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John Callaway

@fractionaldeveloper.com
432 followers 942 following 171 posts

Helping developers build careers that align with their goals and values. 🎙️ 6figuredev.com 👨‍💻 github.com/ovation22 🌎 fractionaldeveloper.com 🌲 bonsai by night #developer #dotnet #csharp #tdd #bonsai

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Reposted by John Callaway
matsubonsai.com @matsubonsai.com · 22/08/2025
Revisiting some old bonsai posts on matsubonsai.com. #bonsai #bonsaisoil #akadama matsubonsai.com/inorganic-so...
matsubonsai.com
Inorganic Soil Mixes - Matsu Bonsai
There are nearly as many bonsai soil recipes as there are bonsai trees in the world. It seems that just about everyone has their own mix. The important thing is to find a recipe that works for you and...
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 16/01/2025
Watching Major League tonight in memory of Bob Uecker.
media.tenor.com
a man speaking into a microphone with the words juuust a bit outside
ALT: a man speaking into a microphone with the words juuust a bit outside
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 06/01/2025
fractionaldeveloper.com
The Fractional Developer’s Guide to Work-Life Balance in 2025
The new year is full of possibilities, but it can also bring pressure. As a fractional developer, you’re juggling multiple clients, projects, and deadlines, often without a clear boundary between work and personal life. It’s easy to feel like balance is just out of reach. This guide is here to help. Resetting your work-life balance… Read More »The Fractional Developer’s Guide to Work-Life Balance in 2025
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 01/01/2025
fractionaldeveloper.com
10 New Year’s Resolutions Every Developer Should Consider
A new year always feels like a fresh start. It’s the perfect time to think about where you’re headed and set some goals to help you get there. As developers, we’re constantly juggling new tools, technologies, and ways of working. That’s why having clear resolutions can make a big difference—it keeps you focused on what… Read More »10 New Year’s Resolutions Every Developer Should Consider
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 30/12/2024
fractionaldeveloper.com
Set SMART Goals for 2025
A new year is the perfect time to reset and focus on what you want to accomplish. It’s easy to get lost in the excitement of new opportunities, but without clear goals, it’s just as easy to drift. That’s where SMART goals come in. They give you a framework to translate your big ideas into… Read More »Set SMART Goals for 2025
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 23/12/2024
Has everyone watched Die Hard already this holiday season?
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 23/12/2024
fractionaldeveloper.com
Reflect and Reset
A Developer’s Guide to Ending the Year Strong and Starting Fresh The end of the year feels like closing one chapter and getting ready to write the next. For fractional developers, it’s a chance to reflect on what’s working, identify areas for growth, and hit reset on what’s dragging you down. This isn’t about making… Read More »Reflect and Reset
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 18/12/2024
And with today's TrueNAS update everything is back to working as it should, with NVIDIA passthrough and all. #truenas
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 17/12/2024
fractionaldeveloper.com
From Zero to Thriving: How to Land Your First Client
Starting out on your own as a developer can feel overwhelming. You know you’re capable, but how do you prove that to someone who doesn’t know you? Finding your first client might seem impossible, but it’s not. With some clear steps, a bit of confidence, and a touch of persistence, you can land that first… Read More »From Zero to Thriving: How to Land Your First Client
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 16/12/2024
fractionaldeveloper.com
AI for Small Businesses: Compete with Big Tech on a Budget
One of the biggest mistakes small businesses make is trying to implement AI on a massive scale from the start. Instead, identify specific areas where AI can make the most immediate impact.
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 14/12/2024
Well, I wasn't planning on updating the TrueNAS server tonight, yet here we are. #truenas
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 13/12/2024
There were a couple of unique and very interesting displays at the Pacific Bonsai Expo in Oakland this year. #bonsai #pbe2024
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 10/12/2024
fractionaldeveloper.com
Why Clients Choose You: Standing Out in a Competitive Market
Picture this: a client is scrolling through a list of developers, all claiming to be the best. It’s a sea of technical skills and impressive project names. But how do they decide who to trust with their project? What makes one name stand out when so many look the same? Here’s the reality, most clients… Read More »Why Clients Choose You: Standing Out in a Competitive Market
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 09/12/2024
fractionaldeveloper.com
Tips for Managing Multiple Clients with Confidence
The beauty of being a fractional developer lies in the variety—working on multiple projects, solving different challenges, and helping a range of clients. But that variety comes with its own hurdles. Trying to balance conflicting deadlines, unpredictable client demands, and your own mental bandwidth can leave you feeling stretched thin. If you’ve ever caught yourself… Read More »Tips for Managing Multiple Clients with Confidence
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 09/12/2024
This was another fabulous display at the Pacific Bonsai Expo in Oakland October. #bonsai #oakland #pbe2024
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 07/12/2024
I've really been enjoying the Microsoft Fluent UI #Blazor library. Thanks to @baaijte.net and everyone who has contributed!
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 06/12/2024
Today a colleague shared in an all hands meeting that they have a favorite owl. Everyone needs a favorite owl.
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 06/12/2024
Naming things is hard. I've got a fun little side project I'm working on but I can't come up with a name (and domain name) for it.
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 05/12/2024
Also curious about this.
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 04/12/2024
fractionaldeveloper.com
Turning Frustration into Progress: Strategies for When Growth Stalls
Starting a business often feels like a sprint in the beginning. You’re fueled by early wins, a growing customer base, and the thrill of seeing your vision take shape. But at some point, growth can slow, leaving you with a sense of stagnation. The frustration of pouring effort into your business without seeing the same… Read More »Turning Frustration into Progress: Strategies for When Growth Stalls
