Topic cluster
Case Studies and Project Evidence
Project writeups, Spark ecosystem applications, content workflows, and lessons from shipped systems.
32 articles grouped from: Case Studies, UISampleSpark, Content Strategy
Cloudflare and IIS: Hosting My .NET Sites on One VM
Getting one .NET site online behind Cloudflare is manageable. Hosting several low-traffic demonstration sites on one Windows VM to keep cost and maintenance low forced me to think less about hosting checklists and more about blast radius, boundaries, and what I would do if one of them ever outgrew this setup.
SupportSpark: A Lightweight Support Network Without the Noise
SupportSpark is a lightweight, privacy-focused web application that asks a simple question — do we really need social media to keep a support network informed? Built with React 19, Express 5, and TypeScript, it strips away ads, algorithms, and noise to provide a clean process for sharing updates during difficult times.
UISampleSpark: Modern DevOps as a Living Reference
Writing code is only half the story. This final article in the UISampleSpark series traces the operational journey from manual builds to fully automated pipelines spanning Docker containerization, three-workflow CI/CD, security scanning, and multi-platform cloud deployment.
UISampleSpark: Seven UI Paradigms, One Backend
Most tutorial projects demonstrate one way to build a web interface. UISampleSpark asks a different question — what if we demonstrated all of them? Seven radically different frontend approaches, the same backend API, the same data model, compared side by side.
UISampleSpark: Constitution-Driven Development
For nearly seven years, UISampleSpark operated on implicit rules. In February 2026, a constitution-driven approach powered by AI agents analyzed the codebase, surfaced unwritten conventions, formalized 11 principles with 30 enforceable requirements, and resolved three critical compliance gaps.
UISampleSpark: Seven Years of .NET Modernization
Since Microsoft unified .NET under a single platform, a new major version ships every November. UISampleSpark adopted every release deliberately, documenting the friction points and upgrade strategies that real-world teams encounter across seven major migrations.
UISampleSpark: A Developer's Swiss Army Knife
In April 2019, the first commit established a simple CRUD reference project originally called SampleMvcCRUD. Over seven years and more than 650 commits, it evolved into UISampleSpark — a comprehensive educational platform spanning seven UI paradigms, cloud-native architecture, and AI-assisted governance.
Safely Launching a New MarkHazleton.com
A detailed account of migrating MarkHazleton.com to a modern React-based static site, solving critical SEO crawlability issues, implementing build tracking, and safely switching production domains between Azure Static Web Apps.
Mastering Blog Management Tools
I built a custom CMS after repetitive publishing tasks kept stealing time from writing. This article walks through the architecture and trade-offs, then connects them to lessons from Web Project Mechanics.
Exploring Microsoft Copilot Studio
Microsoft Copilot Studio enters the no-code AI assistant category with full Microsoft 365 integration. Real value only becomes clear after hands-on testing against concrete use cases.
Building TeachSpark: AI-Powered Educational Technology for Teachers
TeachSpark was built to reduce worksheet-preparation time while keeping instructional intent in the teacher's hands. This article breaks down the architecture, integration approach, and implementation trade-offs.
Building ArtSpark: Where AI Meets Art History
Discover how ArtSpark combines AI and art history, allowing users to interact with artworks through a platform built with .NET 9, Microsoft Semantic Kernel, and GPT-4 Vision. This article explores the creation, challenges, and future developments of ArtSpark.
From README to Reality: Teaching an Agent to Bootstrap a UI Theme
A smart NuGet README and VS Code's agent mode can collapse what was a tedious manual setup — install package, register services, scaffold layout, swap themes — into a single intent expressed in plain English. WebSpark.Bootswatch is a working example of what that looks like end to end.
Pedernales Cellars Winery in Texas Hill Country
Located in Stonewall, Texas, Pedernales Cellars is known for crafting award-winning Spanish and Rhône-style wines from 100% Texas-grown grapes. Run by sixth-generation Texans, the winery blends traditional values with modern environmental responsibility.
