Don Dingee
@dondingee.bsky.social
Freelance technology writer, SABR member Rogers Hornsby Chapter (ATX/SATX), traded "tools of ignorance" for college textbooks, steely-eyed missile man (model rockets nowadays), INTJ, allergic to poison ivy | #WeAreCPP #USCViterbi
Pinned
Don Dingee
@dondingee.bsky.social
· Nov 1
"We, who have so much
To you who have so little
To you who don't have anything at all
We, who have so much
More than any one man does need
And you, who don't have anything at all, ah ..."
-- Lou Reed
To you who have so little
To you who don't have anything at all
We, who have so much
More than any one man does need
And you, who don't have anything at all, ah ..."
-- Lou Reed
Sorry, #FreelanceFriends, was up to my armpits pruning our peach tree with this break in the weather!
In general, my flowchart:
Less than my rate? I don't know how or can't do it? HIRE
More than my rate? Specialized? Disaster if messed up? HIRE
Adds to my skillset, or just plain fun, can do? DO IT
In general, my flowchart:
Less than my rate? I don't know how or can't do it? HIRE
More than my rate? Specialized? Disaster if messed up? HIRE
Adds to my skillset, or just plain fun, can do? DO IT
January 29, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Sorry, #FreelanceFriends, was up to my armpits pruning our peach tree with this break in the weather!
In general, my flowchart:
Less than my rate? I don't know how or can't do it? HIRE
More than my rate? Specialized? Disaster if messed up? HIRE
Adds to my skillset, or just plain fun, can do? DO IT
In general, my flowchart:
Less than my rate? I don't know how or can't do it? HIRE
More than my rate? Specialized? Disaster if messed up? HIRE
Adds to my skillset, or just plain fun, can do? DO IT
Market risk is too much right now. Just moved the retirement funds to 100% cash and CDs (and they all mature within 6 months). Yeah, it's going up this morning. But I'll sleep better.
January 26, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Market risk is too much right now. Just moved the retirement funds to 100% cash and CDs (and they all mature within 6 months). Yeah, it's going up this morning. But I'll sleep better.
A2: my focus is on who I'll do stuff for first, then what I might do, and it depends a lot on their context. More often than not prospects don't get through my price gate. But if the alignment is good, I might take on things I wouldn't generally offer.
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends
January 22, 2026 at 5:27 PM
A2: my focus is on who I'll do stuff for first, then what I might do, and it depends a lot on their context. More often than not prospects don't get through my price gate. But if the alignment is good, I might take on things I wouldn't generally offer.
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends
A1: went to "electronics and semiconductor firms" years ago to weed out stuff. Added "storytelling" to draw line that I don't do manuals. Less excited about books these days, they tie me up and are slow or no revenue - focusing on shorter projects that I can turn within a month.
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends
January 22, 2026 at 5:15 PM
A1: went to "electronics and semiconductor firms" years ago to weed out stuff. Added "storytelling" to draw line that I don't do manuals. Less excited about books these days, they tie me up and are slow or no revenue - focusing on shorter projects that I can turn within a month.
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends
Hi, I'm Don, and I write for electronics and semiconductor firms. Thankfully back to work this month, one solution brief and one case study for a client in WIP. We're waiting for a hard freeze here in San Antonio, could be an icy weekend.
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends
January 22, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Hi, I'm Don, and I write for electronics and semiconductor firms. Thankfully back to work this month, one solution brief and one case study for a client in WIP. We're waiting for a hard freeze here in San Antonio, could be an icy weekend.
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends
KILL THE KILL ECHO THE ECHO ESPN ESPN
January 20, 2026 at 1:09 AM
KILL THE KILL ECHO THE ECHO ESPN ESPN
The #SABR Rogers Hornsby Chapter Annual Meeting last Saturday was fabulous, with highlights including Keith Moreland, authors Doug Kurkul and Rob Sheinkopf, member and town ball guy Dick Butler, minor league updates from the Express and the Missions, and more - read Gilbert Martinez's write-up.
