ABOUT

Why I Built The teKky Bench

I've spent more than 20 years working with computers, networking, and technology. Over those years, I've built PCs, installed and managed networks, worked through countless technical problems, tested different products, and learned what works—and sometimes what doesn't.

Before my career in IT, I served in the United States Marine Corps. That experience helped shape the way I approach challenges today: understand the objective, learn what you need to know, use the right tools, adapt when necessary, and get the job done.

Technology, however, is only one side of who I am.

Powerlifting, weight training, and running are also a big part of my life. I currently run about 10–13 miles a week as part of my regular training while continuing to focus seriously on strength and powerlifting.

And as a Marine, running has been part of my life for a long time. It's something that has stayed with me well beyond my time in the Marine Corps and continues to be an important part of how I train today.

In a lot of ways, I approach technology and training the same way.

Technology constantly evolves, and so does my training.

With technology, I'm always learning about new hardware, new systems, and better ways of doing things. With training, I'm doing the same thing—learning, adjusting, working on weaknesses, and finding ways to become stronger and improve over time.

To me, there's actually a strong connection between the two.

A computer isn't defined by a single component. The processor, memory, storage, motherboard, network, software, and everything else have to work together to accomplish a common goal.

The human body works much the same way. Individual muscles have their own jobs, but those muscles have to work together to perform a movement, lift a heavy weight, run mile after mile, and continue progressing.

If one part isn't working properly, it can affect the performance of the entire system.

That's a big part of what The teKky Bench represents to me. It brings together things that have played a major role in my life: technology, strength, and endurance.

After more than two decades in IT, I've gained a lot of knowledge through experience, research, and plenty of trial and error. I decided to create The teKky Bench because I wanted a place where I could share some of that knowledge with others.

One of my biggest goals with this site is to make technology simple—or at least understandable.

You shouldn't need 20 years of IT experience to understand what a router does, what parts you need to build a PC, how to improve your Wi-Fi, or why one piece of hardware might make more sense for you than another.

A lot of what you'll find on The teKky Bench comes directly from the work I do every day. The tools I use, the PCs I build, the networks I work on, the problems I troubleshoot, and the equipment I install all help shape the information and recommendations you'll find here.

The same goes for the Bench side of the site. My experience with powerlifting, weight training, and running helps shape the fitness equipment and training gear I discuss.

I'm not building this site to make things sound more complicated than they need to be. I'm building it to take what I've learned over the years and explain it in a way that someone without years of experience can understand and actually use.

Whether you're experienced with technology, just learning the basics, building your first PC, putting together a home gym, getting stronger, or simply trying to put a few more miles behind you, I hope The teKky Bench can help you learn something, solve a problem, or make a more informed decision.

That's why I built The teKky Bench.

Technology. Training. Gear That Makes Sense.

The teKky Bench is about making technology, fitness, and the gear that goes with them easier to understand.

There are thousands of products out there, and sometimes researching what to buy only makes the decision more complicated.

Specifications can be confusing. Marketing can make every new product sound like something you need. And spending more money doesn't always mean you're getting something that's better for what you're actually trying to do.

The goal of The teKky Bench is pretty simple:

Help you understand what you're buying, why certain features matter, and whether a product actually makes sense for what you're trying to accomplish.

I'm not interested in simply putting together lists of products and telling you which one is supposedly the “best.”

I'd rather explain why something might be a good choice, where it makes sense, what its limitations are, and when another option might work better.

Real-World IT Experience

Technology is a major part of The teKky Bench because it's also what I do professionally.

My experience includes working with:

• Computers and PC hardware

• Networking and Wi-Fi

• Network switches and access points

• Security cameras and surveillance systems

• Storage

• Microsoft Windows

• Cloud technologies

• Cybersecurity

• Backup systems

• Business technology

• General IT infrastructure

Working with this equipment in real-world environments has taught me that specifications are only one part of choosing the right equipment.

