Podcast Summary
Comparing Tech Stacks for Building and Selling Online Courses: Scott and Wes, hosts of the Syntax podcast, discuss their unique approaches to building and selling online courses using different tech stacks, focusing on APIs, dashboards, authentication, email, and more.
Scott and Wes, the hosts of the Syntax podcast, both have extensive experience in building and selling online courses, and they each use different tech stacks to create their respective course platforms. They discussed the various components of their stacks, including APIs, dashboards, authentication, email, and more. Scott's platform, which he calls the Boss Monster, powers multiple domain names and handles marketing, purchasing, and course access. He recently underwent a massive redesign, focusing on improving the CSS and design. Wes's stack also includes an API, dashboard, and authentication, but the specific technologies used differ from Scott's. Both hosts find it intriguing to compare their similar yet different approaches to building and selling online courses. They are sponsored by Content by Kentico, Headless CMS, LogRocket, and dottech domain names. The episode also includes a fun game from LogRocket.
Comparing Express and Fastify APIs with MongoDB and GraphQL: Both Express and Fastify APIs serve their applications effectively, with Express offering stability and MongoDB flexibility, while Fastify boasts speed and GraphQL loaders for efficient queries.
Both APIs, one built on Express with MongoDB and the other on Fastify with GraphQL, serve their respective applications effectively. The choice of technology for each API was not based on the latest trends but on the longevity and practicality of the existing tech stack. The speaker's API uses Express, MongoDB, and various packages, while the other uses Fastify, GraphQL, and Mercurius with built-in caching. Despite some differences, both APIs function well and have their unique advantages, such as Express's stability and MongoDB's flexibility versus Fastify's speed and GraphQL's loaders for efficient database queries. Ultimately, the decision to use one technology over another comes down to the specific needs and goals of the project.
Optimizing Backend Processes with Redis, Mercurius Auth, Fastify, and Mongoose: They use Redis for caching, Mercurius auth for authentication, Fastify as their server framework, and Mongoose as their ORM to build a fast and secure GraphQL API
This team uses a combination of technologies like Redis, Mercurius auth, Fastify, and Mongoose to optimize their backend processes and secure their GraphQL API. They cache frequently used data in Redis to speed up back-end processes and use Mercurius auth for authentication checks at the API level. Fastify is their server framework of choice, and they use Mongoose as their Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) system to interact with their database. The team is considering adopting TypeScript, GraphQL, and serverless technologies to refactor their API, but for now, they're content with their current setup. In essence, they've built a robust and efficient backend infrastructure using a mix of popular tools.
MongoDB Atlas vs Kontent: Different Solutions for Web Applications: MongoDB Atlas optimizes database performance while Kontent caters to both marketers and developers for managing content in web applications
Both MongoDB Atlas and Kontent provide valuable solutions for different aspects of building and managing web applications. MongoDB Atlas offers insights and suggestions for optimizing database performance, making it a great choice for handling data storage. On the other hand, Kontent is a headless CMS that caters to both marketers and developers, enabling live editing for non-technical users and providing technical tools for developers. It integrates with various frameworks and tools, making it an excellent option for managing content. When it comes to customer dashboards, they can be a mix of server-rendered and client-rendered elements. For instance, a server-rendered customer dashboard may display a user's courses, receipts, and certifications, while a client-rendered dashboard could offer a more dynamic viewing experience. Ultimately, understanding the unique strengths of each platform can help developers make informed decisions about which tools to use in their tech stack.
Comparing React and SvelteKit in different applications: Both React and SvelteKit have their uses in different applications, with the former prioritizing server side rendering and user data access, and the latter prioritizing performance and organization through client side rendering.
While both applications use React for the viewing experience, they differ in how they handle server side rendering and user information management. The first application keeps the customer dashboard server side rendered for faster loading times and the ability to access user data from the database. In contrast, the second application, built more recently, has reevaluated its architecture and decided to have all parts of the app, including the viewing experience, run on SvelteKit. The first application's history includes using Meteor for a long time before transitioning to SvelteKit, while the second application was initially built with server rendering and later added the viewing experience in React. Both applications recognize the importance of considering what parts of the app benefit from server side rendering and what can be client side rendered for optimal performance and organization.
