Dean Hume's Blog

At Microsoft, we host a global hackathon once a year.

There is a particular moment when I meet someone new and they ask what I do for a living.

There is a particular moment when I meet someone new and they ask what I do for a living.

Ever tried to save time by keeping a prompt short - only to spend the next ten minutes answering follow-up questions because the AI didn't have what it needed?

Ever tried to save time by keeping a prompt short - only to spend the next ten minutes answering follow-up questions because the AI didn't have what it needed?

When does quality actually get decided on your team?

When does quality actually get decided on your team?

A few years ago, I wrote about using a Maturity Matrix to assess software engineering teams.

A few years ago, I wrote about using a Maturity Matrix to assess software engineering teams.

Do you remember what a "normal" software team looked like?

Do you remember what a "normal" software team looked like?

Have you ever walked out of a 1:1 and realised you can't quite remember what you agreed on last time?

Have you ever walked out of a 1:1 and realised you can't quite remember what you agreed on last time?

Ever wished your AI assistant actually knew your stuff?

Ever wished your AI assistant actually knew your stuff?

Over the years, I’ve learned that being a Technical Program Manager (TPM) is a bit of a strange hybrid role.

Over the years, I’ve learned that being a Technical Program Manager (TPM) is a bit of a strange hybrid role.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how PowerToys Workspaces helped me stop wasting time arranging windows every morning.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how PowerToys Workspaces helped me stop wasting time arranging windows every morning.

Have you ever sat down at your computer, ready to get into a flow state, and then spent the first ten minutes just arranging windows?

Have you ever sat down at your computer, ready to get into a flow state, and then spent the first ten minutes just arranging windows?

In my career, I've been many things - a Support Engineer, a Software Engineer and an Engineering Manager.

In my career, I've been many things - a Support Engineer, a Software Engineer and an Engineering Manager.

Have you ever wanted to create a backup of your website or blog?

Have you ever wanted to create a backup of your website or blog?

If you’ve ever had an app crash at the worst possible moment, you’ll know how frustrating it can be - both for developers and players.

If you’ve ever had an app crash at the worst possible moment, you’ll know how frustrating it can be - both for developers and players.

Many years ago, I wrote an article on the basics of OAuth and while it was helpful, it is now quite outdated.

Many years ago, I wrote an article on the basics of OAuth and while it was helpful, it is now quite outdated.

Back in 2013, I published a blog post about a simple HTML Minifier I'd built for web pages.

If you've ever played a game on a modern handheld device, you'll know how much fun it can be.