I had two video files sitting on my desktop — Part1.mp4 and Part2.mp4, 73 MB combined. I needed to merge them and shrink them. Ten minutes, tops.

An hour later I was still in the terminal, consulting ffmpeg man pages, copy-pasting filter-complex strings from Stack Overflow, trying to figure out why concat refused to stitch two clips with slightly different frame rates. 57/1 and 56/1. Close enough, right?

ffmpeg disagreed.

I got there in the end. One long one-liner, a lanczos scale, a pad filter for the letterbox, H.265 at CRF 20. Thirty megabytes out. Looked great.

But I closed the terminal and thought: this should have taken thirty seconds, not an hour.

Why Every Existing Tool Disappointed Me

Video compression on Mac should be a solved problem. Somehow it isn’t.

• FFmpeg is a black-belt’s tool. You need it, but you shouldn’t need it for “please make this video smaller.”
• HandBrake opens with forty-seven settings. Forty-seven. Before it’ll touch a file.
• Online compressors want you to upload a 500 MB video to a server. No.
• Compresto / ShrinkIt / Permute are fine, but still ask you to pick a preset. And charge for it.

What I actually wanted was: drop a video, get a smaller one. That’s the whole app.

So one Saturday I decided to build it.

The Thesis: Zero Decisions

macOS already knows how to encode HEVC really well. Apple Silicon has dedicated media-engine silicon built specifically for this. The video files people actually compress are a remarkably predictable distribution — iPhone clips, Zoom recordings, screen captures, AirDropped reels. A well-designed app could inspect any of those, derive a sensible encode plan, and execute without asking the human anything.

No sliders. No presets. No modal settings screen.

And if the output would be bigger than the input — as happens more often than you’d think — don’t even write it.

I named it ByeBye Bytes. Stupid-obvious name. My partner laughed the first time I said it out loud, which was the only focus group I needed.

Architecture first, code later

Instead of bashing code end-to-end, I split the problem into independent modules with explicit contracts.

• Core — media inspection (AVAsset → SourceProfile), a settings resolver that maps SourceProfile → EncodeRecipe, a tiny user-settings model
• Encoders — three of them:
• RemuxEncoder — stream-copy for sources already HEVC at a sensible bitrate
• SingleFileEncoder — full HEVC re-encode via AVAssetReader → AVAssetWriter
• MergeEncoder — a fast AVMutableComposition path + a slow CoreImage letterbox path for mixed-resolution inputs
• Queue — a @MainActor ObservableObject with an actor-gated concurrency cap and throttled progress reporting
• UI — SwiftUI throughout, with an ADHD-friendly layout rule: one focal point per state

Each module exposed a small public surface. Shared types lived in Core/Types.swift. Then I parallelised implementation — four modules in flight simultaneously, each with clean file ownership to avoid merge conflicts.

When the pieces came together, only two interface mismatches surfaced (one caller assumed enqueue(urls:kind:), another built submit(urls:)). Both fixed in seconds.

The pattern I keep coming back to: define the contracts first, parallelise the implementation, resolve integration by hand.

Making It Feel Good

Technical correctness is table stakes. The harder part was making the app feel calm to use.

Most compression apps are hostile to my attention. Multiple progress indicators, indeterminate spinners, settings modals that interrupt whatever I was about to do. By the time a 30-second encode finishes, I’ve already opened a new tab and forgotten why I was there.

So I wrote rules for myself:

• One focal point per state. Drop zone or queue, never both mixed together.
• No modals, no settings panel. Zero decision load during normal use.
• Determinate progress only. Indeterminate spinners trigger restlessness. A determinate bar with an ETA is calming.
• State is obvious at a glance. Colour + icon + motion together — never colour alone.
• Completion feels good. Soft “Saved 42 MB” callout, gentle green check. Dopamine without being loud.
• Escape hatches visible. Every running job has a Cancel ✕ — no menu hunting.
• Respect reduced motion. Every animation checks the accessibility env.

When macOS 26 Tahoe shipped with its new Liquid Glass design language, I rewrote every surface to use the new .glassEffect modifier — gated with #available(macOS 26.0, *) so the app still degrades cleanly to .ultraThinMaterial on Sonoma and Sequoia.

My first pass at the “done” row had a full green wash — looked nice in theory, awful in practice. Oversaturated background, poor text contrast on the status line. I scrapped it and replaced the treatment with a neutral glass panel plus a thin colored accent stripe on the leading edge. The state signal lives in the stripe + the icon colour — the rest stays readable.

