Modern Web

By Modern WebTechnology

Modern Web episodes

January 29, 2025Backend Abstractions, Serverless Patterns, and Why It’s Okay to Start Learning with Frameworks
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Rob Ocel, Danny Thompson, Adam Rackis, and Brandon Mathis discuss the role of abstractions in software development. They explore frontend tools like React and SolidJS, backend abstractions like serverless platforms, and the importance of understanding patterns and learning through mistakes. The group also highlights emerging trends for 2025, including opportunities in platform plugins and developer marketplaces.
Key Points for the Episode:
The Role of Abstractions in Development: The panel discusses the benefits and challenges of abstractions in software development, emphasizing the importance of understanding underlying systems to avoid over-reliance on tools like React hooks and serverless platforms.

Learning Through Experimentation: Personal experiences with tools like Advent of Code, exploring new languages like Swift and Rust, and experimenting with new frameworks like SolidJS highlight the importance of hands-on learning and stepping outside comfort zones.

Platform Opportunities: A growing interest in building apps and plugins on established platforms like Stripe, Zoom, and Chrome Extensions showcases untapped opportunities for developers to create impactful solutions and monetize their skills.
Chapters
0:00 - The Potential of Plugins and Platforms
0:42 - Welcome to the Modern Web Podcast
0:47 - Introducing the Hosts and Guests
1:19 - Holiday Projects and Side Gigs
1:31 - Danny’s Speedrun of a New Platform
2:07 - Adam’s Holiday Reading List
3:38 - Brandon’s Advent of Code Challenge in Swift and Rust
5:01 - Learning New Programming Languages Through Challenges
6:52 - Discussion on Abstractions in Software Development
7:10 - The Balance Between Abstractions and Understanding the Basics
8:56 - Learning Through Experience: The Importance of Stepping on Rakes
9:46 - React’s Role in Frontend Development and Its Critics
10:39 - The Evolution of Frontend and Backend Abstractions
12:09 - The Impact of Serverless and Cloud Platforms
13:31 - Misuse of Abstractions and Overcomplicated Code
14:27 - The Common Pitfalls of React Hooks Misuse
15:29 - Overuse of `useEffect` and Its Performance Implications
16:41 - Learning from Industry Experts: Insights from Ben Lesh
17:53 - The Evolution of the Web from Static Documents to Interactive Applications
19:04 - The Role of Abstractions in Backend Development and Serverless Adoption
21:06 - Advice for Developers on Understanding Patterns and Abstractions
22:21 - Sponsor Message: This Dot Labs
22:27 - Looking Ahead to 2025: Technologies and Trends
22:43 - Excitement Around SolidJS and Signals-Based Frameworks
23:29 - The Growing Ecosystem Around SolidJS and TanStack Router
24:48 - Insights from a Conversation with Ryan Carniato
25:19 - Interest in TanStack Start and React 19 Features
26:09 - Danny Learning Spanish and Coding Challenges
27:16 - Exploring New Platforms for Side Projects and Monetization
27:55 - The Untapped Potential in Plugin and App Store Ecosystems
29:01 - Case Study: Monetization through Small Chrome and Office Extensions
30:09 - Growth of Developer Marketplaces (Stripe, Slack, Shopify, Zoom)
31:06 - The Challenge of Getting Projects in Front of Users
32:03 - Opportunities in Game Modding and Twitch Extensions
32:32 - Closing Thoughts and Future Podcast Episodes
32:45 - Sponsor Message and Where to Find the Podcast Online
Follow the crew on Twitter and Linkedin:
Rob Twitter: https://x.com/robocell
Rob Linkedin:   / robocel
Danny Twitter: https://x.com/DThompsonDev
Danny Linkedin:   / dthompsondev
Adam Twitter: https://x.com/AdamRackis
Adam Linkedin:   / adam-rackis-5b655a8
Brandon Twitter: https://x.com/BrandonMathis
Brandon Linkedin:   / mathisbrandon
Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co
34 min
January 23, 2025Software Engineers: You Can Become a Content Creator (with Bytes of Bree)
In this Modern Web Podcast episode, hosts Rob Ocel and Danny Thompson chat with Bree Hall, developer advocate at HubSpot and content creator known as "Bytes of Bree." Bree shares her journey from front-end engineer to advocacy, offering insights on balancing travel, staying productive, and navigating the pressures of being "always on." They explore creating engaging content, short vs. long-form formats, and how to build trust with an audience. Bree also shares tips on learning, working, and sharing knowledge while staying authentic in the tech space.
Key Points from the Episode:
Transition to Developer Advocacy: Bree shares her experience moving from front-end engineer to developer advocate, highlighting the expanded ways to contribute beyond coding.

