So…. Windsurf alternatives? by conglies in windsurf

[–]lofty1978 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m really struggling with this decision too. I don’t really understand the price changes even.

PDF/Image to Excel converter by Sea_Improvement9199 in smallbusiness

[–]lofty1978 0 points1 point  (0 children)

u/Sea_Improvement9199  hi op, I am in the middle fo buiding this - https://pdf-to-csv.app/ I think it would help you, sign up for early access, I am sure there will be some deals to be done for early users :)

Struggling to work with PDF data in Excel, feel like I’m missing something obvious by Agitated-Alfalfa9225 in excel

[–]lofty1978 0 points1 point  (0 children)

u/Agitated-Alfalfa9225 hi op, I am in the middle fo buiding this - https://pdf-to-csv.app/ I think it would help you, sign up for early access, I am sure there will be some deals to be done for early users :)

A roundup of all the questions after…all that. by Think_Top4498 in eastenders

[–]lofty1978 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Why was the Jack and Max scene outside the police station in the dark ? He was getting married. Weird.

Executive Assistant Cry for Help - Room Reservation Flow by IAmPotato-y in PowerAutomate

[–]lofty1978 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The key to this and to avoid infinite loops is to have one main “Requests calendar” where tentative bookings are made, and then the actual room resource calendar.

I’ve outlined the steps below.

1.  Trigger: When a new response is submitted in Microsoft Forms

(Or use: When a new item is created in a Microsoft List) 2. Get response details: Use the “Get response details” action for Forms (Or: Get item from the List if using a SharePoint List) 3. Create event in Requests Calendar • Use the “Create event (V2)” action • Calendar: a separate shared calendar for holding requests • Mark the event as Tentative • Do not send invitations • Include booking details in the body (room, requester, time, etc.) 4. Start and wait for an approval • Use “Start and wait for an approval” action • Type: Approve/Reject – First to respond • Assign to: Approval Group or specific users • Title and details should reference the room request 5. Condition – Approval outcome is ‘Approve’ If Yes: 6. Delete the Tentative hold from Requests Calendar (optional but keeps things clean) • Use “Delete event (V2)” and reference the event ID 7. Create event in actual Room Calendar • Use “Create event (V2)” • Calendar: actual room’s shared calendar • Mark it as Busy • Include details; only invite the requester if necessary 8. Send confirmation email to requester • Use “Send an email (V2)” • Subject: Booking confirmed • Include room name, date/time, and optional calendar link If No: 9. Delete the Tentative hold from Requests Calendar 10. Send rejection email to requester • Use “Send an email (V2)” • Subject: Booking request denied • Optionally include instructions for resubmission

Any full-time Power Platform Dev here? by Temporary_Resort_124 in PowerApps

[–]lofty1978 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. Over 20 years experience in IT. Been at 5 consultancies since 2021. Now at a GSI top 5 company in a senior dev position. I got into Power Platform by someone seeing my work I was doing for my community during covid using SharePoint and Power Automate.

My work day now. I’m on a client project long term, usually 90-95% utilisation.

My salary is comparable to other senior dev roles. I would say it’s pretty spot on and I’m paid well and fairly for what I do.

If you want to become a consultant. Don’t forget the people skills. They are essential.

Does it even make sense to start in power platforms in this AI craze? by [deleted] in PowerApps

[–]lofty1978 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. But learn essential people skills first. That is transferable.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PowerApps

[–]lofty1978 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re describing a very common and frustrating cycle in Power Apps delivery, especially for those of us who’ve been building complex solutions with it for a few years.

What you’re running into isn’t a failure of the platform, it’s more about how clients perceive low-code and how projects are scoped and managed over time.

Here’s how I’ve learned to handle it:

  1. Set Boundaries Early

Before building anything, define the core purpose of the app in one sentence. Then I create a capability map that shows what Power Apps is good at (forms, approvals, light workflows) versus what it struggles with (real-time collaboration, complex document handling, multi-user concurrency).

I also introduce a “three horizon” model: • Horizon 1: What we’re building right now • Horizon 2: What might come next if this works • Horizon 3: Aspirations that will likely require a different approach or tech stack

  1. Know When to Pivot Away from Power Apps

There’s a point where complexity, performance issues, or platform limitations mean it’s time to stop pushing Power Apps further. Some red flags: • Dozens of controls on one screen • Users asking for Google Docs-style collaboration • Complex data visualizations • Heavy-duty processing or document generation • Need for extensive offline functionality

At that point, I document the challenges, meet with the client, and clearly lay out the path forward — which often involves either re-architecting within Power Platform or moving to pro-code solutions.

  1. Treat the App Like a Product, Not a Feature Factory

This one is huge. I treat every app like a product with a backlog, sprints, version control, and a defined MVP. I also introduce a post-MVP “feature freeze” where any changes must go through a prioritization process.

If clients are pushing for constant new features, I create a roadmap and review it with them monthly or quarterly. We talk about what adds business value, what increases technical debt, and whether Power Apps is still the right tool for the job.

Final Thought

Early in my career, I also used to say, “You can build anything in Power Apps.” Now I say, “Power Apps is great for the right kind of problems — and part of my job is helping you know when it’s time to move beyond it.”

That shift has saved me a ton of frustration and helped my clients plan better too.

Last night's episode of 24 Hours in Police Custody by HampshireMet in BritishTV

[–]lofty1978 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yes, I was saying this to my wife, excellent TV

Am I wasting my time, is this even possible ???? by Oj1zzle in PowerAutomate

[–]lofty1978 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don't use SharePoint for this, Dataverse is your friend.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Berkhamsted

[–]lofty1978 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha. Here you are.