marksmith.dev
My Thoughts
Exploring web development, design patterns, and the future of technology.
Google Vertex AI & Gemini 3.1: Powerful Models, Fragmented Rollout, Real Trade-Offs
Google's current Vertex AI docs now feature Gemini 3.1 Pro and 3.1 Flash-Lite, while 2.5 models still remain prominent in generally available and pricing guidance. That mix is exactly why the platform feels both powerful and confusing.
MiniMax M2.7 and the Token Plan: A New Kind of AI Pricing
MiniMax M2.7 pairs a 204,800-token coding and agent model with a Token Plan that bundles text, speech, image, music, and video access under one subscription. The model matters, but the pricing model may be the bigger disruption.
The Coming AI Wave: Claude Mythos Is Real, but OpenAI's Next Step Is Still Unconfirmed
Anthropic has officially announced Claude Mythos Preview and Project Glasswing. OpenAI has officially announced GPT-5.4 and continued Sora activity. What is not publicly confirmed by OpenAI is the rumor-heavy "GPT-5.5 Spud" story, so this article has been corrected to separate verified reality from speculation.
Visual Reading Online: Reading Made Accessible
Visual Reading Online says it can treble reading speed in five weeks while improving comprehension and recall. The platform presents strong headline results for dyslexic adults, students, and professionals, so the key question is how those published claims translate into real-world outcomes.
Claude Code Access Is More Complicated Than "Just a Subscription" — But It Is Not Locked to Anthropic's API
A corrected explanation of how Claude Code access actually works in 2026: which account types are supported, where API billing fits in, and why unsupported community harnesses breaking is not the same thing as Anthropic silently banning all third-party use.
Why Your Old Xeon Is Still Painfully Slow for LLMs — AVX Explained
AVX, AVX2, and AVX-512 are not marketing buzzwords. They are the difference between an LLM that spits out text in real time and one that sits there grinding through a single prompt for minutes. Here is why your older hardware is holding you back, even if you bolted a modern GPU onto it.
24GB Mac Mini vs 64GB HP Z620
I have two machines on my desk that could not be more different. The M4 Mac Mini is a silver sip of coffee from Apple. The HP Z620 is a tower workstation that hums under my monitor. Here is how they compare as a daily driver and a development workstation.
How I Save Thousands Running My Own Cloud Instead of AWS
I do not think cloud is bad. I think it is often overpriced for steady workloads. As of April 8, 2026, three always-on AWS instances that roughly cover my web, app, and database baseline add up to about $805/month before storage, balancing, backups, and internet transfer. For stable workloads, that is exactly why I still prefer fixed-cost self-hosting.
I Can't Code. Here's How I've Built Production-Grade Applications Anyway.
I spent 15 years in infrastructure and application support. The part I never enjoyed was hand-writing syntax. Current coding agents such as Claude Code and OpenAI Codex changed that equation: they can read codebases, edit files, run commands, and work in terminals, IDEs, and the cloud. What they do not replace is judgment, architecture, and operational experience.
Django vs Next.js vs Svelte: The Framework Fight That Actually Matters
The current official docs make the split clearer than ever: Django 6.0.4 and 5.2 LTS anchor the batteries-included Python path, Next.js 16.2 remains the full-stack React default, and Svelte plus SvelteKit offer the lean compiler-first alternative. The right choice is not about hype. It is about the shape of the product and the team.
OpenClaw vs Hermes vs Paperclip: The Three Platforms Powering Autonomous AI Agents
The official product pages now make the split much clearer. OpenClaw is the messaging-native personal assistant layer, Hermes Agent is the self-improving technical operator, and Paperclip is the control plane for coordinating many agents with budgets and governance. They are adjacent products, but they are not trying to be the same thing.
Why I Use Debian: The Open-Source Operating System That Just Works
Debian still wins for the same reason it always has: it prefers stability, clear release discipline, and community governance over constant churn. As of 8 April 2026, Debian 13.4 is the current point release, and the Debian 13 lifecycle runs for five years.