What I Learned at SMU's Legal Database Launch (And My Decision About zeeker.sg)
After 150+ hours building data.zeeker.sg, I attended SMU's SOLID database launch to see institutional legal data infrastructure in action. I applied my decision framework and made my choice: I'm continuing. Here's what I learned about when solo builders should persist alongside institutions.
When Institutions Enter Your Passion Project Space
Domain renewal: $110. But the real cost is over 150 hours and zero users. Now SMU is building what I tried solo. Here's my framework for deciding: continue, collaborate, or gracefully close.
What Top 10% Actually Means (For a Lawyer Who Codes)
177K monthly downloads. Top 10% of 700K packages. Zero revenue, one maintainer, weekend work. Here's what "success" actually means for open source maintainers—and what I'd tell anyone considering building their own tools.
Why Prompt Engineering Felt Wrong (And What Skills Changed)
I sat in a standing-room-only prompt engineering workshop feeling anxious—not because I was behind, but because I don't use any of these frameworks. Turns out my instinct was right. That same month, the technology shifted from prompts to persistent agent skills
Lawyers Got Prompt Engineering Wrong (And Why That Matters)
At TechLawFest 2025, Singapore lawyers packed a workshop on prompt engineering. Meanwhile, the technology shifted: agent skills became available. This isn't about better prompts—it's about who controls the decision-making logic. From 3-page prompts to reusable systems.