Modern Web

On this episode of Modern Web Podcast, Rob Ocel interviews Andrea Griffiths, a Senior Product Manager at GitHub. Andrea shares her story of transitioning into tech and product management from a nontraditional path, and how paid internships and open source contributions helped her along the way. They discuss the role of product manager, what they do, and how product managers need to have empathy and bridge the gap between stakeholders, users, and engineering teams. They also talk about how to build truly global tech communities and reach out to developers across the world who speak every language. [00:00:00] Tech career journey: GitHub via Latin America[00:03:56] Non-traditional career success through open source.[00:08:59] Gain experience, open source, support dreams.[00:13:15] Innovate, share, learn [00:18:01] Product management: Global expansion, execution, feedback, accessibility, localization, KPI.[00:21:33] Product managers bridge teams, stakeholders, users.  [00:26:21] Product manager: glue, communicate

On this episode of Modern Web Podcast, Rob Ocel interviews Mark Erikson, the Redux maintainer and senior front end engineer at Replay.io. They discuss the arcane complexities of publishing JavaScript packages to NPM today, the balance between developer experience and user experience when it comes to open source libraries, the unique troubles for React/Next library authors, and the responses to Mark’s wildly successful blog about upgrading Redux to use ESM. 00:00:01] Ecosystem evolves, nobody at the wheel.[00:07:02] Open source library complexity: Dev exp. vs user exp.[00:13:11] ESM vs CJS: Technical merits, tree shaking, syntax.[00:18:35] Lazy-load files with CJS/ESM.[00:23:37] Publish libraries in multiple formats, React server components.[00:30:38] React team locks out valid code paths.[00:35:26] Open source maintainer responsibility: Maximally compatible, widely respected.[00:42:25] Competing philosophies on web evolution.[00:47:54] Unifying competing standards for developers.[00:53:19] Expertise gained th

In this episode of the Modern Web podcast, hosts Rob Ocel and Tracy Lee interview Aiden Bai, the creator of the Million.js library, a replacement for the Virtual DOM implementation in ReactJS. They talk about the process of creating Million.js as a high schooler, how the library speeds up React applications using blocks and the Million Compiler, and what the future of the library looks like. The conversation also touches on the alternative experience and education paths to becoming a developer, as well as the future of open source libraries, venture funded libraries, and indie hacked frameworks. Sponsored by This Dot Labs.

On this episode of Modern Web, Tracy Lee, Ben Lesh, Adam Rackis, and Dax Raad discussed the cloud offerings of SST and the advantages of using AWS. Adam was excited about SST's cloud wrappers and the fact that they were built with Solid instead of React to meet ambitious performance requirements. SST helps people build on AWS by simplifying the hundreds of services available and providing an experience that allows users to become experts in AWS. Dax discussed his experience with React and Solid, and the trade offs between the two. [00:02:40] Building on AWS made easy.[00:06:00] Simplifying AWS: Less than five services.[00:10:43] Hidden gem: IoT core pubsub real-time.[00:14:33] AWS back-end and front-end support.[00:17:20] Reaching new audiences with NextJS.[00:20:06] Simplicity over complexity: Solid wins.[00:24:01] GitHub-powered effortless development for all.[00:26:24] Serverless event-driven architecture solves cold start issue.[00:30:13] Granular auto-scaling, milliseconds up/down. Sponsored by This Dot

In this podcast episode, hosts Rob Ocel, Alyssa Nicoll, and Mark Thompson discuss the "Angular Renaissance." They reflect on Angular's evolution from its early days through the pivotal transition to Ivy to the current trend of biannual releases, highlighting the community's warm and supportive nature. The focus then shifts to the upcoming release of Angular 17, emphasizing the significance of control flow features and deferred loading in optimizing applications. The team underscores the importance of community engagement, evidence-driven development, and the promising future of Angular. They also tease an upcoming developer event in November, encouraging listeners to stay updated on the latest developments. This episode is sponsored by This Dot Labs.

In this podcast episode, Tracy Lee, Ben Lesh, and guest Adam Rackis talk through the successful fusion of TypeScript and React. They chat about various web frameworks, like Angular and Svelte, emphasizing the impact of TypeScript support on the development process. The episode also highlights the excitement around Svelte's new feature, signals, and speculates on its potential standardization, as well as React 18's challenges and the evolution of the React ecosystem. Sponsored by This Dot Labs.

In this podcast episode, Jerome Hardaway and Rob Ocel explore AI-powered development. They discuss the importance of active engagement in tech communities and the value of skill development. Jerome highlights the changing landscape for junior developers and the availability of free online resources for learning. The episode also emphasizes AI's practical benefits, such as boosting productivity and aiding job readiness. It dispels misconceptions about AI hindering creativity, presenting it as a valuable tool for developers. This episode is sponsored by CircleCI.

