Coming Soon
Welcome to Behind the PowerShell Pipeline a subscription-based newsletter that will dive deeply into the world of PowerShell. I'll explore why and how PowerShell works, including why any of this matters to you. This content is more than code samples. I want to cover the concepts and intangible side of PowerShell. In other words, why should you be using PowerShell, and how can you get the most out of it. Many of the topics arise from my years of teaching and writing about PowerShell since 2007.
Who Is This For?
I see a typical reader as an IT professional with primary responsibilities of managing Windows-based networks and platforms. This might include on-premises items such as Windows Server 2019 and Active Directory. Or cloud services such as Microsoft 365, Azure, and AWS. I’m assuming you are using PowerShell to manage these items or would like to. My goal isn’t to teach you how to use a command like Get-ADUser
, but rather why you would want to use it and how it might fit into a bigger management solution. I’m assuming my reader is not completely new to PowerShell and knows how to use the help system and run basic pipeline expressions.
Who Am I?
I am completely aware that not everyone may know who I am or my qualifications on this topic. I have been an IT professional for over 30 years specializing in Microsoft server platforms and technologies. I have had a long interest in scripting and automation beginning with DOS batch files, then VBScript, and now PowerShell. During the course of my career, I have written many articles for a number of publications and sites. Many of you are no doubt familiar with my books:
I have a long history of teaching PowerShell from traditional instructor-led training to webinars, to conferences, to Pluralsight. Many of the topics I have in mind are drawn from these experiences and intended to fill in the gaps. I want to discuss PowerShell topics and concepts that most books and courses don’t cover. More importantly, I want to dive into it from a practical perspective and not merely a recitation of .NET code.
What’s In It For Me?
I recognize that this is the sticky part. Why should you pay for content when there is so much “free” content online? First, you are getting unique content from a subject matter expert with more experience than just about anyone active in the PowerShell community today. There are probably only a handful of people worldwide who have been working with and writing about PowerShell for as long as I have. My goal is to publish a minimum of 3 articles a month. This content will be exclusive to this platform.
I also plan to offer a monthly AMA where I'll take your questions on PowerShell, scripting, and automation. It could be as simple as trying to figure out how to get started on a particular task, how to take your career in a new direction, or resolving a pesky error message. I also hope to occasionally offer book discounts, coupons, and other promotions, which I think you'll find helpful.
There will of course be no ads and the subscriber list is mine alone.
Each article will be delivered to your inbox. Although, you can always visit jeffhicks.substack.com.
The content I have in mind for this project is something I’ve been thinking about for some time. But I wanted a platform where it would stand out. I’m hoping this is the place and that you’ll join me.