Something can look great on paper and still be completely wrong for the environment where it's going to be used.

A wireless access point that works perfectly in a home may not make sense in a warehouse. A computer built for everyday office work has very different requirements from one built for gaming, virtualization, or recording dozens of security cameras.

That's the kind of real-world context I want to bring to The teKky Bench.

Training, Strength & Endurance

The Bench isn't just part of the name.

Powerlifting, strength training, and running are things I actually do and enjoy.

Just like technology, training is something I continue to learn from. Different goals require different approaches, and the equipment that makes sense for one person may not make sense for another.

A beginner putting together a home gym probably doesn't need the same equipment as someone training seriously for powerlifting. A person running a few miles a week may have different needs from someone training for longer distances.

The goal is the same as it is with technology:

Understand what you're trying to accomplish first. Then choose the equipment that helps you accomplish it.

Helping You Understand the “Why”

I don't want The teKky Bench to simply tell you:

“Buy this.”

I want to help explain things like:

• What a product is designed to do

• Which specifications actually matter

• What certain technical terms mean

• What features you're paying extra for

• Where spending more money makes sense

• Where you may be able to save money

• What compatibility issues you should consider

• What limitations you should know about

• Who a product makes sense for

• When another option may be a better fit

You don't need to become an expert in everything.

But I think you should have enough information to understand why you're making the decision you're making.

There Isn't One “Best” Product for Everyone

You'll see the word “best” everywhere online.

Best computer. Best router. Best graphics card. Best power rack. Best running shoe.

But the reality isn't that simple.

The right Wi-Fi equipment for a small home may be completely wrong for a large office or warehouse. The right PC for web browsing may not be appropriate for gaming or video surveillance. The right fitness equipment depends on how you train, what you're trying to accomplish, and even how much space you have available.

That's why one idea you'll see throughout The teKky Bench is:

The right gear is the gear that fits the job.

Research, Experience & Transparency

I want to be clear about where the information on The teKky Bench comes from.

Some content is based directly on my professional or personal experience. Other content may come from product research, manufacturer specifications, technical documentation, comparisons, industry information, and other available resources.

I haven't personally purchased, owned, or physically tested every product discussed on The teKky Bench.

If I've personally used something, I can talk about that experience.

If I haven't, I don't want to give you the impression that I have.

There's an important difference between:

“I've personally used this product.”

and

“Based on its specifications, capabilities, documentation, and my research, this product appears to make sense for this application.”

Both can provide useful information.

But they're not the same thing, and I think you deserve to know the difference.

Affiliate Links & Editorial Independence

The teKky Bench participates in affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate partnerships.

That means I may earn a commission when you make a qualifying purchase through certain links on the site.

That doesn't mean a commission determines what I recommend.

If I don't think something makes sense, an affiliate commission isn't going to turn it into a good product.

My goal is to give you useful information, explain both the advantages and limitations when possible, and help you decide whether something makes sense for you.

For additional information, please see the Affiliate Disclosure.

The teKky Bench Approach

After more than 20 years of working with technology, I've learned that complicated doesn't always mean better, expensive doesn't always mean better, and newer doesn't automatically mean better.

Whether we're talking about a computer, network switch, security camera, power rack, pair of running shoes, or almost anything else, I come back to the same basic idea:

Understand the problem. Understand the product. Then decide if the two belong together.

That's what I want The teKky Bench to be about.

A place where experience, research, technology, and training come together—and where you don't need to be an expert to understand what you're reading.

Technology. Training. Gear That Makes Sense.

Find the Right Tech for the Job

You just need the right PC for what you do.

You just want Wi-Fi that's fast and reliable.

You just need the right storage for your data.

You just want a camera that delivers the quality you need.

And you shouldn't have to overspend to get it.

You just need the right Tech.

That's The teKky Bench approach.

Technology. Training. Gear That Makes Sense.

Support The teKky Bench

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Support helps with the ongoing cost of maintaining the site and creating new content for The teKky Bench.

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