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David Mello

Breaker of software, geek, meme enthusiast.

I blog about quality assurance and software testing, home automation, technology reviews, and home improvement.

Latest Articles

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How to Improve Portable AC Efficiency, Updated
Diy Home Upgrades

How to Improve Portable AC Efficiency, Updated

Portable AC efficiency fixes ranked by cost and effort: duct insulation, the intake hose most people skip, window sealing, and when to upgrade to a mini-split.
Prompt Engineering I Didn't Know I Was Doing
Test Automation

Prompt Engineering I Didn't Know I Was Doing

A StarEast tutorial put names to prompt engineering techniques I was already using and filled in gaps with a practical prompt template for test engineers.
Playwright AI Testing on a Budget: Locators vs. Computer Vision — StarEast 2026
Test Automation

Playwright AI Testing on a Budget: Locators vs. Computer Vision — StarEast 2026

Playwright's MCP server can burn your AI budget fast. StarEast 2026 lessons on efficient AI testing, and why locators still beat computer vision.
Getting Dirty with AI Testing: A StarEast 2026 Trip Report on Evals, Vibe Coding, and Prompt Engineering
Test Automation

Getting Dirty with AI Testing: A StarEast 2026 Trip Report on Evals, Vibe Coding, and Prompt Engineering

StarEast 2026 trip report: what a hands-on AI testing tutorial taught me about prompt engineering, evals, and building an AI chatbot as Count Dracula.
Beyond Brittle Selectors: AI Vision Testing vs Playwright MCP — StarEast 2026
Test Automation

Beyond Brittle Selectors: AI Vision Testing vs Playwright MCP — StarEast 2026

Brittle selectors slowing your team down? My notes from StarEast 2026 on AI vision testing vs Playwright MCP — and where to start.
Ecobee Smart Thermostat Review: 6 Years of Real-World Use
Sensors And Devices

Ecobee Smart Thermostat Review: 6 Years of Real-World Use

A 6-year hands-on Ecobee 3 review from a Florida homeowner — occupancy detection, remote sensors, humidity control, and whether the cost is worth it after years of real use.