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David Olson

Technical Editor & Data Systems Engineer
Software DevelopmentMachine LearningData Pipeline Engineering

David Olson is EG3's technical reviewer. His background is in software development, machine learning, and data pipeline engineering. He built the National Home Improvement Cost Index, a BOM-first pricing engine covering 4,030 price records across 158 services and 26 metropolitan areas, sourced from BLS OES data (6M+ rows), FRED PPI, Census CBP, and 40+ municipal permit fee schedules. That experience with primary government data sources and statistical validation is what he brings to EG3: every technical claim, spec reference, and data point in a published guide gets checked against primary documentation before it goes live.

Review Methodology

Reviews every article for factual accuracy of technical claims, correctness of spec references, and data integrity. Flags unverified assertions and checks cited sources against primary documentation. When a guide references a chipset specification, protocol behavior, or performance number, David verifies it against the manufacturer datasheet, IEEE standard, or published benchmark data.

Reviewed Guides

All guides reviewed by David Olson.

How Do PoE Security Cameras Handle Power Spikes
Security Cameras

How Do PoE Security Cameras Handle Power Spikes

How do PoE security cameras handle power spikes? PSE applies 2.7-10.1V to verify 19-26.5kΩ resistance per IEEE 802.3 before 44-57V. This protects PD SoC and

Apr 9, 2026 · ✓ Updated Apr 9, 20267 min readRead →
Managed Switch for VLANs Home Networks Tested
Home Networking

Managed Switch for VLANs Home Networks Tested

A managed switch for VLANs home networks isolates self-hosted services from IoT on separate domains. Routers collapse with frame drops and VLAN leakage.

Apr 13, 2026 · ✓ Updated Apr 13, 202612 min readRead →
Factorial Calculator: Exact N!, Digit Count, Trailing Zeros
Tools & Calculators

Factorial Calculator: Exact N!, Digit Count, Trailing Zeros

This factorial calculator computes exact n! up to 1000 with BigInt. Get digit count and trailing zeros using Stirling and Legendre formulas for larger n.

4 min readRead →
AI & Computing

Openrouter Quick Start & Review 2026: Costs & Tradeoffs

OpenRouter Quick Start & Review — Free reference card from EG3. Tables, code blocks, copy-paste templates.

Apr 3, 2026 · ✓ Updated Apr 3, 20263 min readRead →
The Engineering Behind Solar Inverters: How Signal Processin
Solar & Energy

The Engineering Behind Solar Inverters: How Signal Processin

The Engineering Behind Solar Inverters: How Signal Processing Maximizes Output. Signal processing uses MPPT to maximize solar output and ensure grid sync.

Apr 3, 2026 · ✓ Updated Apr 3, 20268 min readRead →
AI & Computing

AI Coding Cheatsheet 2026: Local Edge AI Costs

AI Coding Cheatsheet 2026 — Free reference card from EG3. Tables, code blocks, copy-paste templates.

Apr 3, 2026 · ✓ Updated Apr 3, 20265 min readRead →
AI & Computing

Persistent Agents and Always-On AI Systems: Hardware Risks

Persistent Agents & Always-On AI — Free reference card from EG3. Tables, code blocks, copy-paste templates.

Apr 3, 2026 · ✓ Updated Apr 3, 20264 min readRead →
What Does "Collate" Mean When Printing?
Hardware

What Does "Collate" Mean When Printing?

What does "collate" mean when printing? Collated printing outputs one full copy of a multi-page document before the next copy. Uncollated stacks all copies of

16 min readRead →
PoE Security Cameras: Why Power Over Ethernet Changes Everyt
Home Networking

PoE Security Cameras: Why Power Over Ethernet Changes Everyt

PoE Security Cameras: Why Power Over Ethernet Changes Everything. It removes the need for separate power outlets and cuts installation complexity.

Apr 1, 2026 · ✓ Updated Apr 1, 20268 min readRead →
Security Camera Local Storage: No Cloud, No Subscription, No
Security Cameras

Security Camera Local Storage: No Cloud, No Subscription, No

Security Camera Local Storage: No Cloud, No Subscription, No Problem. Keep recording during internet outages with local NVR storage, no subscriptions needed.

Apr 9, 2026 · ✓ Updated Apr 9, 20269 min readRead →
NVR Security Systems Explained: PoE Cameras, Storage, and Se
Security Cameras

NVR Security Systems Explained: PoE Cameras, Storage, and Se

NVR Security Systems Explained: PoE Cameras, Storage, and Setup. Explore PoE power (802.3af/at/bt), storage needs, and local setup without subscriptions.

Mar 31, 2026 · ✓ Updated Mar 31, 20268 min readRead →
AI & Computing

System Prompt Templates That Actually Work 2026

System Prompt Templates 2026 — Free reference card from EG3. Tables, code blocks, copy-paste templates.

Apr 3, 2026 · ✓ Updated Apr 3, 20266 min readRead →
AI & Computing

AI Agent Architecture Reference: True Costs

AI Agent Architecture Reference — Free reference card from EG3. Tables, code blocks, copy-paste templates.

Apr 3, 2026 · ✓ Updated Apr 3, 20263 min readRead →
Industrial IoT Applications: 2026 Trends
IoT & Connected Devices

Industrial IoT Applications: 2026 Trends

Discover the evolving landscape of industrial IoT applications in 2026. See how connectivity, edge AI, and smart buildings are driving efficiency and

Apr 7, 2026 · ✓ Updated Apr 7, 202616 min readRead →
AI & Computing

LLM API Integration Best Practices 2026 Guide

LLM API Integration Reference 2026 — Free reference card from EG3. Tables, code blocks, copy-paste templates.