Sometimes the 10x UI improvement is removing ninety percent of what you put in.

The Icon Was Its Own Project

I wanted the icon to speak Liquid Glass fluently — the new layered format that derives dark / tinted / clear variants automatically from foreground layers on transparent backgrounds.

Squeezing the M-Chip

Once the app was working end-to-end, I turned to performance — the kind of work users never see directly, but feel every time they use the app.

Your Mac has a dedicated chip specifically for video. iPhone uses the same kind of thing to shoot 4K without melting. Most apps don’t fully lean on it. A handful of small changes made a real difference:

Never settles for the slow path.
macOS has a fast way to compress videos (using that dedicated chip) and a slow way (using the regular CPU). The slow way is 5–10× slower. Most apps let the system pick; ByeBye Bytes insists on the fast way, every time. If for some reason the hardware isn’t available, the app tells you instead of silently grinding.

Stops wasting work behind the scenes.
The old merge logic was quietly doing two expensive conversions per frame — taking video data, translating it to a format CoreImage preferred, then translating it back for the encoder. Frames travel through thousands of those per video. Skipping the round-trip shaved an estimated 20–40% off merge time on bigger videos. The result: you spend less time staring at a progress bar.

The first encode feels like the tenth.
Graphics pipelines “warm up” the first time you use them — think of it like a cold engine. The old code was re-warming for every single video. Now the app warms up once and reuses that warmth for the rest of your session. First drop of the day feels as snappy as the twentieth.

Runs smart on your specific Mac.
Different Apple Silicon chips have different numbers of video engines — a base M1 has one, an M1 Pro has two. The app now counts what’s available and runs exactly the right number of encodes in parallel. Don’t over-schedule a base model (it just slows down), don’t under-utilize a higher-end one. Whatever Mac you’re on, it makes full use.

Keeps your photo details.
macOS’s built-in video tools quietly strip metadata — the “taken on June 14th at the beach” info, GPS, camera make and model — every time they re-encode. For iPhone videos, that means your compressed memories lose the data that makes them findable in Photos. ByeBye Bytes copies all of that forward. Your compressed trip.mp4 still shows up on the right day, in the right place, taken on the right phone.

Skip-If-no-gain (My Favourite Feature)

The feature I’m proudest of is almost invisible.

Some files simply can’t be compressed meaningfully. Low-bitrate screen recordings. Ultra-short clips. Already-HEVC videos at a tight bitrate. A naive compressor encodes them anyway, writes a slightly-larger-or-equal file, and calls it a day.

ByeBye Bytes doesn’t do that. After every single-source encode, it compares output size to input. If the saving is below 2%, it deletes the output entirely and marks the job “Already optimized – kept original” with a calm neutral row. Your original file is untouched. No clutter in the output folder.

This is the kind of feature that’s almost invisible in normal use. But the first time it skips for you, you think: oh, thank you.

Shipping in 2026

Distribution has two cheap wins in 2026:

GitHub Releases. ditto-zipped .app with SHA-256 in the notes. One tag, one asset, done.

A personal Homebrew tap.

brew install --cask saiftheboss7/byebye-bytes/byebye-bytes
xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine "/Applications/ByeBye Bytes.app"

(The xattr line clears macOS’s quarantine attribute – unavoidable for ad-hoc-signed apps until I spring for a Developer ID and notarization. On the list.)

Try It

Install:

brew install --cask saiftheboss7/byebye-bytes/byebye-bytes
xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine "/Applications/ByeBye Bytes.app"

Or download the .app straight from Releases.

macOS 14 Sonoma or later, Apple Silicon recommended. MIT licensed.

If something breaks, open an issue. If it saves you an hour, star the repo. And if you have a feature you’d want to see next, tell me – I’m listening.

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I just felt that before the show ends after years of anticipation and countless rewatches, I needed to write something about it.

This show, these characters, and the cast have had a deep influence on my life, and honestly, all of it has been positive. I had been re-watching the show every time I felt stressed, wanted to see something comforting and be amazed.

Every time a new tease dropped, I’d get excited, rush to r/strangerthings subreddit, or binge YouTube breakdowns. I know what I’m saying is something most of fans have done, but I still wanted to acknowledge it anyway.

In a few hours, the show would be over, I won’t lie that I am nervous. But it had to end someday, and that day is finally here.

