# Nat Thompson — Blog Index

> All blog posts. Each entry links to the human-facing HTML page and the raw markdown source.

Total posts: 94

## Agile & Project Management

- **2026-03-19** — [What is a Scrum Product Owner?](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-a-scrum-product-owner) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-a-scrum-product-owner.md))
  - The Scrum Product Owner is the voice of the customer inside the development team. Here's what the role actually involves and how it differs from the Scrum Master.
- **2026-03-19** — [What is Planning Poker?](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-planning-poker) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-planning-poker.md))
  - Planning poker is a team estimation technique used in Scrum to size user stories. Here's how it works, what the cards mean, and how to run better sessions.
- **2019-08-30** — [Agile Ceremonies](https://natthompson.com/blog/agile-ceremonies) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/agile-ceremonies.md))
- **2018-12-20** — [Agile Project Management Books](https://natthompson.com/blog/agile-project-management-books) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/agile-project-management-books.md))
- **2018-12-19** — [Trello Shortcuts](https://natthompson.com/blog/trello-shortcuts) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/trello-shortcuts.md))
- **2017-01-18** — [Bees and Ants in Agile?  Swarming for Problem Solving](https://natthompson.com/blog/bees-and-ants-in-agile-swarming-for-problem-solving) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/bees-and-ants-in-agile-swarming-for-problem-solving.md))
- **2016-10-24** — [Most sprint planning meetings are Crap!  How do I make mine great?  (Part One)](https://natthompson.com/blog/running-an-effective-sprint-planning-what-meeting) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/running-an-effective-sprint-planning-what-meeting.md))
- **2016-10-22** — [What is a Scrum Development Team?](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-a-scrum-development-team) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-a-scrum-development-team.md))
- **2016-09-10** — [Agile Lexicon Term: Sprint](https://natthompson.com/blog/agile-lexicon-term-sprint) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/agile-lexicon-term-sprint.md))
- **2016-09-08** — [How to Groom User Stories](https://natthompson.com/blog/how-to-groom-user-stories) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/how-to-groom-user-stories.md))
- **2016-09-08** — [Agile Lexicon Term: Sprint Backlog](https://natthompson.com/blog/agile-lexicon-term-sprint-backlog) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/agile-lexicon-term-sprint-backlog.md))
- **2016-09-07** — [The Terrible Cost of Multi-tasking](https://natthompson.com/blog/the-terrible-cost-of-multi-tasking) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/the-terrible-cost-of-multi-tasking.md))
- **2016-09-06** — [Capturing a Backlog of User Stories](https://natthompson.com/blog/capturing-a-backlog-of-user-stories) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/capturing-a-backlog-of-user-stories.md))
- **2016-09-05** — [Article Recommendation: What are Story Points? By Mike Cohn](https://natthompson.com/blog/article-recommendation-what-are-story-points-by-mike-cohn) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/article-recommendation-what-are-story-points-by-mike-cohn.md))
- **2016-09-05** — [What is a Scrum burn-down chart?](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-a-scrum-burn-down-chart) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-a-scrum-burn-down-chart.md))
- **2016-09-04** — [What is a Scrum Master?](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-a-scrum-master) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-a-scrum-master.md))
- **2016-09-03** — [Do yourself a favor, setup a Kanban board RIGHT NOW!](https://natthompson.com/blog/do-yourself-a-favor-setup-a-kanban-board-right-now) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/do-yourself-a-favor-setup-a-kanban-board-right-now.md))
- **2016-09-03** — [Scrum Meaning - What is the definition of Scrum?](https://natthompson.com/blog/scrum-meaning-what-is-the-definition-of-scrum) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/scrum-meaning-what-is-the-definition-of-scrum.md))
- **2012-03-28** — [Agile Is as Agile Does](https://natthompson.com/blog/agile-is-as-agile-does) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/agile-is-as-agile-does.md))

