I figured I’d stretch my legs and take a quick look around. That’s when I saw the sign: “Hay Springs Golf Course.”

Now I’ve played a lot of golf in a lot of places, but something about a course tucked into a town this quiet felt like a hidden gem—or maybe a forgotten one. I turned off the highway, followed a short gravel road, and there it was—a nine-hole course spread out across the prairie like it had been there forever. No fancy clubhouse. No gate. Just the wind, the flagsticks, and a rusty pipe at the first tee.

That pipe? It’s the payment system. Five bucks. Drop it in. That’s your green fee.

This 9-hole, community-run course is the kind of place that reminds you why you fell in love with the game in the first place. As there’s no pro shop, there’s no tee time needed or even possible, no starter barking at you to keep pace, and definitely no one trying to sell you a $48 polo. Instead, you’ll find a quiet course surrounded by Nebraska prairie and a payment system that runs on the honor code.

And honestly, as I stood on that first tee with modern irons in hand, I couldn’t help but think—I really should’ve had a set of hickory shafts in the trunk. This place begs for the old-school game. You want to swing something with leather grips, wear a newsboy cap, and pretend you’re teeing off in 1925.

What sets Hay Springs apart, though, isn’t just the simplicity. It’s the sand greens.

Yes—sand.

Back in the early days of American golf, sand greens were the norm. Maintaining turf in dry, rural areas just wasn’t feasible, so courses improvised. A sand green is a flat circle of oiled sand. After each putt, you’re expected to drag a mat to smooth out the surface. It’s like raking a bunker and putting on it. Weird? Absolutely. But also kind of wonderful.

According to Larry Bohannan’s piece on sand greens, there are only about 100–150 sand green courses left in the United States. Hay Springs Golf Course is one of them. You’re not just playing a round—you’re stepping into a living time capsule.

There’s no pro shop, no beverage cart, and definitely no GPS—because there’s no one there to offer it. You bring your own gear, play at your own pace, and maybe wave at a local driving by in a dusty pickup.

So if you’re cruising through the Nebraska Panhandle with your clubs in the trunk, swing by Hay Springs. Bring your own golf balls, smooth out your sand putts, and don’t forget your $5 bill for the pipe.

This is golf the way your grandpa might’ve played it—and that’s exactly what makes it special.

The post $5 and a Pipe: Golfing in Hay Springs, Nebraska first appeared on Josh Holmes.

The true measure of a hotel’s quality? Towel distance.

How far do you have to go, soaking wet and freezing, to grab a towel after a shower? That’s the only rating system that matters.
I call it the Towel Distance Indicator (TDI), and once you see it, you’ll never walk into a hotel bathroom the same way again.

I’ve been testing this for years — from no-name motels off the interstate to high-end hotels with $12 bottled water. The results are clear: The farther the towel, the fancier the place.

Let’s break down the TDI scale.

TDI: 0 Feet – Towels In the Shower

Distance to towel: On a shelf inside the shower or stacked in the corner, practically getting wet with you.
You don’t even have to lean — just pivot and grab. Is it efficient? Yes. Is it unsettling? Also yes.
This is peak chaos energy. There’s no middle ground here — it’s either budget efficiency or design-gone-wild minimalism.

Examples:

• Motel 6 – The towel may be folded on top of the toilet or wedged into a shower shelf.
• OYO Hotels – Bold moves, like putting everything in one room.
• MicroHostels or ultra-budget stays – Designed by people who said, “What if… towels were just part of the shower?”

TDI: 1 Foot – Towels Within Reach

Distance to towel: 12 inches. You can grab it from the shower without moving your feet.
This is the “I see you, weary traveler” tier. Not luxurious, but the people who built the bathroom actually took a shower before finalizing the design. Legendary.

Examples:

• Super 8 – I stayed in one just last night. Towel was right there. Beautiful.
• Red Roof Inn – Tightly designed, straightforward, no fuss.
• Quality Inn – Budget-friendly and sometimes surprisingly towel-efficient.
  You’re not paying for luxury — you’re paying to stay dry. Mission accomplished.