In this episode, hosts Rob Ocel and Tracy Lee are joined by Chuck Carpenter and Robbie Wagner from the Whiskey Web and Whatnot podcast. They discuss the future of web development, highlighting the industry's shift towards performance-focused development over flashy animations. They explore the longevity of jQuery, the use cases of frameworks like AngularJS and Ember, and the potential for combining components of Ember with Astro. The hosts also touch on the challenges of convincing stakeholders about performance and the need for developers to prioritize foundational web skills. Throughout, Robbie and Chuck share insights from The Whiskey Web and Whatnot podcast, celebrating its 100th episode. Sponsored by This Dot Labs.

In this podcast episode, Rob Ocel chats with Kathleen McMahon, a senior design systems engineer at Northwestern Mutual and a key contributor to the W3C Design Tokens Community Group.   Kathleen McMahon kicks off the conversation by defining design systems as versatile collections of patterns and efficiencies that streamline workflows in design and engineering. She emphasizes that design systems can encompass diverse elements, such as design patterns, component libraries, CSS frameworks, and more, tailored to the unique needs of a company or product. The focus isn't on rigidity but rather on promoting consistency and efficiency while allowing flexibility for innovation. The dialogue then shifts to Kathleen's role as a design systems engineer and the dynamic nature of her work, influenced by factors like team size and company maturity. Kathleen shares her experiences in both small, multifaceted teams and larger, specialized teams at Northwestern Mutual. She provides insights into the varied responsibilities, fr

In this episode of the Modern Web podcast, host Rob Ocel engages in a conversation with Willow, also known as Ghost. Willow is not only one of the co-founders of Svelte Sirens but also an active member of the Svelte community, known for her contributions and expertise. The episode dives into Willow's personal journey into web development. Willow shares how she stumbled upon Svelte through a YouTube video and was immediately drawn to its exceptional capabilities. She described the pivotal moment when she realized Svelte’s potential to revolutionize web development. One of the key highlights of the episode is the emergence of SvelteKit and its transformative effect on web development. Willow underscores the remarkable flexibility of SvelteKit, emphasizing how it allows developers to effortlessly tackle various project types, from single-page applications (SPAs) to static websites, all without the burden of extensive configuration overhead. HostRob Ocel- Architect and Engineering Lead at This Dot Labs GuestWillo

In this episode, Rob Ocel is joined by Kayla Sween to discuss her tech journey, the conference scene, organizing events, and the trials of managing your own deployments in AWS. Along the way they talk about the benefits and challenges of online, live, and hybrid conferences, why all developers should look to attend conferences, how small teams can grow into more complicated DevOps configurations, and how Flightcontrol aims to make that process less painful. Finally, they discuss living with ADHD and how learning about yourself and others can be so empowering.GuestKayla Sween - MagnoliaJS Organizer, Front End Developer HostRob Ocel - Architect and Engineering Lead at This Dot Labs Sponsored by This Dot Labs

In this special episode of the Modern Web podcast, Tracy Lee and Ben Lesh are joined by Netflix Engineering Managers Ryan Burgess and Jem Young. They tackle the transition from coding to management roles, debunking myths and shedding light on real challenges. Emphasizing that management isn't a simple promotion, but a unique career track requiring distinct skills. Their candid conversation exposes the value of experienced architects guiding junior team members, fostering well-rounded teams. The group engages in lively banter, debunking the idea that management is the sole path to career growth, exploring industry trends, including streamlining management hierarchies for efficiency. This episode resonates with diverse tech career trajectories, inspiring you with insights into leadership, team dynamics, and the evolving landscape. HostsTracy Lee, CEO of This Dot LabsBen Lesh, Author of RxJS GuestJem Young, Engineering Manager at NetflixRyan Burgess, Engineering Manager at Netflix Sponsored by This Dot Labs

In this episode, Tracy Lee is joined by co-host Jessica Wilkins and guest Chris Coyier, co-founder of CodePen, a company that provides an online code editor. They discuss various topics related to web development and technology. Chris talks about his background and his work at CodePen. They are currently working on CodePen 2.0, a major update to the platform. Chris mentions that although the interface of CodePen may not have changed much over time, there's value in maintaining reliability and consistency for users. They touch upon the challenges of keeping up with the ever-evolving landscape of web technologies. Chris expresses the importance of providing an online code editor that supports various technologies and languages, allowing users to experiment without setting up complex development environments. He also acknowledges the growing trend of AI integration in coding tools. The conversation then shifts to the debate surrounding different tools, frameworks, and technologies in the web development space. C

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Rob Ocel dives into the intricate world of reliability engineering in software development with Maggie Johnson-Pint, co-founder of Stanza Systems. Uncover the secret behind the stampede effect that can cripple your application during traffic surges and gain insights into the indispensable need for a balanced blend of proactive and reactive strategies to ensure unwavering reliability. Reliability engineering goes beyond mere availability metrics, encompassing user experience, performance, and trustworthiness. While the giants of the industry like Google and Silicon Valley enterprises discuss it at length, the broader developer community often finds these concepts elusive. Stanza deciphers the code to crafting resilient systems that sail through unexpected challenges and observability that unveils the hidden dynamics of your software. Picture a scenario where your system functions flawlessly until it's pushed to its limits. Stanza’s solution: wield the power of rate li