One of the reasons I relate with Stranger Things because it came out at a time when I was very stressed (University stuff) and it provided me with sheer comfort.

Growing up, I absolutely loved Tin Goyenda and was and still am an avid fan. Naturally, when Stranger Things came in 2016, with its 80s theme, the Spielberg inspired color grade, the meta references from the 80s – I became an instant fan.

And something clicked immediately.

The bikes.
The synths.
The suburban quiet hiding something terrifying.
The color grading that felt like a memory I never lived but somehow remembered.

It felt like finding a lost Tin Goyenda book, published decades late, but written exactly for me. I didn’t just watch the show. I moved into it.

I’ve watched every season more times than I can count. And every time, I fall in love all over again. I’ve fallen in love with Dustin, Steve, Will, Mike, Eleven each time. But more than the characters, I fell in love with the feeling again.

At its core, it’s the same thing Tin Goyenda gave me years ago. A sense that the world is mysterious.

That problems are meant to be explored, not avoided. And that the best adventures always begin with a group of people who trust each other completely.

Some people grew up in the 80s. I never got to live in that era, but I grew up loving every bit of it.

I still miss the late 90s and early 2000s when we made connections and never lost touch. And in a strange way, I still live in that era.

Hope The Duffer Brothers would do justice to the series finale.

1 LAST EPISODE. THE FINALE of Stranger Things streams today in a few hours

One last time. ❤️

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That feels strange to say. Not because I feel old, but because 30 always sounded like something other people reached first —people who I thought were actually “older guys.” Guys who don’t play cricket, football, or badminton anymore, and while meeting on the streets, they just try to reminisce looking at teens saying “Give me a few overs to bat,” “Can I play 10 minutes with you?” and more

My twenties passed fast. Long nights. Random plans. Chilling out and hanging out with friends. Work that shaped. Somewhere along the way, I stopped rushing to figure everything out, got married, became a father, met many online friends, attended a few new WordCamps, spoke at a few of them, and along the way, made a few new friends both locally and around the globe.

I don’t have a list of 30 things I’ve done or want to do. I became a lot more faithful and became more religious, trying to be a practicing Muslim in the last decade. I feel grateful. For the people who stayed. For the lessons that hurt but helped. For the small choices that made me better. For all the moments shared with my friends, colleagues, and well-wishers.

If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be simple. “Live, smile, stay happy, who knows what tomorrow may bring.”

Here’s to being 30. Still learning. Still curious. Still here.

Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

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Suddenly, everything feels a little bit different, a bit chaotic even; there seems to be a change in the air. The streets become almost empty before breaking the fast because everyone is hurrying towards home to break fasting together and share food together. It’s as if the city itself pauses, holding its breath for that sacred moment when families gather to break their fast together with the sound of Adhan.

I feel privileged each year that I get to spend Ramadan and do Iftar and Suhoor with my family at home. I once spent a few days of Ramadan outside the country, and it was painful—not knowing anyone, not hearing adhan, and not being able to break fast at the same table with my family. 

Sitting around the table with loved ones, making the final Dua before Iftar, the hue and cry during Iftar preparation, and finally breaking fast with the family while BTV plays the Adhan—a scenario so many can relate —these are the moments that root me, that remind me what home truly means.

Many take the job of “Chief Sharbat Maker” of our job during this month, and it’s a great fun responsibility! That first sip of Sharbat after a day of fasting is something else! Every bite of those familiar dishes passed down through generations tastes as good as you can imagine. It’s more than a meal; it’s a warm hug from the inside out, a reminder that I’m where I belong.

With each passing year, there may be some changes to the table as well. For example, I still miss my father during these Iftar meals. There may be missing seats in each family, awaiting to be filled. Sadly, some chairs will never be filled again, and you have to make peace with it.

Spending Ramadan with my family at home is an absolute privilege. It’s one of the best feelings ever. Shukur Alhamdulillah. May Allah allow us to make the best use of Ramadan. Ramadan Kareem, everyone. 🌙

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Bikes have been a necessity for Dhaka roads for a while. I only bought my first motor vehicle last year, as mentioned in the Year in Review. I have zero ideas about true motorbikes and haven’t had a proper motorcycle until today. In fact, I only learned how to ride a motorcycle after I placed the prebooking. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Royal Enfield has always been a special part of my heart. I remember Shah Rukh Khan riding that iconic olive Royal Enfield in Jab Tak Hai Jaan back in 2012. I posted about the Bangla version of the opening credit back in the day. It was such an iconic moment!

