Hello There! 👋

A Quick Update

Hey everyone, Kevin here again — finally bringing my blog back to life after an unexpected three-month break. These past few months have been intense, but incredibly productive behind the scenes. Most of my time has been devoted to refining and optimizing the entire backend infrastructure for both Armed Code, LLC and this very website.

I’ve been restructuring the API by dividing routes into modular sections that are now securely accessed depending on the user’s role. This not only strengthens the system’s architecture but also sets the groundwork for upcoming features that will make my platforms more scalable and user-friendly.

A lot of effort has gone into enhancing the email functionality and input validation systems. Previously, the form-handling process was a bit rigid, but now users receive more intuitive, friendly, and informative feedback messages directly on the front end. These changes should make the entire user experience smoother, more dynamic, and—most importantly—more reliable.

My next major focus is on building out the Store portion of the application — specifically, its controllers, models, and routes. The idea is to enable users to publish and sell firearm accessories directly through Armed Code, LLC, creating a community-driven marketplace for enthusiasts.

However, that progress has hit a temporary pause. Unfortunately, I recently discovered that Stripe, the payment processor I planned to use, explicitly prohibits transactions related to firearms and ammunition. That was a bit of a setback, but not an insurmountable one. I’m currently exploring other payment gateway options that comply with federal and platform policies while still supporting lawful sales of firearm-related accessories.

On the front-end side of things, I’ve been tackling a handful of unexpected bugs and display issues that cropped up over the last few weeks. It’s been a balancing act between improving the backend structure and ensuring a smooth, bug-free experience for visitors, but everything is steadily coming together again.

Battling the Bots 🤖

Over the past month, both Armed Code, LLC and my personal email were hit by a wave of spam — specifically, bot-generated emails and fake form submissions that flooded my inbox at the most inconvenient times, usually while I was out working.

At first, I tried a few complex filtering solutions, but they either slowed things down or were inconsistent. Eventually, I decided to keep it simple — and simplicity turned out to be the perfect cure. I implemented a small verification step within the contact forms: users must now solve a basic math question like “3 + 2” before submitting.

If the user provides the wrong result or sends an invalid data type, the form submission halts immediately, and a clean error message is displayed on their screen.

The outcome? No more spam. Not a single fake submission since implementing it. It’s funny how a simple addition problem ended up being more effective than complex anti-bot systems. Sometimes, keeping it simple really does the trick.

Daily Work Life

On a more personal note, I don’t remember if I ever mentioned it before, but around three months ago I started working for a new company — an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that specializes in delivering internet access to rural or off-grid areas.

While it’s not the highest-paying position I’ve ever had, it’s been incredibly educational. I’ve gained valuable insights into how internet connectivity works at a technical level — from transmission towers to customer homes. Every day brings new challenges and new lessons about how data physically travels across networks and what it takes to maintain a reliable connection in remote areas.

This role has been sharpening my understanding of the infrastructure that powers the modern web — something that aligns beautifully with my software engineering passion. Getting to see how hardware and networking operate in real-world environments gives me a more holistic view when I sit down to code or architect backend systems.

It’s fascinating to experience the bridge between software logic and network engineering, especially since so much of what we build online depends on that invisible web of routers, signals, and frequencies that keep our devices connected.

Reflections and Moving Forward

The past few months have been full of learning, adaptation, and persistence. Working on Armed Code has reminded me how crucial it is to stay agile — especially when unexpected roadblocks appear, whether it’s an API breaking, a payment provider limitation, or even a wave of spam bots trying to flood your inbox.

I’m determined to find a suitable payment solution that allows lawful commerce while staying true to the mission of Armed Code, LLC — creating tools and services for the responsible firearm and software community. I believe there’s always a workaround or alternative when you’re willing to think creatively and build strategically.

The lessons I’ve picked up from my new job, combined with what I’ve learned while developing the backend systems, are shaping me into a more rounded engineer and business owner. Each line of code, each bug fixed, and each late-night test brings me one step closer to creating something that not only works well but also lasts.

Even with limited time — juggling work, development, and life responsibilities — I’ve found renewed motivation to keep pushing forward. Sometimes, a short hiatus is exactly what you need to regain clarity and come back stronger.

My goal for the next phase is to complete the Store module, re-evaluate new payment processor integrations, and polish the front-end interface to make it more seamless and engaging for users. I also plan to publish a few technical write-ups soon, detailing how I handled route modularization and security improvements — things that might help other developers facing similar challenges.

A Final Note

To everyone who’s been following my journey — thank you for your patience and continued support. Building both a business and its technology from the ground up isn’t easy, but it’s one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done. Every improvement, no matter how small, feels like a personal win, and it’s even better knowing some of you take the time to read these updates and follow along.

If you’re into development, entrepreneurship, or just enjoy seeing behind-the-scenes progress of small tech companies like mine, stay tuned. There’s a lot more coming soon.

Until next time, stay focused, stay curious, and never stop building.

Code, Challenges, and Connection: How the Past Three Months Reshaped My Journey

Newsletter

Code, Challenges, and Connection: How the Past Three Months Reshaped My Journey

Newsletter