iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

So far it was in the LLM tuning which is very small LLM that’s being tuned to my specifications. And I noticed some categories had been incorrectly combined. A couple were missing. And one was returning the wrong response.

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Yep - plus in the case of a non-basic CRUD app, I don't even know how something with any depth or richness could even be developed without at least the wireframes and interactions on lock?

This fall I learned not to be scared of looking at code. 💪🏾 Even though I’m not technical, I discovered I can tell whether the stuff specific to my domain knowledge is mapped correctly. Can I assess code smell? No. But I can tell if the content and logic is right. #buildinpublic

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2/2 Other advice that I straight up ignored was that design comes last. Nope. Design comes first. Getting that UX nailed down is critical to my ML devs understanding what it works instead of how they *think* it should work. The domain knowledge is often counterintuitive.

Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 12/11/2025

1/2Despite vociferous advice to the contrary, I chose to hire co-op students for the project this fall and it’s been amazing. They’re super smart and creative and there are a couple of them that I hope want to stay with the project in some capacity long term.

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I'm quite involved in the financial therapy community, and was on the board of the FTA for six years. Would be happy to point you in the direction of good folks if you need help with that conversation in the future. Also, would love your feedback on what we have so far if you're ever up for it.

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Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 12/11/2025

Looking forward to having something shareable soon!

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Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 07/11/2025

2/2 Being able to say "what" it is, has allowed me to collaborate with the right folks, to start giving it shape. There's still a lot to it, but the progress in the last few months is vision aligned, and feedback from testers has been positive.

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Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 07/11/2025

1/2 So quick update. I had a turning point this summer, when I discovered that the thing I'm building has a specialized name - it's a serious game. The ENTIRE mismatch between what I envisioned and what was happening was because I was describing my project as an app, not a serious game.

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Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 05/11/2025

Also… With A Friend Like Harry

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Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 05/11/2025

Strickly Ballroom Once were Warriors Muriel’s Wedding The Full Monty Millers Crossing Rushmore Delicatessen The City of Lost Children Also - Any of the shorts from Spike and Mike’s animation festival from that era if you can get your hands on them

Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 01/11/2025

Love this! Huge goals! We do basic full size chocolate bars...but sadly, we get very few kids coming to our door in recent years. 😥 It's 7:00 pm where I am, and we've only had one person so far.

Glass bowl filled with full sized chocolate bars for Halloween, on a wooden table.

Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 25/10/2025

Rushmore is 100% the only choice here.

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Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 29/08/2025

Quietly googles how to pronounce Yoav.

Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 11/03/2025

Congrats Olu! 🎉🎊

Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 06/03/2025

lol! I think a lot of people vibe with my long suffering husband! 😂🫣

Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 06/03/2025

I got wordle in one again today. Husband: You should buy a lottery ticket. Me: That’s a great example of the hot hand fallacy (proceeds to launch into detailed explanation). Husband: You’re still really fun at parties aren’t you? 😂

Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 23/02/2025

I've done both. That said, the number of full-length albums I'll listen to is in the single digits. I'm also a season ticket holder to a particular local venue, so I get introduced to new music that way as well.

Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 22/02/2025

Olu, that’s the worst! How are you making lemosas out of it?

Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 09/02/2025

Taking mother to farmer's market and then, writing detailed feedback to designer, and then starting a decluttering streak. Goal: one hour per week for ten weeks.

Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 06/02/2025

The domain names! 🫣😬

Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 26/01/2025

Thank *you* Olu, for the much-needed nudge and encouragement earlier this week.

Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 23/01/2025

Oooh!!!! This is neat.

Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 23/01/2025

Hmmm... I needed to read this today.

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Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 22/01/2025

Congrats, Olu! 🎊 Just a heads up! The link you shared in your post returns a 404 error, however I was able to follow the post that you shared, which takes me to your listing.

Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 18/01/2025

Agreed - also in there somewhere ideas tested or ideas that are vetted

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Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 18/01/2025

What reignited your motivation?

Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 16/01/2025

I could see that for other platforms like LI, but I hope it doesn’t start happening here. I want to interact with accts that post stuff that interests them, or even random thoughts, not posts engineered for engagement. My ideal feed is not always engaging, but it will always be real.

Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 15/01/2025

What kind of tools are we talking? If it's AI generated content -HELL no. If it's something else...that would depend on what it is, and how it's being used.

Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 14/01/2025

It's a little unusual for sure, but...I like it.

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I’m stuck in the 90s so I still mostly wear Docs the difference being that I’m wearing six holes, instead of eight these days. I also wear vivo barefoot (geocourt model) shoes (not stylish, but so practical), and when I want to look slightly nicer but not dressy, my Office of Angela Scott boots.

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3) But I’ve come to believe it’s not necessarily the right data point about the account, or perhaps insufficient data points to determine whether the account will result in the discourse I’m after. It’s resulting in larger faster follows, and follow backs, but not necessarily depth.

I also think the starter packs are a great idea, but also having the unintended consequence. I curated my follows on X over a number of years based on posts or exchanges that I found interesting. Although it took me longer, the interactions were richer. With 🦋 starter packs I have one data point.

When I first arrived I saw a lot of posts about blocking. People weren’t just quietly blocking, they would block and post about it, encouraging others to block. I get why, but I think one of the unintended consequences is anodyne conversation. I’ve curated my feed, so I don’t see as much anymore.

Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 09/01/2025

I’m finding 🦋 largely lacking in lively conversations as well, but I think that it takes time and intentionality. I have found handful of folks, you included, who are genuinely interested in discussion. There is an odd instant blocking culture on 🦋that is maybe part of the problem.

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I am so sorry to hear that today was a down day 🤍. I hope tomorrow is better.

Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 08/01/2025

I also struggle to create engaging content, but I'm full of ideas for other people! 😂😬 I think you're onto something with story telling. How about instead of the backstory behind the feature, maybe share the story of how the feature impacted a user, and solved their hair on fire problem?

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Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 08/01/2025

A VR immersive murder mystery.

I didn’t realize that this is what I needed in my day!

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Disingenuous engagement will kill this app. Is your solution designed to help folks like me who are actually here for conversations?

🎯I'm still finding engagement to be missing here, and I'm not sure why. There seems to be a focus on gaining followers rather than building connection. High profile celeb or sports accounts could indeed allow users to connect in the comments, and hopefully lead to further connection.

Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 06/01/2025

If I wanted to learn more about this what book might I read as a starting point?

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2) To my mind, it's not an overlay; it is integral to the mission. *However* being non-technical, I recognize that there's so much I don't know or understand. What am I missing here?

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Natasha Knox @alaphia.ca · 06/01/2025

Get better soon! ☀️