TDI: 3 Feet – The Towel Shimmy Zone

Distance to towel: 2 to 4 feet. The towel is out of reach but within your line of sight.
You’ll do the patented “shower shimmy” — arms wrapped, cold tile beneath your feet, followed by sliding across the now soaked floor.
These are the Goldilocks hotels. Not too basic, not too bougie, but definitely a choice was made.

Examples:

• Holiday Inn Express – You get a pancake machine and a towel shuffle.
• Fairfield by Marriott – Classy on a budget, but the towel bar is just barely uncomfortably out of reach.
• Hampton Inn – Dependable, comfortable, and for some reason the towel’s always on the back of the door.

TDI: 5+ Feet – Fancy but Flawed

Distance to towel: 5 feet and beyond. You’ve got to leave the comfort of steam and walk across the bathroom to find your towel.
These places are stunning — rainfall showers, designer tile, and lighting that makes you feel like you’re in a skincare commercial. But nobody considered being wet when they designed them.

Examples:

• JW Marriott – You’ll feel pampered until you realize your towel is on the far wall.
• W Hotels – Towels folded in an artisanal basket next to the eucalyptus diffuser.
• Kimpton – It’s luxury, if luxury means wandering the room post-shower in search of cotton.
• Grand Hyatt – You paid $600 and you still need a sherpa to lead you to the towel. At least the floor is heated. That’s something.

Final Thoughts: Trust the TDI

Next time someone brags about their hotel, ask them just one question:

“What was the TDI?”

That’s it. That’s all you need to know.

Because while stars and prices often lie or can be gamed, the Towel Distance Indicator tells the truth — every single time.

The post Towel Distance Indicator (TDI): Ultimate Way to Judge Hotel Quality first appeared on Josh Holmes.

White Pines is just minutes from O’Hare International Airport, making it a perfect stop for traveling golfers or locals looking for a well-maintained, accessible course. The East Course, designed by Jack Daray and opened in 1928, offers a solid test of golf. It plays 6,371 yards from the Black tees, with a par of 70, a course rating of 71.1, and a slope of 127—challenging enough to stay interesting, but fair and playable for all skill levels.

The tree-lined fairways, subtle doglegs, and occasional water hazards make it a course that rewards accuracy and smart play over raw distance. I especially appreciated the course conditions—firm but fair greens and well-kept bunkers made for a great overall experience.

East Course – Black Tees Overview:

• Yardage: 6,371 yards
• Par: 70
• Course Rating: 71.1
• Slope: 127

And I can’t talk about White Pines without mentioning breakfast at the 37 Bar & Grill. I stopped in before my round, and it didn’t disappoint—good food, fast service, and a great view of the first tee. Whether you’re starting your day or wrapping up your round, it’s a perfect spot to relax and fuel up.

Watch the full round here: https://youtu.be/HjaNhbVYhVI

If you’re ever in the Chicago area with your clubs, White Pines deserves a spot on your must-play list—especially the East Course. It’s affordable, easy to access, and a whole lot of fun.

The post Playing White Pines East – A Hidden Gem Just Outside Chicago first appeared on Josh Holmes.

I’m sitting in the middle of the celebration here in Redmond, watching Brenda (no last name needed—she owns the stage) walk us through a timeline of Microsoft logos. We’re talking everything from the funky, retro 1975 original to the slightly metal, vaguely aggressive version, all the way to the clean, modern four-square logo we know today.

It’s not just a history lesson—it’s a full-on nostalgia trip. And as someone who’s been here for a touch over 18 years, I’ve seen a few of these logos fly by in real time.

From BASIC to Copilot: The Microsoft Tech Journey

1975 – BASIC for the Altair 8800
Microsoft’s first product was a version of BASIC. It ran on the Altair 8800, which looked more like a piece of lab equipment than a computer. But hey—it worked. It also helped kick off the personal computing revolution.

1980s – MS-DOS, Windows, and Big Hair Energy
We licensed MS-DOS to IBM and the rest was history. Windows 1.0 showed up in ’85 and brought the mouse and GUI into the mix. Suddenly, we were all clicking on stuff and pretending we were fancy.

1990s – Windows 95, Office, and a Little Thing Called the Internet
Windows 95 dropped like a bomb. The Start button! Plug and play! And that launch video with the Friends theme? Chef’s kiss. Office became the gold standard for productivity, and Internet Explorer… well, let’s just say it made some waves.

