Scott and Wes answer your burning questions! They cover everything from moving off create-react-app and the benefits of Next.js, to transitioning from junior to senior dev, working with QA teams, and even dive into game development with Godot.

• 00:00 Welcome to Syntax!
• 00:31 DenverScript.
• 03:14 Brought to you by Sentry.io.
• 03:54 Question 1: Moving off create-react-app.
  • Proposal: TC39 Import Attributes.
  • HTML iframe srcdoc Attribute.
• 09:10 Question 2: Working together with QA teams.
• 13:46 Question 3: Benefits of React with Next.js Framework.
  • Svelte Turnstile.
  • Next.js Pages Router vs Next.js App Router.
• 17:38 Question 4: What are your real names?
• 19:22 Question 5: Thoughts on RTO and WFH.
• 27:50 Question 6: Where can I find you Sick Picks?
  • Sick Picks.
  • Sick Picks Scraper.
• 29:34 Question 7: From JR developer to SR developer.
• 31:41 Question 8: Godot and game development.
  • Godot Engine.
  • GDScript.
  • Phind.
• 39:37 Question 9: Inherent advantage between Callbacks and Events.
• 44:44 Question 10: Transitioning to freelance with corporate experience.
• 49:44 Question 11: Dealing with negative feedback.
• 57:05 Sick Picks & Shameless Plugs.

• Scott: audiobookshelf, Plappa App.
• Wes: New Syntax Swag.

• Scott: Syntax on YouTube.

Syntax: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Wes: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Scott: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Randy: X Instagram YouTube Threads

From CAPTCHAs to shadow banning, Scott and Wes break down the best strategies for keeping your app safe from spam and fraud. They cover tools like email verification, rate limiting, shadow banning, and more to protect your users and data.

• 00:00 Welcome to Syntax!
• 00:15 The problem.
• 02:47 Brought to you by Sentry.io.
• 04:23 CAPTCHA.
• 06:24 Data collection.
• 07:11 Stripe Radar score calculation.
• 09:12 Rate limiting.
• 11:34 Shadow banning.
• 13:53 Email verification.
• 15:38 Tie to accounts.
• 16:23 Tied to real identity.
• 19:36 Manual approval.
• 21:19 Blocking ASN.
• 23:17 Honey pot field.
• 24:28 SMS verification.
• 25:05 Mechanical Turk.

Syntax: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Wes: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Scott: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Randy: X Instagram YouTube Threads

Scott and Wes talk with GitHub’s Sarah Vessels about the ins and outs of code reviews, their critical role in collaborative development, and tips for making your reviews more effective.

• 00:00 Welcome to Syntax!
• 00:59 What is a code review?
  • How to review code effectively: A GitHub staff engineer’s philosophy

• Sarah: https://store.steampowered.com/steamdeck

• Sarah: https://github.com/sponsors

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Wes: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Scott: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Randy: X Instagram YouTube Threads

Scott and Wes share 14 game-changing tips they wish they’d known earlier in their web dev careers. From embracing tools to learning by doing, these insights will help you level up your skills faster!

• 00:00 Welcome to Syntax!
• 02:09 Brought to you by Sentry.io.
• 03:45 13 Web Development Tips I Wish I Knew Sooner.
• 03:49 Number 1 - No one is all-knowing.
• 05:39 Number 2 - People with extremely strong opinions.
• 11:13 Number 3 - Using tools to help you isn’t a bad thing.
• 12:34 Number 4 - Approach new technology with a mixed dose of skepticism and open-mindedness.
• 16:05 Number 5 - Things make more sense the more you actually use them.
• 18:40 Number 6 - Willingness to change your mind is a strong skill.
• 20:06 Number 7 - Doing is better than reading or watching.
• 22:29 Number 8 - Asking questions is good.
• 26:45 Number 9 - Everyone doesn’t learn the same.
• 30:41 Number 10 - You don’t need a SAAS for everything.
• 35:53 Number 11 - You don’t need to worry about scale.
• 37:49 Number 12 - Learning the fundamentals will always pay off.
• 40:07 Number 13 - Working in public will make you more hireable.
• 42:48 Number 14 - You can interview without accepting a job offer.
• 45:29 Sick Picks & Shameless Plugs.

• Scott: Glasses.
• Wes: Oxo Whisk, Danish Whisk.

• Scott: Syntax on YouTube.

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Wes: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Scott: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Randy: X Instagram YouTube Threads

Scott and Wes serve up the pros and cons of modern authentication methods like magic links, 2FA, and SMS codes. Learn how each technique works, the security trade-offs, and what might be the best approach for your apps.

