Michael of the Dragons
For over four decades I’ve worked with technical systems - not just how they work, but why they work. I’m less interested in individual technologies than in the rules by which systems emerge, cooperate, and remain reliable over many years.
What I work on
Today, dragons@work produces books, software, and open frameworks around technical systems and digital independence.
This includes:
- technical books and documentation
- reference implementations in Lua and C
- open protocols and data formats
- tools for durable and traceable systems
- projects spanning technology, publishing, and philosophy
Much of this work interlocks. Books describe the concepts, frameworks create shared foundations, and software serves as a traceable reference implementation.
Why Low-Tech?
Technologies come and go. Good models remain.
Over the past decades I’ve worked on very different projects - from system migrations to embedded systems and live video platforms, to production processes, digital infrastructure, and publishing software.
The technologies in use changed constantly. The underlying principles, surprisingly, rarely did.
That’s why today I no longer try to chase short-term trends, but instead build systems that stay understandable, transparent, and maintainable even after many years.
Technical foundation
My daily work moves in areas including:
- OpenBSD and Debian
- Lua and C
- server and network architectures
- self-hosting and digital independence
- static websites and durable web infrastructure
- open data formats and federated systems
The focus isn’t the technology used, but its traceability.
Experience
Over the past decades I’ve worked on
- system migrations,
- embedded systems,
- live streaming platforms,
- production optimizations,
- international software projects,
- publishing systems,
- and digital infrastructure.
These experiences shape my view of technology more than any single programming language or product.
What you’ll find here
On this website I share
- technical books,
- open frameworks,
- reference implementations,
- practical experience from several decades of systems development,
- and thoughts on technology, digital independence, and sustainable software.
Not every solution fits everyone. But maybe it helps you understand systems better and find your own path.
Technologies change. Good models remain.