2000s – Enterprise Time and the Xbox Move
.NET Framework showed up. Windows Server and Active Directory became the backbone of IT departments everywhere. And then we launched Xbox and crashed into the gaming world like we meant it.

2010s – Cloud, GitHub, and Cross-Platform Hugs
Azure matured into a cloud powerhouse. Office 365 changed how businesses worked. GitHub joined the family, and Microsoft leaned into open source like never before. I may or may not have said, “Told you so,” a few times.

2020s – Copilot Everything and AI Everywhere
We’re now living in the age of AI copilots. GitHub Copilot. Microsoft 365 Copilot. Copilot in Windows, in Azure, in Security, in the kitchen (okay, not yet). All powered by Azure OpenAI. We went from BASIC to building language models that write code, documents, and poems—sometimes all at once.

My 18-Year Tour Through the Chaos

Let me rewind a bit. I joined Microsoft back in 2006 as an Architect Evangelist in Michigan. Great role, great people. But I realized pretty quickly that I had more fun—and got more traction—talking to the folks who really didn’t like Microsoft. So, naturally, I leaned into that.

By 2008, I was full-time open source—PHP, Rails, Node.js. Yep, Microsoft was doing open source back then. And yep, people were skeptical. It was a fun time to be in those conversations.

In 2010, I moved to Ireland to be the technical evangelist for all of Microsoft tech. One person, all tech, the whole country. You learn to juggle fast in roles like that.

In 2013, I came to Redmond to join the IE dev marketing team. I was part of the effort to modernize a browser with a bit of… reputation baggage. Let’s just say we had to do a lot of convincing.

After 10 months, I joined TED (Technical Evangelism and Development). That team was full of big ideas, even bigger personalities, and we helped push the boundaries of what developers could do with Microsoft’s tech stack. I stuck with TED until 2018.

Then I made the jump to the Edge browser product team—just in time for the browser reboot. I became the acting Group Product Manager for Developer Experiences, and yes, I was one of the eight people who voted to move to Chromium. That was a big deal. You’re welcome.

In 2019, I moved to CSE (Commercial Software Engineering), which eventually evolved into ISE (Industry Software Engineering), where I still hang out. These days, I help companies solve gnarly problems with cutting-edge tech. The tech keeps changing, but the gnarliness remains beautifully consistent.

Cheers to the Next 50

Watching the logo timeline roll by today, I’m thinking less about the tech and more about the people—folks I’ve worked with, battled bugs with, defended tab spacing preferences with.

Microsoft isn’t perfect, but it’s constantly evolving. And if the last 50 years are any sign, the next 50 will be even weirder, wilder, and more fun.

I’m here for it.

The post 50 Years of Microsoft—and 18 Years of Shenanigans Along the Way first appeared on Josh Holmes.

Rolling with the Punches

One of the things I love about Forged in Fire is how things rarely go according to plan. Blades crack, welds fail, and sometimes, the forge just isn’t cooperating. The smiths who make it through aren’t necessarily the best from the start—they’re the ones who adapt, troubleshoot, and keep moving forward.

That’s exactly what working in tech feels like. No matter how well you plan, projects hit roadblocks—whether it’s a surprise compatibility issue, a shift in customer needs, or a technical challenge that takes longer to crack than expected. Success, in both forging and software engineering, isn’t just about raw skill—it’s about thinking on your feet and problem-solving under pressure.

Failing Fast, Learning Faster

Some of the wildest moments on the show happen when a blade breaks or delaminates right before the buzzer. Watching a smith scramble to save their work—welding, reshaping, heat-treating in a panic—it’s stressful, but also inspiring. Some of them manage to pull off a miracle, and even when they don’t, you can see how much they’ve learned from the experience.

I’ve had plenty of moments like that in my career. Whether it’s an AI model that doesn’t perform, an architecture that needs a complete rethink, or a deployment that just refuses to work, setbacks happen. The key is what you do next. Do you give up, or do you take a breath, figure out what went wrong, and make the next attempt better? The best engineers, like the best smiths, don’t let failure stop them—they use it to refine their craft.

