Whiskey Web and Whatnot: Web Development, Neat

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Tech Topics, Traditional Jobs, and Grinding at Work with Jason Lengstorf Aug 31, 2023

Show notes

Work-life balance can feel like an impossible expectation to meet. For developers and other tech professionals, it’s even harder to unplug when your profession and personal life are connected to the web. Can developers resist the urge to overwork and embrace non-traditional ways of working?

Jason Lengstorf, Host of Learn With Jason, believes "your job doesn't matter". He explores the concept of "grinding" and shares his ideas on the nuances of working long hours and the importance of maintaining a balanced approach. His perspective revolves around the idea that while putting in extra hours to learn and develop skills can be beneficial, overcommitting to work and neglecting other aspects of life can lead to a loss of creativity, identity, and overall well-being.

In this episode, Jason talks to Robbie and Chuck about his opinion on popular Twitter tech topics, the effects of grinding in your career, and whether traditional jobs have become obsolete.

Key Takeaways

[01:01] - What’s new with Jason since the last episode?
[01:42] - A whiskey review: Bunnahabhain 18-Year Whisky.
[16:01] - Tech hot takes.
[19:17] - Jason talks about developers being attached to specific tools.
[22:58] - A whiskey review: Chicken Cock Whiskey Island Rooster Rum Barrel Rye.
[29:31] - How constant grinding is detrimental to your career.
[38:01] - Jason’s relationship with work.
[44:49] - Jason talks about his camera gear.

Quotes

[20:14] - “I want to build cool shit for the internet and the tools are just tools.” ~ Jason Lengstorf

[30:00] - “I feel very strongly that the idea of being always on is detrimental.” ~ Jason Lengstorf

[40:27] - “The internet is an information vehicle and the information that we’re conveying most of the time is to convince you to put some dollars into somebody else's pocket.” ~ Jason Lengstorf

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Top-Tier, Full-Stack Software Consultants

This show is brought to you by Ship Shape. Ship Shape’s software consultants solve complex software and app development problems with top-tier coding expertise, superior service, and speed. In a sea of choices, our senior-level development crew rises above the rest by delivering the best solutions for fintech, cybersecurity, and other fast-growing industries. Check us out at shipshape.io.

Hot Takes, React, and WebAssembly with Jack Herrington Aug 24, 2023

Show notes

By now we know that an engineer with skin in the game is a senior engineer. Experience teaches wisdom and Jack Herrington, Principal Full Stack Engineer, has plenty of it.

Jack dissects the various programming languages from old school to new school, sharing anecdotes and opinions on PHP, ColdFusion, and React. He explores the ongoing JS fatigue phenomenon and emerging alternatives like Deno and Quick. Though Jack is up to date on the latest in tech, he questions the need for complex toolchains and whether simpler solutions, like HTML and JavaScript, might suffice.

In this episode, Jack talks to Robbie and Chuck about polarizing tech topics, whether React Server Components changed React, and the state of Web Assembly.

Key Takeaways

[01:15] - Intro to Jack Herrington.
[02:04] - A whiskey review: Barrell Private Release Amaro Cask Finish.
[09:53] - Tech hot takes.
[19:51] - Did RSCs turn React into PHP?
[29:00] - Big architectural changes at Vercel.
[30:31] - Jack’s opinion on the future of the web.
[36:09] - Jack talks about interesting things happening on Nextdoor.
[39:43] - Jack gives Chuck pizza-making tips and tricks.
[44:49] - What Jack’s career would be if he weren’t in tech.

Quotes

[14:04] - “If you give somebody else your problem to solve, they’re becoming a better engineer while you are not.” ~ Jack Herrington

[32:30] - “There’s a whole form validation system right in the browser, and nobody uses it.” ~ Jack Herrington

[48:05] - “The approach that I have to coding is very practical. I like building stuff for customers, so that's the way I teach it.” ~ Jack Herrington

