When a Simple SQL Upgrade Turns Into a Security Adventure

A routine vendor upgrade turned into an unexpected adventure for 3Deers when their SQL backups suddenly became incompatible with the cloud server’s older SQL version. With IONOS providing a smooth path for an in‑place upgrade, the database was restored quickly — but a separate issue emerged. Remote Desktop began locking out the Administrator account, and the Windows Security log filled with failed login attempts. Together, 3Deers and Co‑Pilot traced the problem to automated internet bots attempting to brute‑force RDP access. A single firewall change at IONOS instantly silenced the attacks, restored stability, and highlighted how human expertise and AI assistance can work side‑by‑side to solve real‑world challenges. Continue reading →

I Cheated on Co‑Pilot… and I’m Sorry

After a disastrous attempt to recreate my book illustrations using another AI, I came crawling back to Co‑Pilot — humbled, wiser, and fully aware that the grass isn’t greener on the other side… it’s just glitchier. Continue reading →

Co‑Pilot Takes a Bow – How AI Helped on Taxes

A smooth tax season isn’t magic — it’s the right tools working together. H&R Block did the heavy lifting, and Co‑Pilot stepped in to check the edges, test the logic, and help me spot deductions I might have overlooked. From rental‑property losses to home‑office math to my first year on Medicare, AI proved surprisingly helpful without ever seeing a single confidential document. Continue reading →

Excel VBA to Script… Co-Pilot Fails Again

A firsthand account of how Microsoft’s fragmented Excel ecosystem — Desktop, Web, and Android — turned a simple automation project into a dead end. A chapter in my Journey with Co‑Pilot documenting what happens when modern tools fail to meet real‑world needs. Continue reading →