Hey there, I'm Alexander.
I'm interested in how software can better serve people's daily lives.
In my research, I explore interesting questions that seem to go ignored. My experiments often involve designing and developing many ideas — some of which I build into commercially available products, which further informs my research.
Below is a compendium of my research areas. The best place to start is the article on how I approach my core work.
My current research is centered on redesigning the operating system (not kernels and drivers, but user environment), to bring it closer to the “bicycle for the mind” tool for advancing human thought and ability.
Introduction to the research
How can personal computing push past its current limitations? This research explores new and newly refined ideas for what the operating system allows users to do. Read the introduction to the research currently in progress.
Research progress updates
Lab Notes are published weekly, documenting my research progress.
Symphonies is the testbed for the ideas from my research on the future of the OS. These products have since spun out.
Symphonies Planner
Digital planner
Symphonies Thinker
Tool for thought (in research)
My career began with reimagining email and finding ways to build that vision on top of today’s existing email protocols.
These products have spun out of my research on email.
Mail Pilot
Reimagined email client
Throttle
Email throttling service
Short snippets that reflect my current thinking on various topics which I cite often in my articles and other works.
On creation: Quantity is the journey to quality · The dots connect later · The merit of ideas and ideation
On software: Build and rebuild · Pioneering users · Gather a community · Form is function
My long form articles, published and updated occasionally.
How I approach my core work
My core work is independent research in software — here is the how and the why.
See more articles
Updates posted weekly on Saturdays. To receive these updates by email, sign up at the top of the page.
January 16, 2021
The Inverted OS
January 10, 2021
What if you could build apps in minutes?
See the archives
Small, just-for-fun projects made available for a short period of time.
1997.chat
March, 2020 — A faithful remake of AOL Instant Messenger made available during 2020's quarantines to connect the world's socially isolated.
Founder Thunder Round
December, 2016 — A one-time video and podcast mini-series on successful founders and their experiences.