During my trip to Darjeeling in 2019, there was an undeniable spark of excitement in the air, and I just had to have one of these!

Growing up, I couldn’t help but notice how Royal Enfield seemed to dominate the big screen in both Hollywood and Bollywood, cementing its status as a cultural icon. In Hollywood, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, where Brad Pitt’s character rode a Royal Enfield Bullet, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara symbolized the spirit of friendships. And who can forget the opening credit of Jab Tak Hai Jaan? Shahrukh Khan, gliding through the serene landscape of Ladakh on an olive Royal Enfield Classic, ensured the cinematic legacy continues.

These on-screen moments weren’t just about the bike; they ignited a deep emotional connection to the Royal Enfield brand.

When Royal Enfield launched a couple of months ago, I was skeptical at first. However, I took a deep breath, trying to overcome my fear of motorbikes, and completed the pre-order. Shukur Alhamdulillah, received this majestic beauty today.

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As the year draws to a close, it’s a valuable time to pause and reflect on the milestones, lessons, and memories that shaped the journey. Reflection helps us appreciate our growth, recalibrate our priorities, and help us to look forward to the future. Last year, I started drafting my 2023 Year in Review but couldn’t complete and publish it due to other priorities. In fact, the last time I published Year in Review, was in 2021. This time, I made it a point to finish what I started, and I’m excited to share this recap of 2024.

[You may notice some sections have short details, but I felt it’s better to publish now and enhance and add details later, rather than not publishing at all]

The format of this post is to cover month by month, and later I added other significant events/details that happened to me in 2024.

January: A Special Start

2024 started on a special note for me, as my wife was in her third trimester. It was a time of anticipation, joy, and preparation. Regular medical checkups, ensuring her diet supported the baby’s development, and spending quality time together were the highlights of those early months.

Also, at the end of 2023, I bought a scooter bike, which I didn’t have much time to ride last year. This year, I began taking short trips on my scooter, which turned out to be a game-changer for saving time and enjoying quick escapes from the hustle of daily life.

This year, I spent almost 4,000 KM on the bike, which was a pleasant experience overall. However, I had one minor accident, some light tears, and pain that recovered in a couple of weeks. Previously, I was over-reliant on Uber and CNGs, which took a lot of spending. I can confidently say buying the bike has saved me a large sum. On average, it takes 600TK to go somewhere around the city and return to my home. An average of 3 outings each week means I have saved around ~60-70K BDT with the bike. (not excluding the oil cost)

I recommend it to anyone who wants to zoom through the busy streets of Dhaka as it can add a lot of convenience to your regular lifestyle.

February: weFamily Day, Shifting towards a healthier lifestyle

In February, I attended the annual weFamily Day event, a cherished tradition that beautifully bridges the gap between professional and personal life. It’s not just about reconnecting with colleagues but also introducing my family to the people and culture I’m proud to be part of. The event fosters a sense of community and belonging, and it’s heartwarming to see families bonding over shared experiences.

I wrote a detailed blog post about weFamily Day, exploring why I hold it in such high regard and why it’s essential for families to understand their loved ones’ workplace environments.

This month also marked a shift in my lifestyle. I joined a gym and started swimming after work hours (More about It at the end)

March: The Spirit of Ramadan

Like every year, Ramadan was a time for reflection, gratitude, and giving. This year, I continued our tradition of distributing iftar meals to those in need, including the underprivileged, daily wage workers, and disadvantaged individuals in our community. At the start of Ramadan, I invited others around me to join this initiative, whether by helping prepare meals, packaging, or contributing funds. Many, including those from abroad, responded generously.

Every day, we prepared home-cooked meals for about 50 people. Each meal was thoughtfully planned, ranging from Polao, Chicken Roast, Egg Korma, Beef Tehari and other delicious items. Over the month, we distributed more than 1,215 iftar meals and extended our efforts by providing Eid gifts to over 50 families, bringing joy to many households.

This initiative, which began during the early days of the pandemic, has grown into something I deeply value. It was even featured on a YouTube channel, highlighting its impact on the community.

I am incredibly proud of this achievement and remain committed to continuing it in the years to come.