• 00:00 Welcome to Syntax!
• 00:11 Brought to you by Sentry.io.
• 00:34 Logging in Verification.
• 01:09 Magic Links.
  • 01:24 Pros of magic links.
  • 03:50 How magic links work.
  • 04:25 Cons to magic links.
• 06:21 Magic Sessions.
  • 06:37 Using email verification.
  • 07:12 Using code verification.
  • 07:55 Previously trusted device verification.
  • 08:14 Classic email and verification process.
  • 09:54 Email Code.
• 10:51 Gmail verification options.
• 12:01 OAuth.

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Wes: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Scott: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Randy: X Instagram YouTube Threads

Scott and Wes talk with Topher Martini, a former Engineering Program Manager at Apple, about his extensive experience over two decades in the tech industry. Topher shares his journey at Apple, from starting as an intern in 2001 to working on groundbreaking products like iPhone, iPad, and Vision Pro.

• 00:00 Welcome to Syntax!
• 00:40 What it was like working on the first iPhone
• 04:47 How Topher landed at Apple early in his career
• 08:40 How Apple’s culture has changed over time
• 11:03 What makes a great employee?
• 16:37 Tips for better communication
• 17:54 Are meetings a good means of communication?
• 20:05 What makes a bad employee?
• 22:21 What does it take to get hired at a company like Apple?
• 26:16 Brought to you by Sentry.io

• Topher:
  • Bambu Lab P1S 3D Printer

• Topher: Topher’s YouTube Channel

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Wes: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Scott: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Randy: X Instagram YouTube Threads

In part 2 of covering the best apps for web developers, Scott and Wes dive into must-have tools that will level up your workflow. From screenshot utilities to development tools and video production apps, this episode is packed with recommendations to boost your productivity and creativity.

• 00:00 Welcome to Syntax!
• 01:44 Brought to you by Sentry.io.
• 02:30 Utilities.
  • 02:48 BetterTouchTool.
  • 09:31 Hyperkey.
  • 11:46 Amethyst.
  • 12:51 Klack.
  • 13:47 Bottom (Btm).
  • 14:54 Pearcleaner

• Scott: Untold Sign Stealer.
• Wes: Magentiles Marble Run.

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Wes: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Scott: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Randy: X Instagram YouTube Threads

Scott walks Wes through the new Syntax Production Assistant Desktop App, designed to streamline and automate their complex publishing process. From tech stack choices like Svelte5 and Rust to AI-driven features, they dive into how this tool keeps everything consistent.

• 00:00 Welcome to Syntax!
• 00:44 Brought to you by Sentry.io.
• 01:37 What was the idea?
• 05:42 The tech.
  • Svelte5, Tauri, Rust, FFMPEG.
• 08:32 Markdown editor.
  • ink-mde, Dillinger.
• 09:32 Epoch timestamps.
  • Epoch.vercel.
• 10:01 Updating front-matter.
• 10:10 Dexie.js function.
• 11:25 Backing up data.
• 11:58 Rust functions.
• 12:58 Why a desktop app and not a website?
• 14:38 Some small AI features.
• 16:26 Challenges with OAuth.
• 20:03 Publishing challenges.
• 23:29 Could this work on Windows?
• 23:54 Debugging.
• 26:23 Deciphering Apple logs.

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Wes: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Scott: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Randy: X Instagram YouTube Threads

In this episode of Syntax, Wes and Scott talk with Taylor Otwell, the creator of Laravel. Taylor shares insights on his journey from creating Laravel in his free time to building a strong community and user base. He discusses Laravel’s growth, including the major features and tools that were developed over the years. Taylor also shares his outlook on the PHP ecosystem, productivity tips, and plans for Laravel Cloud, a new deployment platform for PHP and Laravel applications.

• 00:00 Welcome to Syntax!
• 00:29 Laracon

• Taylor:
  • Tiny Glade

• Taylor: Laravel Cloud

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Wes: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Scott: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Randy: X Instagram YouTube Threads

Scott and Wes serve up a discussion on AI coding assistants with a deep look at Cursor AI, exploring its unique features like multi-line auto-complete and Smart Rewrites. They also discuss why Cursor’s intuitive UI stands out and tackle the big question: is it worth the investment?

• 00:00 Welcome to Syntax!
• 01:16 Brought to you by Sentry.io.
• 01:48 Handling objections around AI assistants.
• 02:55 Context windows and how they’re improving functionality.
  • Syntax.fm Episode 728 with Kevin Hou of Codeium

• Scott: The Iron Historian, Scott’s Salt & Pepper Mills.
• Wes: Oxo Salt & Pepper Mills.

• Scott: Syntax.fm Zed Theme.

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Wes: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Scott: X Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Threads

Randy: X Instagram YouTube Threads