Baines Blogging

  My Multi-project Method I have developed a method for dealing with procrastination and I have named it “My Multi-project Method”.   🕐🕑🕒🕓🕔🕕🕖🕗🕘🕙🕚 I procrastinate on a project by working on a different project.  I will always do what needs to be done in time but if I’m leaving a task to the last possible moment then I may as make that time productive by working on one of my other projects.  If I’m avoiding my emails I’ll procrastinate on that task by updating my CV.  Whenever I’m working on my githubpages.io site I’ll make progress for a while before I hit a wall so instead of doing no work at all I’ll step back from that project to work on one of my Python based projects instead.  Sometimes stepping back from a project for a few days or even a week can give me a better perspective on it when I get back into working on it. 📤📥📤📥📠📟📡💾💽💻💻💻💻💻💻 My current projects include: Working with PostgreSQL Databases. My Python based imperial u...

 💻💻💻 Staying health- and safety-aware can be surprisingly difficult when your job keeps you glued to a screen, focused on reports, dashboards, and deadlines. These simple but effective tips will help you protect your wellbeing while maintaining productivity. 1. Prioritize Proper Desk Ergonomics 💺💺💺 Set up your chair, monitor, and keyboard so your body stays in a neutral, supported position—this reduces strain on your neck, shoulders, and back. 2. Follow the 20-20-20 Rule for Eye Health Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to reduce eye strain from extended screen time. 3. Take Scheduled Micro-Breaks Short, regular breaks improve your comfort and concentration—set reminders to stand, stretch, or walk for a minute or two. 4. Keep Your Workspace Clutter-Free A tidy area prevents trip hazards, spilled drinks on electronics, and the stress that comes from a chaotic environment. 5. Stay Hydrated Throughout the Day Drinking enough water keeps yo...

  Imperial measurement system converter app  I decided to spend an evening making a unit converter app without using an api to do the heavy lifting for me *and* with a python based gui because I haven't really made anything with one of them before and this is the result: 👍👍👍      I installed Tinkter to get the GUI ( graphical user interface ) This is the GUI it produces when it's running.     The next job is to tidy up the code, it needs it.  Then I want to add some more functionality to it.  I can add volume conversion or weight .  I've always wanted to do some research into old money so I can add that to the app. After I've added a bit more functionality to it I'll find a way to host it on the public internet.     This is my advice to any other programmers out there:  Once you've got something working make the most of it because it's easier to add things onto something that's already working than startin...

1. Why a Proper Setup Matters Before diving into code, a structured setup helps you avoid “spaghetti” projects that become hard to maintain. Using a virtual environment ensures your dependencies are isolated (so you don’t clash with system Python or other projects). Having a clear skeleton (separating imports, variables, functions, and “main program logic”) gives you and future readers a map of where each piece lives. Many software engineering experts emphasize that good architecture up front can save you enormous friction later — clean structure is one of the foundations of maintainability. ( Ciklum ) 2. Creating a Virtual Environment  💾💻💹 Here’s a typical workflow: Open your terminal / command prompt in your project folder (or create a new folder). Run (for Python 3): python3 -m venv venv This creates a directory venv/ (or whatever you name it) containing the isolated Python environment. Activate it: On macOS / Linux: source venv/bin/activate On Windows ...

If you're a young IT professional, you're probably no stranger to long hours, screen fatigue, and the eternal quest for something meaningful to do outside of GitHub, Jira, and terminal windows. You’ve tried the gym (too sweaty), gaming (you already do that all day), or craft beer tasting (fun, but your wallet is crying). What if I told you there's a hobby that mixes relaxation, social interaction, light physical activity, and just enough competition to keep your brain sharp? Let’s talk about Bar Billiards — the criminally underrated pub game that might just be the perfect hobby for the modern techie. First, What Is Bar Billiards? Bar Billiards is a traditional British pub game that dates back to the 1930s. Unlike regular pool or snooker, Bar Billiards is played on a table with no side or corner pockets. Instead, you pot balls into holes on the table surface, each with different point values, while avoiding the dreaded skittles (tiny pins that act like mines — knock one...

 Introduction When we think of great programmers, we often picture long nights of coding, complex algorithms, and coffee-fueled problem-solving. But what truly separates the most productive programmers from the rest isn’t just skill — it’s discipline. One of the most effective habits they cultivate is the practice of deliberate time blocking — a focused approach to managing work sessions and avoiding the chaos of constant context switching.  ☝ The Power of Time Blocking Time blocking involves setting aside specific chunks of time dedicated to deep, uninterrupted coding. During these blocks, programmers silence notifications, close unrelated tabs, and focus solely on the task at hand. This technique helps them enter a state of “flow” — that powerful zone where creativity, logic, and problem-solving converge effortlessly. Instead of scattering attention across multiple tasks, productive programmers give their full cognitive energy to one priority.  ☝ Protecting Focus i...