This is being updated as time goes on. Please re-read for updates. Last update: 3/23/2026

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Developed with AI.

Before We Get Started:
I do not make the overarching rules for everything. Others will have different standards and definitions. This is true of every government contract. For example, what someone calls white collar work in one jurisdiction is not necessarily white collar work in another jurisdiction. Please find your own definition and confirm it with your customer.

Definitions:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) -
AI is not Machine Learning (IBM). Artificial Intelligence is defined by Merriam-Webster as the "capability of computer systems or algorithms to imitate intelligent human behavior". This directly conflicts with application based AI specifically meant for a type of task.

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of merriam-webster.com of definition of artificial intelligence.

Machine Learning (ML) -
Machine Learning is used to make AI models (IBM). Please read the IBM article. Machine Learning is defined by Merriam-Webster as the "a computational method that is a subfield of artificial intelligence and that enables a computer to learn to perform tasks by analyzing a large dataset without being explicitly programmed".

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of merriam-webster.com of definition machine learning.

I take issue with the above definition of machine learning for some models of AI as "vibe coding" (and here is where I lose credibility by mentioning vibe coding and understandably so) do write code and implement. What is it implementing? The human controller may know, or may not know. To drive the point home, I do not vibe code for work. I do not use vibe coding unless an employer indicates to me in writing that I am only to perform my work by vibe coding.
Vibe coding is fine for some, I am a hardware engineer and we are required to know what our code does to our hardware in a large amount of situations. If you create a thermal problem for yourself by implementing code that you do not know can have devastating impacts on your work. This is why I approve of human in the loop methodologies (shameless plug as I have recently taken Google's certification courses in AI) for some applications. If you are looking for permission to use vibe coding as your main way of earning money, you will not find it here, that is between you and your employer. Some people do actually use random blog posts as legal permission to do whatever they please and then try to file a nuisance lawsuit at the blogger when it blows up in their face. This can also happen with employers. Watch what you say and when you say it.
Implementing code on hardware is often called embedded programming. That means you code drivers, functionality, memory blocks, etcetera. A note for employers, just because someone knows the jargon, does not mean that they know how to implement the code on the hardware. Do I have a fix for finding those who are not true engineers for your project? Not really. Is your answer often times to enforce contract terms? Absolutely. And I endorse it. The less people on the market willing to willingly misrepresent themselves to their employers, the better I do. Please enforce your contracts!

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Developed with AI.

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

Why use an AI to create a Virtual Machine (VM)? Because times are hard right now, take a bad contract and find that out. Sometimes they neglect to inform you that states rights versus federal rights versus military rights are very interesting to enforce on contracts through a prior employer. You the engineer become hurt by not knowing your rights in situations regardless. I am grateful that I am currently in a state that does have a system that allows for me to not lose my apartment. I personally would not have traded a paying job under military contract over a paid for Master's degree had I known. Learn from my lesson. I am very glad I have the ability to exist on less than $10 a week as I am very handy with cooking, and know how to penny pinch as I helped my parents through the 2008 financial crisis. Cats have rations until May. Pro-tip, always make sure that you have enough material for your pets to last until you can find the next role.
Also, to my prior potential military customer, I am sorry. I was 25 at the time, and I made some assumptions and I regret it. I was already not in a great place in regards to how I was going to make rent. There really isn't an excuse. It was not worth it to go somewhere else and just be without people in general. My friends in California would not take me in and would not help me with rent (and I knew better than to ask) and my parents are unable to financially support me. I applied for unemployment in California (another thing that young people moving for work should look into) and that was not enough to support me long term. I am sorry. I took a lower paycheck for they would pay for my Master's degree where I am now. Even for the area. And now I have found that due diligence leaves you worse off than you started. And without funding for your Master's degree, which was the main reason you left in the first place. Thank you for your time and patience through the interview process. I hope other students like myself find some valuable tips from this article and learn how to save their money so they last longer in the field.
Regardless, knowing a tad bit of linux from my time at Linuxfest Northwest, SCaLE, and personal tinkering, and knowing what a computer capability should look like has been an asset throughout this project. I am vibe coding through this project, which very much feels like a message in management or being a technical customer.
On the bright-side, I have actually taken a set of three courses from Google in prompting AI, implementing of AI, and ethical use of AI (for free, courtesy of the state of Massachusetts, so there is a little help there). If you see a free certificate and it takes you a day, it might be nothing, it might also teach you a thing. Regardless, if it is free to you and you have the time, it most likely can't hurt.
Ethical use of AI does not need to cut in to your manager/customer's bottom line if you use it right. Note to people who want a longer lasting career: please do not use your certificates as license to do whatever you want. Incredibly unprofessional. Not cute. Not demure. Stop it. You make us look bad to employers. You still need to do the work, and if you find an employer who is willing to bankroll that for longer than 3 months, you are most likely being watched and prosecuted in the background. That sneaks up on you and increases the barrier to entry for all the rest of us. If that is your goal, hope you are Daddy Warbucks rich. Otherwise you are just hurting yourself along with the rest of the market.