Managing Travel and Productivity: Practical tips for balancing frequent travel with work, including maintaining a travel kit, planning small tasks, and adapting work hours.

Specializing in a Tech Stack: Bree emphasizes the importance of mastering a specific tech stack deeply, choosing Astro, React, and Tailwind as her focus for 2025.

Short vs. Long-Form Content: Discussion on how short-form content skills improve long-form storytelling, with platforms like TikTok emerging as powerful tools for learning and discovery.
Chapters
0:00 - 0:21 Introduction to Popular Tech Content
0:21 - 0:57 Exploring Niche Technical Topics
1:03 - 1:26 Podcast and Guest Introduction
1:32 - 2:04 Transitioning to Developer Advocacy
2:04 - 2:41 Key Differences Between Engineering and Advocacy
3:07 - 3:48 Perceptions vs. Reality of Developer Advocacy
3:48 - 5:25 Navigating the Challenges of Always Being "On"
5:25 - 6:34 Travel Productivity Tips for Advocates
6:34 - 7:24 Balancing Work During Heavy Travel
7:24 - 8:46 Tips for Staying Organized on the Road
8:46 - 10:12 Personal Rituals to Stay Grounded
10:12 - 11:17 Optimizing Gear for Productive Travel
11:17 - 12:14 Reflecting on Priorities for 2025
12:14 - 14:22 Choosing and Mastering a Tech Stack
14:22 - 15:56 Advice for Junior Developers
15:56 - 18:10 Balancing Fun and Learning in Development
18:10 - 19:55 Sharing the Journey: Content Creation Insights
19:55 - 22:24 The Spectrum of Developer Passion
22:24 - 24:03 Finding Your Lane in Tech Content
24:03 - 25:02 Diverse Interests in Developer Content
25:02 - 26:31 Content Creation and TikTok Strategies
26:31 - 27:42 The Success of "Break into Tech" Content
27:42 - 30:15 The Role of TikTok as a Search Engine
30:15 - 32:01 Short Form vs. Long Form Content
32:01 - 33:56 The Art of Engaging Content
33:56 - 36:04 The Power of Short Form in Building Trust
36:04 - 37:39 Evolving as a Content Creator
37:39 - 39:01 Processing and Discussing Information in Content
39:01 - 40:30 Challenges of Live Content Creation
40:30 - 41:39 Closing Remarks and Guest Links
Follow Bree on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/bytesofbree
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannahall0/
Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co
42 min
January 15, 2025 Web Development Getting Boring? Exploring Innovation, Front-End Trends & Full-Stack Challenges
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, hosts Rob Ocel and Danny Thompson sit down with Pat Clarke, Director of Engineering at Lumen Learning, to explore the evolving state of web development. They discuss everything from the monotony of today’s web design and the rise of cookie-cutter sites to the resurgence of personal websites and the need for creativity in web experiences. Pat shares insights on balancing innovation with business goals, the complexities of front-end development, and why full-stack developers may not always be the solution.
Key topics include:
- Why the web feels “gray and boring” today
- The balance between data-driven design and user experience
- The importance of front-end specialization in modern development
- How to train developers to be well-rounded while embracing their strengths
- Finding the right resources to skill up in a fast-moving industry
Follow Pat Clarke on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/LeftShotDev
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-clarke-dev/
Lumen Learning: https://lumenlearning.com/
Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co
41 min
January 08, 2025 “Security as Code” with Arcjet for Modern Applications
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, host Danny Thompson sits down with David Mytton, founder and CEO of Arcjet and creator of the console.dev DevTools newsletter. They explore what makes a truly successful developer tool, the importance of great documentation, and how Arcjet is redefining "security as code" for modern applications. David shares insights into open-source strategies, balancing speed and innovation in startups, and the evolving role of AI in developer tools.

