For many years I used Google analytics to be able to see what users were looking at and viewing on my sites. I started using Google analytics because it was free and because it seemed like the simplest choice. Since Google is the main search engine why not take advantage of all they have to offer?

From the very beginning I really struggled on a very personal level to interpret what felt like a very overindulgent amount of data about any individual and what they were doing. And purely from my perspective it was so hard to navigate the interface.

For years like many developers I have struggled with the balance between the usefulness of Google and the clear violation of the constant data collection of its users. So when it came time to find an alternative even if it meant paying for it I was very happy to do so. As part of the Laravel community I had heard about Fathom Analytics.

I have now been using them for a little under a year and so far it has been simple to install, easy to understand my data, respectful of users privacy and is in keeping with my sense of morality.

Although I have not yet been able to get rid of all of Google's ability to track my users (or other tracking pixels) without their consent or mine it is something that is important to me and that I will continue to work on. But for now a simple thank you to Fathom Analytics will do nicely.

My name is Aaron Kenton. I have been building a simple and yet what I hope to be powerful article platform for use in some of my other development projects. I have created this article site really as a test to try it out before I start using it on my other projects. I also thought I would take the opportunity to share some thoughts about web development, running a business, natural health and many subjects that may be unrelated.

There is something unusual about running a company of one (and yes I have read the book) in that so much of my progress, my trials, my frustrations and my triumphs are largely experienced internally. I personally am somewhat of an introvert and so the idea of sharing my day to day progress is a little daunting but also a lot of fun.

I hope that you may find a few things of interest as this website grows. And if you don't then it is simply a place for me to try out new ideas while I continue to develop and create. here's to the beginning.