Jonathan Beckett
@jonbeckett.bsky.social
Software and web developer, husband, father, writer, runner, coffee drinker, retro video games player. Pizza solves most things.
The story of how a Cold War-era defence project evolved into the most transformative communications network in human history—told through the visionaries, engineers, and pivotal moments that shaped the internet.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/14/a...
#internet #history #arpanet #technology #tech
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/14/a...
#internet #history #arpanet #technology #tech
From Cold War Experiment to Global Network: The Revolutionary History of ARPANET and the Birth of the Internet
The story of how a Cold War-era defence project evolved into the most transformative communications network in human history—told through the visionaries, engineers, and pivotal moments that shaped th...
jonbeckett.com
January 14, 2026 at 12:51 AM
The story of how a Cold War-era defence project evolved into the most transformative communications network in human history—told through the visionaries, engineers, and pivotal moments that shaped the internet.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/14/a...
#internet #history #arpanet #technology #tech
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/14/a...
#internet #history #arpanet #technology #tech
Quick question to the BlueSky community - after working from home for the last couple of years, I'm thinking about trying out some shared office space. There is a "Spaces" shared office within walking distance of home - just wondering if anybody uses their "Lounge" access, and has opinions on them?
January 13, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Quick question to the BlueSky community - after working from home for the last couple of years, I'm thinking about trying out some shared office space. There is a "Spaces" shared office within walking distance of home - just wondering if anybody uses their "Lounge" access, and has opinions on them?
From humble beginnings to powering millions of websites, the LAMP stack transformed web development from an expensive enterprise endeavour into an accessible platform for anyone with a computer and an idea.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/13/l...
#web #lamp #history #internet
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/13/l...
#web #lamp #history #internet
The LAMP Stack Revolution: How Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP Democratised Web Development
From humble beginnings to powering millions of websites, the LAMP stack transformed web development from an expensive enterprise endeavour into an accessible platform for anyone with a computer and an...
jonbeckett.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:54 AM
From humble beginnings to powering millions of websites, the LAMP stack transformed web development from an expensive enterprise endeavour into an accessible platform for anyone with a computer and an idea.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/13/l...
#web #lamp #history #internet
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/13/l...
#web #lamp #history #internet
From Alan Turing’s handwritten algorithms to AlphaZero’s neural networks, the evolution of computer chess charts humanity’s journey toward artificial consciousness—one calculated move at a time.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/12/c...
#chess #games #gametheory #history #turing #deepblue #alphazero #ai
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/12/c...
#chess #games #gametheory #history #turing #deepblue #alphazero #ai
The Chess Machine Awakens: From Turing’s Dreams to Silicon Consciousness
From Alan Turing’s handwritten algorithms to AlphaZero’s neural networks, the evolution of computer chess charts humanity’s journey toward artificial consciousness—one calculated move at a time.
jonbeckett.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:02 PM
From Alan Turing’s handwritten algorithms to AlphaZero’s neural networks, the evolution of computer chess charts humanity’s journey toward artificial consciousness—one calculated move at a time.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/12/c...
#chess #games #gametheory #history #turing #deepblue #alphazero #ai
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/12/c...
#chess #games #gametheory #history #turing #deepblue #alphazero #ai
This is the story of how business automation and workflow evolved from expensive enterprise luxuries to tools that democratized process improvement for organizations of every size.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/11/b...
#powerplatform #nintex #k2 #metastorm #filenet #sharepoint #workflow #automation
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/11/b...
#powerplatform #nintex #k2 #metastorm #filenet #sharepoint #workflow #automation
From Paper to Power Platform: The Revolutionary History of Business Automation and Workflow
In 1990, a typical business process looked something like this: a paper form would land in someone’s inbox, sit there for hours or days, get signed, placed in an inter-office envelope, and physically ...
jonbeckett.com
January 11, 2026 at 12:22 AM
This is the story of how business automation and workflow evolved from expensive enterprise luxuries to tools that democratized process improvement for organizations of every size.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/11/b...
#powerplatform #nintex #k2 #metastorm #filenet #sharepoint #workflow #automation
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/11/b...
#powerplatform #nintex #k2 #metastorm #filenet #sharepoint #workflow #automation
In 2009, a programmer named Ryan Dahl stood on stage at JSConf EU and demonstrated something that seemed almost heretical to many in the audience: JavaScript running on a server.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/10/n...
#javascript #nodejs #history #tech #internet
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/10/n...
#javascript #nodejs #history #tech #internet
JavaScript Everywhere: The Revolutionary History of Node.js and Full-Stack JavaScript
In 2009, a programmer named Ryan Dahl stood on stage at JSConf EU and demonstrated something that seemed almost heretical to many in the audience: JavaScript running on a server. Not in a browser, not...
jonbeckett.com
January 10, 2026 at 8:02 PM
In 2009, a programmer named Ryan Dahl stood on stage at JSConf EU and demonstrated something that seemed almost heretical to many in the audience: JavaScript running on a server.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/10/n...