Improving the Learning Experience with Video Corrections and Versus Code Themes: Creators can enhance their viewers' experience by implementing video corrections, clarifications, and copypasta for easier access and utilizing Versus Code themes for better code readability.
Creators are constantly seeking ways to enhance their viewers' experience, and two specific improvements discussed were implementing video corrections, clarifications, and copypasta for easier access, and utilizing Versus Code highlighting themes for better code readability. The corrections are hosted on GitHub, allowing for easy updates and access, while the Versus Code theme ensures consistency between code samples in videos and text. Another notable mention was the use of a custom video player based on Video.js, which the creator expressed frustration with due to its complex configuration and potential compatibility issues with different front-end frameworks. Overall, the focus is on providing a seamless and efficient learning experience for viewers.
Importance of clear foundations for businesses: Clear naming conventions and consistent language are crucial for a business's structure and future updates. Inconsistent terms and lack of proper database setup can lead to confusion and complications.
Building a business relies on clear and consistent foundations. The speaker in this discussion shared their experience of having to restructure and rename various elements of their business due to early decisions that didn't hold up over time. They mentioned the use of inconsistent language, such as calling a "customer" a "purchase" or a "course," and how this caused confusion and the need for a renaming PRN. Additionally, their business was initially built around YouTube and used the term "playlist" for what would later be called "courses," leading to further complications. The speaker also mentioned the lack of a proper database migration setup, which made updating their system a challenge. They emphasized the importance of having a well-structured foundation and a clear naming convention to avoid confusion and make future updates smoother.
The Hidden Costs of Free Video Hosting Platforms: As content grows, creators may face unexpected costs and limitations on free video hosting platforms. Custom solutions offer more control but require additional work.
Creators who rely on free platforms like YouTube for their video hosting can face unexpected costs when their content becomes popular. This was the case for the speaker, who went from paying $200 a year on Vimeo to potentially $20,000 a year due to high bandwidth usage. Although Vimeo offers cheaper bandwidth than competitors, the speaker encountered issues with their video embedding and control over streaming. To address these issues, they transitioned to Mux, a more custom solution, but one that required building their own video uploader and parsing file names for metadata. Despite the additional work, the speaker valued having full control over their videos and access to the code, which they couldn't get elsewhere for free. The moral of the story is that while free platforms can be a good starting point, creators should consider the potential costs and limitations as their content grows, and weigh the benefits of custom solutions against the added work involved.
Real-time visibility and control over user interactions with videos and tools: Debug video playback errors with Vimeo and LogRocket, optimize user experience with a scrubbable video replay, and manage sales, customer data, and statistics with an effective admin dashboard using Flexbox and Postmark.
Having real-time visibility and control over user interactions with videos and tools on your website can greatly enhance your ability to troubleshoot issues and optimize user experience. The speaker discussed using Vimeo for video scrubbing events and LogRocket for debugging video playback errors. He also shared his experience with creating an admin dashboard using Flexbox for displaying proportional charts and Postmark for transactional emails. One of the key benefits of having a scrubbable video replay, as demonstrated by LogRocket, is the ability to identify and address issues with custom video uploaders. By having access to video replays, network requests, and error logs, developers can efficiently diagnose and resolve problems, much like how a mechanic would benefit from having visibility while working on a car engine. Additionally, the speaker emphasized the importance of an admin dashboard for managing sales, customer data, and various statistics. He uses Flexbox for creating proportionally sized charts to visualize sales data and Postmark for handling transactional emails. By integrating these tools into his admin dashboard, he can efficiently manage customer interactions, sales data, and troubleshoot issues. Overall, the combination of real-time video scrubbing, debugging tools, and an effective admin dashboard can significantly improve the developer experience and lead to more efficient problem-solving and user experience optimization.
