Tech Productivity Issue #354 (AI Broke the Tech Interview)

Issue #354 (AI Broke the Tech Interview) 11/24/25

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This week I'm not able to be quite as productive as I want because I'm in the process of switching from my regular Windows 10 machine to a new, much more powerful Windows 11 system.

I've already installed most of the apps I use regularly for my work and hobbies. I'm sure there's more I've overlooked, but I'll eventually get to those when I remember which ones they are! My old system is copying files to an external drive as I write this.

It's not easy to be 'productive' in this kind of environment, but I don't like to procrastinate this sort of thing. I like to get everything moved over in a matter of days, and then get right back to my routine.

I'm sure many of you have had the same experience when moving to a new computer. My best advice if you're doing something similar: Get the core stuff done as quickly as possible and worry about any details later. As long as everything is backed up and accessible, I can always go back to my old files later on demand.

Now on to this week's hand-picked productivity links!

Tools & Apps

TheBoringNotch — An open source app for Mac to transform the 'notch' at the top of your MacBook's screen into a quick access center for dynamic music control, charging indicator, reminders, calendar, and more.

Arclet Copier — A Chrome extension for improved copying of URLs with features that include batch support, parameter filtering, Markdown, short URLs, QR codes, keyboard shortcuts, and dark theme.

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Amber — An AI-enabled, all-in-one messenger app and personal CRM that integrates iMessage, WhatsApp, and Telegram seamlessly in one place, with ability to organize conversations by projects, communities, context, etc.

Lapsa — An iPhone app to track habits without graphs or other clutter, enabling you to choose specific days and build habits around your real routine along with motivation, notes for resetting, reminders, and more.

Workout.cool — A modern, open source fitness coaching platform that allows you to create workout plans, track progress, and access a vast exercise database with detailed instructions and video demonstrations.

Vetis — An AI-powered second brain web app (with Mac and Windows coming soon) to help organize your personal knowledge base, allowing you to find what you need via Q&A with an AI bot.

Articles & Resources

AI Broke Interviews — A comprehensive look at how AI has changed tech interviews to the point that companies are now testing for things that only real engineers can do, to avoid allowing cheating and shortcuts from candidates.

Brainstorming Terrible Ideas in a Group — A good solution to a brainstorming technique that can help encourage even bad ideas, which can ultimately lead to filtering those out in favour of good ones.

A New Place to Read Your Newsletters — I'm trying out a free app for reading newsletters called Khaki. The interface is clean, distraction-free, and only shows the newsletters I’m subscribed to, no noise of everything else in my usual inbox. sponsor

How to Be a Leader When the Vibes Are Off — "AI hype, return-to-office mandates, and continued layoffs have shifted the mood. Managers are quicker to fire, existential dread has replaced the confidence that a tight job market for developers provided for decades."

The Scam Called “You Don't Have to Remember Anything” — Some encouragement in the AI age to avoid the thinking that searching for stuff only requires superficial knowledge, as if remembering things is an outdated method.

Running 1:1s for Engineers — One engineering manager's simple, repeatable structure for running one-to-ones (meetings between a manager and an engineer intended to go beyond simple status updates).

Knowledge Work Is Dying – Here’s What Comes Next — While AI continues to take away information-based roles, big tech companies are investing in a new category called "wisdom work", something anyone can look into.

Suggestions?

Have a suggestion for a productivity-related tool, article, or other resource? Send me a direct message via X or chat via Bluesky and I’ll consider including it in a future issue.

Stay productive!

Louis
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