Former Cubs grinder, Babe Ruth museum, baseball imposters and more fill 20th annual winter meeting - Rogers Hornsby Chapter
January 2026 Newsletter By Gilbert D. Martinez A former Chicago Cubs favorite, an author on the hunt for baseball imposters, the director emeritus of the Babe Ruth museum and an author who examined ba...
www.sabrhornsby.org
January 13, 2026 at 9:22 PM
The #SABR Rogers Hornsby Chapter Annual Meeting last Saturday was fabulous, with highlights including Keith Moreland, authors Doug Kurkul and Rob Sheinkopf, member and town ball guy Dick Butler, minor league updates from the Express and the Missions, and more - read Gilbert Martinez's write-up.
Ok, laughed out loud at that Fox bump of "Somebody to Shove" on Eagles-49ers intro
January 11, 2026 at 9:37 PM
Ok, laughed out loud at that Fox bump of "Somebody to Shove" on Eagles-49ers intro
shots of CES crowds on social are giving me convulsions
January 6, 2026 at 8:19 PM
shots of CES crowds on social are giving me convulsions
Is Ted Cruz at the Orange Bowl today? Tech looks absolutely feeble.
January 1, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Is Ted Cruz at the Orange Bowl today? Tech looks absolutely feeble.
Christmas shopping years ago with my daughter at Target near our house in Chandler AZ. Turned a corner and ran head on into Kurt Warner and his wife with a cart full of toys. No entourage, just them. Made eye contact (we're the same height). I nodded. He nodded. And we both continued on our way.
Right folks. Feeling rather down at the moment so bringing back an oldie
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
December 29, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Christmas shopping years ago with my daughter at Target near our house in Chandler AZ. Turned a corner and ran head on into Kurt Warner and his wife with a cart full of toys. No entourage, just them. Made eye contact (we're the same height). I nodded. He nodded. And we both continued on our way.
Hard morning. He's not in his usual spot near the recliner, or in his favorite spot in the yard. When does the part that helps me know I made the right decision start?
When pet owners sign up, especially for a rescue pet, they have to take the entire ride - wherever it goes, for good or bad.
Early morning of Christmas Eve, my wife took Hughie for his normal walk. On the way back home on the next street over, he got tangled in his leash.
Early morning of Christmas Eve, my wife took Hughie for his normal walk. On the way back home on the next street over, he got tangled in his leash.
December 27, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Hard morning. He's not in his usual spot near the recliner, or in his favorite spot in the yard. When does the part that helps me know I made the right decision start?
When pet owners sign up, especially for a rescue pet, they have to take the entire ride - wherever it goes, for good or bad.
Early morning of Christmas Eve, my wife took Hughie for his normal walk. On the way back home on the next street over, he got tangled in his leash.
Early morning of Christmas Eve, my wife took Hughie for his normal walk. On the way back home on the next street over, he got tangled in his leash.
December 27, 2025 at 3:45 AM
When pet owners sign up, especially for a rescue pet, they have to take the entire ride - wherever it goes, for good or bad.
Early morning of Christmas Eve, my wife took Hughie for his normal walk. On the way back home on the next street over, he got tangled in his leash.
Early morning of Christmas Eve, my wife took Hughie for his normal walk. On the way back home on the next street over, he got tangled in his leash.
Oh, Lord, help me with patience shopping for end tables and the Furniture Store Guy.
FSG: Hi, our mattresses are on sale today!
Me: We're looking for end tables.
FSG: OK, look around, I won't follow you.
[follows from a safe distance]
[few minutes in]
Me: [tapping on table] Hmmm, not wood.
FSG: Hi, our mattresses are on sale today!
Me: We're looking for end tables.
FSG: OK, look around, I won't follow you.
[follows from a safe distance]
[few minutes in]
Me: [tapping on table] Hmmm, not wood.
December 23, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Oh, Lord, help me with patience shopping for end tables and the Furniture Store Guy.
FSG: Hi, our mattresses are on sale today!
Me: We're looking for end tables.
FSG: OK, look around, I won't follow you.
[follows from a safe distance]
[few minutes in]
Me: [tapping on table] Hmmm, not wood.
FSG: Hi, our mattresses are on sale today!
Me: We're looking for end tables.
FSG: OK, look around, I won't follow you.
[follows from a safe distance]
[few minutes in]
Me: [tapping on table] Hmmm, not wood.
