About FastUnix

Built by Frank, a Full-Stack Developer with 10 years of experience

Why I Built FastUnix

I use Unix timestamp converters, JSON formatters, and URL encoders almost every day. After years of bouncing between cluttered tool sites filled with pop-ups, ads, and unrelated features, I wanted something simpler: a focused set of developer tools that load fast, work offline, and respect privacy.

The real push came during a cross-border e-commerce project. The frontend was sending timestamps in milliseconds, the backend expected seconds, and an order ended up with the wrong time — off by 8 hours. I spent an entire night tracing it. That incident made me realize how many developers get stuck on exactly these problems: timestamp units, time zones, JSON parsing errors, and URL encoding edge cases.

So I built FastUnix to solve two things at once: give myself (and others) clean, reliable tools, and write down the lessons I learned along the way.

What I Do

My day-to-day work covers Node.js, Python, PostgreSQL, and API design. Over the years I have worked on backend services, database schemas, frontend integrations, and the messy boundary where all three meet. Time data, JSON payloads, and encoded URLs show up in almost every project, which is why FastUnix focuses on those three areas instead of trying to be a generic toolbox.

Every article on this site comes from something I have actually debugged, read about, or had to explain to a teammate. I write them the way I would explain the problem to another developer over coffee.

What FastUnix Offers

  • Unix Timestamp Converter — convert between seconds, milliseconds, and human-readable dates. Handles both directions and updates the current timestamp in real time.
  • JSON Formatter & Validator — format, compress, and validate JSON directly in your browser. Useful for API debugging and configuration checks.
  • URL Encoder/Decoder — encode and decode query parameters, full URLs, and special characters without sending data to a server.
  • Practical Guides — articles covering timestamp pitfalls, timezone bugs, JSON parsing errors, database date types, and more.

How I Run This Site

FastUnix is a solo project. I design the tools, write the articles, maintain the code, and respond to feedback. That means decisions here are simple: no bloat, no dark patterns, no collecting data I do not need.

All tool processing happens in your browser. Your JSON, timestamps, and URLs never leave your machine unless you choose to share them.

My Approach

  • Privacy First — tools run locally in the browser. No server-side processing of your data.
  • Focus — only three tools, done well, instead of fifty done poorly.
  • Reliability — each tool and article is tested against real-world scenarios I have encountered.
  • Transparency — clear privacy policy, cookie controls, and no hidden tracking.
  • Practical Writing — articles include working code, common mistakes, and the "why" behind the solution.

Get in Touch

If you spot a bug, have a tool idea, or want to suggest a topic, I read every message.