Who I Am:

I am Andrew McDaniel. I like to code, create, and innovate.

Whether it's building at the intersection of technology and creativity, or exploring new ideas, I'm always eager to learn and grow.

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Projects / Focus Areas

Software

ChatGPT History Viewer

A small utility that helps you view your ChatGPT conversation history with semantic search capabilities.

Status: MVP Complete

AI Code Explorer

I built an AI-powered tool to explore and understand codebases more effectively. Have a look at the showcase to see it in action.

View the showcase

How I Think

  • Principle #1: Utility

    • While I love to code, and I find it creatively fulfilling, my primary focus is on building tools that provide real value and solve practical problems. I believe that technology should serve a purpose beyond just being interesting or novel. It should make someone's life easier, better, or more efficient.

  • Principle #2: Clarity

    • I strive for clarity in both my code and my communication. Clear, well-structured code is easier to maintain, understand, and build upon. Similarly, clear communication helps ensure that ideas are conveyed effectively and that everyone involved in a project is on the same page.

  • Principle #3: Simplicity

    • Sometimes building something complex can be excellent exercise, but I believe that simplicity often leads to better solutions. 20 lines of python that solve a problem are often better than 200 lines of over-engineered C++. A corollary to this is that one should choose the right tool for the job, not the most complex or sophisticated one. Sometimes that means letting an LLM build something fast instead of hand-coding every detail.

  • Principle #4: Contribution

    • I believe in the power of open source and collaboration. Sharing knowledge and resources helps foster innovation and drives progress in the tech community. Whenever possible, I aim to contribute to open source projects and share my own work with others.

Current Work

The two major projects I am currently focused on are Companion, TheCube and a guitar pedal (under the Megalodon Sound brand) that fuses classic analog tones with modern digital control.

Writing / Logs

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More About Me

I'm a "tech guy" based in the USA. I love all things technology-related, especially when it comes to coding and electronics. I enjoy building both hardware and software projects, often combining the two to create innovative solutions. When I'm not coding or tinkering with electronics, I enjoy playing guitar, hiking, and exploring new technologies. Professionally, I am a full-time firefighter/EMT and a full-time student studying Software Engineering at Kennesaw State University's online program. I expect to graduate at the end of 2026 with a Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering. This will lead directly into pursuing a Master's degree in Computer Science the following year. My passion for technology drives me to continually learn and grow in my skills, and I'm always looking for new challenges to tackle.

My main aspiration is to build tools and technologies that make a positive impact on people's lives and that I can build a business around. I believe that technology has the power to solve real-world problems and improve the way we live and work. Through my projects, I aim to create solutions that are not only innovative but also practical and user-friendly. Ultimately, I want to leverage my skills and passion for technology to make a meaningful difference in the world while also building a sustainable business.