Setting the Foundation
The first step was buying a domain. I chose GoDaddy for its simplicity and reliability. Once I had my domain, I needed to secure it with HTTPS. For this, I turned to Cloudflare, which made SSL and DNS setup a breeze. With the foundation ready, I was all set to start building.
Designing the Website
I wanted a space to post journals and blogs, so I decided to use AI-powered tools to speed up the design process.
Choosing the Tools
I started with MagicPatterns, which provided a basic design using Tailwind CSS and a React page. While it gave me a solid foundation, I wanted the design to feel more personal.
Customizing the Design
With my basic UI skills and help from ChatGPT, I tweaked the design to match my style. This combination of human creativity and AI assistance helped me finalize the page design quickly.
Hosting the Website
With the design ready, I needed a web server to host the site. Initially, I considered using AWS S3 for hosting a static site. However, after some research, I discovered GitHub Pages, which automatically updates the site whenever I push code changes. It was the perfect fit for my needs.
Setting Up the Hosting
I uploaded a simple index page to GitHub Pages. The setup was straightforward, and I loved how it automatically updated whenever I pushed changes to the repository.
Adding the Blog Feature
With the hosting set up, I decided to add a blog page. Once again, I collaborated with ChatGPT to fine-tune the design and functionality. After testing the site on mobile devices, I realized it needed some adjustments.
Refining Mobile Views
To ensure the site worked well on mobile devices, I manually adjusted the design. The Tailwind CSS documentation was a lifesaver, helping me learn and apply responsive design techniques. This hands-on experience not only improved my skills but also gave me better control over the final result.
Reflections on the Journey
The entire process — from buying the domain to creating the blog — took just two days during my free time. Along the way, I learned a few key lessons:
- Focus on Solving Problems: As an engineer, I've learned to focus on solving problems rather than just chasing new technology. The tools I used were just a means to an end.
- Programming is a Tool: Programming isn't just about learning a language; it's about communicating with machines to make them work for us. In this journey, AI tools like ChatGPT became a helpful part of my toolkit.
- AI is a Helper: When calculators were invented, people thought they would harm education and memory. But they actually helped us achieve amazing things. Similarly, AI isn't here to replace humans — it's here to help us focus on bigger ideas and problems.
Final Thoughts
Building this website wasn't just a technical project — it reflected my approach to engineering and problem-solving. Humans are great at making decisions and using tools to achieve their goals. In this modern AI era, we have the chance to use these tools to innovate and create better things.
I'm excited to keep learning and sharing my experiences. Here's to solving problems, thinking big, and making the most of the tools we have!