Chapters
0:00 - 1:41 Episode Introduction
1:42 - 2:55 David Mitten’s Background & Dev Tools Expertise
2:56 - 4:17 The Importance of Great Documentation
4:18 - 6:43 Challenges in Keeping Documentation Updated
6:44 - 9:20 Simplistic vs. Over-Stylized Docs
9:21 - 11:19 Why Arcjet Stands Out
11:20 - 13:01 Developer Security & Perceptions
13:02 - 15:07 Layered Security & Best Practices
15:08 - 16:46 Encouraging Developers to Prioritize Security
16:47 - 18:48 Dependency Management Challenges
18:49 - 20:30 Evolving Dev Tools Over Time
20:31 - 22:54 Modern Code Editors & Terminal Innovation
22:55 - 25:41 AI’s Role in Dev Tools
25:42 - 27:08 Benchmark Reliability in Dev Tools
27:09 - 30:57 Open Source Contributions & Strategy
30:58 - 32:54 Shipping Fast as a Small Team
32:55 - 34:06 Closing Remarks

Follow David Mytton on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/davidmytton
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmytton/
Website: https://davidmytton.blog/
Github: https://github.com/davidmytton

Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co
35 min
January 07, 2025 Why SQLite is Perfect for the Web
Dive deep into the fascinating world of SQLite and Turso with Gláuber Costa, the founder and CEO of Turso, as he shares insights into the evolution of modern database technologies. Hosted by Danny Thompson and Adam Rakus on the Modern Web Podcast, this episode unpacks SQLite's growing popularity, Turso's innovative managed database services, and how local-first architectures are changing the database landscape. From syncing databases to leveraging SQLite for offline use, discover how these advancements empower developers to build faster, scalable, and cost-effective solutions. Tune in to learn about Turso’s unique approach, real-world use cases, and the future of databases in edge computing and mobile applications.
Topics Discussed:
- SQLite’s resurgence and why it’s trending in modern architectures
- Turso’s fork of SQLite and its innovative features
- Offline-capable databases and local-first architecture
- The impact of no-SQL databases and why SQL is making a comeback
- Practical examples and use cases of database syncing and encryption
Follow Glauber Costa on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/glcst
Linkedin: / glommer
Github: https://github.com/glommer
Turso: https://turso.tech/
Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co
35 min
January 07, 2025 DOUBLE your speed with Single Flight Mutations and Solid.js with Ryan Carniato
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, host Danny Thompson interviews Ryan Carniato, creator of SolidJS, about the evolving relationship between client and server technologies in web development. They explore the history of server-side rendering, single-page applications, and how SolidJS bridges these worlds with innovations like single-flight mutations, which cut down on server-client round trips for better performance. Ryan also shares his vision for the future of reactive systems, focusing on async models and proxy-based stores that enable precise state updates with minimal re-renders.

