It's fine not to keep up with the latest AI models
-3 min read
A short reflection on model-chasing, shiny object syndrome, and why it is fine to settle into the AI tools that already work for you.
Seb Smith - UK software developer
Production-readiness reviews for AI-built prototypes and early-stage apps.
I'm a UK-based software developer, and this is my small home on the web. I help founders and small teams review prototypes, improve production readiness, and build practical web and mobile apps for real users.
I'm interested in product engineering, AI-assisted development, and the unglamorous work of making software behave properly once people depend on it.
Outside of software I'm into sim racing, motorsport and hiking.
Writing
Notes on software and the things around it.
I write about building product software, AI-assisted development, production readiness and the odd personal thing when I have something worth putting down.
The Vibe Coding Movement
-4 min read
Thoughts on the vibe coding movement, AI product builders, and where generated prototypes still need engineering judgement.
Why I rebuilt my portfolio site in Ruby on Rails
-5 min read
Why I rebuilt my portfolio in Ruby on Rails, what I enjoyed about the framework, and why simple tools can be refreshing.
Services
The kind of software work I enjoy.
I like practical product work: understanding the real problem, building the useful version, and keeping the technical shape simple enough to live with.
Product software
I have worked on software across healthcare, finance, construction, transport and other sectors, usually somewhere close to the messy overlap between users, product decisions and delivery.
Early-stage apps
I am interested in the point where prototypes start needing stronger foundations: clearer flows, safer data handling, maintainable code and a realistic path to real users. That is especially useful for AI-built apps that look finished before they have been properly reviewed.
Software consultancy
I can also help as a sounding board for product and technical decisions: reviewing an existing app, shaping the next phase of work, or giving a practical second opinion before a team commits too much time or money.
Side projects and writing
This site is also a place for notes on building software, AI tooling, product judgement, sim racing, motorsport, hiking and whatever side project is currently taking up too much brain space.
Availability
Ways I can be useful.
I'm occasionally available for freelance or advisory work where I can be useful, especially around web apps, mobile apps, early-stage products, technical reviews, and getting prototypes into a safer state for real users.
- Production-readiness reviews for AI-built prototypes
- Technical reviews of existing apps
- Software consultancy for founders and small teams
- Web app development
- Mobile app development
If that sounds close to what you need, send me a short note about what you're building and where it is up to.
Get in touch