot more these days so spending time in hotels is now for winding down and sleeping to minimise the effects of jet lag. Something I find doesn’t actually get any easier the more you travel. I now take my Chromecast with me. It’s just one of those things that just works. No fuss or hassle. So I don’t need to spend time trying to troubleshoot problems.