Podcast Summary
Best Practices for Storing and Managing Blog Posts: Consider factors like developer experience, usage experience, and desired outcomes when choosing a method for storing and managing blog posts. Use a static site generator and markdown or MDX for flexibility and wide adoption.
There's no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to storing and managing blog posts for a personal website. Brian Murray asked about the best practice for storing blog posts and automatically feeding them into his site while maintaining the desired style. The hosts, Scott and Wes, shared their experiences and suggested using a static site generator like Next.js, Gatsby, or SvelteKit for this purpose. They also recommended using markdown or MDX for writing blog posts, as it offers flexibility and is a widely used format. Ultimately, the choice depends on personal preference and specific requirements. The key takeaway is that there's no definitive best practice for managing blog posts, and it's essential to consider factors like developer experience, usage experience, and desired outcomes when making a decision.
MDX: Reusability and Easier Content Management: MDX offers reusability and easier content management through components, saving time and effort. Attribution is key when sharing tips and tricks from courses, and focus on modern browsers while considering older ones based on audience.
While MDX (Multi-Markdown Extra) is not as widely used as Markdown, it offers significant benefits such as reusability and easier content management. For instance, using components can save time and effort by updating content in one place instead of multiple files. Regarding sharing tips and tricks from courses, the speakers encourage it as long as proper attribution is given and the content is not being sold or replicated. With the end of official support for Internet Explorer 11, developers are encouraged to focus on modern browsers, but there may still be a need to support older browsers depending on the audience. No new lowest common denominator has been identified yet, but developers should keep an eye on browser usage statistics and adapt accordingly.
Dropping Support for Outdated Browsers: Considering dropping support for outdated browsers like IE 11 due to small user base and availability of modern alternatives, but larger companies may face complications. Frustration with additional hoops for supporting certain browsers, focus on providing best experience for majority of users.
Developers should consider not supporting outdated browsers like IE 11 due to their small user base and the availability of more modern alternatives. The speaker argues that if everyone stopped supporting IE 11, users would eventually move on to better browsers. But, he acknowledges that the decision to drop support may be more complicated for larger companies with a diverse user base. The speaker also mentions Safari as another browser that can present challenges for developers due to its slower update process and inconsistent support for certain features. Ultimately, the speaker expresses frustration with the additional hoops developers have to jump through to support certain browsers, and suggests that companies should focus on providing the best experience for the majority of users rather than catering to outdated technologies.
Impact of Dropping IE 11 Support on Revenue: Consider user statistics before dropping IE 11 support to avoid significant revenue loss. Sanity, a customizable CMS, can help build modern websites with a GraphQL API and Grok query language.
While it's understandable for developers to want to drop support for older browsers like Internet Explorer 11 (IE 11), it's essential to check your user statistics first. Dropping IE 11 might result in a significant revenue loss for some websites, especially those catering to specific industries or user groups. However, for most websites, the usage of IE 11 is dwindling, and it's becoming increasingly obsolete. Modern websites no longer rely on older APIs, making it easier to drop support for IE 11. Sanity, a structured content CMS, can help developers maintain control and customization while providing a user-friendly CMS UI out of the box. Sanity is built to be built on, allowing developers to create schemas, define data types, and extend the platform with custom code. It's an excellent option for projects requiring a CMS, API, or both, with a GraphQL API and a unique query language called Grok. By using the sponsor link sanity.io/forward, developers can get double the free usage tier, making it an attractive choice for small projects with growth potential. In conclusion, while it's generally acceptable to drop support for IE 11, it's crucial to consider the potential impact on revenue and user base before making the decision. Sanity, a powerful and customizable CMS, can help developers build modern, efficient websites and applications.
Nest JS vs Other Node Frameworks for React Websites: Nest JS, popular in Angular space, may not be best for React due to its Angular ties and decorator usage. Consider Fastify, Redwood JS, or Keystone JS for more modular, node-centric solutions.
Nest JS is a popular open source TypeScript node framework with a large community and good documentation, but it may not be the best choice for those building React websites due to its tight integration with the Angular community and the prevalent use of decorators, which are less common in the React ecosystem. Nest JS has a lot of features that are specific to the framework, making it feel less like a node app and more like a tightly knit system. While Nest JS is popular in the Angular space and offers features like WebSockets, authentication, and TypeScript out of the box, other options like Fastify, Redwood JS, and Keystone JS might be more suitable for those looking for a more modular, node-centric solution. Fastify, for instance, is a fast and flexible server that doesn't come with built-in features but offers a vast ecosystem of plugins. Ultimately, the choice between these frameworks depends on the specific needs and preferences of the developer.
