Ever wondered if you're handling passwords securely in Java? 🤔 I switched to char[] instead of String — it’s mutable, log-safe, and I can wipe it from memory after use. But here's the kicker: Spring Security still expects String in many places. 🔄

Is it worth using char[] despite the framework limits? What’s your go-to strategy for securing passwords in memory?

Full breakdown on my blog: https://manueltechlabs.com/posts/why-i-used-char%5B%5D-for-passwords-in-spring-security-and-what-i-learned/
#Java #SpringSecurity #Cybersecurity #DevCommunity

Just wrapped up a deep dive into SQL-powered marketing KPIs 🚀—turning raw event data into actionable metrics like session conversion rates (26.6%!) and cart interaction insights (63.3% of sessions!).

Big question: How are you measuring funnel performance in your stack? Any favorite SQL tricks or dashboarding tools?

Full breakdown (with queries!) on my site 👇
https://manueltechlabs.com/posts/advertising-&-marketing-sql-based-kpi-engineering/

#DataAnalytics #MarketingSQL #ConversionOptimization

🚚 Just dropped Chapter 3.3: Calculating Customer Experience KPIs!

For TheLook, the average delivery time is 3.5 days, and the OTIF rate is 22.2% — revealing room for improvement in order accuracy and speed.

What’s your biggest logistics challenge: speed, accuracy, or returns?
👉 Full breakdown:https://manueltechlabs.com/posts/customer-experience-measuring-satisfaction-through-data/
#eCommerce #DataAnalysis #CustomerExperience #OTIF #SQL

Just set up Spring Security in a Spring Boot app with Thymeleaf — and it feels so good! 🔐 Covered the essentials: securing endpoints with SecurityFilterChain, custom login, and CSRF protection (never disable it, folks!). Also hooked up Thymeleaf extras for role-based UI control.

Got your own go-to security setup? What’s one thing you always include (or skip) in your config?

👉 Full guide here: https://manueltechlabs.com/posts/spring-security-setup-in-spring-boot-mvc-with-thymeleaf/
#SpringBoot #Java #CyberSecurity #DevCommunity

Just wrapped up Chapter 3.2 — diving into Sales & Profitability using SQL! 💡

I modeled total sales and gross profit directly in BigQuery, joining order data with product costs. It’s not just about revenue — profitability tells the real story.

👉 How do you validate financial metrics in your organization? Do you cross-check with accounting, or trust the data pipeline?

Check out the full breakdown in SQL:
https://manueltechlabs.com/posts/sales-&-profitability-beyond-revenue/

#DataAnalysis #SQL #Profitability #DataDriven #MastodonCommunity

Stressed about MySQL backups in Docker? You're not alone! 🐳 Here's the gist: never just copy volumes—use mysqldump for safe, consistent backups. Also, Docker’s MySQL image auto-creates users & DBs—no manual setup! 🔐

How do you handle database backups in CI/CD? Any tools or cloud storage setups (S3, etc.) you trust?

👉 Full guide with scripts: https://manueltechlabs.com/posts/mastering-mysql-backups-and-restores-in-docker-a-real-world-guide/

#DevOps #Docker #MySQL #BackupStrategy

Just wrapped up cleaning TheLook's eCommerce data — so satisfying when your dataset plays nice! 🧹✅
Only 2 missing product names in 29k rows & no dupes. Solid foundation for KPIs!
But… how do you handle messy data? Any go-to SQL tricks for spotting hidden issues?

👇 Let’s swap stories — and if you want the full deep dive, check out the blog:
https://manueltechlabs.com/posts/data-cleaning-and-preparation-setting-the-fundation-for-reliable-insights/

#DataCleaning #SQL #DataAnalysis #DataCommunity

Just deployed a Spring Boot app on AWS using Docker Secrets—no hardcoded keys, no exposed env vars! 🚀

Turns out, MYSQL_PASSWORD_FILE + Docker Compose = secure, clean deployments. Your secrets stay hidden, even from docker inspect.

How are you handling secrets in production? Still using env vars? 😅

Full write-up here: https://manueltechlabs.com/posts/mastering-docker-secrets-secure-production-ready-deployments-on-aws-with-real-examples/

#DevOps #Docker #AWS #Security

Just dipped into the theLook eCommerce dataset as a data analyst would—first steps matter!
Turns out, there are 29K+ products across 2,756 brands and 26 categories—talk about variety! 🛍️
Also spotted a clean conversion funnel in the data: from homepage → department → cart → purchase.

If you're exploring this dataset too: what’s the first thing YOU look at when handed a new database?

Full breakdown on my blog: https://manueltechlabs.com/posts/exploring-the-thelook-ecommerce-database-a-data-analysts-first-steps/

#a11y #DataAnalysis #MastodonCommunity

AI isn’t killing jobs—it’s dodging accountability. 💥
While execs promise AI revolutions, 95% of pilots fail, scientists are bailing, and the “trillions in value” remain fiction. The real story? AI’s a tool, not a magic wand.

✅ It does work in narrow cases (Walmart, JPMorgan), but only with clear goals + human oversight.
❌ But no, AI isn’t replacing coders. Linus Torvalds said it best: “AI code? Not going in the Linux kernel.”

👉 Full breakdown: https://manueltechlabs.com/posts/the-ai-accountability-gap-when-hype-outpaces-reality/

AI isn’t just changing creativity—it’s reshaping who has power. 🤖✨

It can boost our ideas and spread hidden biases, depending on the data it’s fed. And when tech giants control both platforms and AI? That’s a lot of influence in few hands.

💡 Key takeaway: The real question isn’t how smart AI is—it’s who controls it and what values it reflects.

What would you do if you could shape how AI learns? Let’s chat. 👇
Read more on my site: https://manueltechlabs.com/posts/ai-as-creative-augmentation-power-vulnerability-and-control/

Just dipped into "TheLook" dataset — a full-on realistic eCommerce.

Takeaways so far:

- Data isn’t just about sales numbers—it’s the key to nailing customer experience (think fast shipping, fewer returns, and stocked inventory).
- Real profit hides behind the revenue: gross margin, ad ROI, and supply chain efficiency are the quiet heroes.

I'am using SQL, Python, and Tableau to crack the code on what makes an online store actually work.

Check out my full article here: https://manueltechlabs.com/posts/unlocking-ecommerce-success-a-deep-dive-into-thelook-dataset/