Chapters
0:00 – Introduction and Guest Welcome
1:52 – Challenges of Client and Server Models in Modern Web
4:05 – Importance of Page Load Time and SEO
6:00 – Balancing Client-Server Interactions in Frameworks
9:03 – Exploring React Server Components and Astro Islands
12:00 – Single Page Apps and Data Serialization Challenges
16:02 – Understanding the Cost Triangle of Modern Frameworks
20:02 – The Router Approach in Solid and Its Benefits
27:00 – Framework Opinionation and Flexibility in Ecosystems
35:03 – Vendor Lock-in Trends and React’s Evolution
43:04 – Single Flight Mutations: Concept and Benefits
46:05 – Current Work: Reactivity and Signals in Solid
52:00 – Exploring Mutable Reactivity and Performance Gains
57:02 – Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts
Follow Ryan Carniato on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/RyanCarniato
Dev.to: https://dev.to/ryansolid
Github: https://github.com/ryansolid
Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co
1 hr
December 18, 2024 Next.js and Makeswift for Dynamic Web Experiences with James Q. Quick
Discover how Makeswift empowers developers and marketers with seamless Next.js integration in this episode of the Modern Web Podcast. Hosts Rob Ocel, Adam Rackis, and Danny Thompson talk with James Q. Quick, Head of Developer Experience at Makeswift, about building dynamic web experiences using Next.js. Learn how Makeswift combines a powerful visual builder for marketers with developer-friendly customization through Next.js. James shares insights on bridging the gap between no-code and full-code development, enabling teams to create flexible, scalable websites with ease.
Chapters
00:00 - Intro & Banter
01:36 - Official Welcome & Guest Introduction
03:28 - Next.js Conf Recap: Major Takeaways
07:26 - Server Components in Next.js: Impact & Challenges
14:17 - Caching & Revalidation in Next.js
18:13 - Next.js Learning Curve & Education
24:06 - Learning the Platform vs. Learning Next.js
27:59 - TanStack Start: The Next Big Framework?
30:03 - What Is Makeswift?
33:50 - Why Choose Next.js for Makeswift?
36:51 - Where to Learn More
37:06 - Outro & Final Thoughts
Follow James Q. Quick on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/jamesqquick
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesqquick/
Github: https://github.com/jamesqquick
Makeswift: https://www.makeswift.com/
Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co
38 min
December 16, 2024 The Problem with Open Source and How to Fix It with Max Howell, Founder of Tea Protocol
Backstage at All Things Open 2024, hosts Rob Ocel and Danny Thompson talk with Max Howell, creator of Homebrew and founder of the Tea Protocol, about making open source sustainable. Max shares his journey from building Homebrew as a passion project to launching Tea Protocol, which uses token-based economics to support maintainers without compromising open source values. They explore challenges like corporate involvement, project monetization, and building resilient open source communities.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
02:20 - Max’s Open Source Journey
09:09 - The Problem with Open Source Sustainability
13:54 - Why Traditional Funding Models Fail
16:08 - Tea Protocol’s Economic Model
18:34 - What Happens Without Open Source?
20:59 - Sacrifices Open Source Maintainers Make
23:09 - Capturing Value in Open Source
25:10 - Advice for Aspiring Open Source Developers
27:36 - Where to Learn More

Follow Max Howell on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/mxcl
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mxcl/
Check out Tea Protocol: https://tea.xyz/

Sponsored by This Dot: thisdot.co
29 min
December 06, 2024 The Ethical Dilemma of Unethical UX Design with Bermon Painter
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, recorded backstage at All Things Open, hosts Rob Ocel and Tracy Lee sit down with Bermon Painter, Composable Platforms Leader at Slalom, to explore how behavioral economics shapes ethical UX design. They discuss real-world examples like continuous glucose monitors, AI-driven personalization, and tackling dark patterns while balancing user trust and business goals. Berman also shares career tips and his unique open office hours, making this a must-watch for designers, engineers, and leaders alike.

Chapters
Introduction and Guest Welcome – 00:00
What is Behavioral Economics? – 02:36
Real-World Application: Voting Policies – 04:37
Healthcare Example: Continuous Glucose Monitors – 05:52
Design Challenges for Healthcare Apps – 08:12
Personalization and AI in UX Design – 12:52
International UX Design Differences – 14:08
The Ethical Dilemma of Dark Patterns – 17:28
Ethical Frameworks for Product Design – 20:33
Balancing Profit and Ethics – 22:39
Behavioral Economics for Engineers – 27:10
Berman’s Open Office Hours and Final Thoughts – 28:56
Outro and Sponsor Shoutout – 30:59

Follow Bermon Painter on Social Media
Twitter: https://x.com/bermonpainter
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bermonpainter/

28 min
December 05, 2024 Leverage Multiple Database Models in One Platform with SurrealDB ft. Tobie Morgan Hitchcock
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, recorded at All Things Open in Raleigh, NC, Rob Ocel talks with Tobie Morgan Hitchcock, co-founder and CEO of SurrealDB, about redefining databases. SurrealDB consolidates the complexity of using multiple database models—relational, graph, document, and more—into a single platform, enabling advanced queries and features like time travel. Toby shares insights on its innovative approach to separating storage and compute layers, the challenges of building from scratch, and the enthusiastic adoption by developers and enterprises.

Chapter
00:00 - Introduction and Setting the Stage
01:46 - Why Create Another Database?
04:31 - How SurrealDB Works
07:36 - The Developer Experience with SurrealDB
11:01 - Time Travel in Databases
16:21 - Challenges and Opportunities in Database Innovation
20:01 - Educating Developers on SurrealDB + Community and Adoption

Follow Tobie Morgan Hitchcock
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobiemorganhitchcock
Twitter: https://x.com/tobiemh

34 min

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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…