Links

Jack Herrington
Jack Herrington Twitter
Jack Herrington LinkedIn
The Blue Collar Coder
YouTube
React
Next JS
Rust
The Primeagen
Barrell Private Release Amaro Cask Finish
Tailwind CSS
Panda CSS
Svelte
Twitter
GitHub
Oregon State University
ChatGPT
WordPress
Kindle
Deno Fresh
Qwik
Astro
Node JS
Redux
Elm
Lego
Ember
Tanner Linsley
Angular
Vercel
Apple
Nintendo
Vue
Microsoft Edge
Disney
National Geographic
Nextdoor
Ooni
Safeway

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Hot Takes, Developer Relations, and AI with Rizel Scarlett Aug 17, 2023

Show notes

The tech industry is in the middle of an AI revolution, and some developers are wondering if their jobs are at stake. Rizel Scarlett, Developer Advocate at Github, is encouraging developers to embrace the technology instead of fearing it.

As a developer advocate, Rizel’s mission is to empower developers with the knowledge to navigate open source and make the most of GitHub’s tools - including Github’s AI pair programmer, Copilot. She sheds light on some of the features of Copilot that make it stand out among traditional code editors. She introduces Copilot for Docs, Voice, CLI, and Chat which are expected to elevate the coding experience, enhance coding efficiency, improve accessibility, and offer insights for developers of all skill levels. Rizel is a major AI advocate and she believes the technology will make coding more inclusive and user-friendly, allowing a wider range of individuals to participate actively in the developer community.

In this episode, Rizel talks to Chuck and Robbie about the importance of technical skills in advocacy roles, how AI is transforming coding, and using AI to foster inclusivity in tech.

Key Takeaways

[01:01] - Introduction to Rizel Scarlett.
[01:40] - A whiskey review: Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey.
[08:07] - Tech hot takes.
[14:24] - Should developer advocate or developer relations be technical roles.
[26:21] - Open source projects Rizel is currently excited about.
[32:28] - Rizel delves into the various dimensions of GitHub Copilot.
[35:41] - What would Rizel do if she wasn’t in tech.
[45:11] - Rizel talks about buying a house and the moving process.

Quotes

[15:24] - “I think particularly, it’s helpful if a developer advocate is willing to be technical or is already technical.” ~ Rizel Scarlett

[22:55] - “What people should start thinking about more is just having range on the team.” ~ Rizel Scarlett

[32:45] - “GitHub is going all in on the AI front.” ~ Rizel Scarlett

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Tech Talk, TypeScript, and Empowering Engineers with Shaundai Person Aug 10, 2023

Show notes

Shaundai Person, Senior Software Engineer at Netflix, is a TypeScript convert, educator, and advocate for the programming language. But her unconventional journey started as a self-taught engineer working in sales before discovering her passion for coding during maternity leave.

Shaundai candidly shares her personal journey from initially disliking TypeScript to becoming an enthusiastic advocate for its adoption. As a self-taught engineer, Shaundai describes her transformation from a "YOLO" coding mindset to appreciating the structured benefits that TypeScript offers, leading to more organized and efficient codebases. Her upcoming course, "TypeScript for JavaScript Developers," aims to bridge the gap between skepticism and appreciation for TypeScript, helping engineers embrace its potential for making a meaningful impact on their projects and careers.

In this episode, Shaundai talks to Chuck and Robbie about how she landed her role at Netflix, her journey from being a TypeScript skeptic to an advocate, and her TypeScript course called Typescript to Javascript.

Key Takeaways

[00:43] - Introduction to Shaundai Person.
[04:03] - A whiskey review: S.N. Pike’s Magnolia Rye Whiskey Bottled in Bond.
[13:09] - Tech hot takes.
[31:44] - Shaundai talks about her course, Typescript for Javascript Developers.
[41:04] - Why Shaundai was learning rails and golang.
[46:30] - What are Shaundai’s favorite Netflix shows?

Quotes

[31:55] - “TypeScript was something I hated until I learned what the purpose was.” ~ Shaundai Person

[34:11] - “I was in love with JavaScript because it fit my personal values.” ~ Shaundai Person

[51:39] - “If I can spend time with the people that I love in the ways that I want to, then this is the most beautiful life that I can imagine for myself.” ~ Shaundai Person

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TypeScript, React, and API Issues with Matt Pocock Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

Matt Pocock, a TypeScript educator and author of Total TypeScript, became an evangelist for the programing language after searching for a solution for a project plagued by API contract issues. When TypeScript brought newfound confidence and increased velocity to the team, Matt never looked back.

