Podcast Summary
Navigating Career Changes and Trusting Your Intuition: Even when you make a career decision, be open to new opportunities and trust your intuition if things don't feel right.
Even if you've made a career decision and it turns out not to be the best fit, it's important to trust your intuition and be open to new opportunities. In this episode of Syntax, Scott and Wes answer questions from listeners, including one from "Wandering Wolf" who left a creative agency to freelance, but then decided to take a lead developer job at a midsized company after feeling lonely and missing collaboration. After only a week on the job, she's having second thoughts due to a lack of process and collaboration between designers and developers. The hosts offer advice on how to navigate this situation and emphasize the importance of trusting your instincts and being open to change. Additionally, they discuss their experiences using sponsors Dottechdomains and Netlify in their latest projects.
Consider sticking it out in a disliked job for a while to gauge culture and potential for change: Explore the possibility of improving a disliked job situation before leaving, but be prepared for resistance and potential backlash, and if no progress is made after several months, consider seeking new opportunities.
If you find yourself in a job that you dislike despite its benefits, consider sticking it out for a while longer to gauge the culture and potential for change. As a lead developer, you may have the power to instigate positive changes within the company. However, be prepared for resistance and potential backlash. Personal experiences, such as cleaning a disorganized closet at a previous job, can demonstrate the value of improvement efforts even in the face of opposition. If after several months, the situation doesn't improve, it may be time to explore other opportunities. Remember, a paycheck doesn't guarantee happiness, so it's essential to prioritize your overall job satisfaction.
Assessing job fit is crucial: It's important to evaluate job opportunities for a good fit before committing, even if it seems like a chance for growth. Quitting a job that isn't the right fit is okay.
It's essential to assess the fit of a job or role before fully committing, even if it seems like an opportunity for growth. This was highlighted through a personal story about a mentor who moved for a better job only to find that the managers didn't understand development processes and ended up quitting. The speaker emphasized that if a job isn't the right fit, it's okay to look for another one. Additionally, there are various communities, such as Slack, Discord, and Reddit, where people can collaborate and discuss topics related to the Syntax podcast. Regarding the question about what annoys the speaker about JavaScript, it wasn't explicitly stated in the discussion. However, the speaker did mention that they had an episode on JavaScript-related topics that came out recently.
JavaScript module imports order frustration: Speaker advocates for reversing order of module name and source for better auto-completion in JavaScript. Also expresses preference for enforced formatting and shares interest in FaunaDB for serverless applications.
The speaker expressed frustration with the way JavaScript handles module imports, specifically the order of importing the module name and its source. They believe that if the order was reversed, it would lead to better auto-completion. The speaker also shared their preference for enforced formatting in JavaScript, similar to Python, for consistency across projects. Additionally, the speaker mentioned coming across FaunaDB, a database built for serverless applications, which offers a native GraphQL API and a full-featured database. The speaker has not yet tried FaunaDB but has expressed interest in its offerings. Overall, the discussion touched on the importance of good auto-completion and consistent formatting in JavaScript development and the potential benefits of new tools like FaunaDB for serverless applications.
Blurred lines between databases and CMSs: New tools let developers focus on data, but concerns around ownership and portability persist. Transparency and problem-solving skills are key in portfolio projects.
There's a trend towards blurred lines between databases and their management, with new back end CMSs and hosted data services like Fauna, Hasura, and Firebase, allowing developers to focus more on data and less on technical details. However, concerns around data ownership and portability remain. Another key takeaway is the debate around including tutorial projects in a portfolio. While it's allowed, it's essential to be transparent about their origin and demonstrate problem-solving abilities by adapting and customizing the project to prove your capabilities. Ultimately, what matters most is showcasing your ability to tackle and solve problems independently.
Custom interfaces and securing websites: Creating unique interfaces showcases skills, but securing websites is crucial. Change credentials, delete suspicious files, and prioritize damage control over investigation when hacked.
