My Technical Journey

Post at — Dec 11, 2025
#personal #thoughs

Some of my thoughts about technology this 2025 year

Introduction

The year 2025 has been one of constant learning, experimentation, and building. Throughout the months, I explored a wide spectrum of topics—from industrial hydraulics to Linux customization, Nix packaging, Emacs automation, Docker, robotics, and more. This post summarizes my questions, discoveries, and projects across this entire year.

Industrial Automation, Hydraulics & Plant Troubleshooting

Diagnosing Hydraulic Systems

Early in the year, I worked through multiple hydraulic diagrams from injection molding and die-casting machines. My questions focused on:

  • Why pistons advance by themselves.
  • Counterpressure issues during the return stroke.
  • How to interpret complex hydraulic schematics easily.
  • Which valves or cartridge assemblies should be inspected first.
  • Understanding accumulator sizing and nitrogen requirements for 1600T machines.

These investigations helped me diagnose real plant failures with more clarity.

OPC UA Connectivity

I explored how machines with built-in OPC Servers could share data with:

  • third-party HMIs
  • PLCs from other brands
  • OPC UA clients

I also worked with Python OPC UA clients, GUI tools, and Docker-based setups to run dashboards in the browser (localhost/IP).

DevOps, Linux Systems, and Tooling

NixOS and Linux Workflow Automation

Throughout 2025, I built a large ecosystem of scripts and tools:

  • An all-in-one NixOS + Home Manager updater:
    • `nixos-rebuild switch`
    • `home-manager switch`
    • `nix flake update`
    • generation cleanup
    • interactive `fzf` menus
  • A fuzzy package searcher using `allpackages.txt` + `fzf`.
  • Scripts for encrypted storage:
    • Tomb on Linux
    • GPG-based vaults on Windows
  • Integrating encrypted vaults with Fossil version control.
  • Automatically launching Yazi tabs inside Zellij layouts.
  • Detecting OS and adjusting behaviors dynamically.

These tools made my day-to-day Linux work more productive and standardized.

Software Packaging & Compilation

I learned packaging and building custom software:

  • Creating a Nix package for The Dark Mod game installer.
  • Adding custom-built software to `configuration.nix`.
  • Building and installing Emacs 31 from Git with:
    • tree-sitter
    • native-comp
    • mailutils
  • Compiling utilities like `whdd` on NixOS.
  • Writing xbps-src templates for Void Linux utilities.
  • Handling Go installs and removals (`go install`, cleanup, etc.).

Docker & Virtualization

I explored:

  • Creating Dockerfiles to run Python-based OPC UA GUI clients.
  • Running GUI apps inside containers accessible via browser.
  • Debugging QEMU issues inside desktop entries.
  • Handling special characters and line breaks in `.desktop` files.

Emacs, Org-mode, Hugo, and Writing Automation

Org-Hugo Website Workflow

2025 was a year of heavy Emacs + Org + Hugo experimentation:

  • Managing my entire Hugo site from one Org file.
  • Using `H1` headings as folder metadata for Hugo.
  • Fixing image rendering issues and metadata in PaperMod/PaperModX.
  • Customizing CSS to use JetBrains Mono on my site.
  • Exporting pages correctly with empty `:HUGO_SECTION:` values.
  • Solving agenda requirements:
    • weekly TODO view (only current week)
    • birthday calendar showing only the current month
  • Improving my blog publisher to hide shell noise in Emacs.

Package Experiments

I tried tools such as `org-social`, discovering:

  • missing sync functions
  • read-only relay buffers
  • no usable backend for my workflow (yet)

Robotics and Programming

Robotics & Rapid

I asked for example code in RAPID for ABB robots and explored how Python ties into robotic automation workflows.

Python GUI Development

I worked with:

  • Textual TUI apps (Hanoi project)
  • pyqtgraph and PySide/Qt issues
  • Importing missing widgets like `Slider` in new Textual releases
  • Debugging graphical problems in GTK apps like Walker

General Programming & Troubleshooting

Other topics included:

  • Why `opcua-client` launches a terminal alongside the main UI.
  • Name resolution for OPC UA endpoints.
  • Cleaning and uninstalling Go-based binaries.
  • Improving CLI and GUI ergonomics across Linux desktops.

Linux Desktop, Wayland, Hyprland & UX Issues

I debugged and refined my desktop environments:

  • Conflicts between mako and xfce-notifyd across sessions.
  • Setting fonts correctly in browsers and mobile devices (Iosevka issues on iPhone).
  • Wayland quirks with Hyprland and application compatibility.
  • Zellij workspace design with automatic tab layouts.
  • Launching Emacs with `emacsclient –nw -c -a ‘’`.

Creativity, Logos, UI & Branding

I explored design work too:

  • Creating formal industrial logos for a DieCasting maintenance group.
  • Iterating to make them more complex, technical, and professional.
  • Making my Textual TUI interface look more visually appealing.
  • Exploring color schemes (Gruvbox Dark Material as baseline).

Communication, Writing & Professional Emails

Throughout 2025, I also drafted multiple professional emails, including:

  • Requests for hydraulic upgrades for a 1992 machine.
  • Notes about obsolete components and modernization needs.
  • Technical communication in both English and Spanish.

Conclusion

2025 has been a year full of experimentation and growth:

  • Hydraulics + Industrial Automation
  • Robotics + Programming
  • Linux, NixOS, and DevOps
  • Emacs, Org-mode, Hugo, and writing workflows
  • Docker, OPC UA, networking
  • Void Linux, Go, packaging, and compilation
  • UI/UX, logos, and visual design

Each question and challenge pushed me further as an engineer, developer, and tinkerer. This year-long journey reflects exactly what I enjoy: learning, building, and continuously improving the systems around me.