About me (and this website)
Hello! I am Ali Mohamed Ali. I am a student who is interested in learning as much as I can. I have ranging interests, but I mainly know most — and am more passionate — about computer-science, technology, and mathematics.
Over time, and as I collect more facts about myself that are interesting, I'll develop this page.
Status file
<2026-05-08T16:54:00+03:00>
Doing an update to the site after it got wiped by a wayward 'sed' command. Another attempt to make a better description of what this website is, to sound more sane maybe?
Table of Contents
1. Skills and interests
I have presentable enough experience with programming, as I've been programming since I was young. I mainly learned by trying out as much as I possibly can. Some programming languages I've picked up over time include:
- C/C++
- Scheme
- Common lisp
- POSIX sh
- GNUMakefile
- HTML/CSS
- TeX/LaTeX
I take an interest in configuring, maintaining my Linux system to learn more about UNIX, moreso Linux. My favourite distros include Slackware and Debian.
Besides programming, I enjoy studying mathematics.
Beyond even that, I like reading and writing, poetry. I read whatever I can get my hands on, but I don't always choose very interesting choices. If you have any recommendations, send them to me.
I'm also well enough skilled at drawing and doodling that I do it in my free time.
I don't play many videogames, but I enjoy them. I'm especially taking interest in RPGs, mainly Nethack.
2. About this website
2.1. What for?
I write extensively. This is a place to publish my writing, and to continue to be able to write extensively. I do this to share knowledge, but also because writing itself is a good habit to have.
2.2. Is it a blog?
The blog is an easily comprehensible component, so it does take an important part of the website, what with being regularly updated and whatnot. However, I will state that this website isn't only a weblog; It can be anything I like, really.
2.3. How is this website built?
I write everything you see in the glorious editor GNU Emacs, as markup files in Org (mode). These files are all automatically formatted, indexed by tag and by date, compiled alongside any macros they hold, exported as a static collection of HTML files, uploaded, and syndicated into an atom feed by a combination of shell scripts and elisp. I'm very proud of what I've made: a very convenient system that allows me to automatically post to the internet with the minimum amount of friction there is.
Yes, it seems dynamic, but all the changes are done once and uploaded. It is continuously in compilation.
Not that this method isn't dangerous, it certainly is. In fact, I have lost this entire website to a mistyped shell command. In the end, its all for my benefit as I learn to remember to 'read the manual closer.'
3. Beliefs about writing
I have an ardent love for writing, and consequently a habit to ardently write as much as I can. I publish some of my writing here.
I believe that writing is always beneficial, not only for its traditional purpose, but because it expounds upon and refines with a critical view the train of thought. Writing brings any idea to its fruition, displays its potential. Why not write everything?