## AI

- **2023-12-24** — [Top Three AI Developments of 2023: A Year of Transformation and Advancements](https://natthompson.com/blog/top-three-ai-developments-of-2023-a-year-of-transformation-and-advancements) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/top-three-ai-developments-of-2023-a-year-of-transformation-and-advancements.md))
- **2023-12-24** — [Bard vs. ChatGPT: A Head-to-Head Comparison of AI Chatbots](https://natthompson.com/blog/bard-vs-chatgpt-a-head-to-head-comparison-of-ai-chatbots) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/bard-vs-chatgpt-a-head-to-head-comparison-of-ai-chatbots.md))
- **2023-12-24** — [AI as Your Business Analyst: Unleashing a Superpowered Partner for Requirement Gathering](https://natthompson.com/blog/ai-as-your-business-analyst) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/ai-as-your-business-analyst.md))

## Automation & Tools

- **2026-03-19** — [What is Infrastructure as Code?](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-infrastructure-as-code) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-infrastructure-as-code.md))
  - Infrastructure as Code lets you define and manage your servers, networks, and cloud resources through code instead of manual configuration. Here's why it matters and how to get started.
- **2026-03-19** — [What is CI/CD?](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-cicd) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-cicd.md))
  - CI/CD automates building, testing, and deploying your code. Here's what continuous integration and continuous delivery actually mean, and how to get started.
- **2026-03-19** — [Docker for Beginners](https://natthompson.com/blog/docker-for-beginners) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/docker-for-beginners.md))
  - A beginner-friendly guide to Docker — what containers are, how they differ from VMs, Dockerfile basics, and why Docker has become essential in modern development workflows.
- **2026-03-19** — [YAML Frontmatter Explained: The Secret Header Powering Static Sites](https://natthompson.com/blog/yaml-frontmatter-explained) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/yaml-frontmatter-explained.md))
  - YAML frontmatter is the metadata block at the top of markdown files that powers blogs, documentation sites, and static site generators. Here's what it is and how to use it.
- **2026-03-19** — [Zapier AWS Lambda Integration](https://natthompson.com/blog/zapier-aws-lambda-integration) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/zapier-aws-lambda-integration.md))
  - How to connect Zapier to AWS Lambda — why you'd want to, real-world use cases, a practical setup walkthrough using webhooks, and pricing considerations for both sides.
- **2024-08-10** — [Automate Your AWS Deployments with GitHub Actions](https://natthompson.com/blog/automate-aws-deployments-with-github-actions) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/automate-aws-deployments-with-github-actions.md))
  - A step-by-step guide to setting up CI/CD for AWS deployments using GitHub Actions — from zero to automated deploys.
- **2019-12-12** — [Compress Directories with a PowerShell Script - How To](https://natthompson.com/blog/compress-directories-with-a-powershell-script) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/compress-directories-with-a-powershell-script.md))
- **2018-12-10** — [What is Git?](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-git) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-git.md))
- **2018-12-07** — [How to Create a Simple File Compression and Decompression with .Net](https://natthompson.com/blog/how-to-create-a-simple-file-compression-and-decompression-with-net) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/how-to-create-a-simple-file-compression-and-decompression-with-net.md))
- **2018-12-06** — [Git Tricks: How to Delete a remote branch](https://natthompson.com/blog/git-tricks-how-to-delete-a-remote-branch) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/git-tricks-how-to-delete-a-remote-branch.md))
- **2018-06-17** — [How To Create a Git Repository on Git Hub](https://natthompson.com/blog/how-to-create-a-git-repository-on-git-hub) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/how-to-create-a-git-repository-on-git-hub.md))
- **2018-03-17** — [Git Secrets: How to Create a new Repository from a Sub-directory](https://natthompson.com/blog/git-secrets-how-to-create-a-new-repository-from-a-sub-directory) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/git-secrets-how-to-create-a-new-repository-from-a-sub-directory.md))
- **2018-01-23** — [A Git Resource Page for Developers](https://natthompson.com/blog/a-git-resource-page-for-developers) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/a-git-resource-page-for-developers.md))
- **2018-01-15** — [Zapier Triggers vs Actions Explained](https://natthompson.com/blog/zapier-triggers-vs-actions-explained) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/zapier-triggers-vs-actions-explained.md))
- **2017-09-02** — [Branch by Sprint](https://natthompson.com/blog/branch-by-sprint) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/branch-by-sprint.md))
- **2017-02-28** — [Your Quiver is Never Full](https://natthompson.com/blog/your-quiver-is-never-full) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/your-quiver-is-never-full.md))
- **2017-02-05** — [Awesome Automation with Type Form and Zapier](https://natthompson.com/blog/awesome-automation-with-type-form-and-zapier) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/awesome-automation-with-type-form-and-zapier.md))