Apr 3, 2026 · ✓ Updated Apr 3, 20263 min readRead →
Technology

Image & Video Generation Workflows + Prompts 2026: Stats

Image & Video Generation Workflows 2026 — Free reference card from EG3. Tables, code blocks, copy-paste templates.

Apr 3, 2026 · ✓ Updated Apr 3, 20265 min readRead →
AI Chatbot Development Services Cost $5K-$200K
AI & Computing

AI Chatbot Development Services Cost $5K-$200K

AI chatbot development services cost $5K-$200K in 2026. Basic bots run prompts on one LLM. High-end handle RAG, routing, logs, integrations across providers.

9 min readRead →
How the Inkless Printer Signal Chain Works
Hardware

How the Inkless Printer Signal Chain Works

The inkless printer takes Bluetooth data from your phone. The MCU decompresses it and calculates PWM pulses for the thermal head to avoid banding.

10 min readRead →
AI & Computing

Fine-Tuning vs RAG vs Agents Decision Guide 2026

RAG vs Fine-Tuning vs Agents Decision Guide — Free reference card from EG3. Tables, code blocks, copy-paste templates.

Apr 3, 2026 · ✓ Updated Apr 3, 20263 min readRead →
How DSP Powers Every Smart Home Device You Own
DSP & Signal Processing

How DSP Powers Every Smart Home Device You Own

How DSP Powers Every Smart Home Device You Own. DSP in MCUs samples analog signals via ADCs and runs real-time math to issue commands to motors and switches.

Mar 29, 2026 · ✓ Updated Mar 29, 20269 min readRead →
AI & Computing

Modern Prompt Engineering Reference & Formulas 2026

Prompt Engineering Formulas 2026 — Free reference card from EG3. Tables, code blocks, copy-paste templates.

Apr 3, 2026 · ✓ Updated Apr 3, 20264 min readRead →
From Microcontrollers to Smart Thermostats: The Tech Inside
Embedded Systems

From Microcontrollers to Smart Thermostats: The Tech Inside

From Microcontrollers to Smart Thermostats: The Tech Inside Your HVAC. Explore how Cortex-M4 and ESP32 enable PID control in smart HVAC systems over FPGAs.

Mar 27, 2026 · ✓ Updated Mar 27, 20267 min readRead →
2026 Raspberry Pi Home Automation: A Practical Setup Guide
Smart Home

2026 Raspberry Pi Home Automation: A Practical Setup Guide

Raspberry Pi Home Automation: A Practical Setup Guide. Pi 5 with Home Assistant OS beats Pi 4 for speed, I/O and reliability in 24/7 homes with 50+ devices.

Apr 9, 2026 · ✓ Updated Apr 9, 20269 min readRead →
AI & Computing

Claude vs Grok vs GPT-5.4 Model Comparison 2026

Claude vs GPT vs Gemini vs Grok Comparison — Free reference card from EG3. Tables, code blocks, copy-paste templates.

Apr 3, 2026 · ✓ Updated Apr 3, 20264 min readRead →
Digital Filter Design: Balancing Performance and Constraints
DSP & Signal Processing

Digital Filter Design: Balancing Performance and Constraints

Digital filter design balances stopband attenuation, phase response, load and stability against hardware constraints. The DSP signal chain maps to FIR, IIR and

Apr 7, 2026 · ✓ Updated Apr 7, 20269 min readRead →
Best Doorbell Camera 2026: Engineering Behind the Top Picks
Security Cameras

Best Doorbell Camera 2026: Engineering Behind the Top Picks

Best Doorbell Camera 2026: Engineering Behind the Top Picks explores H.265 bandwidth savings and local processing in Ring, Eufy and Nest for stable 4K video.

Mar 25, 2026 · ✓ Updated Mar 25, 20267 min readRead →
FPGA vs Microcontroller: Which Runs Your Smart Home Hub
Embedded Systems

FPGA vs Microcontroller: Which Runs Your Smart Home Hub

FPGA vs Microcontroller: Which Runs Your Smart Home Hub. Microcontrollers suit the I/O-bound protocol translation across radios in smart home hubs unlike FPGAs.

Mar 24, 2026 · ✓ Updated Mar 24, 202610 min readRead →
Best Coding Podcasts in 2026
Software

Best Coding Podcasts in 2026

Best coding podcasts rank sixth among developer resources in 2026. Docs at 67.8%, search 58.7%, Stack Overflow 51.4%, video 50%, AI codegen tools next. Shows

16 min readRead →
How AI Chips Evolved from Basic DSP Processors
DSP & Signal Processing

How AI Chips Evolved from Basic DSP Processors

How AI Chips Evolved From Basic DSP Processors from fixed MAC arrays to programmable tensor cores for neural networks in power conversion and solar inverters.

Mar 22, 2026 · ✓ Updated Mar 22, 202610 min readRead →
Security Cameras Without a Subscription: How Local Storage W
Hardware

Security Cameras Without a Subscription: How Local Storage W

Security Cameras Without a Subscription: How Local Storage Works records video to local NVR or microSD cards, eliminating monthly fees and third-party access.

Apr 9, 2026 · ✓ Updated Apr 9, 202610 min readRead →
N8n vs Make vs Zapier and Which No Code Automation Platform
Automation

N8n vs Make vs Zapier and Which No Code Automation Platform

N8n vs Make vs Zapier and which no code automation platform is worth it. N8n runs $15 at 450k ops self hosted. Make costs $405. Zapier hits $999.

7 min readRead →