Assessing and Upgrading Systems for Growing Businesses: As businesses expand, simple methods for managing operations may no longer suffice. Assessing and upgrading systems to more sophisticated solutions can improve efficiency and better manage larger volumes of data and complex operations.
As businesses grow, managing various aspects of operations through simple methods like files may become cumbersome and inefficient. The speaker shares his experience of managing coupons through a JavaScript file and the hassle it caused, leading him to create a user interface for easier coupon management. He also discusses the evolution of his admin dashboard from a simple React one to a more comprehensive SvelteKit dashboard with features like charts and content management system (CMS)-like functionality. While a file might suffice for small businesses, a more sophisticated solution becomes necessary for managing larger volumes of data and more complex operations. The speaker's experience highlights the importance of assessing and upgrading systems as businesses grow.
Effective administrative tools improve business management: Tools like customer service, sales charts, author royalty, and internal authentication streamline business processes and save time.
Effective use of administrative tools can significantly reduce the workload and improve the efficiency of managing a business, particularly when dealing with large amounts of data. The speaker, who runs an educational platform, discussed how they have outgrown managing their courses through simple JavaScript files and the need for more robust administrative tools. They highlighted the benefits of having a customer service tool that allows for easy user management, refunds, and subscription cancellations. Additionally, sales charts that provide real-time revenue data were mentioned as essential for tracking business performance. The speaker also touched upon the importance of author royalty tools for managing payments to authors. They emphasized the value of these tools, stating that they could spend hours creating charts and reports manually but preferred having the data readily available. The speaker also acknowledged the importance of internal tooling for web development, as it is crucial for running a business as much as its customer-facing aspects. Authentication was mentioned as a simple yet necessary aspect of the administrative tools, with Passport JS and JSON Web Tokens being used for this purpose.
Custom Authentication Systems: Benefits and Challenges: Custom authentication systems offer specific access control and role management, but come with risks and require extra caution. Tools like bcrypt, insulting, and hashing can enhance security. Sending transactional emails with Node Mailer, Postmark, Pug, Inky, and Juice can provide good analytics and tracking.
The use of custom authentication systems, while providing specific access control and role management, comes with its own set of challenges and security concerns. The speaker in this conversation mentioned that they have a custom authentication strategy using JSON Web Tokens stored as HTTP only cookies, and they use bcrypt, insulting, and hashing for security. However, they also acknowledged the potential risks involved and the importance of being extra cautious when dealing with authentication systems. Another key point discussed was the use of transactional emails, which the speaker sends using Node Mailer and Postmark. They mentioned that Postmark is affordable and provides good tooling for email tracking and analytics. The emails are templated using Pug and Inky, and the CSS is inlined using Juice. The speaker plans to eventually switch to MJML for email templates. The speaker also mentioned that they had previously used Meteor's authentication service but chose to design their own authentication system due to the frustration of transitioning. They acknowledged that using an external authentication service would have been easier and more efficient. In summary, the conversation highlighted the importance of secure authentication systems and the potential benefits and challenges of using custom systems versus external services. The speaker also shared their experience with using different tools and libraries for sending transactional emails.
Considering a transition to Stripe for expanded payment options: The speaker is exploring Stripe for its extensive payment methods, including bank transfers, Apple Pay, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and crypto, and is excited about the potential for parity pricing based on location.
The speaker is currently using a custom checkout experience for their business, which includes credit card and PayPal payments, but they are considering transitioning to a more comprehensive payment processing solution like Stripe, which would allow them to accept a wider range of payment methods including bank transfers, Apple Pay, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and even crypto. They have been in discussions with Stripe for over a year and are excited about the possibility of implementing parity purchasing power, which would enable offering different prices based on the customer's location. The speaker also mentioned that they have had experience with Braintree in the past, but are looking for more options, specifically the ability to add Apple Pay and crypto payments. They have recently moved their hosting over to Render for the continuous integration features and are happy with the performance.
