In this Dead Code episode, host Jared interviews Karl Oscar Weber about revitalizing Camping, a minimalist Ruby web framework originally created by “Why the Lucky Stiff.” Karl shares his 14-year programming journey, his passion for Ruby, and the challenges of modernizing Camping while preserving its compact, esoteric design under five kilobytes. He introduces updates like plugins (“Camping Gear”) and compatibility with newer Ruby features, emphasizing Camping’s educational value and simplicity. Beyond the technical, Karl discusses fostering inclusivity in the Ruby community, countering exclusionary attitudes, and creating spaces that welcome underrepresented developers. Jared commends Karl’s efforts to honor Ruby’s quirky, fun spirit while addressing cultural issues, highlighting the broader impact small projects can have on shaping tech communities.

Links:

Camping GitHub Repository

Why’s (Poignant) Guide to Ruby

Sequel Gem Documentation

Roda GitHub Repository

Cuba GitHub Repository

Andrew Tate Background (Wikipedia)

Metroid Series Overview (Wikipedia)

Dead Code Podcast Links:

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Jared’s Links:

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twitch.tv/jardonamron

Episode Transcript

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