## AWS

- **2026-03-19** — [How I Replaced WordPress with a .NET Razor Pages Site in a Single Session](https://natthompson.com/blog/replacing-wordpress-with-dotnet-razor-pages) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/replacing-wordpress-with-dotnet-razor-pages.md))
  - I replaced my bloated WordPress site with a lean ASP.NET Core Razor Pages app — no database, markdown-powered, deployed to the same Lightsail server. Here's exactly how I did it.
- **2026-03-19** — [What Is Serverless Computing?](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-serverless-computing) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-serverless-computing.md))
  - A practical breakdown of serverless computing — what it actually means, how the event-driven model works, the real benefits and trade-offs, and why AWS Lambda leads the pack.
- **2026-03-19** — [What is AWS Route 53?](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-aws-route-53) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-aws-route-53.md))
  - A practical guide to AWS Route 53 — DNS fundamentals, hosted zones, record types, and routing policies explained.
- **2026-03-19** — [What is AWS VPC?](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-aws-vpc) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-aws-vpc.md))
  - A clear breakdown of AWS VPC — subnets, security groups, route tables, internet gateways, and why networking matters in the cloud.
- **2026-03-19** — [What is AWS CodePipeline?](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-aws-codepipeline) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-aws-codepipeline.md))
  - A developer-friendly guide to AWS CodePipeline — stages, integrations, and how it ties together your CI/CD workflow.
- **2026-03-19** — [What is AWS S3?](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-aws-s3) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-aws-s3.md))
  - A practical introduction to Amazon S3 — buckets, objects, use cases, and how the pricing model works.
- **2026-03-19** — [What is AWS Lightsail?](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-aws-lightsail) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-aws-lightsail.md))
  - A straightforward look at AWS Lightsail — what it is, how it compares to EC2, pricing, and when it's the right choice.
- **2023-11-11** — [The Evolution of AWS: Shaping the Cloud, Transforming Industries](https://natthompson.com/blog/the-evolution-of-aws-shaping-the-cloud-transforming-industries) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/the-evolution-of-aws-shaping-the-cloud-transforming-industries.md))
- **2020-08-11** — [Terraform Book Review: Terraform Up and Running - Amazing!](https://natthompson.com/blog/terraform-book-review) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/terraform-book-review.md))
- **2019-11-08** — [Delete EC2 Instance](https://natthompson.com/blog/delete-ec2-instance) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/delete-ec2-instance.md))
- **2019-09-21** — [How to SSH into AWS EC2 Instance](https://natthompson.com/blog/how-to-ssh-into-aws-ec2-instance) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/how-to-ssh-into-aws-ec2-instance.md))
- **2019-07-07** — [Cloud Engineer Secrets](https://natthompson.com/blog/cloud-engineer-secrets-revealed) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/cloud-engineer-secrets-revealed.md))
- **2019-05-02** — [What is AWS RDS?](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-aws-rds) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-aws-rds.md))