A3: I'm a believer in TurboTax, it helps me find everything and I compare each new year to the previous year to make sure I caught everything. This year's gonna be a doozy with medical deductions, but as they say, better to have money in hand and pay fair tax liability. #FreelanceFriends
December 11, 2025 at 5:35 PM
A3: I'm a believer in TurboTax, it helps me find everything and I compare each new year to the previous year to make sure I caught everything. This year's gonna be a doozy with medical deductions, but as they say, better to have money in hand and pay fair tax liability. #FreelanceFriends
Hi, Don here from San Antonio, (not) writing for electronics and semiconductor firms right now, it's a bit slow - contract tied up in paperwork. But some other things are coming together - estate planning one of them. #FreelanceFriends
December 11, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Hi, Don here from San Antonio, (not) writing for electronics and semiconductor firms right now, it's a bit slow - contract tied up in paperwork. But some other things are coming together - estate planning one of them. #FreelanceFriends
Ohio State with the IMMEDIATE cheap shot on the QB
December 7, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Ohio State with the IMMEDIATE cheap shot on the QB
PSA: personalized emails take time, true, but if you're selling high-value services, it's the only approach that works.
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends
December 4, 2025 at 5:44 PM
PSA: personalized emails take time, true, but if you're selling high-value services, it's the only approach that works.
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends
Q: following up on last week that we ought to reach out to former clients more often - does that include clients that ghosted you? I'm tempted to ping the contact I had during my engagement, but he might just send me back to the new guy who ghosted me (new funding, new org chart).
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends
December 4, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Q: following up on last week that we ought to reach out to former clients more often - does that include clients that ghosted you? I'm tempted to ping the contact I had during my engagement, but he might just send me back to the new guy who ghosted me (new funding, new org chart).
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends
Heh, I checked that Amazon box that says something to the effect of "we can save gas if we deliver these two items on the same day" - bzzzzt, my new speakers are not on the truck with the cable ties, at least according to the order status.
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends
December 4, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Heh, I checked that Amazon box that says something to the effect of "we can save gas if we deliver these two items on the same day" - bzzzzt, my new speakers are not on the truck with the cable ties, at least according to the order status.
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends
Hi, I'm Don. No snow here in San Antonio, in fact, our late rye grass overseeding is sprouting in the back yard. Watching my LinkedIn timeline get overtaken by AI, lol. Not much electronics or semiconductor writing work in the queue right now, thankful for a bit of downtime.
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends
December 4, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Hi, I'm Don. No snow here in San Antonio, in fact, our late rye grass overseeding is sprouting in the back yard. Watching my LinkedIn timeline get overtaken by AI, lol. Not much electronics or semiconductor writing work in the queue right now, thankful for a bit of downtime.
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends
Win ... I have two spirtual advisors, technical experts, at the client. When they make comments, they are serious, either it didn't read right or the facts or details are off. Took their comments seriously, fixed all, rev approved instantly. Not all their SMEs are like that ...
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends
November 20, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Win ... I have two spirtual advisors, technical experts, at the client. When they make comments, they are serious, either it didn't read right or the facts or details are off. Took their comments seriously, fixed all, rev approved instantly. Not all their SMEs are like that ...
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends
A4) not really, but I have the endgame setup ... biz website, biz email, biz bank account, and biz credit card, and they will all get shuttered within a month of retirement. I get soooooooo much spam because I look like an agency (by design, never pushed that button).
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends
November 20, 2025 at 5:44 PM
A4) not really, but I have the endgame setup ... biz website, biz email, biz bank account, and biz credit card, and they will all get shuttered within a month of retirement. I get soooooooo much spam because I look like an agency (by design, never pushed that button).
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends
Good point there: at the end, if it's done, you may need to remind the client to revoke your access to anything like shared folders, content management systems, whatever. For mutual protection.
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends
Q2. Closing out projects, leaving shared project mgt apps, documenting where we are on future projects, and making sure I'm not exposed risk-wise for any NDA items. I don't promise to archive and I keep finished projects, not assets.
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends
November 20, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Good point there: at the end, if it's done, you may need to remind the client to revoke your access to anything like shared folders, content management systems, whatever. For mutual protection.
#FreelanceFriends
#FreelanceFriends