Pushing Limits—Physically and Mentally

A lot of contestants come in thinking they’ve got the technical skills to win, only to realize that the sheer grind of the competition is something else entirely. The heat, the time limits, the pressure of performing on camera—it pushes them to their limits, both physically and mentally. The ones who succeed aren’t just great blacksmiths; they’re the ones who can dig deep, stay focused, and push through.

That mindset applies to my work at Microsoft, too. As an Architect, I tackle some of the toughest challenges in enterprise software. It takes long hours of deep thinking, problem-solving, and mental endurance to crack big industry-wide problems. Just like in the forge, there are moments when I feel like I’ve hit a wall—but if I keep hammering away, eventually, I break through.

The Bottom Line: Keep Hammering

At its core, Forged in Fire is about perseverance. It’s about showing up, working through challenges, learning from failures, and constantly refining your craft. Whether it’s in blacksmithing, fitness, or software engineering, the secret to success is simple: just keep hammering. That’s how you turn raw materials—whether it’s steel, code, or personal grit—into something strong and lasting.

So while Maura enjoys the action and artistry, I’m taking notes. Forged in Fire isn’t just about making weapons—it’s about forging resilience. And that’s a lesson I carry with me every day, whether I’m in the forge, training for a Spartan race, or tackling my next challenge at Microsoft.

The post Learning Perseverance from Forged in Fire first appeared on Josh Holmes.

But then, in the midst of it all, a good friend sent me a music video this morning: [Be Who You Are – YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppOkf-S_ieA&t=2s].

I didn’t expect much when I clicked play. But as the song unfolded, something inside me shifted. The lyrics, the melody, the sheer emotion behind it—it all spoke to me in a way I didn’t realize I needed.

The Power of a Thoughtful Gesture

Music has a way of saying what we struggle to articulate. It reminds us that we’re not alone, that others have walked this road before us, and that there’s light at the end of the tunnel—even when we can’t see it yet. My friend knew exactly what I needed before I did, and that act of kindness, of being seen and understood, meant the world to me.

In a time when I’ve been doubting myself, the song was a reminder that my worth isn’t measured in spreadsheets or productivity reports. It’s not defined by a single tough month. My value isn’t just in what I produce—it’s in who I am, in the relationships I build, in the way I show up, even on the hardest days.

Navigating Tough Times with Music and Friendship

There’s a lesson here, one I’m still working through: Hard times don’t define us. Our struggles with work, finances, or mental health are just chapters in a much longer story. And sometimes, when words fail, music steps in to bridge the gap.

Today, this song reminded me that I’m not alone. That I’m seen. That I matter. And if you’re reading this, feeling something similar, let this be your reminder too. You’re more than your struggles. You’re more than what you accomplish. You’re enough, just as you are.

And sometimes, the right song at the right moment can be exactly what we need to hear.

What are songs that have inspired you through tough times?

The post Finding Strength in Music: A Reflection on ‘Be Who You Are’ first appeared on Josh Holmes.

But this round wasn’t really about the score—it was about getting back into the game, testing my recovery, and learning a few things along the way.

Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/-jfjMc1IpZ0

Getting Back After an Injury

If you’ve ever taken time off from golf—whether due to injury, weather, or life getting in the way—you know how it feels to step back onto the course after a break. Everything feels just a little off: the rhythm, the timing, and (unfortunately) the scorecard.

The Good, the Bad, and the Rusty

• The Good: I was able to play pain-free, which was my biggest concern.
• The Bad: My touch around the greens was nonexistent. Chipping and putting? Yikes.
• The Rusty: My swing felt disconnected at times, and I could tell my muscle memory needed some fine-tuning.

Lessons Learned

Beyond just shaking off the rust, I also learned a few things about filming and editing a golf video. I won’t lie—some of the shots were a little shaky, and the editing process showed me areas where I can improve for future content. But that’s part of the journey!

One big mistake? I completely forgot to hit record on my tee shot and putting on the 6th hole. So while I played 7 holes, only 6 made it into the video. Lesson learned: Check the camera before every shot!

What’s Next?

This round gave me a good baseline for where my game is post-injury. Now, it’s time to work on consistency, rebuild my short game, and dial in my iron play so I can get back to playing at my best.

Your Turn: How Long Have You Gone Without Playing?

If you’ve ever had to take time off from golf, you know how tough it is to return. I’d love to hear from you—what’s the longest break you’ve taken, and how did your first round back go?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

The post first appeared on Josh Holmes.