- **2019-04-12** — [AWS Lambda Pricing](https://natthompson.com/blog/aws-lambda-pricing) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/aws-lambda-pricing.md))
- **2019-04-12** — [Zapier Pricing](https://natthompson.com/blog/zapier-pricing) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/zapier-pricing.md))
- **2019-02-25** — [AWS Cloud Essentials Guide](https://natthompson.com/blog/aws-cloud-essentials) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/aws-cloud-essentials.md))
- **2018-12-13** — [AWS Elastic File System (EFS)](https://natthompson.com/blog/answered-what-is-elastic-file-system-efs) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/answered-what-is-elastic-file-system-efs.md))
- **2018-12-10** — [AWS CodeCommit](https://natthompson.com/blog/aws-codecommit) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/aws-codecommit.md))
- **2018-12-08** — [How to Create an AWS RDS MySQL Instance for WordPress Websites](https://natthompson.com/blog/how-to-create-an-aws-rds-mysql-instance-for-wordpress-websites) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/how-to-create-an-aws-rds-mysql-instance-for-wordpress-websites.md))
- **2018-12-08** — [[Answered] What Does AWS Lambda Cost?](https://natthompson.com/blog/answered-what-does-aws-lambda-cost) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/answered-what-does-aws-lambda-cost.md))
- **2018-12-05** — [AWS DevOps Basics: Intro to CodeBuild](https://natthompson.com/blog/aws-devops-basics-intro-to-codebuild) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/aws-devops-basics-intro-to-codebuild.md))
- **2018-01-20** — [What is AWS EFS (Elastic File System)?](https://natthompson.com/blog/aws-efs-defined) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/aws-efs-defined.md))
- **2018-01-18** — [Getting Cozy with Code Commit](https://natthompson.com/blog/getting-cozy-with-code-commit) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/getting-cozy-with-code-commit.md))
- **2018-01-17** — [What is EC2?](https://natthompson.com/blog/aws-explained-what-is-ec2) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/aws-explained-what-is-ec2.md))
- **2018-01-16** — [AWS Explained: What is IAM?](https://natthompson.com/blog/aws-explained-what-is-iam) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/aws-explained-what-is-iam.md))
- **2018-01-13** — [AWS Aurora vs MySQL: Side By Side Comparison](https://natthompson.com/blog/aws-aurora-vs-mysql-side-by-side-comparison) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/aws-aurora-vs-mysql-side-by-side-comparison.md))
- **2017-02-12** — [Go Play in the Cloud, Get Started with Amazon Web Services](https://natthompson.com/blog/go-play-in-the-cloud-get-started-with-amazon-web-services) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/go-play-in-the-cloud-get-started-with-amazon-web-services.md))
- **2017-01-17** — [What's in the Cloud?  Offerings from Amazon and Microsoft](https://natthompson.com/blog/whats-in-the-cloud-offerings-from-amazon-and-microsoft) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/whats-in-the-cloud-offerings-from-amazon-and-microsoft.md))
- **2013-09-07** — [Cloud Services, Get on Board Before the Train Leaves the Station](https://natthompson.com/blog/cloud-services-get-on-board-before-the-train-leaves-the-station) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/cloud-services-get-on-board-before-the-train-leaves-the-station.md))