Uncover the best ESLint hacks with open source maintainer Josh Goldberg in this episode of the Modern Web Podcast. Enhancing Your Code Quality: TypeScript ESLint brings a new dimension to linting by blending ESLint's capabilities with TypeScript's type-checking. Now, developers can analyze TypeScript code with ease, utilizing linting rules and tools that leverage TypeScript's type-checking APIs. Say goodbye to tedious manual checks and embrace the power of automated code analysis. Version 6.0 Breakthrough: Discover the latest release of TypeScript ESLint V6.0, where preset configurations have been thoughtfully reworked. Developers can now enjoy more granular control over rules, tailoring their linting experience to suit their team's unique preferences and needs. With the separation of stylistic, strict, and opinionated rules, your codebase will reach new heights of consistency and excellence. User-Centered Experience: TypeScript ESLint focuses on developers' needs, actively seeking community feedback and enga

In this episode of Modern Web, Tracy Lee and Ben Lesh are joined live at RenderATL by Francesco Ciulla, Tessa Mero, Ady Ngom, and Jessica Wilkins!  Tune in as they double click into the highly debated subject of Tailwind CSS and explore the advantages, readability concerns, and overall consensus on its usage. Discover why Tailwind CSS is making waves in the industry, particularly for new projects, and how it can simplify your development process while enhancing productivity. But that's not all! The conversation takes an intriguing turn as the group dives into the realm of web components. Hear opinions on whether web components can be a viable alternative to traditional frameworks. Gain insights into the challenges and opportunities surrounding web components, including server-side rendering and widespread adoption. HostsTracy Lee, CEO of This Dot LabsBen Lesh, Author of RxJS PanelFrancesco Ciulla, DevRel at daily.devTessa Mero, Developer Advocate at AppwriteAdy Ngom, Chief Consultant at Techlabs 28Jessica Wil

In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast live at RenderATL, Tracy Lee interviews Michelle “Mish” Mannering. As an advocate for developers at GitHub, Mish emphasizes the importance of effective communication and creating tutorials that cater to developers of all levels. Get inspired as Tracy and Mish reveal their unconventional journeys into the tech industry, proving that diverse backgrounds can lead to remarkable success in Developer Relations. With their infectious enthusiasm, they describe the joy of engaging with the vibrant developer community, attending events, and witnessing awe-inspiring projects come to life. Tune in now to the Modern Web Podcast and join Tracy and Michelle as they delve into the exciting world of Developer Relations, uncovering valuable insights, and fostering a stronger developer community. GuestMichelle "Mish" Mannering, Developer Advocate at GitHub HostsTracy Lee, CEO of This Dot Labs This episode is sponsored by This Dot Labs.

In this episode of Modern Web, co-hosts Tracy Lee and Ben Lesh sit down live at RenderATL with Scott Tolinski, co-host of the Syntax podcast and of Level Up Tutorials, to discuss his journey as a web development tutorial creator and YouTuber. He shares his experiences of transitioning from a full-time developer to creating YouTube tutorials as a side project. Initially, Scott started his YouTube channel to fill his free time but eventually saw it gain popularity and became his full-time career in 2017. However, he faced challenges when attempting to monetize his content and struggled to convince his audience to pay for his courses after providing free content for years. Scott also talks about the technical aspects of his work, highlighting the benefits of using Svelte, a JavaScript framework, and his preference for its close resemblance to the DOM. He also mentions the evolution of his content creation strategies, such as releasing teaser videos on YouTube to redirect viewers to his website, where the main co

Andrew Knight, popularly known as automation panda, was recently interviewed on the Modern Web Podcast by host Rob Ocel. Andrew, a software quality champion, developer advocate, and test automation expert, shared his insights and experiences in the interview. He spoke passionately about testing and the importance of improving software quality. Andrew discussed the challenges he faced early in his career and how he recognized the opportunity to enhance software stability, readability, and speed through effective testing. The conversation then shifted to the current state of testing in various tech communities. Andrew highlighted the wide variation in testing practices across companies, irrespective of programming languages or tech stacks. Smaller companies often lacked proper testing processes, while larger companies relied on traditional testing approaches that were deeply ingrained. Advancements in web testing frameworks and tools were another topic of discussion. Andrew acknowledged the long-standing availa

In this episode of Modern Web, Tracy Lee and Adam Barrett talk with Kevin Åberg Kultalahti of Svelte Society to discuss the long anticipated release of Svelte 4. Listen in as they explore the exciting technical enhancements that Svelte 4 brings to the table, including its reduced package size, enhanced web component support, and optimized performance. Svelte 4 introduces a revolutionary approach to web development by compiling components at build time rather than relying on a runtime framework. This means smaller bundle sizes, faster loading times, and improved performance for your applications. We delve into the technical details of how Svelte achieves this impressive feat, providing practical examples and insights into the inner workings of the framework. Compatibility is a key concern for any web development framework, and Svelte 4 addresses this head-on. With improved web component support, Svelte 4 enables seamless integration with existing codebases and allows developers to leverage the power of Svelte