Independent software builder · Central Coast NSW

I enjoy building software that solves interesting problems.

From a clean-sheet JavaScript engine to local AI receptionists and self-hostable app platforms, I turn unusual ideas into systems you can actually run, inspect, and own.

Since 2007
Building for the web
2 Masters
Both with Distinction
6 projects
One connected lab
Lance Baker
Lance BakerBuilder · Founder · Programmer
Zipp
SoftN
FormLogic
OAIY
Aokie

currently_building

Zipp v0.0.1099.997% test262 · native JIT + WASM
RUST + WASMREACT + TYPESCRIPTLOCAL-FIRSTJAVASCRIPT ENGINESON-DEVICE AITAURISELF-HOSTABLEBUILT IN PUBLICRUST + WASMREACT + TYPESCRIPTLOCAL-FIRSTJAVASCRIPT ENGINESON-DEVICE AITAURISELF-HOSTABLEBUILT IN PUBLIC

01 / Current work

The strange, useful things
I'm building.

Six public projects across runtimes, app creation, local AI, data, and automation. Each stands alone; together, they form the F2i software lab.

Web + desktop

UI language & runtime

SoftN

An AI-friendly language for portable web and desktop apps, with 90 built-in components, a visual builder, Zipp-powered scripting, and local-first data.

Pocket runs an 8-bit CPU, PPU, audio, and cartridge mappers in .logic at 60 fps.

Public beta

Forms → apps → flows

FormLogic

A self-hostable platform for connected forms, business apps, portals, dashboards, reports, and visual automation flows.

Browser, backend, and Desktop logic now share Zipp with a 137-case parity corpus.

Local-first

Orchestrate AI yourself

OAIY

A browser-first visual workflow builder connecting local AI engines and services, with optional sharing, headless execution, and a desktop companion.

Hardware beta

Local AI receptionist

Aokie

Turns a Windows PC, USB Bluetooth adapter, and an existing mobile into a local receptionist that sends durable call and SMS events into FormLogic.

Core R&D

Local-first P2P database

XDB

A modular Tauri database combining local SQLite, libp2p synchronisation, and Yrs CRDT conflict resolution—with Rust and React APIs.

THE PUBLIC LABExplore the complete F2i ecosystem

02 / How I think

Software should feel powerful without feeling borrowed.

I like owning the stack, understanding the seams, and making ambitious technology legible. That means local-first where it matters, honest benchmarks, self-hosting when practical, and products that can survive without a mystery cloud behind them.

01

Own the stack

Parser to pixels, Bluetooth to browser—I'll go down a layer rather than pretend it does not exist.

02

Local by instinct

Keep data, models, and capability close to the person using them whenever that makes the product better.

03

Measure the claim

Ambition is useful. Reproducible benchmarks, exact output, and visible limitations make it credible.

One connected ecosystem

Built separately. Stronger together.

ZippSoftNSandboxed logic
XDBSoftNLocal data + sync
AokieFormLogicCalls become work
Local AIOAIYEngines become flows

03 / The journey

Nearly two decades of shipping.

I started building PHP audit systems in 2007. The technology grew wider; the habit of understanding the real business problem first stayed exactly the same.

2022 — now

Website Live Pty Ltd

Director & independent builder

The venture company behind F2i, the current product lab, and selected custom software work.
2016 — 2019

BusinessBasics

PHP programmer

Built a cloud audit-management system around complex client, certification, and business processes.
2010 — 2016

University of Newcastle

IT Rover

Front-line technical support, problem solving, and the kind of patient debugging that starts with a person, not a ticket.
2007 — 2008

WECSGroup

PHP programmer

Built a web-based OHS and quality-auditing system used by corporate clients—the first professional chapter.

04 / The longer trail

Experiments, products, and useful rabbit holes.

The current lab sits on top of years of end-to-end products: marketplaces, directories, design tools, and practical business systems.

A few words from the journey

The human benchmark.

“A natural problem solver, lateral thinker and designer.”
John MannBusiness Executive · Modular Mining
“An incredibly hard-working, forward-thinking programmer.”
Stuart WatkinsWECSGroup

Available for selected projects

Have an unusual idea?
Good.

Tell me what you're trying to make. I'll bring honest technical thinking, a product brain, and a frankly unreasonable willingness to go down the rabbit hole.