Hey gang,
The last thing I want to do is take away something you all love (to hate?) like these infrequent newsletter emails. But as I increasingly Andy Rooney myself (both mentally with elder-sounding harumphs toward newfangled doohickeys and, unfortunately, physically with neck pain complaints) into another year of existence, I have found that typing something like this newsletter (and anything else I think to write) is much more difficult due to the ongoing incursion of AI prompts into every screen on my Windows-based PC. It may be no surprise that online apps like Gmail or Google Docs, full of Google Gemini’s neediness, constantly plead for me to let them write milquetoast eloquence to present to you as my own.
But now even legacy software like Microsoft Word, the installed version (!), will not let me type a single word without begging me to use its product, CoPilot. Like one of those old timey salesmen with a ton of products barking at random passersby about all the wares they can offer, it just throws out completely inane suggestions seemingly based on nothing – before I have even typed a character.
It might as well be saying things like, “Step right up, folks, step right up. No need to be shy, no need to avert those eyes. We have hats that fit, ladles that stir, and toys that bounce…”
After starting this newsletter (on a completely separate and perhaps much better topic) in Gmail, then Google Docs, and finally Word, and being repelled each time by the lack of a simple blank slate for me to type upon, I thought of the secret weapon I often turn to in moments when I need to quickly enter critical information (that I will likely accidentally lose when restarting my computer without saving). I needed the app that does not auto save anything into the cloud, the place where I feel free of distraction, the Windows Notepad app. As an app created only a year after I was (1983) and one whose updates are seemingly unnecessary because, as Wikipedia describes it, it is “a simple text editor for Windows; it creates and edits plain text documents,” it seemed my last bastion of hope for some luddite-esque freedom.
With an excited click, my beloved Notepad app opened and at last I was settled in to type when I noticed… it has now incorporated Microsoft CoPilot on top of its ancient bones. Cripes.
And while there are options to turn it off for now, I really must protest. This is a step too far. Are there truly no respites on my computer, no place I can go that is not inflicted with the curse of being asked if I want my dumb thoughts turned wholesale into content? Will the calculator app start offering random prompts when I open it next? Do you need help adding 14 plus 71 (and other embarrassingly easy arithmetic I routinely turn to my calculator app for)?
So good people, I have come up with a plan of attack, as I simply cannot leave you to a future devoid of these rare, thought-reducing email newsletters I churn out.
That is why I have decided to take Microsoft CoPilot up on its offer of helping me and will be using it in the near future to create an app that allows me to type things. And save them. Or lose them when I restart my computer without saving (as is my right). It will do nothing else. Now I just need to think of a fancy name. Maybe NoPilot?
The Work
As we wrap up 2025, I’m beyond thankful to have the small yet mighty team of amazing people working with me to help our clients. One client in particular, Central Indiana Lab Rescue & Adoption has been a Sharp Guys Web Design ongoing maintenance and support client for 8 years and this year, we were able to redesign their website from the ground up! It came out amazing and showcases the fantastic work they do to rescue doggos and help them be adopted into great homes all over our state. If you are thinking about a dog adoption this year, make sure you take a look so you don’t miss out on some of the sweetest dogs around!
Other Good Stuff
Are you a tennis or pickleball player and want to keep track of your matches/games and competitor/enemies? Ironically (based on today’s screed), I made an app for that using a mix of Claude, ChatGPT, and love. RecAce – it is the simplest (and free-est) way to track matches, analyze performance, and improve your game.
That’s a Wrap
As always, thanks for reading, and if you have time, reach out and let me know how things are going in your life.
Cody
