Ris Adams

Have you ever stared at a Git diff that looks like it was generated by a cat walking across your keyboard? You're not alone. While Git's default diff algorithm works well enough most days, there are times when it produces cryptic, unusable output that leaves you scratching your head.

Every few days, I see another panicked headline about "skyrocketing autism rates" or well-meaning friends sharing concerns about an "autism epidemic." As someone who is autistic, and who has an autistic child, and has spent considerable time studying how systems evolve and improve diagnostics, I want to break down why this framing is both inaccurate and potentially harmful.

The increase in autism diagnoses isn't evidence of an epidemic—it's evidence of progress. Here's why.

I stumbled across Git Notes during a late-night debugging session last week, and honestly, I'm slightly annoyed that I hadn't been using this feature for years. If you've ever wanted to attach persistent metadata to commits without changing commit hashes (and who hasn't?), this hidden gem deserves your attention. And while we're exploring Git's underappreciated features, let's also look at Git trailers - another powerful tool for managing metadata in your repositories.

As a Scrum Master with years of experience facilitating retrospectives for development teams, I've discovered that the success of a retro hinges on thoughtful preparation. The right format, the right questions, and the right energy can transform a session from a routine meeting into a powerful tool for team growth and improvement.

In this post, I'll share the key questions I ask myself when planning a sprint retrospective that delivers real value and fosters meaningful change.

I still remember sitting cross-legged on the floor of my childhood living room, completely mesmerized as Madmartigan swung his sword across our family TV screen. Yesterday, on April 1, 2025, when I heard that Val Kilmer had passed away at 65 from pneumonia, it felt like losing an old friend who had been with me through every chapter of my life.

Joining an existing team as a new Scrum Master is like being dropped into the middle of a complex ecosystem with its own established patterns and invisible rules. You might be tempted to immediately start "fixing" things based on textbook Scrum implementations or previous experiences. Don't. Instead, invest time understanding the current landscape before making any changes. These teams have history, context, and reasons (good or otherwise) for how they operate. Your first job isn't to change—it's to comprehend.

Version control with Git offers developers multiple ways to integrate changes across branches, with merge and rebase standing as the two primary approaches. While both accomplish the same fundamental goal—incorporating changes from one branch into another—they do so through fundamentally different mechanisms, resulting in distinct commit histories and team workflows. Understanding when to use each strategy can significantly impact your project's history clarity, team collaboration, and conflict resolution process. In this deep dive, we'll explore how each option works under the hood, examine real-world usage patterns, and provide clear guidelines for choosing the right approach for your specific situation.

With yesterdya's new of the passing of Carl Dean, the beloved husband of Dolly Parton, I would like to share a re-imaging of the song he inspired.

Carl Dean was a man of quiet strength and unwavering support. As the beloved husband of Dolly Parton, he stood by her side through decades of triumphs and challenges. His love and dedication were a testament to the power of a steadfast partnership. Though he preferred a life away from the spotlight, his influence and presence were deeply felt by those who knew him. Carl's legacy will live on in the hearts of many, a reminder of the enduring power of love and commitment.

As a Scrum Master and seasoned software developer, I've come to understand that sprint retrospectives are pivotal moments for fostering growth, enhancing team cohesion, and driving continuous improvement. In this guide, I'll walk you through my tried-and-true approach to conducting retrospectives that not only keep teams engaged but also catalyze meaningful change. By integrating these strategies, you can transform your retrospectives into powerful tools for team development and project success.

Solitude isn't about forced isolation or loneliness. It's not about escaping the world to live in seclusion. Instead, solitude is a deliberate practice of nurturing your state of mind to achieve inner freedom and clarity. In this post, we'll explore the transformative power of solitude and how it can enrich your life.

Ever find yourself juggling endless passwords, worried about whether they’re secure enough? You’re not alone. In today’s digital landscape, protecting sensitive accounts and data goes beyond just a clever passphrase. Enter multi-factor authentication (MFA)—an effective layer of defense that ensures a random intruder can’t waltz in with stolen credentials.

Time-Based One-Time Password (TOTP) systems are a powerful way to implement MFA, producing short-lived codes that are invalid mere seconds later. If you’ve ever used an authenticator app on your phone, you’ve already seen TOTP at work. However, building your own TOTP generator can offer greater flexibility for custom workflows, automation, and even just tinkering to learn something new.

In this tutorial, we’ll walk through a PowerShell script that securely stores your TOTP secret keys in the Windows Registry, then generates fresh codes whenever you need them. By the end, you’ll have a handy, easily integrable tool that keeps your secrets encrypted and your one-time passwords safe and ready on demand. Let’s jump in!

Social anxiety can feel overwhelming sometimes, but the fact that you’re looking for tips to improve your conversation skills is a solid first step. Even small actions can make a big difference over time. You’ll likely find it’s easier to focus on one technique at a time—jot a note in your phone or keep it in mind during a conversation. Then, just see where it takes you.

Below are some pointers that might help make your social interactions feel smoother. Treat them like a game—try one tip, see how it goes, and don’t stress if it doesn’t turn out exactly as you expected. There’s always the next conversation.

Burnout is more than just feeling tired—it’s a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. If you’re here, you’ve likely experienced it firsthand. The good news? Recovery is possible, and it starts with small, intentional steps. Let’s explore how you can rebuild your energy, regain your focus, and rediscover joy.

In the fast-paced world of modern work, collaboration is the heartbeat of success. To truly thrive in a collaborative environment, it’s essential to foster trust and openness among team members. One powerful way to achieve this is by embracing vulnerability and honesty. While this approach can feel daunting, the rewards are immense. Let's explore how making yourself vulnerable and honest can enhance collaboration at work, along with some benefits and drawbacks.

If you suffer from panic attacks, then you understand the sheer fear that you face in the moment of an attack. Feeling powerless to stop it is one of the worst parts. Even if you despair that this constraint has become a part of you, take heart.

You can learn to cope with, reduce, alleviate, and perhaps even eliminate your panic attacks for good! There are specific action steps you can take to help you overcome this challenge.

Does life seem to be a struggle for you? Do you feel overwhelmed and frustrated much of the time? Do you wish you could experience something better? Fortunately, you can enjoy the exciting life you deserve.

Success is available to you despite challenging circumstances.