#javascript #nodejs #history #tech #internet
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/10/n...
#javascript #nodejs #history #tech #internet
The World Wide Web represents one of humanity’s great collaborative achievements. By understanding its history, we can better appreciate both its possibilities and its challenges—and work to ensure the web remains open, accessible, and beneficial for all.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/09/w...
#web
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/09/w...
#web
From CERN to Chrome: The Revolutionary History of the World Wide Web and Web Browsers
In 1989, a British scientist working at CERN had an idea that would fundamentally transform human civilization. Tim Berners-Lee’s proposal for an “information management” system evolved into the World...
jonbeckett.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:26 AM
The World Wide Web represents one of humanity’s great collaborative achievements. By understanding its history, we can better appreciate both its possibilities and its challenges—and work to ensure the web remains open, accessible, and beneficial for all.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/09/w...
#web
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/09/w...
#web
The code you write today becomes the legacy system of tomorrow. The shortcuts you take now become the technical debt your successors will curse. The standards you establish—or fail to establish—determine whether your project scales gracefully or buckles under pressure.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/08/s...
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/08/s...
The Hidden Challenges of Large-Scale Software Development: Navigating Complexity in the Real World
Every software developer knows the exhilaration of starting a new project—a blank canvas where anything seems possible. But as projects grow from small prototypes to large-scale enterprise systems, th...
jonbeckett.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:59 AM
The code you write today becomes the legacy system of tomorrow. The shortcuts you take now become the technical debt your successors will curse. The standards you establish—or fail to establish—determine whether your project scales gracefully or buckles under pressure.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/08/s...
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/08/s...
Since its public release in 2004, Rails has not only shaped how we think about web application development but has also influenced countless other frameworks across different programming languages.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/07/r...
#development #web #mvc #rails #ruby
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/07/r...
#development #web #mvc #rails #ruby
Ruby on Rails: The Framework That Revolutionized Web Development
In the landscape of web development frameworks, few have had as profound and lasting an impact as Ruby on Rails. Since its public release in 2004, Rails has not only shaped how we think about web appl...
jonbeckett.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:54 AM
Since its public release in 2004, Rails has not only shaped how we think about web application development but has also influenced countless other frameworks across different programming languages.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/07/r...
#development #web #mvc #rails #ruby
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/07/r...
#development #web #mvc #rails #ruby
Microsoft Playwright has evolved far beyond traditional browser automation into an intelligent testing ecosystem powered by AI agents that can autonomously crawl websites, map user interfaces, design comprehensive test suites, and self-heal when applications change.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/06/p...
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/06/p...
Microsoft Playwright’s Intelligent Testing Revolution: AI Agents That Design, Build, and Heal Tests Automatically
Microsoft Playwright has evolved far beyond traditional browser automation into an intelligent testing ecosystem powered by AI agents that can autonomously crawl websites, map user interfaces, design ...
jonbeckett.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:34 AM
Microsoft Playwright has evolved far beyond traditional browser automation into an intelligent testing ecosystem powered by AI agents that can autonomously crawl websites, map user interfaces, design comprehensive test suites, and self-heal when applications change.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/06/p...
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/06/p...
Discover how combining Gherkin, Cucumber, Playwright, NodeJS, and Allure Reports creates a powerful, flexible BDD solution that bridges the gap between business requirements and technical implementation.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/02/f...
#testing #bdd #gherkin #cucumber #playwright #allure #development
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/02/f...
#testing #bdd #gherkin #cucumber #playwright #allure #development
Building Flexible BDD Solutions: The Power of Gherkin, Cucumber, Playwright, NodeJS, and Allure Reports
Discover how combining Gherkin, Cucumber, Playwright, NodeJS, and Allure Reports creates a powerful, flexible BDD solution that bridges the gap between business requirements and technical implementati...
jonbeckett.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Discover how combining Gherkin, Cucumber, Playwright, NodeJS, and Allure Reports creates a powerful, flexible BDD solution that bridges the gap between business requirements and technical implementation.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/02/f...
#testing #bdd #gherkin #cucumber #playwright #allure #development
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/02/f...
#testing #bdd #gherkin #cucumber #playwright #allure #development
Microsoft’s emerging ‘Frontier’ approach represents a fundamental shift toward centralised agent governance, monitoring, and control at enterprise scale.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/05/m...
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/05/m...
Microsoft’s AI Agent Frontier: Building the Enterprise Command Centre for Autonomous Intelligence
Microsoft’s ambitious vision for enterprise AI agents isn’t just about creating smarter assistants—it’s about orchestrating entire ecosystems of autonomous digital workers. As organisations grapple wi...
jonbeckett.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Microsoft’s emerging ‘Frontier’ approach represents a fundamental shift toward centralised agent governance, monitoring, and control at enterprise scale.
