---
title: "A Custom Blog Powered by Express.js"
date: "2025-07-17"
slug: "about/blog"
published: true
layout: "page"
demo_url: "/blog"
demo_label: "Check out my blog"
repository: "https://github.com/jpoage1/expressjs-blog"
tags:
  - blog philosophy
  - minimalism
  - static site
  - markdown
  - software craftsmanship
  - content management
  - self-hosting
  - simplicity
  - custom engine
  - tech writing
---

# Introduction

This blog exists as a straightforward, no-frills platform to share ideas, code, and reflections on technology without the overhead of typical web frameworks. It is designed to prioritize clarity, performance, and maintainability over bells and whistles.

## Philosophy

I build and maintain this site as a personal technical artifact, emphasizing manual control of content and presentation. This approach keeps the process transparent and predictable, avoiding abstraction layers that often obscure or complicate straightforward tasks.

## Content Approach

Posts focus on practical topics: programming, systems design, project notes, and occasionally, commentary on software tools and infrastructure. The content is written directly in Markdown, keeping it portable, searchable, and version-controlled.

## Technology Stack

The site is powered by a minimal custom engine that parses Markdown on demand, sanitizes output, and renders with lightweight templating. This allows rapid iteration without runtime dependencies or third-party plugins.

## Why This Matters

Maintaining a simple, static-driven site reduces security risks, minimizes resource consumption, and increases the longevity of the content. It reflects a deliberate choice to reject complexity and keep infrastructure and workflow lean.