Matt highlights the benefits of functional components and the seamless transition from class components to hooks, leading to a happier development environment for everyone involved. From improved error detection to real-time catching of potential issues, TypeScript provides an unmatched level of comfort and productivity for developers, making it a must-have in modern development. For developers like Matt, TypeScript is more than just a tool—it's an indispensable companion. His love for TypeScript inspired him to dedicate his career to teaching other developers how to adopt and leverage the language for optimal efficiency.

In this episode, Matt talks to Robbie and Chuck about his journey with TypeScript, his experience with React hooks, and advice on transitioning a team to Typescript.

Key Takeaways

[00:49] - Introduction to Matt Pocock.
[01:52] - A whiskey review: The Dalmore 12.
[06:58] - Tech hot takes.
[19:19] - When Matt started using TypeScript.
[22:30] - Converting components to TypeScript.
[29:29] - The biggest mistake people make with TypeScript.
[33:07] - New features coming to TypeScript.
[36:36] - Advice for teams hesitant to use TypeScript.
[42:40] - Matt, Chuck, and Robbie discuss football and gaming.
[48:32] - Matt's career as a voice coach.

Quotes

[23:55] - “TypeScript gives you a different way of coding, and a different way is, you feel like you could just get away with anything.” ~ Matt Pocock

[25:21] - “For me, when I’m not using TypeScript, it feels like I’m coding in low power mode.” ~ Matt Pocock

[26:35] - “If someone gets really into TypeScript, they just love it, and they don’t stop loving it.” ~ Matt Pocock

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Frontend Feud: CSS Pod vs Whiskey Web and Whatnot Jul 28, 2023

Show notes

Una & Adam from The CSS Podcast defend their Frontend Feud title against challengers Chuck & Robbie from Whiskey Web and Whatnot. Let’s get it on!

For more info, see: https://changelog.com/jsparty/285

Tech Interviews, Contract-To-Hire, and Authenticity with Taylor Desseyn Jul 28, 2023

Show notes

Navigating the current job market is proving to be a daunting task for developers, even experienced ones like Chuck. Does the hiring process need to be fixed?

Taylor Desseyn, former Managing Director at Vaco, and a seasoned recruiter with 12 years of experience, believes so. Taylor advocates for a much-needed shift in mindset among hiring managers, emphasizing the importance of meeting candidates where they are. He suggests measures such as contract-to-hire options and redo opportunities, allowing candidates to show their true potential beyond the limitations of a single interview. Taylor believes a new approach would invite more diversity and inclusion into the hiring process and make the experience more fair and effective for the candidates and the employers.

In this episode, Taylor talks to Robbie and Chuck about the flaws in the hiring process in the tech industry, the impact of hiring flaws on candidates, and potential solutions to create a more inclusive and effective system.

Key Takeaways

[00:54] - Introduction to Taylor Desseyn.
[01:47] - A whiskey review: Copper Sky Distillery Wheat Whiskey.
[09:30] - Why hiring is broken.
[26:41] - Podcasts that Taylor has on rotation.
[29:42] - Negative experiences with HOAs.
[32:43] - Taylor talks about his horses.
[44:21] - Taylor discusses his upbringing.

Quotes

[11:18] - “To me, I would say that company missed out on a great talent, you, because they were too concerned about the industry.” ~ Taylor Desseyn

[22:50] - “I think 60% to 70% of the interview needs to be the company selling the opportunity to the candidate.” ~ Taylor Desseyn

[36:14] - “Because of COVID, one thing I’ve realized is that we’re all overworked.” ~ Taylor Desseyn

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Whiskey Web and Whatnot 100th Episode Round Table with Chris Coyier, Scott Tolinski, Tracy Lee, and Wes Bos Jul 20, 2023

Show notes

In this milestone 100th episode, Chuck and Robbie are joined by a round table of industry experts and web developers with different philosophies, preferences, and experiences in the tech space to share their opinions on the state of web development. The round table includes Chris Coyier, Co-Founder of CodePen; Scott Tolinski, former Owner of Level Up Tutorials; Tracy Lee, CEO and Co-Founder of This Dot Labs; and Wes Bos, Founder of BosType Inc.