## Tech Leadership

- **2026-03-19** — [What is a Fractional CTO?](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-a-fractional-cto) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-a-fractional-cto.md))
  - A fractional CTO gives startups senior technical leadership without the full-time price tag. Here's what they do, when you need one, and how to decide.
- **2024-02-20** — [5 Lessons from a Year of Fractional CTO Work](https://natthompson.com/blog/five-lessons-from-fractional-cto-work) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/five-lessons-from-fractional-cto-work.md))
  - What I've learned helping multiple startups as a fractional CTO — the patterns, pitfalls, and what actually moves the needle.
- **2023-12-15** — [The CTO Sanctum: Your Oasis in the Tech Desert](https://natthompson.com/blog/new-cto-sanctum) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/new-cto-sanctum.md))
- **2023-11-21** — [Hire Developers: Comparing UpWork, Fiverr, and Toptal](https://natthompson.com/blog/hire-developers-comparing-upwork-fiverr-and-toptal) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/hire-developers-comparing-upwork-fiverr-and-toptal.md))
- **2023-05-30** — [AWS Lambda Use Cases: Exploring The Top 5](https://natthompson.com/blog/aws-lambda-use-cases-exploring-the-top-5) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/aws-lambda-use-cases-exploring-the-top-5.md))
- **2023-05-29** — [S3 Static Website Hosting - Unleash the Power!](https://natthompson.com/blog/s3-static-website-hosting-unleash-the-power) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/s3-static-website-hosting-unleash-the-power.md))
- **2023-05-25** — [Building the Foundation of Your Startup: Five Essential Questions to Answer](https://natthompson.com/blog/building-the-foundation-of-your-startup-five-essential-questions-to-answer) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/building-the-foundation-of-your-startup-five-essential-questions-to-answer.md))
- **2023-04-22** — [The Pros and Cons of No Code: Is Bubble Right for Your Business?](https://natthompson.com/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-no-code) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-no-code.md))
- **2023-04-21** — [Alternatives to jQuery for Modern Web Development](https://natthompson.com/blog/alternatives-to-jquery) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/alternatives-to-jquery.md))
- **2023-04-20** — [Trello vs. Monday.com: Comparing the Top Project Management Tools for Agile Teams](https://natthompson.com/blog/trello-vs-monday-com) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/trello-vs-monday-com.md))
- **2023-01-22** — [Unlock the Potential of Cloud Computing for Your Startup: Scalability, Flexibility, Cost-Effectiveness, Security and Innovation](https://natthompson.com/blog/unlock-the-potential-of-cloud-computing-for-your-startup-scalability-flexibility-cost-effectiveness-security-and-innovation) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/unlock-the-potential-of-cloud-computing-for-your-startup-scalability-flexibility-cost-effectiveness-security-and-innovation.md))
- **2022-06-12** — [I Built a Strategic Plan for Brazilian Entrepreneur](https://natthompson.com/blog/i-built-a-strategic-plan-for-brazilian-entrepreneur) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/i-built-a-strategic-plan-for-brazilian-entrepreneur.md))
- **2021-06-21** — [How to Acquire Development Talent for a Start-Up](https://natthompson.com/blog/how-to-acquire-development-talent-for-a-start-up) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/how-to-acquire-development-talent-for-a-start-up.md))
- **2021-06-06** — [What is the best way to build a tech team?](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-the-best-way-to-build-a-tech-team) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/what-is-the-best-way-to-build-a-tech-team.md))
- **2021-03-19** — [How to Forecast ROI of a Tech Launch](https://natthompson.com/blog/how-to-forecast-roi-of-a-tech-launch) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/how-to-forecast-roi-of-a-tech-launch.md))
- **2021-03-17** — [It's Still Magic](https://natthompson.com/blog/its-still-magic) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/its-still-magic.md))
- **2021-03-15** — [How Does a CTO Build an Effective Team?](https://natthompson.com/blog/how-does-a-cto-build-an-effective-team) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/how-does-a-cto-build-an-effective-team.md))
- **2021-03-08** — [What's the Difference Between a CIO and a CTO?](https://natthompson.com/blog/whats-the-difference-between-a-cio-and-a-cto) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/whats-the-difference-between-a-cio-and-a-cto.md))
- **2018-12-17** — [Does Technology Create or Solve Problems?](https://natthompson.com/blog/does-technology-create-or-solve-problems) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/does-technology-create-or-solve-problems.md))
- **2018-11-25** — [The Power of Scrum - Book Review](https://natthompson.com/blog/the-power-of-scrum-book-review) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/the-power-of-scrum-book-review.md))
- **2018-09-18** — [How to Scale Business Systems](https://natthompson.com/blog/how-to-scale-business-systems) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/how-to-scale-business-systems.md))
- **2017-01-16** — [Be Slackers!  Collaboration Done Right.](https://natthompson.com/blog/be-slackers-collaboration-done-right) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/be-slackers-collaboration-done-right.md))
- **2017-01-14** — [Top Five Books for Software Development Professionals](https://natthompson.com/blog/top-five-books-for-software-development-professionals) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/top-five-books-for-software-development-professionals.md))
- **2012-06-07** — [Routine can Save your Sanity](https://natthompson.com/blog/routine-can-save-your-sanity) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/routine-can-save-your-sanity.md))
- **2012-06-05** — [Managing Communication](https://natthompson.com/blog/managing-communication) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/managing-communication.md))
- **2012-06-04** — [Set Clear Expectations](https://natthompson.com/blog/set-clear-expectations) ([.md](https://natthompson.com/blog/set-clear-expectations.md))