May: A New Chapter

May was monumental. I joined WordCamp Sylhet and delivered a talk on “Product Management vs. Project Management,” which was a fantastic experience. I wrote in detail about my experience at WordCamp Sylhet in a separate blog post

But the highlight of my year—and perhaps my life—was becoming a father. We welcomed our baby girl, Inayah, into the world. Words cannot capture the overwhelming emotions of holding her for the first time. It was a moment of gratitude and awe—a reminder of the miracle of life. I wrote about my experience in a separate Bangla article where I shared my journey to fatherhood

This experience deepened my respect for my parents. Until then, I only understood parenthood from a distance, but becoming a father transformed how I viewed their sacrifices and unconditional love.

June: Bringing Inayah Home And Celebrating Eid Al-Adha

Much of June was spent adjusting to the arrival of our beautiful baby girl, Inayah. The whirlwind of emotions has been nothing short of transformative, from the excitement of welcoming a new life into our home to the physical exhaustion of late-night feedings and diaper changes.

I remember the day we brought her home—an overwhelming mix of joy, responsibility, and nervousness. There’s no handbook for fatherhood, and nothing prepares you for the constant change of pace that a newborn brings.

We celebrated Eid Al-Adha with friends and family. Alongside the traditional Qurbani, I distributed extra meat to the less fortunate. Sharing joy and blessings during such occasions is something I hold dear.

July-August: A Revolution Unfolds

The mid-year was intense. Bangladesh witnessed a significant revolution, with thousands sacrificing their lives to topple an autocrat. It was a time of chaos and thrill. I contributed by helping injured students and providing medical relief. This period disrupted my routine; I spent sleepless nights tracking news and updates. It’s an experience that will stay with me forever. Here’s an article that summarized why Bangladesh prime minister resigns, flees to India

September: A Spiritual Journey

In September, I had the incredible privilege of performing Umrah, and it was an experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. The spiritual journey to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah was more than just a trip; it was a transformative pilgrimage that brought me closer to Allah and allowed me to recharge spiritually and emotionally.

One of my biggest lessons from this experience was becoming a more practical Muslim. I became more consistent with the smaller stuff—praying on time, being kind, showing gratitude, being more helpful and empathetic to others, and staying true to our faith amidst our busy lives.

As I returned from Umrah, I felt spiritually renewed. It was an experience that reminded me of the importance of continuing to strive for self-improvement, both in my worship and in my everyday life. This time, I am trying to continue my Salah 5 times daily and have been able to continue so far. This has been a great achievement, and I plan to continue improving more from here. The lessons learned during those sacred days continue to guide me, reminding me to keep my faith strong, to live with intention, and to stay close to Allah in all that I do.

Since returning, I’ve prioritized Salah (I used to miss some prayers) but am now more disciplined. I am embracing Islamic values more integrally in everything I do and in my lifestyle. If possible, I encourage everyone to undertake this journey; it can profoundly impact your perspective.

November: Community and Growth

November was packed with events. Started with the weDevs Annual Trip to Cox’s Bazar, which was a blast. Here’s a short video that tries to summarize the whole tour.

I also went to WordCamp Malaysia on a sudden notice in November. At FlyWP and weDevs, we’ve always believed in the power of community. WordCamps offers the perfect platform to connect, learn, and grow within the WordPress ecosystem. This year, we were thrilled to participate as a silver sponsor in WordCamp Malaysia 2024.

The event was a memorable experience that strengthened our commitment to the vibrant WordPress community. I wrote a separate blog post covering our journey of WordCamp Malaysia 2024

December

December was all about reconnecting, looking back and making plans for 2025. I met one of my closest friends after he returned from Canada after almost 3 years, and we had a great time together exploring, connecting, and discussing. Some of my friends got Married in December, and we attended the wedding. Amidst the weddings, I re-connected with some old friends as well. It was pretty unbelievable when we discussed how we left school more than a decade ago and how fast we had grown up in the last few years. It felt that the times went on the brink.

At the end of the year, one of my close friends, Nabil’s father, had a minor stroke, complexities with electrolytes, and diabetes. We had to take him to the hospital. He’s been doing better in the last few days, and I hope he gets well soon.

Missing my Dad

As I mentioned in a separate post, navigating life without my father has been challenging for all of us. It meant we all had to take on more responsibilities. Still, I miss him every day, and guidance and moral education guide me each day.