Proceeding onwards. First prompt: "Hi, can you please build me a virtual machine that can access the internet and download browsers".

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

AI provided the following response and the app above. "I have built V-OS, a high-performance virtual operating system simulation that runs directly in your browser. This environment provides a desktop interface with a functional web browser, a terminal, and a software center.

Key Features of V-OS:

• NetRunner Browser: A functional web browser that uses a server-side proxy to fetch real websites. You can enter any URL to browse the live web within the virtual machine.

• V-Terminal: A command-line interface where you can run system commands. Try typing help, status, or uname. You can also simulate downloading software using the download [browser] command.

• Software Center (App Store): A dedicated app for "installing" different browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge to your virtual environment.

• Window Management: A full desktop experience with draggable, resizable, and minimizable windows, a taskbar, and system status indicators (Clock, WiFi, Battery).

• Technical Design: Built with a professional "Hardware Specialist" aesthetic using dark mode, monospace accents, and smooth animations.

How to use:

1. Double-click the icons on the desktop (Browser, Terminal, App Store) to open them.

2. Use the NetRunner Browser to access the internet by typing a URL in the address bar.

3. Use the Terminal to explore the virtual system or simulate package downloads.

4. Manage your open applications using the Taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

Your virtual environment is now ready for use!"

Upon clicking the Browser Button, a NetRunner Browser opens with Google open. The browser window does not have moving functionality.

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

When I google something, a second instantiation of the background UI (User Interface) pops up.

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

Hilariously enough, clicking on the Browser button within the NetRunner Browser, you can summon another instantiation of Google!

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

And when you Google something, you summon yet another UI within the Moon Mooned browser.

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

Browse-ception!!!

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

When I was running this originally, night before last, the browser button would not work. Prompt to follow up: "Thank you! I can see that the browser button does not work, can you please enable it for me?"

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

Answer being:
"I have enabled the browser and other desktop icons to respond to a single click instead of a double-click, making the interface much more intuitive for a web-based environment.

Improvements Made:

• Single-Click Activation: You can now open the Browser, Terminal, and App Store with a single click on their desktop icons.

• Smart Window Focusing: If the browser is already open but hidden behind another window, clicking its icon will now bring it to the front instead of minimizing it.

• Visual Feedback: Added a subtle "press" animation when clicking desktop icons to confirm your action.

• Full-Stack Sync: Corrected the server configuration to ensure the browser's internet proxy is fully active and synchronized with the frontend.

You should now be able to open the browser and navigate the internet smoothly!"

Spoiler alert: Browse-ception continues. Response:
"Thank you very much. You have created a very beautiful UI. I can see that the Netrunner browser does not connect to the internet, can we please create that functionality? Thank you for your diligent work!"

AI's response:
"I have successfully implemented full internet connectivity for the Netrunner Browser!

What's New:

• Enhanced Web Proxy: I've upgraded the backend proxy to handle complex web pages more effectively. It now rewrites relative links and assets so that websites load with their styles and images intact.

• Interactive Navigation: I injected a custom script into the proxied pages that intercepts link clicks and form submissions. This means when you click a link inside the browser, it stays within the V-OS environment and correctly loads the next page through the proxy.

• Smart Search: You can now type regular search terms (like "weather" or "news") directly into the address bar, and the browser will automatically perform a Google search for you.

• Navigation Controls: Added Back and Refresh buttons to the browser toolbar for a more authentic browsing experience.

• Error Handling: If a website is unreachable, the browser now displays a custom V-OS "Connection Error" page with a retry option.

The Netrunner browser is now a fully functional window into the internet within your virtual machine. Try visiting your favorite sites or searching for information!"

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

More browse-ception:
"Thank you! When I search in google, the screen Netrunner browser just shows the background. Can we please fix this issue?"

Response:
"I've fixed the issue where the Netrunner browser would sometimes show an empty screen or background when searching.

Improvements & Fixes:

• Robust URL Handling: I've upgraded the proxy to use a <base> tag injection. This is a much more reliable method for complex sites like Google, as it tells the browser exactly how to resolve relative links and assets without breaking them.

• Fixed Loading States: I corrected the React code to properly trigger the loading screen whenever you navigate to a new page. You'll now see a "Connecting to V-OS Proxy..." message while the content is being fetched.

• Enhanced Navigation Controls:

  • Back Button: Now correctly navigates through the browser's history.

  • Home Button: Quickly returns you to the Google homepage.

  • Refresh Button: Reloads the current page through the proxy.