Experimenting with different technologies for personal growth: Test out various CMSs, frameworks, and essential skills to broaden opportunities and stay competitive in web development.
When considering which technology to use for a project, it's valuable to experiment with different options to find the best fit for your personal comfort and style. The speaker shared their experience of testing out various CMSs and frameworks to determine which one resonated with them the most. Regarding WordPress for freelancing, the consensus is that it's still worth learning due to its widespread popularity and the abundance of clients seeking WordPress expertise. However, it's important to not limit yourself to only WordPress projects and continuously expand your skillset beyond it. The speaker suggests focusing on essential web development skills like HTML, site performance, and JavaScript to broaden your opportunities and avoid getting pigeonholed in WordPress land. In summary, trying out different technologies and expanding your skillset are crucial for making informed decisions and staying competitive in the web development industry.
Recognizing the Benefits of PHP and Modern Frameworks: Speakers prefer JavaScript but value PHP's structure, Next.js incorporates PHP, optimize image sizes for faster load times, use Cloudinary for image and video hosting, and acknowledge the importance of efficient image optimization.
While the speakers have a preference for JavaScript over PHP due to their individual skill sets, they recognize the structural benefits of PHP and how it has been incorporated into modern frameworks like Next.js. They also highlighted the importance of optimizing image sizes for faster load times and introduced Cloudinary as a solution for image and video hosting, transformation, and caching. The speakers have personally used Cloudinary and encouraged listeners to check it out by visiting their website and mentioning the Syntax podcast during sign-up. Additionally, they acknowledged the evolution of image formats and the need for efficient image optimization.
Testing websites on mobile devices before launch: Use simulators, local networks, or tunneling software to test websites on mobile devices and ensure a good user experience.
Testing websites on mobile devices before pushing to production is crucial, especially for iOS devices since all browsers on these devices are actually just Safari. A good estimation of how a website will look on an iPhone can be obtained by using browser simulators or serving the site over a local network. For instance, using Vite or Bundler and Server will provide an IP address to access the site on a mobile device. However, this method doesn't allow access to dev tools. Another option is to use a simulator within your development tools, such as Safari's dev tools. If your website is WordPress-based, be aware that it might have hard-coded URLs, which can cause issues when testing locally. In such cases, using tunneling software like BrowserSync or ngrok can help expose your local host to the internet, allowing you to access the site on your mobile device with a consistent URL.
Using Local Tunnel on an iPhone for development insights: Local Tunnel on iPhone offers development benefits, but requires a Mac and Xcode for full functionality. Piracy of online courses is common, but focusing on creating valuable content is more productive.
Using Local Tunnel on a mobile device, specifically an iPhone, can provide valuable insights during development, particularly when dealing with webhooks and debugging in Safari. However, it requires a Mac and the installation of Xcode to fully utilize the simulator. Additionally, piracy of online courses is a common issue, and while it can be frustrating, it's essential to remember that there are still many supporters who value and pay for the content. Instead of focusing too much on fighting piracy, it's more productive to focus on creating and delivering valuable content to the majority of supporters.
Unexpected roadblocks and the importance of letting go: Unique class names in Styled Components help prevent collisions and improve CSS management
Sometimes in life, unexpected roadblocks can cause frustration and consume our energy. Mike Birbiglia's story about getting into an accident and being wrongly accused serves as a reminder to let go of things that are beyond our control. In the world of coding, Yash's question about the unusual class names generated by Styled Components brings up the importance of unique class names for proper scoping and avoiding collisions. Styled Components, with its generated class names, allows developers to control specific scopes and reuse them as components, making CSS management more efficient. For managing enormous archives on a .edu website without the use of Joomla or Drupal, a simple page builder can be a viable solution. However, maintaining such a site requires careful planning and organization to ensure that old content is not forgotten and new content can be easily added.
Approaches to website migration in educational institutions: Consider using an established CMS and implementing a Cloudflare Worker for proxying old content or opt for Drupal as a more viable option based on institutional guidelines.
When dealing with the migration of multiple websites within an educational institution to a single platform, there are various approaches to consider. Aubrey suggests using an established Content Management System (CMS) and implementing a Cloudflare Worker for proxying old content. However, Scott mentions that educational institutions may have strict guidelines, making it challenging to adopt modern solutions like Cloudflare Workers. Instead, he recommends using Drupal as a more viable option. It's important to note that the best approach depends on the specific policies and infrastructure of the educational institution. Additionally, it might be helpful to consult with professionals who have experience working within such environments to gain further insights.