Creating custom interfaces and solving problems beyond following tutorials is crucial for showcasing your skills in a portfolio. Using a unique domain name, like a .tech domain, can enhance your online presence and branding. However, if your site gets hacked, prioritize securing it by changing credentials and deleting suspicious files before trying to understand the extent of the damage. It's essential to have strong login security, including 2FA, and keep sensitive information private. Remember, I'm not a security expert, but I do my best to secure my projects and respond effectively when faced with potential security issues. The speaker also mentioned the importance of having a domain name for your projects and encouraged listeners to check out dottech.tech for affordable domain registration using the coupon code "syntax2020." They also discussed a client's experience with a hacked site, where over a billion PHP files appeared unexpectedly. The solution was to change all credentials, delete suspicious files, and change passwords. It's crucial to secure your site immediately and focus on damage control before attempting to understand the hack's origin.
Securing a Hacked WordPress Site: When a WordPress site is hacked, reset all passwords, enable two-factor authentication, assume all files are tainted, rebuild from a fresh Git copy, and check the database. Prevent future attacks by updating software and hiding CMS type.
When a website, specifically a WordPress site, gets "script kidded," or hacked due to a known vulnerability, the first step is to reset all passwords and enable two-factor authentication. Then, assume all files are tainted and rebuild the site from scratch, ideally using a fresh copy from a Git repository. Malicious code can also infect the database, so it needs to be checked as well. Preventative measures include hiding the CMS type and keeping all software up-to-date. If a site gets hacked, it's crucial to assume everything is compromised and take thorough steps to secure it again.
Managing Bookmarks Effectively: Consider using tools like Notion or Pocket for specific projects or offline reading, and modern JavaScript frameworks like React or Vue for building dynamic website features instead of relying on outdated technologies.
While bookmarks can be useful for saving information for future use, they can also become overwhelming and disorganized, making it difficult to find what you need when you need it. The speaker shares that they often end up deleting their bookmarks due to this issue. Instead, they suggest using tools like Notion or Pocket for specific projects or offline reading, respectively. For websites with static content and dynamic functionalities, the speaker recommends considering modern JavaScript frameworks like React or Vue for building these features instead of relying on jQuery and plugins. This approach can lead to more efficient and maintainable code. However, it's important to note that learning and implementing these technologies requires time and effort.
Add functionality to existing websites with React, Vue, or other frameworks: Identify an HTML element with an ID and render the framework to that specific element for website enhancements. Tools like BrowserSync and Parcel can help with the process.
React, Vue, and other JavaScript frameworks can be used to add functionality to existing websites rather than building apps from scratch. This can be achieved by identifying an HTML element with an ID and rendering the JavaScript framework to that specific element. This approach is commonly used by large companies like Facebook, which server-renders their websites with React. While there are tutorials available for this method, they may not be as prominent as those showing how to create apps from the ground up. For those interested in this approach, it may be worth exploring the official Vue tutorial or looking into lightweight frameworks like Alpine JS for simpler customizations. Additionally, tools like BrowserSync and Parcel can help with proxying existing HTML and embedding it in the framework.
Choosing a Practical and Adaptable Backpack for a MacBook Pro: The Peak Design Everyday Bag, with its large openings, magnets, and numerous clasps, offers a flexible and convenient solution for carrying a MacBook Pro and daily essentials, despite its high price tag.
Flexibility and convenience are essential factors when choosing a backpack for carrying a 16-inch MacBook Pro and other daily essentials. The Peak Design Everyday Bag, with its large openings, magnets, and numerous clasps, offers a practical and adaptable solution for both work and personal use. The speaker has been using this bag for three years and has had great experiences with it, including using it as a suitcase for weekend travels. Despite its high price tag, the bag's durability and versatility make it worth the investment. When it comes to fetching data for components, the speaker prefers using vanilla Fetch instead of wrappers like Axios. While wrappers can make life easier and handle edge cases, the speaker finds that they don't encounter such issues frequently and prefers the simplicity of vanilla Fetch for smaller projects. However, they do acknowledge that using whatever method is preferred in a specific project is essential.
Discussing API calls, hosting, and Raspberry Pi projects with the speaker: The speaker recommends Axios for complex API calls and Netlify for hosting front-end code, and shares a goal to automate data collection from a solar power setup using a Raspberry Pi.