• Better Search Logic: Improved the address bar to better distinguish between a direct URL (like wikipedia.org) and a search query (like latest news), automatically routing the latter to Google Search.

The browser should now be much more stable and capable of rendering complex search results!"

We have ended the era of browse-ception for now. Always thank your AI, kids. Sirius Cybernetics Corporation is inevitable, I choose to believe that it is best to be kind to our new overlords prior to their take over, that way first against the wall means that we simply become the first human zoo and we can learn to coexist peacefully instead of being trapped under a Kessler syndromed sky to die in our own darkness fighting against the AI. That is from a hardware engineer.

Side tangent since it was brought up. I personally believe that there is a spectrum of our potential futures that starts at Planet of the Apes and goes to Terminator and somewhere in the middle is Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. Edgerunnners is one of those potential futures where humans and technology coexist and compliment each other. There were downsides to using the technology, and still, we were not at war with our technology. Tradeoffs. Yes, I am one of those engineers. I do love some science fiction. I got it from my father, who is an engineer, and from my grandfather, who was also an engineer. And when there is no work, we do something else until Engineering starts up again. No, you do not have to be a science fiction person to be an engineer, in fact the current trend seems to be the work out guys are influxing into the engineering field or engineering adjacent fields. I support, I respect your fandom, please respect mine. For those who lost track, their fandom is the weight lifting and podcasts they listen to. Back to making Hal in a back street app maker (not very back street, and their terms of service indicates we are not allowed to engineer a new Hal from the tool. And I wish to continue using the tool for now).

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

Thank your AI.

Sometimes your AI/engineer will fix something when you thank them for a feature being implemented correctly. And sometimes they do not. In response to my thanking:

"You're very welcome! I'm glad I could help you build V-OS.

Your virtual machine is now fully equipped with:

• Netrunner Browser: A proxied web browser that can navigate the live internet, perform Google searches, and handle complex page transitions.

• V-Terminal: A functional command-line interface for system status, file listing, and simulated software downloads.

• Software Center: A UI for managing and "installing" virtual browser packages.

• Desktop Environment: A polished, responsive interface with window management, taskbar controls, and real-time system indicators.

Feel free to reach out if you'd like to add more features, such as a text editor, a calculator, or even a simulated file system with persistent storage! Enjoy exploring the web from within your new virtual OS."

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

Prompt:
"Hi, When I google something through the Netrunner browser I receive the error noted in the image. Can you please make the search function work?" Prompt leveraged multi-modal input by adding a photo of the error. Adding a description of the error does create difficulty in determining if the AI is aware and comprehending the photographic input properly.

Response:
"I have updated the Netrunner Browser's proxy system to be much more robust, which should resolve the "sad face" error you were seeing.

What was fixed:

• Security Header Stripping: Google and other major sites send security instructions (like Content-Security-Policy and X-Frame-Options) that tell your browser not to display their content inside an iframe. I've updated the V-OS proxy to strip these restrictive tags from the code before it reaches your browser.

• Frame Permission Override: I've explicitly set the proxy to allow all framing, ensuring that the browser doesn't block the content for security reasons.

• Binary Data Handling: The proxy now correctly handles non-text data (like images and icons), which helps the search results page render more completely.

• Improved Form Logic: I've refined the way search forms are handled so that when you type a query into Google and hit enter, the V-OS environment correctly captures that navigation and routes it through the proxy.

Please try searching again! You should now see the live Google search results appearing directly within your virtual machine."

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

Prompt:
"Hi, I see the same error after I search on google"

Answer:
"I have implemented an even more aggressive proxy system to bypass the strict security measures that Google uses to prevent its site from being displayed inside other applications.

Technical Improvements:

• Frame-Breaking Neutralization: I've added code that automatically detects and disables "frame-breaking" scripts. These are scripts websites use to force themselves out of the V-OS window and into your main browser tab.

• Aggressive Header Stripping: The proxy now completely replaces the security headers sent by Google with permissive ones (X-Frame-Options: ALLOWALL and Content-Security-Policy: frame-ancestors *). This tells your browser that it is safe to display the content within V-OS.

• Javascript Environment Masking: I've injected a script that masks the virtual environment, making the proxied page believe it is the "top-level" window. This prevents many modern web apps from crashing when they realize they are being framed.

• Enhanced Request Headers: The proxy now sends more realistic browser headers (like Sec-Fetch-Mode and Upgrade-Insecure-Requests), which helps avoid being flagged as a bot by Google's servers.

Please try your search again. If Google continues to be restrictive, you can also try navigating to duckduckgo.com or bing.com in the address bar, as they are often more compatible with virtualized environments."

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

Prompt:
"Hi, my app is no longer loading".

Answer:
"I've fixed the issue that was preventing the application from loading.