Early Morning: Training and Pushing Limits

I like to get up early and start my Saturday with a great workout. There’s something about pushing myself first thing in the morning that sets the tone for the rest of the day. My Spartan Super training guide keeps me on track, making sure I get in a mix of strength, endurance, and grip work—because let’s be honest, obstacles like the rope climb and monkey bars aren’t going to get easier on their own. I also incorporate Peloton rides into my training, using them to build endurance and strengthen my legs without putting too much strain on my knees. Training hard gives me the energy and focus I need for the rest of the day’s activities.

Mid-Morning: Forged in Fire and Family Time

After training, I settle in for one of my favorite Saturday traditions—watching Forged in Fire with my daughter Maura. She’s 21 and has DDX3X, and this time together is something I truly cherish. DDX3X is a rare genetic condition that primarily affects girls and can cause developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, and other challenges.

Despite this, Maura has a bright spirit and a love for spending time together, especially when we’re watching bladesmiths craft their creations. There’s something relaxing about watching skilled artisans work and just enjoying the show with her. It’s a great way to slow things down after an intense morning workout.

Afternoon: Beating on Iron with Collin

Lately, my oldest son, Collin, and I have been getting into forging. We’ve got a medium-sized two-burner forge and all the starting tools, and there’s nothing quite like heating up a piece of metal and hammering it into something new. The physicality of forging, the precision it requires, and the satisfaction of shaping metal with your own hands—it’s an art form and a great way to bond. Whether we’re working on a simple knife or just experimenting with new techniques, it’s time well spent.

Evening: Golfing in the PNW Sun

If the Pacific Northwest blesses us with a sunny day, you can bet I’m ending it on the golf course. Walking the course, taking in the scenery, and challenging myself to play better each round—it’s the perfect way to wrap up the day. Golf is a sport that requires patience, strategy, and a little bit of luck, but mostly, it’s about enjoying the moment. After a full day of training, forging, and family time, stepping onto the course brings everything full circle.

Finding the Perfect Balance

For me, a great Saturday isn’t about doing just one thing—it’s about finding that balance between movement, creativity, and connection. Whether it’s pushing my limits in training, bonding over bladesmithing, or soaking in the beauty of a well-struck golf shot, each part of my Saturday adds something valuable.

What does your perfect Saturday look like?

The post The Perfect Saturday: Training, Forging, and Golf first appeared on Josh Holmes.

Course Overview

• Location: Portland, Oregon
• Par: 72
• Yardage from Blue Tees: ~6,600 yards
• Style: Classic parkland
• Water Hazards: Water comes into play on 14 of the 18 holes
• Notable Events: Has hosted the PGA Championship, Ryder Cup, and LPGA Tour events

Course Conditions & Design

All of the greens were faster than I had ever putted on. They were running about a 12 on the stimp meter.

The fairways were lush, the greens were fast but fair, and the bunkers were strategically placed to make you think about every approach shot. But what stood out most? Water. While not on every hole, Fanno Creek and several ponds make key shots nerve-wracking.

Key Design Features:
Tree-Lined Fairways: Demands accuracy off the tee—straying too far off line makes recovery difficult.
Water on 8 Holes: Fanno Creek and ponds force strategic shot placement.
Well-Bunkered Greens: Positioning on approach shots is critical to avoid tough sand saves.
Classic Layout: No gimmicks, just pure, strategic golf.

Most Memorable Holes

Hole 4 (Par 3, 190 yards) – A Precise Iron Test

A scenic par 3 that requires a precise mid-to-long iron into a green that slopes heavily. The pin position can make a huge difference—if it’s tucked, good luck holding the green.

Hole 7 (Par 4, 410 yards) – The One That Got Me

Let’s talk about Hole 7, because it absolutely ate my lunch. A dogleg right with a narrow landing area, this hole demands precision off the tee and an even better approach. I thought I had it under control—until I didn’t. A slight mis-hit off the tee sent my ball sailing toward the trees, and before I knew it, I was yelling “FORE!” at unsuspecting golfers down the fairway. The recovery wasn’t much better, and I closed out the hole with a frustrating double bogey. This hole is a perfect example of why smart golf beats aggressive golf at Portland GC.