For simple, JSON-based API calls, Vanilla Fetch can be a sufficient choice. However, when dealing with custom headers, API keys, and other complexities, Axios might be a better option due to its convenient defaults. Regarding hosting, the speaker highly recommends Netlify for its ease of use, additional features, and reliability. The speaker is a big fan of Netlify and believes it's the best place to host front-end code. Regarding the question about automation projects on Raspberry Pi, the speaker acknowledges that finding good resources can be challenging, especially when the content gets too technical quickly. The goal is to take data from a solar power setup using a Raspberry Pi and send it to a database every few minutes. The speaker mentions that the data is likely at a lower level (RS 485 MOBUS) and wants to find resources to help with this process. The speaker also shares a brief explanation of what a "batch" is, which is a term used in New Zealand for a small holiday home or beach house. The speaker finds the term intriguing and shares a fun anecdote about cooking up a batch of cookies at their batch. Overall, the discussion covers various topics, including API calls, hosting, and Raspberry Pi projects. The speaker emphasizes the importance of finding the right tools and resources for each project and expresses their enthusiasm for Netlify.
Accessing Raspberry Pi data for web apps: Use Linux server, Deepgram, or Node.js child process exec to access Raspberry Pi data, then process it with JavaScript.
Accessing low-level data from devices like Raspberry Pi and using it in web applications involves treating the Raspberry Pi as a Linux server and using tools like Deepgram or Node.js child process exec to access and process the raw data. This approach can be helpful even if one lacks a deep understanding of electronics or low-level Raspberry Pi workings, as the raw data can be processed using JavaScript once it's accessed. The speaker shared his experience of using this method to create a React and Node.js drone video, which required accessing UDP data from the drone over Wi-Fi. He emphasized that finding the time to invest in learning and experimenting with Raspberry Pi projects is a challenge, especially as one gets older and has fewer free hours. Despite this, he expressed his interest in exploring projects involving Raspberry Pi and solar panels.
Personal Habits and Preferences: Beards and Self-Care: Speakers Wes and Scott discussed their unique approaches to self-care, with Wes linking beard growth to productivity and stress, and Scott focusing on back flexibility through a yoga wheel.
Our speakers, Wes and Scott, have shared some interesting and amusing insights about their personal habits and preferences, specifically regarding beards and self-care. Wes revealed that his beard growth is linked to his stress levels and productivity, while Scott has been focusing on improving his back flexibility through daily stretching and the use of a yoga wheel. Wes shared that his beard serves as an indicator of his project progress and stress levels, and he's been trying to improve his self-care by shaving it off. He admitted that he's apathetic about growing a beard due to his wife's disapproval and his tendency to pull out his beard when stressed. Scott, on the other hand, has been focusing on his back flexibility and found a solution in a more affordable yoga wheel from Amazon. He shared that he's been neglecting his back flexibility for a long time and has recently started a daily stretching routine. The yoga wheel, which comes in two sizes, has become a useful addition to his self-care routine, allowing him to stretch his back comfortably and conveniently. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of self-care and the various ways individuals approach it, from grooming habits to physical fitness.
Appreciating Simple Pleasures and Organizing Workspace: The speaker cherishes simple joys in life like using a new stretching mat with her father and organizing cords with Velcro ties. She's passionate about technology, creating order, and sharing engaging content on Instagram and her courses.
The speaker shares her appreciation for simple pleasures in life, such as using a new stretching mat with her father and organizing her cords with Velcro cable ties. She also expresses her love for tech-related topics and creating order in her workspace. The speaker also mentions her enthusiasm for creating Instagram-worthy content, like extreme computing photos, and promoting her latest courses on JavaScript and GraphQL servers. Overall, the speaker's conversation reflects her passion for technology, organization, and creating engaging content. The Velcro cable ties, in particular, are highlighted as a game-changer for her desk setup and a must-have for anyone interested in having an IG-ready workspace.
Engaging with content creators: Support creators by subscribing, reviewing, or interacting. Authenticity and vulnerability build strong followings. Consistency, authenticity, and perseverance key to success. Community and connection crucial in content creation.
Importance of engaging with content creators and contributing to their work. Whether it's through subscribing to a podcast, leaving a review, or interacting with them on social media, every interaction helps support the creator and allows for a deeper connection to their work. Additionally, the conversation highlighted the value of authenticity and vulnerability in storytelling. Creators who are able to share their personal experiences and emotions with their audience can build a strong and loyal following. And for those looking to create their own content, the discussion offered valuable insights into the importance of consistency, authenticity, and perseverance in the face of challenges. Overall, the conversation underscored the power of community and connection in the world of content creation. By engaging with creators and being authentic in our own pursuits, we can build meaningful relationships and make a positive impact on the world around us.