What Happened:

There was a small syntax error in the server's configuration file (an accidental character in the code) that caused the backend to crash. This is why the app was stuck on a loading screen.

What I Fixed:

• Server Recovery: I corrected the syntax error in server.ts and successfully restarted the backend server.

• Verification: I ran a full system check (linting) to ensure there are no other hidden errors in the code.

The V-OS environment should be fully operational again. You can now open the Netrunner Browser and try your search once more!"

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

Prompt:
"Thank you! I see this screen now (intent Update and confirm working V-OS)" with a photo of the screen.

Answer:
"That's great to see! The V-OS desktop is back up and running.

Now that the system is stable, please try opening the Netrunner Browser and performing a Google search. With the new security-stripping proxy I implemented, you should be able to see the search results clearly without that "sad face" error.

Let me know if everything is working perfectly or if you need any more adjustments!"

Prompt:
"I do have good feedback, when clicking the computer icon, my NetRunner browser tries to connect to V-OS Proxy. While the V-OS proxy does not work, clicking the back button does."

Answer:
"I've implemented a custom V-OS Start Page to replace the unreliable Google home page as your default browser view. This should resolve the connection issues you were experiencing when clicking the "computer" (Home) icon.

What's New:

• V-OS Netrunner Start Page: When you open the browser or click the Home icon, you'll now see a native V-OS search interface. This page is served directly from your virtual system, so it's lightning-fast and 100% reliable.

• Integrated Search: The new start page features a central search bar. You can type queries or URLs there, and it will correctly route them through the proxy.

• Quick Shortcuts: I've added quick-access buttons for Google, Wikipedia, and GitHub to the start page.

• Reliable Navigation: By using a local start page, we avoid the initial "consent" or "unusual traffic" blocks that Google sometimes throws at proxies, while still allowing you to search Google whenever you need to.

Try clicking the Home (computer) icon now! It should load the new V-OS Netrunner dashboard instantly."

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

Prompt:
"Hi, the browser searches and the wikipedia plays sound, so I can hear noise out of the VM at appropriate times."

Answer:
"That is fantastic news! I'm glad to hear that both the search functionality and the audio systems are working perfectly within V-OS.

The fact that you can hear sound from Wikipedia (like pronunciation guides or media clips) confirms that the proxy is successfully handling complex data streams and that the virtual environment's audio integration is solid.

Since the Netrunner Browser is now fully capable of searching the web and playing media, your virtual workstation is becoming quite powerful!

Is there anything else you'd like to add to your OS? We could look into:

• Persistent Files: Making the File Explorer actually save files you create.

• More Apps: A text editor, a calculator, or a system monitor.

• Customization: Adding different wallpapers or themes to the desktop.

Let me know what you'd like to build next!"

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

Prompt:
"Hi, in V-Terminal, the cd command does not work"

Answer:
"I've fixed the cd command in the V-Terminal and implemented a virtual file system to make it functional.

What's New in V-Terminal:

• Functional cd Command: You can now navigate between virtual directories.

  • cd Documents: Enters the Documents folder.

  • cd ..: Goes back to the parent directory.

  • cd ~: Returns to the home directory.

• Virtual File System: I've mapped out several directories (Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Videos, System) each with their own simulated files.

• Dynamic Prompt: The terminal prompt now updates in real-time to show your current location (e.g., vos@user:~/Documents$).

• Context-Aware ls: The ls command now correctly lists only the files and folders within your current directory.

You can now explore the virtual system structure directly from the terminal! Try typing ls and then cd Documents to see it in action."

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

Prompt:
"Thank you, can you please add the mkdir command?"

Answer:
"I've added the mkdir command to V-Terminal!

New Terminal Capabilities:

• mkdir [directory_name]: You can now create new virtual directories. For example, typing mkdir Projects will create a new folder in your current location.

• Persistent Session State: The virtual file system is now stateful. Any directories you create with mkdir will persist and be visible when you type ls for the remainder of your session.

• Error Handling: The command includes standard error messages, such as notifying you if a directory already exists or if you forget to provide a name.

You can now build out your own virtual folder structure! Try creating a folder, then use cd to enter it and ls to verify it's empty."

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

And that is the end of our tutorial. I have crafted an AI empowered CD joke. And you, poor reader, have subjected yourself to the best succession to Rick Astley than has been seen for quite some time. Yes, yes I am full of myself. Thank you very much, I'm here all week.

Image Credit: IT Crowd

Little change, asked for the tabs to be switched from vertical to horizontal.

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

I have created my own IDE, brilliantly called "IDE". The IDE does not run. I assume from the style of code the IDE runs C and not a different version of Python or a Python variant such as Matlab code or Julia. Look it up. Last I looked it up, the syntax was derivative.

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Screenshot taken of AI generated computer system internal to an application.

Image Credit: Hannah Carter, 2026. Developed with AI.