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 04/12/2024
I really enjoyed this Japanese White Pine at the Pacific Bonsai Expo. #bonsai #jwp #oakland #pbe2024
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 04/12/2024
So naturally over the course of the thanksgiving dinner the conversation drifted into scary/gory movies. Human Centipede came up, as it does, and my mother said she might like to watch it. I'm done.
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 03/12/2024
fractionaldeveloper.com
Top Challenges Companies Face When Adopting AI—and How to Overcome Them
AI implementation comes with a unique set of challenges. Companies often face obstacles such as data issues, integration difficulties, and skill gaps.
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 03/12/2024
The kiddo is currently learning JavaScript in school.
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 03/12/2024
It's hard enough being productive on a Monday, but a Monday after an extended amount of time away? And it's snowing?!?!1
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 02/12/2024
I'm not a fan of Jira in general, but I must say their API documentation is quite good.
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 02/12/2024
I'm still confused why Waste Management sent me a questionnaire asking how likely I would be to recommend them to a friend. Really? Is that what you think people talk about?
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 02/12/2024
I don't remember if this one was a Western or Sierra Juniper. Either way, a great tree shown well. #bonsai #pbe2024 #oakland
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 01/12/2024
I'm off to Thanksgiving 2: the revenge. Ooh, Thanksgiving 2: back in the habit?
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 01/12/2024
Congratulations to all the new Microsoft MVPs! #mvpbuzz
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 01/12/2024
It looks like we got a decent little snow overnight.
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 01/12/2024
I really liked this Ponderosa from Todd Schlafer. It was amazing. #bonsai #ponderosa #oakland #pbe2024
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 30/11/2024
Ok, now I want to put together a project to help people come up with project ideas and vet them out a bit. Thoughts?
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 30/11/2024
I've always thought of myself as an implementation person. I can build other people's ideas. I often struggle to come up with my own things to build. How does one work on developing that "idea" muscle?
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 29/11/2024
Playing around with the Bluesky API and FishyFlip - a .NET ATProtocol/Bluesky Library. Really neat stuff. Nice work @drasticactions.dev! I'm trying to come up with something useful that hasn't been solved yet. Open to ideas.
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 28/11/2024
This pine was awesome. The Pacific Bonsai Expo. #bonsai #oakland #pbe2024
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 28/11/2024
Is anyone breaking out the RetroPie after dinner? What's your favorite retro game?
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 28/11/2024
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Enjoy this time with your family. What's that? Sure, I'll take a look at your printer.
media.tenor.com
a man is kicking a stick in a field while another man watches .
Alt: Office Space scene destroying a printer in a field.
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 28/11/2024
I think it was 4th grade that the elementary school got some Apple IIe computers. We learned to print out our names to the screen.
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 28/11/2024
My first experience with a computer was when my mother brought home an IBM Luggable from her office to do some work. Does anyone else remember those things?
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 28/11/2024
I'm passing on asking chatGPT to roast me. I would like to think that chatGPT and I are friends. After all, it was chatGPT that put a Porsche in my office.
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 27/11/2024
Jeremiah's Redwood and unique stand at the Pacific Bonsai Expo in Oakland. #bonsai #redwood #pde2024 #oakland
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 27/11/2024
Remember, when you're with your family for the holidays these eight magical words: "I'm sorry I don't know anything about printers."
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 27/11/2024
I really liked this Ponderosa, and the stand at the recent Pacific Bonsai Expo. #ponderosa #bonsai #pbe2024 #oakland
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 26/11/2024
fractionaldeveloper.com
From Gamification to Guidance
The Journey to Find a Mascot/Guide A few days ago, I received a text message from a friend. It read: “I am XX years old. I do not need everything to be gamified. I do not give a $#*% about badges and other Pavlovian based incentives” Expletives aside, I got his point. Gamification isn’t for… Read More »From Gamification to Guidance
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 26/11/2024
I spent some time today with the latest and greatest .NET Aspire in .NET 9. Really neat stuff. I created a .NET Project Template for easily spinning up a Blazor App, a .NET Api, and a SQL Server instance with data for pagination examples. #dotnet #aspire #buildinpublic github.com/ovation22/As...
github.com
GitHub - ovation22/Aspire.ProjectTemplate: A .NET Aspire ProjectTemplate
A .NET Aspire ProjectTemplate. Contribute to ovation22/Aspire.ProjectTemplate development by creating an account on GitHub.
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 26/11/2024
Ok, I'm finally going to play around with .NET Aspire. I tried it while it was a pre-release, but didn't spend enough time with it. So, what better time than now!??!? Wish me luck #dotnet9 #aspire #dotnetaspire
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 26/11/2024
Good morning folks, what are we working on today?
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 26/11/2024
I remember getting to work on this one years ago. It was nice to see it doing so well at the Pacific Bonsai Expo. #bonsai #pbe2024 #oakland
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John Callaway @fractionaldeveloper.com · 25/11/2024
How do you go about pricing your services as a developer? #fractionaldev #pricing #freelance
fractionaldeveloper.com
How to Price Your Services as a Fractional Developer
To negotiate effectively, you need a clear sense of your market value. Consider factors like your experience, specialization, and technical skills.
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