8 Protocols is my home for thinking and building in public. I write about the systems that shape our work: code, AI, product choices, team culture, and the mind behind it all. The aim is simple. Keep work sharp and human.
Why it exists
We ship better software when we ask better questions. Not just how to build, but when, and why. I publish notes and stories that trade buzz for clarity, so you can cut complexity, make sound calls, and finish with pride.
What you’ll find
- Code and architecture. Practical patterns that age well. Small surfaces. Fewer moving parts.
- AI, done responsibly. Use models to explore and speed up, then add human judgment and review.
- Teams and culture. How we work when it counts. Clear writing. Useful process. Trust over theater.
- Craft and mindset. Focus, patience, and the habits that keep your edge.
The 8 protocols
- Start with the web. Ship HTML first. Add only the JS that pays rent.
- Prefer simple systems. Small, boring pieces you can explain in five minutes.
- Write like a person. Plain words. Specific claims. Measurable outcomes.
- Design for speed and access. Fast pages. Keyboard paths. Real-world networks.
- Choose tools on merit. Fit the job, not the trend. Replace when the data says so.
- Proof of work. Effort you can point to beats performance and buzz.
- Constraints make taste. Fewer options sharpen decisions and reveal the shape of the problem.
- Keep asking better questions. Curiosity is the engine. Integrity is the brake.
Who’s behind this
I’m Alvis Ng, a technical lead based in Malaysia. I build web and mobile products and write to make thinking visible and useful. Expect new essays a few times each month. Bring coffee. I’ll bring clarity.
Start here
- From Bag-of-Words to GPT for a fast history of how we got here.
- Inside the Clockwork of an AI’s Mind to see how a model really answers you.
- What Makes a Senior Developer Senior? for the human side of technical growth.
Keep in touch
Subscribe for new posts and experiments. Long enough to stay with you. Short enough for a cup of coffee.