Security and Privacy
Using YubiKey and Security Keys with Proton Pass (2FA Guide)
A practical guide to using YubiKey and other security keys with Proton Pass for stronger two-factor authentication.
Paul O'Brien
Paul O’Brien writes independently about email providers, privacy-first tools, and digital productivity. His work focuses on how communication tools shape everyday workflows, clarity, and control over personal data. He’s often known as The Email Guy
Email History
The History of Email: From ARPANET to the Modern Inbox
A clear overview of how email evolved from early computer networks into one of the world’s most widely used communication tools.
Blogging Platforms
Why I Moved My Blog from WordPress to Ghost
After years of using WordPress, I moved my blog to Ghost to simplify publishing, reduce plugin fatigue, and focus on writing. Here’s why the switch made sense.
Email Providers
Proton Mail: A Deep Dive Into Privacy-First Email
A detailed, practical look at Proton Mail — how its encryption works, what features it offers, and whether it’s right for you.
Security and Privacy
Why I Decided to Move My Email Away from Gmail to Proton Mail
After more than a decade with Gmail, I switched my email to Proton Mail for better privacy and to stop my inbox from being scanned for ads. In this post I explain why.
Productivity
Why Brain Dumps Are Important
Brain dumps are a simple way to get thoughts out of your head and onto the page. This post explains why they help, and how I use them.
Email Productivity
Email Wins Over Phone, Chat, and Awkward Video Calls Every Time
I explain why I tend to favour email over phone calls, chat apps, and video calls — because email lets you manage communication on your own terms without interruption.
HEY
HEY.com Email Forwarding Still Not Working? Here’s Why
A clear explanation of why email forwarding in HEY can feel unreliable, what the service actually supports, and what your alternatives are.
Why Email Still Needs “Mark as Unread”
Why the ability to mark an opened email as unread is essential for keeping track of messages and managing attention.
HEY
Could HEY World Replace My WordPress Blog?
A practical look at whether HEY World could realistically replace WordPress for blogging, and what you’d give up if you tried.
HEY
Imagine HEY World with custom domain support!
A thoughtful look at what HEY World could become with custom domain support, why it matters for publishing, and what it could mean for creators.
Publishing
HEY World - Everything Else Seems Overkill
A look at why HEY World’s minimalist publishing model can make other platforms feel like overkill, and when that simplicity matters most.