May 3, 2026
Reader feedback re Filing Sucks
Long-time list member, Ditcherville lifer, and embedded Linux expert, Cliff Brake replied to my last message to share the mindset shift he has experienced applying AI to his business (shared with permission, lightly edited for clarity.)
Hi Jonathan!
You wrote:
The difference between an AI that can manipulate files and one that can’t is enormous.
I agree 100%
A lot of things have just been flipped on their head.
- Everything in the cloud being the most powerful model has been flipped to everything local is the most powerful model. (I would not bet on Onshape any more).
- Linux went from being the hardest OS to admin to the easiest, because everything can be fixed in a text file by AI. (ex: https://omarchy.org/)
- The terminal has gone from antiquated to cool, and us grey-heads who grew up on terminals can really leverage our comfort there.
- Web CSS frameworks have gone from essential to just getting in the way. Claude can generate CSS that looks better, does everything, and is more customized to what I want. (ex: https://release-first.com/, https://yoebuild.org/). I really need to rework my main web site now...
And this could all change again tomorrow...
Cliff
I really like this framing!
I don’t know if my “flipped on its head” list is the same as Cliff’s, but I’ve certainly benefited significantly from reworking many of my systems after seeing the possibilities unlocked by these new tools.
If you run a consulting biz, there are probably wins that you could have reworking your own systems, and once you understand what is actually possible, apply what you learn to your clients’ businesses, how/when/if it makes sense in their particular cases.
There’s so much AI hype right now, I think many business people are craving straight talk from someone they trust.
Yours,
—J