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The modern web is changing fast. Front-end frameworks evolve quickly, standards are emerging and old ones are fading out of favor. There are a lot of things to learn, but knowing the right thing is more critical than learning them all. Modern Web Podcast is an interview-style show where we learn about modern web development from industry experts. We’re committed to making it easy to digest lots of useful information!
Episodes
7 days ago
7 days ago
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, from creating design tokens and components to ensuring accessibility and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
Rob and Kathleen delve into the invaluable role of design systems in simplifying workflows for designers and developers. Kathleen highlights how design systems liberate creative energy by offering reusable patterns, enabling teams to focus on solving more complex problems. They also explore the strategic decision of whether to build a design system within a specific framework or keep it framework-agnostic, shedding light on the considerations and potential challenges associated with third-party component libraries.
The episode culminates with a discussion of ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) and its pivotal role in enhancing accessibility within design systems. Kathleen discusses the opportunities and challenges of leveraging libraries like Adobe's React ARIA hooks for accessibility.
This episode is sponsored by This Dot Labs.
Wednesday Sep 13, 2023
Wednesday Sep 13, 2023
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.
Host
Rob Ocel- Architect and Engineering Lead at This Dot Labs
Guest
Willow aka GHOST- Co-Founder of Svelte Sirens
This episode is sponsored by This Dot Labs
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
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.
Guest
Kayla Sween - MagnoliaJS Organizer, Front End Developer
Host
Rob Ocel - Architect and Engineering Lead at This Dot Labs
Sponsored by This Dot Labs
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
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.
Hosts
Tracy Lee, CEO of This Dot Labs
Ben Lesh, Author of RxJS
Guest
Jem Young, Engineering Manager at Netflix
Ryan Burgess, Engineering Manager at Netflix
Sponsored by This Dot Labs
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
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. Chris emphasizes the need for cohesiveness among these technologies and their documentation, allowing developers to easily combine tools without friction. He mentions other online code editors like StackBlitz and CodeSandbox and their innovations.
The interview highlights the importance of community and the role it plays in the success of projects like CodePen. Chris shares his dedication to maintaining the platform and ensuring its growth and relevance while also addressing potential business challenges, such as balancing free users and paid subscribers. The discussion reflects the dynamic nature of web development and the various factors that drive innovation and growth within the industry.
Hosts
Tracy Lee, CEO of This Dot Labs
Jessica Wilkins, Software Engineer at This Dot Labs
Guest
Chris Coyier, Co-Founder of CodePen
Sponsored by This Dot Labs
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
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 limiting and masterful traffic management. Empower your application to scale seamlessly, even during maintenance or surges in demand. Don't let downtime tarnish your reputation – keep the traffic flowing while maintaining control.
But that's not all – we introduce you to Stanza, the game-changing tool designed to bring reliability optimization to your fingertips. Stanza revolutionizes the way web developers navigate the intricate world of performance. Imagine dynamically fine-tuning content delivery based on system load. Drawing inspiration from industry giants like Netflix, this approach enhances perceived reliability while alleviating system stress.
Whether you're a part of a small team or a burgeoning enterprise, Stanza's integration fits seamlessly into diverse tech stacks, including serverless environments. It's your all-in-one solution, offering features like request limiting, prioritization, and real-time adjustments. We're here to demystify complex concepts, paving the way for a brighter, more reliable digital landscape.
Elevate your application's reliability, user experience, and performance to unparalleled heights. Embrace the synergy of proactive and reactive measures with the roadmap laid out in this interview. Experience the transformation – explore Stanza and unlock a new era of software reliability!
This Dot Labs is a development consultancy that is trusted by top industry companies, including Stripe, Xero, Wikimedia, Docusign, and Twilio. This Dot takes a hands-on approach by providing tailored development strategies to help you approach your most pressing challenges with clarity and confidence. Whether it's bridging the gap between business and technology or modernizing legacy systems, you’ll find a breadth of experience and knowledge you need. Check out how This Dot Labs can empower your tech journey at thisdot.co.
Host
Rob Ocel, Software Architect at This Dot Labs
Guest
Maggie Johnson-Pint, Co-Founder of Stanza Systems
Wednesday Aug 09, 2023
Wednesday Aug 09, 2023
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 engaging in discussions to ensure the best possible experience. Embrace the power of user-centered and informative error messages, guiding developers in mastering TypeScript and embracing its full potential. Get ready to elevate your TypeScript development with TypeScript ESLint V6.0, offering low configuration, high impact, and unrivaled performance.
Boost your code quality and streamline your TypeScript development process with TypeScript ESLint. Say goodbye to manual checks and tedious errors, and unlock the potential of automated code analysis. Take control of your linting experience with V6.0's reworked presets, tailored to your team's preferences. Experience the future of linting with user-centered and informative error messages, guiding you towards mastery of TypeScript. Elevate your development journey with TypeScript ESLint V6.0, the ultimate tool for developer-friendly, efficient, and powerful linting.
Host
Rob Ocel- Software Architect at This Dot Labs
Guest
Josh Goldberg- Open Source Maintainer
Sponsored by This Dot Labs
Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
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.
Hosts
Tracy Lee, CEO of This Dot Labs
Ben Lesh, Author of RxJS
Panel
Francesco Ciulla, DevRel at daily.dev
Tessa Mero, Developer Advocate at Appwrite
Ady Ngom, Chief Consultant at Techlabs 28
Jessica Wilkins, Software Engineer at This Dot Labs
Sponsored by This Dot Labs
Wednesday Jul 26, 2023
Wednesday Jul 26, 2023
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.
Guest
Michelle "Mish" Mannering, Developer Advocate at GitHub
Hosts
Tracy Lee, CEO of This Dot Labs
This episode is sponsored by This Dot Labs.
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
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 courses were available behind a paywall.
The conversation touches on the challenges of being a YouTuber, including the unpredictability of ad revenue and the abundance of kids' content that can be both entertaining and controversial. Scott expresses his openness to his own children exploring YouTube but emphasizes the importance of allowing them to choose their own path.
Overall, the interview provides insights into Scott Tolinski's experiences as a developer, YouTuber, and co-host of the Syntax podcast, highlighting his journey from creating free tutorials to monetizing his content and the challenges he faced along the way.
Guest
Scott Tolinski, Co-host of Syntax.fm
Hosts
Tracy Lee, CEO of This Dot Labs
Ben Lesh, RxJS Core Team Lead
This episode is sponsored by This Dot Labs.