Hole 8 (Par 3, 190 yards) – The Creek That Swallows Golf Balls

You know that feeling when you think you’ve hit a great shot, only to watch it disappear into the abyss? Welcome to Hole 8. A 190-yard par 3 with Fanno Creek guarding the left side of the green—a seemingly innocent little creek that devours golf balls for sport. I aimed safely for the right side but didn’t commit, sending my ball straight toward the water. Plop. Gone. Another drop, another putt, and just like that—another double bogey. Lesson learned: respect the creek.

Hole 11 (Par 4, 430 yards) – Water Comes Into Play Off the Tee

This par 4 tempts you into going for distance off the tee, but a well-placed lake forces you to make a decision—play safe or risk a big number. If you don’t hit your drive just right, water is in play. Approach shots aren’t much easier, with bunkers guarding the front.

Hole 14 (Par 4, 400 yards) – A Challenging Approach

By this point in the round, you’d think I’d have figured out how to handle approach shots. But Hole 14 had other plans. The fairway is generous, but the approach requires pinpoint accuracy to avoid trouble. It’s a classic risk-reward hole, but if you get too aggressive, you’ll pay the price.

Hole 17 (Par 3, 175 yards) – The Creek Makes You Think

A mid-iron par 3 that shouldn’t be too tricky—except for the creek right in front of the green. If you don’t commit to the shot, it’s easy to come up short and watch your ball disappear.

Playing from the Blue Tees

For an 8-handicapper, the blue tees at ~6,600 yards offer a solid challenge without being overwhelming. The biggest keys to scoring well here:
Drive the ball accurately. Fairways are narrow, and errant drives lead to punch-outs.
Respect the water. It’s lurking on key holes, and even a small mistake can cost you strokes.
Dial in approach shots. The greens are tricky, and missing in the wrong spot makes for tough up-and-downs.
Stay patient. The course rewards smart, strategic play.

Overall Rating

Challenge: 9/10 (water on key holes will test you)
Scenery: 9/10
Course Conditions: 9.5/10
Fun Factor: 8/10 (depends on how many golf balls you lose)

Final Thoughts

Portland Golf Club is an old-school, strategic course that rewards precision and punishes reckless play. If you love thinking your way around the course, it’s a fantastic test. If you’re prone to losing golf balls, bring extra. Holes 7, 8, 11, 14, and 17 will take them from you. If you get the chance to play it, take it—you won’t be disappointed.

The post Portland Golf Club Course Review first appeared on Josh Holmes.

But this GiveCamp was personal for me to volunteer in. GiveCamp Memphis picked up Center Point Cemetery which is where generations of my family, dating back to my great-great-great-grandparents, are buried dating back to the 1800s. When I had the chance to volunteer at GiveCamp Memphis, I knew this project would be more than just another website build. It was an opportunity to create something meaningful for families like mine.

Building a Digital Future for Center Point Cemetery

The main project was building CenterPointCemetery.org, a website with two primary features:

1. Plot Finder – A tool that allows visitors to search for burial locations, view headstone images, and access obituaries. If you check it out, search for Charlene. You can see her plot, headstone, and obituary. Then do a search for Holmes. (Yes, those are all my relatives…)  
2. Donation Page – A PayPal-integrated page that enables secure and seamless donations to support the cemetery’s upkeep.

Cleaning Up the Data

Before GiveCamp even started, I spent time cleaning the cemetery’s burial records—an effort I documented in this blog post. This data cleansing was crucial in ensuring that the Plot Finder worked correctly and provided accurate search results.

The data was spread across 65 different spreadsheets, each formatted differently and containing inconsistencies, duplicates, and missing information. I leveraged AI to develop a Node.js application to automate the process, standardizing the records and integrating them into a unified database. 

This preparatory work ensured that by the time GiveCamp started, we had a reliable dataset ready for development, allowing the team to focus on building the features rather than fixing data issues on the fly.

The GiveCamp Team

I wasn’t alone in this effort. I had an incredible team of volunteers, including my Seattle GiveCamp technical lead, Ben Lobaugh, who participated remotely. Ben is a seasoned developer with deep expertise in WordPress, cloud solutions, and software architecture. His contributions were invaluable as he helped guide architectural decisions and troubleshoot technical challenges from afar, ensuring that our solutions were both scalable and sustainable. Having his mentorship available remotely provided an extra layer of support for our on-site team.

