About Computer Software Today

Computer Software Today is a practical guide to the software developers and IT people use every day: AI tools and coding assistants, .NET and Java, Windows and developer setup, web hosting, and security. The goal is simple. Explain what a tool or change actually does, show how to use it, and say plainly when it is not worth your time.

Who writes it

I’m Gene Fischer. I’ve spent more than 20 years as a software engineer at large enterprise companies, working on both the Microsoft .NET and Java stacks. These days I work independently, building my own software products under Fischost Solutions and running my own Windows Server and IIS hosting for my sites and apps. I also teach programming on my YouTube channel, codingwitheugene.

That background shapes what you’ll find here. Most articles come from questions I’ve had to answer for myself: how to set up a machine properly, how to host an app without surprises, which AI tools are worth paying for, and what a new release really changes.

What you’ll find here

• AI for developers: coding assistants, local models, agents, RAG, MCP, and the security problems that come with them.
• .NET and Java: what’s new in each release, upgrade advice, and honest comparisons.
• Windows and IT: developer setup, WSL, Docker, Windows support timelines, and server hosting on IIS.
• Web and security: HTTPS, passkeys, bot and scraper protection, and how search engines and AI assistants find websites.

How articles are written

Articles link to the official documentation, release notes and primary sources behind every version number, date and price, so you can check the details yourself. Software changes quickly, so articles are dated, and older ones are revised or retired when they stop being accurate.

Get in touch

Spotted something out of date, or want a topic covered? Use the contact page. Corrections are always welcome.