Sentry's New Performance Tracking Feature: Monitoring User Misery Scores and Slow Routes: Sentry's new performance tracking feature helps developers monitor user misery scores and identify slow routes for their sites, while also tagging each error to a specific user's account for easier issue resolution.
Sentry, a sponsor of the show, offers a comprehensive solution for tracking errors, exceptions, and performance metrics in web applications. The speaker shared his personal experience with the platform's new performance tracking feature, which allows users to monitor user misery scores and identify slow routes for their sites. Additionally, Sentry now tags every error to a specific user's account, making it easier for developers to address customer issues. Regarding a listener's question, the speakers suggested that for a completely static page with authorization requirements, regenerating the page with each request might be the most straightforward solution. They also mentioned alternative methods, such as caching data or checking for cookies at the server level, but these options require more setup and configuration. Overall, Sentry's capabilities for error tracking, performance monitoring, and user experience insights make it a valuable tool for developers.
Server-side rendering vs React server components: Server-side rendering remains the most practical solution for rendering web pages with user-specific information. React server components may not offer significant improvements, but they could be useful for rendering specific sections of a website.
For rendering web pages with user-specific information, server-side rendering (SSR) is currently the most practical solution. This approach involves generating the HTML for a page on the server, including user data, and then verifying access privileges on the server. While React server components aim to address this issue by rendering specific sections of a website on the server, they may not offer significant improvements over SSR, especially in terms of time commitment. Regarding freelancing, having a conversation with your employer about transitioning from a full-time to a contract freelance basis should be approached carefully. It's crucial to be prepared to leave the company and offer your services as a freelancer, rather than asking for a higher salary to stay on as an employee. This approach sets clear expectations and allows for a smoother transition. If you'd like to maintain a relationship with your employer as a potential client, be sure to communicate your intentions clearly and professionally.
Asking your employer for part-time work after leaving: Consider negotiating part-time work with your employer after leaving for financial stability and potential cost savings for them.
It can be beneficial to ask your current employer if they're interested in purchasing a few hours of your time each week after you've decided to leave the company. This arrangement can provide financial stability while still allowing you to pursue your own projects or start a new job. This approach can be especially attractive to employers because it's often cheaper for them to hire someone with the necessary skills instead of training a new employee. However, it's essential to consider the specific relationship with your employer before pursuing this option, as not all employers may be open to such an arrangement. Additionally, be aware that some employers may react negatively to the news of your departure and may not be willing to make such an agreement. Overall, this can be a valuable solution for those looking to maintain a steady income while transitioning to a new opportunity.
USB-charged devices make our lives easier and more efficient: Consider features like LED lights when purchasing USB-charged devices and explore monetization opportunities through platforms like LevelUp Tutorials for content creators
The convenience and versatility of USB-charged devices cannot be overstated. From long USB cables for hard-to-reach outlets to USB-charged baby monitors and milk frothers, the shift towards USB charging is making our lives easier and more efficient. However, not all USB-charged devices are created equal. Some come with LED lights that can be distracting or disruptive, especially in bedrooms or dark environments. So, when purchasing USB-charged devices, it's essential to consider the specific features that best fit your needs. Additionally, the availability of royalty-based platforms for tutorial creators, such as LevelUp Tutorials, provides an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in creating tutorial content to monetize their work and build a sustainable income stream. This not only benefits the creators but also offers valuable educational resources for learners. Overall, the trend towards USB-charged devices and platforms that support content creators is a significant development that enhances both convenience and opportunities for learning and income generation.
New initiatives at Level Up Tutorials: Author submission form, new course on GitHub actions, team accounts: Level Up Tutorials offers a new author submission form, a new course on GitHub actions with Brian Douglas, and team accounts for team sign-ups
There are several exciting initiatives happening with Level Up Tutorials. First, the author submission form for level up tutorials will be linked in the show notes for easy access. This is part of a larger initiative to expand the platform. Second, a new course on GitHub actions with Brian Douglas is being offered. Brian, who was met at conferences like Reactathon and the Jamstack Conference, is a skilled GitHub employee with his own YouTube channel. The course is available for individual sign-up with a discount, and for the first time, team accounts are now available for those who wish to sign up their entire team at once. So, whether you're an individual learner or part of a team, there are opportunities to level up your skills with Level Up Tutorials. Be sure to check out the website, sign up for the course, and take advantage of the team account feature if applicable. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast for more updates and insights.