Ben also played a key role in developing the Plot Finder’s search capabilities, helping to optimize queries and ensure the search function performed efficiently on a large dataset. His insights into structuring the data and improving search performance significantly enhanced the user experience, making it easy for visitors to find burial records quickly and accurately.

On-site, we had four full-time developers and a designer:

• Isaiah Oden
• Arlina Ibezim
• Michael Harris
• Jack Flaherty
• Charise Hansen

Three of them—Isaiah, Arlina, and Michael—were either students or graduates of Memphis’s CodeCrew program, and Jack, who graduated four years ago with a Computer Science degree from the University of Memphis, has been working as a manager at Chick-fil-A. Charise, a talented designer, brought her creativity to the project by designing a brand-new logo that gave the site a professional and polished look. All five of them are highly skilled and absolutely hireable—I’d hire any of them in a heartbeat.

Task Distribution & Contributions

We split the work based on expertise and interest:

• Michael tackled PayPal integration, initially using a plugin, but pivoted to direct PayPal embedding when the plugin couldn’t handle recurring payments.
• Arlina worked on the History and About Us pages.
• Isaiah took on the WordPress theming, learning from scratch and implementing the new branding.
• Jack embedded interactive maps on the Plot Finder results pages and leaned in on how we navigate the website.
• Charise designed the new logo and branding elements for the cemetery’s website.

All four of my developers leaned in and helped each other. They also taught Donnie and Carla Nichols, our nonprofit organization representatives, how to edit the website. Donnie works at a company that does piping around large commercial projects, where he estimates bids. Carla is a personal banker. Neither of them is highly literate in computers; however, both of them learned a bunch from all of the volunteers and are now capable of maintaining their website. Watching that was amazing. It was a powerful reminder of how technology can empower people, even those without a technical background, to take ownership of their own digital tools.

A Brake Pad Lesson with Isaiah

On Saturday, Isaiah told me he might not be able to make it on Sunday because his brakes had started screeching, and he probably shouldn’t drive on them. I wasn’t about to let that stop him from finishing an awesome weekend of work, so I volunteered to buy him new brake pads and teach him how to change them. Thanks to Trey Albertson, a long-time GiveCamp Memphis volunteer, who had tools in his car that I could borrow, we got the job done. It’s not every GiveCamp where you teach someone WordPress theming and how to change brake pads in the same weekend!

Challenges and Lessons Learned

Like any project, we encountered challenges along the way. One of the biggest hurdles was ensuring the Plot Finder search function was both fast and accurate, given the large dataset we were working with. Thanks to Ben’s expertise, we optimized the queries and structured the data efficiently. Additionally, navigating PayPal’s restrictions on recurring payments required Michael to pivot and implement a direct integration.

Another challenge was time—GiveCamp is an intense weekend sprint, and balancing speed with quality was crucial. At this rate, next year we might need to add a session on changing tires alongside the coding workshops! The entire team leaned in to support each other, learning on the fly and adapting to roadblocks quickly.

Beyond the technical aspects, one of my biggest takeaways was the impact of mentorship and teamwork. Watching the volunteers not only build the website but also teach Donnie and Carla how to maintain it was inspiring.

Impact and Takeaways

By the end of the weekend, we had a fully functioning website that will help families find their loved ones and allow the cemetery to receive much-needed donations. This project was a testament to the power of community-driven development and the immense talent within the GiveCamp network.

This project reminded me just how much impact a small but dedicated team can have in a short amount of time. It’s not just about building technology—it’s about empowering people with tools they can actually use. And that’s what GiveCamp is all about. GiveCamp Memphis was an amazing experience, and I look forward to continuing to support this incredible event—though I’ll never let them forget their unfortunate naming choice!

If you’re looking for talented developers, consider reaching out to Isaiah, Arlina, Michael, Jack, or Charise. And if you want to get involved in making a difference through tech, consider joining the next GiveCamp near you! You can find more information at GiveCamp.org.

The post Giving Back with Tech: My Experience at GiveCamp Memphis first appeared on Josh Holmes.