Giving things a second chance with Render: Initially had a negative experience with Render, but after a second chance, discovered improved features and benefits like quick rollbacks. Also, they're excited about the upcoming '.techdomainnames' sponsored game, 'Break the Code'.
Sometimes first impressions can be misleading, and it's worth giving things a second chance. The speaker shared a personal experience with using a rendering platform called Render, where their initial encounter didn't go well. However, after receiving an invitation to try it again, they were pleasantly surprised by the improved experience and its additional benefits, such as quick rollbacks. The speaker also highlighted the upcoming ".techdomainnames" sponsored game, "Break the Code," which offers exciting prizes for solving puzzles. Beyond that, the speaker discussed various features of their usage of the platform, including tax reporting, an affiliate system, team license distribution, and the option for flex licenses. They also mentioned their interest in exploring TypeScript serverless, but currently, they're satisfied with their deployment times. Overall, the speaker emphasized the value of giving things a second chance and the practical benefits they've experienced with Render.
Desires for platform improvements and trying new keyboards: Speakers shared their personal desires for admin dashboard enhancements, team license systems, and affiliate programs for their platforms, and also tried a new mechanical keyboard, the VISLAZ v84, which offers Bluetooth connectivity and RGB lighting, and praised affordable competitors like Keychron.
As individuals and businesses, we constantly evolve and have wishes for how we want our platforms or tools to improve. The speakers discussed their personal desires for their own platforms, such as admin dashboard enhancements, team license systems, and affiliate programs. While these improvements may not directly generate revenue, they are crucial for supporting businesses and teams. The speakers also shared their experiences with trying new keyboards, specifically the VISLAZ v84 mechanical keyboard, which they found to be a great alternative to the Apple keyboard, especially for its Bluetooth connectivity and RGB lighting. The speakers also mentioned their appreciation for companies like Keychron, which aim to compete with more established brands by offering similar features at more affordable prices. Overall, the discussion emphasized the importance of continuous improvement and adaptation to meet changing needs and preferences.
The importance of finding the right technology for individual needs: People invest time and money to find technology that caters to their unique preferences, even if it requires effort and frustration.
People have unique preferences when it comes to technology and are often willing to invest time and money into finding the perfect fit for their needs. The speaker, Tonie Box, was a premium product that brought joy to a child, who had difficulty being alone in his room at night. Similarly, the speaker's father was on a quest for an ergonomic keyboard with specific features, despite the challenges of assembling and configuring it himself. Both individuals' experiences illustrate the importance of finding the right technology that caters to their individual needs and preferences, even if it requires some effort and investment. The Tonie Box and the elusive ergonomic keyboard serve as reminders that the journey towards finding the perfect technology can be frustrating but ultimately rewarding.
Exploring Effective Learning Tools and Resources: Using the right tools and resources can significantly enhance your learning experience and lead to better outcomes. Experiment with different platforms like Wes Bos' courses and Level Up Tutorials to find what fits your needs and learning style.
Having the right tools and resources in place can significantly enhance your learning experience and lead to better outcomes. The speakers in this discussion shared their personal experiences using two different learning platforms, Wes Bos' courses and Level Up Tutorials, both of which have evolved over time to offer more features and benefits. Wes Bos mentioned his courses, which include both paid and free options, and the use of coupon codes for discounts. He emphasized the importance of experimenting with different stacks and tools to find what works best for you. Level Up Tutorials, on the other hand, offers a new tutorial course every month, with the latest one focusing on creating 3D projects using Svelte and Svelte Cubed. This platform allows learners to explore the possibilities of 3D web development with minimal coding. Both speakers emphasized the importance of continually updating and improving their stacks, acknowledging that legacy systems will always be a part of the development process. They encouraged listeners to explore different options and find the learning resources that best fit their needs and learning styles. In summary, having the right tools and resources can greatly enhance your learning experience and lead to better outcomes. Whether you choose to explore Wes Bos' courses or Level Up Tutorials, remember that the right stack for you may change over time, and that's okay. Keep experimenting and finding what works best for you.