Losing my father five years ago feels like a void that time hasn’t been able to fill. Not a day goes by when I don’t think about him—his laughter, unwavering support, and the countless lessons he taught me, often without saying a word. Life has continued, but his absence is a constant echo in everything I do. I wrote how I felt when he left the world, and every bit of it still is true. Whether making decisions, celebrating birthdays, or handling complex situations, I often yearn for his guidance,

Navigating life without him has been challenging, but his memory inspires me to push forward. I miss him deeply — not just in the grand moments of life but also in the small, everyday instances. I wish I could ask for his advice every now and then, or just say Hello. I’d have loved it, if he was here to see his grandkid, but yeah — that’s life. The love and values he left still guide me every day; the pain of missing him remains.

Being more health conscious

Early this year, I joined swimming because I knew I could not continue going to the gym for the long term. Swimming has always been something I’ve loved, so it felt like a natural choice to incorporate it into my life.

I have loved the way I have been since I was a kid, despite being overweight. However, this year, I felt I could do more after work hours. The gym doesn’t attract me as I quickly get bored with it. Over six months, I lost over 13 KGs with healthy eating, some light gym, and swimming — which felt like a significant achievement. However, as our priorities shifted with the baby’s arrival, it became increasingly difficult to continue, especially as my wife couldn’t prepare my meals consistently, and we welcomed Inayah into our lives.

Looking ahead to 2025, I’m determined to focus on my health again and aim to shed some more weight.

Professional Growth and Skill Development

This year, I managed over eight products at weDevs. One of them is FlyWP, on which we increased our focus. FlyWP stands out as a product that gained immense traction, earning over 100 five-star customer reviews with a community of more than 600 enthusiastic members. We consistently innovated, pushed new features and enhancements, listened to customers, and improved our support. I loved how we grew as a team. Launching FlyWP on AppSumo was also a milestone.

Other than that, we consistently pushed enhancements, fixes, and new features across our entire product portfolio. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from users was deeply fulfilling. For example, FlyWP has 96% customer satisfaction at this moment. This achievement reaffirms the importance of customer-centric innovation in product development. Hearing customers’ delight fuels my passion as a Product Manager, and their happiness remains the cornerstone of everything I strive for.

This year, I also focused on enhancing and improving my managerial skills. I enrolled in a managerial course at Dhaka University for IT management professionals. Unfortunately, I had to drop the course after a couple of months as the mid-exam collided with my WordCamp Malaysia trip. I plan to retake the course soon as I’ve found it beneficial.

Besides, I tried to use at least 2-3 new apps every week, keeping up with the rapid advancements in AI and technology. Next year, I aim to continue more time on my understanding of AI-related products, explore more ways how AI can integrate into my life/user’s life. I’d also dive deep into how to create more valuable and human-friendly experiences in the new age of AI.

Personal Growth, Lifestyle, Gadgets, Movies and Other Stuff

2024 also marked a period of mindfulness. I reduced social media usage and joined meaningful Reddit communities that align with my interests. On the home front, I renovated my room, adding cabinets to make space for Inayah’s belongings.

I treated myself to two gadgets I highly recommend: an Apple TV 4K, which transformed our home entertainment, and an electric toothbrush. I thought Apple TV wasn’t something I’d enjoy, but it impressed me a lot. I was frustrated with Samsung’s Tizen-based OS on my TV, which limited its performance. Using Apple TV gave it wings it never had.

If you’re struggling with TVs’ slow loading and stuffed operating systems, I recommend using an Apple TV. It’s wicked fast, plays anything you throw at it, is great with other Apple products, and is completely ad-free.

The electric toothbrush has been a game-changer for dental care, reducing my previous complexities with dental-related stuff. The bust of the year for me was the Basesus keyboards. Avoid Basesus keyboards and mice.

Simple Joys of Life

This year, I watched fewer movies and skipped starting any new series. I re-watched many F.R.I.E.N.D.S episode instead. Friends is a comfort series that never fails to lighten up my mood.

But the true joy came from late-night gatherings at a local tea stall with my neighborhood friends and juniors.

Throughout the year, almost every week, I’ve found myself drawn to the local tea stall late at night—a cozy spot where my friends and I gather 3-5 times a week. These 30-minute to hour-long catch-ups are more than just casual chats; they’ve become a much-needed pause in my busy life. Over a warm cup of tea, we share stories, laugh, and talk about things that make life feel lighter and less stressful. These simple moments help me clear my mind, let go of the day’s worries, and recharge for the next day. It’s a reminder that sometimes all you need to recharge is a cup of tea, good friends, and a little slice of time carved out just for connection. 

I wrote about one particular outing in a few words in this blog.

Similar to what Marc Randolph (Netflix Founder) shared about Tuesday nights, these gatherings with my friends was incredibly helpful.

