Aleph Sterling
Creator & Lead Developer, MyCalcBuddy
Building accurate, accessible calculation tools that help people make informed decisions about their finances, health, and everyday choices.
My Story
"Aleph Sterling" is a pen name - a practice common among developers and writers who value privacy while maintaining accountability through their work. I chose "Aleph" after the mathematical symbol for infinity (ℵ), representing the endless calculations people need in daily life, and "Sterling" to signify trustworthiness and quality.
I created MyCalcBuddy because I was frustrated with existing calculator websites. Too many were either:
- Filled with intrusive ads that made them unusable
- Using incorrect formulas without citing sources
- Lacking clear explanations of how calculations work
- Not optimized for mobile devices
I believed we could do better. Not by claiming expertise I don't have, but by being meticulous about citing verified sources, implementing formulas correctly, and creating a clean, fast user experience.
My Philosophy
Sources Over Credentials
I don't claim to be a mathematician, financial advisor, or medical professional. Instead, I cite the experts who are. Every formula comes from verified references - textbooks used in universities, standards from organizations like NIST and WHO, and peer-reviewed sources.
Accuracy Through Process
I implement proven formulas correctly, test them against known values, and cross-verify results with multiple sources. When I find discrepancies, I research why and document the correct approach.
Privacy-First Design
Calculations happen in your browser - we don't store, track, or sell your data. Your financial or health information stays private. This extends to my own privacy through the use of a pseudonym.
User Experience Matters
A calculator can be mathematically perfect but useless if it's slow, confusing, or buried under ads. Clean design, fast performance, and clear explanations are essential.
How I Build Calculators
Step 1: Research
I identify authoritative sources for the formula. For financial calculators, this might be "Fundamentals of Financial Management" by Brigham & Houston. For health metrics, WHO guidelines. For physics, "University Physics" by Young & Freedman.
Step 2: Implementation
I implement the formula exactly as specified in the source, with clear variable names and comments explaining each step. No shortcuts, no approximations unless explicitly documented.
Step 3: Verification
I test the calculator against known examples from textbooks and cross-check results with other reputable calculators. If results don't match, I investigate why until I understand the discrepancy.
Step 4: Documentation
Each calculator includes the formula source, explanatory content, examples, and FAQs. Users deserve to understand not just the result, but how and why the calculation works.
Step 5: Maintenance
I regularly review calculators for accuracy, update formulas when standards change, and fix issues reported by users. Each calculator shows its last review date.
What I've Built
Recent Articles
The BMI Myth: Why Your BMI Score Doesn't Tell the Whole Story
May 9, 2026FinanceCompound Interest: The Rule of 72 and Why Starting Early Matters
May 9, 2026Finance5 Mortgage Mistakes That Cost Homebuyers Thousands
May 9, 2026HealthHow to Calculate Your Real Calorie Needs (Not What Apps Tell You)
May 9, 2026FinanceHow to Calculate Your Retirement Number: The 4% Rule
May 9, 2026MathMean, Median, and Standard Deviation: When Average Lies
May 9, 2026Areas of Focus
Questions or Feedback?
Found an error? Have a suggestion for a new calculator? I'd love to hear from you.