Future Imperfect by HTML5 UP

Raspberry Pi 5: Cloud Server from Scratch

Turning a $90 board into a globally accessible SQL and storage hub

Jonah BillerbeckJonah
Raspberry Pi 5: Cloud Server from Scratch I turned a Raspberry Pi 5 into a fully self-hosted cloud server — and it all runs from a fanless board behind my desk. Here’s what I set up:

  • 💽 Booting directly from NVMe using a Geekworm M.2 hat
  • 🗄️ PostgreSQL server accessible globally via DuckDNS
  • 🔒 Secured with custom firewall rules and static IP
  • 🖥️ RDP access from anywhere for GUI tasks and monitoring
  • 📸 Local photo storage system to offload iCloud
  • 🧠 Works great with SSMS for database development
This tiny $90 board now hosts SQL, handles file storage, and runs 24/7 — no fan, no noise, no problem.


AI Tools & GPT-Powered SEO

From smart metadata to GPT-driven product optimization

Jonah BillerbeckJonah
AI Tools & GPT-Powered SEO I built a system that automatically generates search-optimized keywords, page titles, and enhanced descriptions using OpenAI’s GPT API. Prompts are fine-tuned to adjust based on whether products are bulk items, packages, or specific vendors like Simpson. All output is formatted and pushed directly into SQL Server for live product listings.

Separately, I built a lightweight C# console app that:

  • 🤖 Uses GPT to extract item metadata
  • 🔍 Calls Google Custom Search API for real-time image pulls
  • 📦 Generates clean product listing entries for DB insertion

Feedback Modal System

Real-time ratings, screenshot uploads, and store credit engagement

Jonah BillerbeckJonah
Feedback Modal System Working at ShopMetal.com has been one of the most exciting parts of my journey. The team is sharp, the systems are modern, and there's a constant push to improve the customer experience. The culture supports autonomy and experimentation, which led directly to the design of our feedback system. I built a dynamic feedback modal that lives across the site, allowing customers to:

  • ⭐ Leave real-time ratings
  • 🖼️ Paste or drag screenshots into the form
  • ☁️ Store uploaded files securely in cloud storage
Admins can filter and manage responses from the backend, validate emails, and reward participants with store credit. The modal supports opt-in email lists, tracks page origin, and helps turn real feedback into real improvements.