Mark Gates

Systems ·Local models ·Inspectable software

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Short personal essays. Linux, open-source models, books, and the occasional opinion.

  • OpinionAug 16, 2026

    Why I write for CodeWalkers

    I publish tutorials and industry notes at CodeWalkers because the site has editors, house rules, and readers who want the craft spelled out.

  • OpinionAug 15, 2026

    The 2017 book I still keep

    The paperback still sits on my desk because it framed control questions I still ask before I trust a stack with data.

  • OpinionAug 10, 2026

    Systems books I still use

    Brooks, Karwin, Kleppmann, Feathers, and Martin. Books I still go back to.

  • Open sourceAug 5, 2026

    Running small open models on hardware you already own

    You do not need a rack of GPUs to learn what local inference feels like. Start with the machine on your desk.

  • LinuxAug 1, 2026

    Why I keep a boring Linux daily driver

    Flashy distros come and go. A plain setup that survives upgrades is worth more than another rice screenshot.

Mark Gates

Personal writing on systems, local models, inspectable software, and the occasional book recommendation.

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