Closing Thoughts

2024 was a year of milestones, challenges, and growth. From becoming a father to contributing to my community and deepening my faith, every moment shaped me. I’m grateful for the blessings, the lessons, and the people who made this year unforgettable.

All-ḥamdu l-illāhi rabbi l-ʿālamīn. Subhanallah walhamdulillah wala ilaha illallah wallahu akbar

Here’s to carrying forward the love, faith, and determination into 2025.

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I recently purchased the Baseus mouse and keyboard combo, and I regret to say that it has been an extremely disappointing experience. Despite its attractive price, even with a 30% discount, this product fails to deliver on almost every front. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the issues I encountered:

Wireless Quality

The wireless connection quality is abysmal. Both the mouse and keyboard frequently lose connection, making them highly unreliable. The constant connection drops disrupt workflow, causing significant frustration. This issue alone makes the product nearly unusable. Also, the initial setting up is not as smooth as I would have expected.

Slow Response Time

The keyboard is painfully slow. Keys often take a long time to register on the screen, which is particularly problematic for fast typists or gamers. Moreover, the keyboard frequently repeats keys, adding to the frustration. This lag in response time severely hampers productivity and makes simple tasks laborious.

USB Dongle Requirement

One of the major selling points of a mouse and keyboard combo is the convenience of using a single USB dongle. However, this product disappointingly requires separate USB 2.4GHz dongles for the mouse and keyboard. This is a major inconvenience, especially for users with limited USB ports. It negates the benefit of buying a combo and adds unnecessary complexity.

Poor Build Quality

Despite looking sleek and modern in photos, the actual build quality is very poor. The materials used are cheap and flimsy, giving the product a very low-quality feel. The plastic feels brittle and lacks the durability expected from a brand like Baseus. This cheap construction undermines any initial positive impressions.

Additional Issues

• Battery: No batteries are included with the purchase. I had expected high quality batteries with the purchase. The battery life is also below average. Both the mouse and keyboard drain batteries quickly, leading to frequent replacements.
• Ergonomics: The ergonomic design is subpar. The keyboard feels uncomfortable for extended typing sessions, causing strain over time. The rounded keys may look nice but not really comfortable to type
• Aesthetics vs. Reality: While the product looks good in photos, the reality is far from the advertised appearance. The cheap materials and flimsy construction quickly become apparent upon handling.

Save your money, don’t buy Baseus PC accessories

In conclusion, the Baseus mouse and keyboard combo is not worth the investment. The poor wireless quality, slow response time, requirement for separate USB dongles, and low build quality make this product a total waste of money. Even at a discounted price, it fails to meet basic expectations for a reliable and functional input device. I strongly recommend avoiding this product and looking for a more reputable and reliable alternative.

I’d recommend using a wired Logitech keyboard and mouse set if you want to keep things in budget while not sacrificing anything in the name of “updated tech.”

Overall Rating: 2/10
Save yourself the hassle and disappointment – do not buy the Baseus mouse and keyboard combo.

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If you’re an adult, do the stuff you couldn’t as a kid.

Like, me and my sister went to a museum, and they had an extra exhibit of
butterflies. But it cost £3. So we sighed, walked past, then stopped. We each
had £3. We could see the butterflies. And we did it was great. We followed it up
with an ice-cream as well because Mum and Dad weren’t there to say no.

I was driving back from a work trip with 2 other people in their early 20s, and we
drove past a MacDonalds. One of the others went “Aww man, I’d love a
McFlurry.” And the guy driving pulled in to the drive through. It was wild. But it
was great.

I went to a park over the weekend and I was thinking “Man, I’d love to hire one of
those bikes and cycle round the park.” It took me a few minutes to go “Wait, /
can hire one of those bikes!”

I guess what I’m saying is, those impulsive things you wanted to do as a kid –
see the dinosaur exhibit, play in the fountains with the other kids, lie in the shade
for 2 hours – you can do when you’re an adult. You have to deal with a whole lot
of other bull, but at least you can indulge your inner 8 year-old.

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I arrived in Sylhet with some of my weDevs folks a day before. Sylhet has always been a special place to me, and each time I come, I am more amazed than the first time. One of the best things about Sylhet is its natural beauty. Its lush green landscapes, abundance of tea gardens, and majestic mountains never fail to captivate me with their serene and picturesque environment.

weDevs at WordCamp Sylhet 2024

Like every year, weDevs was a Platinum Sponsor of the event. weDevs has been a big supporter of open-source initiatives since the early days. This year was no different. At weDevs, fostering open-source projects and vibrant communities isn’t just a belief — it’s our passion.