The panel shares their opinions on the state of web development, reflecting on the journey from vanilla JavaScript to the rise of Tailwind CSS. They delve into the impact of Tailwind CSS on modern web development, discuss exciting new front-end APIs like the View Transitions API and Anchor Positioning API, and emphasize the importance of mastering JavaScript fundamentals.

In this episode, Robbie and Chuck bring industry experts together for a captivating discussion filled with valuable insights on the evolution of front-end development, new web technologies, and their interests outside of web development.

Key Takeaways

[01:43] - An introduction to the round table of industry experts.
[03:47] - A whiskey review: Sagamore and Benchmark.
[07:00] - Tech hot takes.
[21:14] - Scott’s experience using popover API.
[23:18] - Chuck discusses Chris’ talk at RenderATL.
[24:38] - How ChatGPT is negatively affecting Mozilla Firefox.
[28:21] - What each guest would do if they weren’t in web development?
[32:46] - Interesting topics on Chuck’s Twitter feed.
[40:46] - What makes a milk?

Quotes

[09:11] - “CSS is getting so complex now that it has to be compiled.” ~ Wes Bos

[23:15] - “Yeah, man, HTML rules.” ~ Scott Tolinski

[25:33] - “People stopped using Google as much, they’re going to AI.” ~ Wes Bos

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OpenSauced, Developer Advocacy, and AI with Brian Douglas Jul 13, 2023

Show notes

Brian Douglas, Founder and CEO at OpenSauced, learned to code while pursuing his MBA and stayed up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies by tuning into podcasts and blogs.

Brian’s passion eventually caught the attention of Netlify, where he joined as an advocate. Later, he became the first advocate at GitHub, building out a developer relations team. Brian shares insights into the open-source world and the challenges faced by maintainers. He introduces his current venture, OpenSauced.pizza, which aims to improve GitHub insights and provide valuable knowledge about open-source contributions and tech debt. Brian mentions plans to expand the platform's support to include other Git host providers like GitLab and Bitbucket.
In this episode, Brian talks to Robbie and Chuck about his journey from developer to developer advocate, the importance of developer experience, and his current project, OpenSauced.pizza, focusing on GitHub insights with plans to expand to support other Git host providers.

Key Takeaways

[00:31] - Introduction to Brian Douglas.
[01:59] - A whiskey review: Teeling Whiskey Wonders of Wood Single Pot Still.
[08:42] - Tech hot takes.
[15:03] - How Brian got into developer advocacy.
[25:39] - Brian talks about OpenSauced.
[32:15] - Future plans for OpenSauced.
[37:09] - Chuck asks Brian to teach him how to Dougie.
[38:06] - Brian explains how to start a podcast.
[42:40] - What Brian is most excited about with AI.

Quotes

[21:08] - “Everyone complains about how many Spidermans have we seen or Batman origin stories we’ve seen, but it’s the same thing on the web.” ~ Brian Douglas

[26:53] - “We want to move away from the big brother-like tools that exist.” ~ Brian Douglas

[39:11] - “My thing is, just do it. If it doesn't work out, use all that to start a new one.” ~ Brian Douglas

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Tech Careers, Hot Takes, and Wix with Emmy Cao and Yoav Abrahami Jul 06, 2023

Show notes

Chuck and Robbie are joined by Emmy Cao, Developer Advocate at Wix, and Yoav Abrahami, Chief Architect at Wix at the RenderATL 2023 conference to talk all things tech, including whether low code, no code tools are making developers obsolete.

Emmy and Yoav delve into Wix’s code-first approach, where users can write code and then create screens that modify that code visually. They highlight the accessibility of Wix's platform for designers and individuals new to development, allowing them to learn coding concepts with ease. They also discuss the inclusivity of the developer community, acknowledging that coding proficiency does not define one's legitimacy as a developer. They appreciate the democratization of coding and the potential for more people to learn and engage with technology through platforms like Wix.

In this episode, Emmy and Yoav talk to Robbie and Chuck about their perspective on popular tech debates on Twitter, the evolving nature of developer roles, and the concept of no-code and low-code platforms like Wix.

Key Takeaways