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/05/m...
jonbeckett.com/2026/01/05/m...
After giving it quite a bit of thought over new year, I have resurrected a technical blog on the internet - to bring together the notes I write from day to day into a coherent form that might be of use to others. jonbeckett.com - feel free to go take a look :)
jonbeckett.com
Software and Web Developer
jonbeckett.com
January 4, 2026 at 5:42 PM
After giving it quite a bit of thought over new year, I have resurrected a technical blog on the internet - to bring together the notes I write from day to day into a coherent form that might be of use to others. jonbeckett.com - feel free to go take a look :)
Looking at BlueSky once again, and wondering if it's worth the effort. Being "present" on the various social networks is kind of exhausting.
December 31, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Looking at BlueSky once again, and wondering if it's worth the effort. Being "present" on the various social networks is kind of exhausting.
First day off sick in a year. Just completed the trip to the shops to get energy drinks, paracetamol, chocolate, and cough syrup (which we all know doesn't work, but still hoping the placebo effect does).
February 19, 2025 at 11:31 AM
First day off sick in a year. Just completed the trip to the shops to get energy drinks, paracetamol, chocolate, and cough syrup (which we all know doesn't work, but still hoping the placebo effect does).
The one where I won't admit how difficult I found it to switch off my work computer this evening, after finally discovering how to do something that I've been working towards all day - with minutes of the day left.
February 13, 2025 at 6:10 PM
The one where I won't admit how difficult I found it to switch off my work computer this evening, after finally discovering how to do something that I've been working towards all day - with minutes of the day left.
I'm trying to make more time for writing. When I look back at my personal blog - started over twenty years ago - I am often surprised at how good it used to be.
February 9, 2025 at 12:14 PM
I'm trying to make more time for writing. When I look back at my personal blog - started over twenty years ago - I am often surprised at how good it used to be.
I used to fly quite often with work. Sometimes the weather would be kind, and the approach route into Heathrow would take us over "the city of London" - I could never understand why everybody else wasn't filling their phone with photos too...
February 4, 2025 at 6:47 PM
I used to fly quite often with work. Sometimes the weather would be kind, and the approach route into Heathrow would take us over "the city of London" - I could never understand why everybody else wasn't filling their phone with photos too...
I watched the movie "Her" a few days ago, and something has been eating away at me ever since. Shortly before the plug is pulled on "Samantha", she seems to have become self aware. There's a much better movie hidden in those few minutes that doesn't exist...
February 4, 2025 at 3:32 PM
I watched the movie "Her" a few days ago, and something has been eating away at me ever since. Shortly before the plug is pulled on "Samantha", she seems to have become self aware. There's a much better movie hidden in those few minutes that doesn't exist...
Why is it we look forward to the weekend, then when we get there we stare in horror at the mountain of chores that need doing? Why do we forget about this peculiar hell by next weekend, and again the weekend after that, and so on?
February 1, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Why is it we look forward to the weekend, then when we get there we stare in horror at the mountain of chores that need doing? Why do we forget about this peculiar hell by next weekend, and again the weekend after that, and so on?
Am I the only person that resists following people because I don't want to look like I'm trying to play the system - but then realise I'll never get to know anybody otherwise :/
January 31, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Am I the only person that resists following people because I don't want to look like I'm trying to play the system - but then realise I'll never get to know anybody otherwise :/
The major thing I'm starting to understand - it's taken me several years to build nearly 40,000 subscribers at YouTube, and nearly 2,000 subscribers at Substack - all through organic means.
I need to protect them now. I receive marketing offers every week. I'm getting better at saying no.
I need to protect them now. I receive marketing offers every week. I'm getting better at saying no.
January 24, 2025 at 6:02 PM
The major thing I'm starting to understand - it's taken me several years to build nearly 40,000 subscribers at YouTube, and nearly 2,000 subscribers at Substack - all through organic means.
I need to protect them now. I receive marketing offers every week. I'm getting better at saying no.
I need to protect them now. I receive marketing offers every week. I'm getting better at saying no.
Interesting few days:
- I posted my first "paying member only" post on Substack - testing the waters towards offering readers more in return for a small subscription fee
- I turned down a marketing agency wanting to advertise a very well known mental health product in the middle of my youtube videos
- I posted my first "paying member only" post on Substack - testing the waters towards offering readers more in return for a small subscription fee
- I turned down a marketing agency wanting to advertise a very well known mental health product in the middle of my youtube videos
January 24, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Interesting few days:
- I posted my first "paying member only" post on Substack - testing the waters towards offering readers more in return for a small subscription fee
- I turned down a marketing agency wanting to advertise a very well known mental health product in the middle of my youtube videos
- I posted my first "paying member only" post on Substack - testing the waters towards offering readers more in return for a small subscription fee
- I turned down a marketing agency wanting to advertise a very well known mental health product in the middle of my youtube videos