The Creation of ShareSmallBiz.com: A Platform for Small Business Success
In today's competitive market, small businesses often struggle to keep up with larger corporations due to limited resources and marketing budgets. Enter ShareSmallBiz.com, a revolutionary platform designed to level the playing field by offering collaborative marketing tools and shared resources. This article delves into the creation and impact of ShareSmallBiz.com, exploring how it empowers small businesses to achieve success.
Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show
Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl LIX halftime performance was a profound societal commentary delivered through metaphorical visuals and thought-provoking stage design.
Riffusion AI: Revolutionizing Music Creation
Riffusion AI shows how diffusion models can support composition workflows by turning text prompts into musical structure. This article examines where it helps, where it falls short, and what that means in day-to-day music work.
Getting Started with PUG: History and Future
PUG, a high-performance template engine for Node.js, has a rich history and a promising future. This article delves into its origins, features, and community, providing insights into its ongoing development and future prospects.
OpenAI Sora: First Impressions and Impact
OpenAI Sora is a groundbreaking platform that uses AI to simplify video generation. This article explores its features and potential impact on creative industries.
A Full History of the EDS Super Bowl Commercials
As a former EDS employee, I have a personal appreciation for the Super Bowl commercials from the early 2000s. They captured core IT project pressures through humor and memorable metaphors.
Using NotebookLM, Clipchamp, and ChatGPT for Podcasts
Creating a podcast can be a daunting task, but with the right tools, it becomes a seamless and enjoyable experience. In this guide, we will explore how to use NotebookLM, Microsoft Clipchamp, and ChatGPT to produce high-quality podcast episodes for your Deep Dive playlist.
Windows to Mac: Broadening My Horizons
Switching from Windows to macOS can be a transformative experience. This article delves into my journey of learning to use a MacBook Pro and enhancing my tech skills, offering insights into the benefits and challenges of making the switch.
Canonical URL Troubleshooting for Static Web Apps
Canonical URLs are crucial for SEO in static web apps. This guide explores how to manage them using Azure and Cloudflare, ensuring your content is properly indexed.
Developing MarkHazleton.com: Tools and Approach
A personal site that doubles as a portfolio has to do two jobs at once — publish content well and demonstrate the engineering choices behind it. The development of MarkHazleton.com leans on a deliberate stack and a small set of conventions that have held up over multiple rebuilds.
Fixing a Runaway Node.js Recursive Folder Issue
Node.js applications can sometimes create infinite recursive directories due to improper recursion handling. This article provides solutions to fix the issue and includes a C++ program for cleanup.
Syntax Highlighting with Prism.js for XML, PUG, YAML, and C#
Syntax highlighting is a crucial aspect of code readability and presentation. In this guide, we will explore how to implement syntax highlighting for XML, PUG, YAML, and C# using the powerful Prism.js library. Additionally, we will delve into automating the bundling process with render-scripts.js to streamline your workflow.
Automate GitHub Profile with Latest Blog Posts
Keeping your GitHub profile updated with the latest content can be a tedious task. However, with the power of GitHub Actions and Node.js, you can automate this process, ensuring your profile always reflects your most recent blog posts.
Migrating to MarkHazleton.com: A Comprehensive Guide
Moving a blog from one domain to another is mostly a DNS exercise — until it isn't. Migrating from markhazleton.controlorigins.com to markhazleton.com on Azure Static Web Apps with Cloudflare DNS surfaced the small details that decide whether a cutover is clean or quietly breaks SEO.
Taking FastEndpoints for a Test Drive
FastEndpoints offers a simplified approach to building ASP.NET APIs, enhancing efficiency and productivity. This article explores its features and benefits.
Embracing Azure Static Web Apps for Static Site Hosting
Static websites are gaining traction due to their speed, security, and simplicity. Azure Static Web Apps offers an efficient solution for hosting these sites, providing integrated CI/CD, global reach, and built-in authentication.
From Concept to Live: Unveiling WichitaSewer.com
Creating a website involves meticulous planning and execution. This article explores the journey of WichitaSewer.com from concept to live launch, highlighting key insights and lessons learned.
Mastering Web Project Mechanics
Web projects are integral to modern business success. This guide explores the essential strategies for managing and executing web projects effectively, ensuring your projects achieve their objectives.