4 weDevians (including me), took part in the event as Speaker/Panelist.

I attended a session titled “Product Management vs. Project Management: Synergies, Conflicts, and Coexistence” which delved into the dynamic relationship and distinct roles of product and project management.

Atikur Rahman Tonmoy, CMO at weDevs, took an insightful session on “Crafting a Winning Launch Strategy for Your WordPress Product”

Nazir Hossain, CEO at weDevs Academy, took a session on “How to Choose a Tech Career & Finding top talent in a candidate” that focused on career & placement.

Sabirah Islam, Content Strategist at weDevs, took part in an interesting panel discussion titled “Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity & Belonging in Bangladesh while contributing to WordPress”

WordCamp Sylhet – As it happened

The inaugural day of WordCamp Sylhet was dedicated to “Contributor’s Day.” There were approximately 18 tables that saw many contributors contributing to different WordPress teams including #core, #meta, #polylang, #design and more teams. I got there pretty late since it was a Friday and I had some pending work regarding the slides for my presentation.

Conference Day

The main event started at 8 am the next day, May 11. We had to first register and get our WordCamp Swags. Then followed the inauguration speech from the organizing committee. One of the highlights of the day was the opening keynote, which set the tone for the event. 

After the keynote, I spent time at the weDevs booth, engaging with attendees, discussing our products, and exchanging ideas. It was inspiring to hear firsthand how our tools are being used and appreciated by the community.

My session was scheduled for the afternoon. The room was packed with curious minds eager to delve into the nuances of these two critical roles.

During the presentation, I explored the distinct responsibilities and skill sets of Product Managers and Project Managers, highlighting how they can effectively collaborate to achieve common goals. The discussion also discussed potential conflicts and strategies to resolve them, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and mutual respect. The audience was highly engaged, posing thought-provoking questions and sharing their experiences.

🌍 The slides are available here for checking out

Following the session, I had numerous conversations with attendees keen to discuss the topic further. It was gratifying to see the level of interest and to contribute to the broader understanding of these roles within the community.

Connecting with the Community

Throughout the event, I took every opportunity to connect with a diverse group of WordPress enthusiasts. Each conversation was a chance to learn and share knowledge from seasoned developers to new contributors. I was particularly impressed by the enthusiasm of the new contributors, whose fresh perspectives and ideas are vital for the continuous growth of the WordPress ecosystem.

It was also exciting to catch up with some brilliant minds behind some of the most popular WordPress plugins. These creators have truly shaped the WordPress world, making it more user-friendly and powerful. Talking with them was incredibly inspiring. Their passion and innovative ideas gave me a fresh perspective on where WordPress is headed. It felt like catching a glimpse of the future.

WordCamp Sylhet 2024 was an unforgettable experience, filled with learning, networking, and sharing. 

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The concept of weFamily Day is simple — all employees get to bring their family (parents/spouse), get to know everyone who works at weDevs, meet and greet with other families, and have a fun filled day filled with lot of activities specially planned for our parents/spouse/babies. We learn, work, and celebrate together.

Why do we prioritize families?

Our families are our biggest supporters. It’s important for them to know what we do and who we work with. Getting to know each other’s families helps us bond even more. We also believe in being happy and satisfied with our Rizq. Families help us to be focused, stay true to our goals and be happy and satisfied to aim bigger and foster more innovation.

Like every year, weDevs brought everyone together for the weFamily Day. It’s a chance for our families to see where we work and what we do. When our families understand our work, it makes our team stronger. Parents can be proud to see our workplace, understand what we do, and how much we value working with strong ethics, dedication, hard work — all while being spiritually aligned with Islamic values and culture.

Here are some pictures of the latest weFamily Day

It’s not just an event; it’s a revelation of our culture, our values, and our work ethic. Imagine a day when your dear old parents get to have fun by participating in games and activities, reminiscing about their youth with every laugh and cheer. And here’s the magic: there are no losers, only winners, following the practices of Islam

After every weFamily Day, there’s nothing more rewarding than witnessing the sheer pride radiating from the faces of our parents.

It’s a day where every smile counts, every connection matters, and every heart is filled with warmth. It’s a sight to behold! Welcome to weFamily Day, where the spirit of togetherness and families reign supreme!

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