It’s another potluck episode in which Wes and Scott answer your questions! This month - programming languages, how to practice soft skills, PHP vs JS, is it every too late to become a developer, and more.

Get a 30 day free trial of Freshbooks at freshbooks.com/syntax and put SYNTAX in the “How did you hear about us?” section.

mLab is the leading Database-as-a-Service for MongoDB, powering over half a million deployments worldwide. Wes and Scott use mLab to host their own databases as well as take care of backups, security, scaling and performance. Try out a sandbox database on your next mongoDB project → https://mlab.com.

5:00

• Why don’t you work with Typescript?

10:52

• How do you recommend working with APIs/libraries that compete with the DOM (e.g. d3 + react, react + google maps)?

13:40

• What is meant by the word “state” when referring to Vue or React?

16:32

• How do you practice and get better at “soft skills” (e.g. burnout, freelancing, time management, confrontation)?
• Syntax 025 - Dealing with email overload
• PaperKarma - The App to Stop Junk Mail

28:23

• Do you guys use different environments (e.g. “QA” and “Prod”)? What are some best practices?
• Semaphore - Test and deploy your code
• Sentry - Open-source error tracking

32:43

• As someone trying to break into the field of programming, should you build everything from scratch, or it ok to use plugins and libraries?

38:52

• What would WordPress be like if it were built on Node and GraphQL?
• Ghost

46:54

• I’m learning JavaScript at 34… Do you think I can learn to breakdance at 34 too?

51:16

• How do you handle high level page layout when using styled components?

53:13

• As a junior dev, should I switch from PHP and Laravel to full stack JS? I love PHP, but JS is taking over.

• react-async-script-loader
• Netflix Explained

• Scott: Alfred Emoj

• Scott’s React Testing Course
• Wes’ Courses

• Scott’s Instagram
• LevelUpTutorials Instagram
• Wes’ Instagram
• Wes’ Twitter
• Wes’ Facebook
• Scott’s Twitter
• Make sure to include @SyntaxFM in your tweets

In this Hasty Treat, Scott and Wes talk about prototyping and design tools in the development space, specifically Framer X - what it is, what it isn’t, and some cool stuff coming down the pipeline.

If you want to know what’s happening with your errors, track them with Sentry. Sentry is open-source error tracking that helps developers monitor and fix crashes in real time. Cut your time on error resolution from five hours to five minutes. It works with any language and integrates with dozens of other services. Syntax listeners can get two months for free by visiting Sentry.io and using the coupon code “tastytreat”.

3:35

• Framer X - What it is and what it isn’t

13:20

• What it means for other prototyping and design tools

17:00

• Future of prototyping and design and development

21:40

• Final thoughts

• Scott’s Framer X Fist Look Video
• Sign up for Framer X Beta

• Scott’s Instagram
• LevelUpTutorials Instagram
• Wes’ Instagram
• Wes’ Twitter
• Wes’ Facebook
• Scott’s Twitter
• Make sure to include @SyntaxFM in your tweets

In this episode Wes and Scott dive into designing for developers - tips and tricks for improving your designs, and how to up your game in small ways that will have a big impact on your projects.

Sanity.io is a real-time headless CMS with a fully customizable Content Studio built in React. Get up and running by typing npm i -g @sanity/cli && sanity init in your command line. Get an awesome supercharged free developer plan on sanity.io/syntax.

mLab is the leading Database-as-a-Service for MongoDB, powering over half a million deployments worldwide. Wes and Scott use mLab to host their own databases as well as take care of backups, security, scaling and performance. Try out a sandbox database on your next mongoDB project → https://mlab.com.

6:18 - General Design Tips

• Spacing is important

• Using patterns and textures

  • Subtle Patterns
  • Hero Patterns
  • Heroicons
  • FlatIcon
  • True Grit Texture Supply
  • Steve Schoger

• Use subtle gradients

  • ColorSpace

• Use subtle drop shadows

  • Multiple shadows on one element can have a nice effect

• Don’t use true black and white (e.g. #000 or #fff) - use softer variation of black and white

  • Use CSS Variables for custom blacks and whites
  • CSS default colors are almost always too harsh

• Default browser UI is almost never the best UI

  • Select elements, radio buttons, checkboxes, etc. can all be styled - it’s no fun, but way better than it’s ever been

40:22 - UX Design & Animation

• Don’t use animations when not necessary

• Subtle scale/transitions on hover can be a nice effect

• Particles.js

• Patagonia’s Bears Ears

• CSS transitions vs Physics based

51:30 - How To Get Better

• Follow UI-themed Instagram accounts

• siteInspire

• Dribbble

• UISources

• Follow Steve Schoger

• Find a free mockup and build it out pixel for pixel

• Take time to challenge what you think is possible or doable technically and creatively

• Scott: Louis Cole

• Scott’s React Testing Course
• Wes’ Courses

• Scott’s Instagram
• LevelUpTutorials Instagram
• Wes’ Instagram
• Wes’ Twitter
• Wes’ Facebook
• Scott’s Twitter
• Make sure to include @SyntaxFM in your tweets

In this Hasty Treat, Scott and Wes talk goal setting - why it’s important, when to do it, how to stick to them, and more. Tweet us your goals with the hashtag #syntaxgoals.

If you want to know what’s happening with your errors, track them with Sentry. Sentry is open-source error tracking that helps developers monitor and fix crashes in real time. Cut your time on error resolution from five hours to five minutes. It works with any language and integrates with dozens of other services. Syntax listeners can get two months for free by visiting Sentry.io and using the coupon code “tastytreat”.

4:14

• Setting SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time)

7:45

• What kinds of thing should you set goals for?

10:49

• Business goals

16:50

• Visualizing Goals

22:58

• When should you set goals?

27:42

• Accountability

• ProfitWell
• Forever Jobless Goals Worksheet

• Scott’s Instagram
• LevelUpTutorials Instagram
• Wes’ Instagram
• Wes’ Twitter
• Wes’ Facebook
• Scott’s Twitter
• Make sure to include @SyntaxFM in your tweets

In this episode Wes and Scott do a deep dive into React - what it is, best practices and all the ins and outs of how the framework works.

DevLifts - Thad and JC are on a mission to make web developers healthy. They’re currently offering Personal Training and Nutrition Plans as well as a new program called fit.start(). Get 50% off fit.start() with the coupon code “SYNTAX”. Additionally, the first 10 people to use the code "TASTY" get 50% off your DevLifts Premium subscription. Check it out today! 

mLab is the leading Database-as-a-Service for MongoDB, powering over half a million deployments worldwide. Wes and Scott use mLab to host their own databases as well as take care of backups, security, scaling and performance. Try out a sandbox database on your next mongoDB project → https://mlab.com

5:23

• Components

12:30

• JSX

25:13

• Data and Props

44:48

• Fetching

49:22

• Event Handlers

54:00

• Instance classes + properties

55:02

• Lifecycle Methods

59:55

• Context

1:01:35

• Routing

Preact Inferno How to Comment in JSX (article) Apollo Redux LevelUpTutorials.com Level II React Course React Informed (forms) Meteor Axios Firebase Gatsby Here’s how React’s new Context API works

• Scott: Dark Net Diaries Podcast

• Scott’s Level Up Tuts Pro
• Wes’ Courses

• Scott’s Instagram
• LevelUpTutorials Instagram
• Wes’ Instagram
• Wes’ Twitter
• Wes’ Facebook
• Scott’s Twitter
• Make sure to include @SyntaxFM in your tweets

In this episode Wes and Scott do a deep dive into React - what it is, best practices and all the ins and outs of how the framework works.

DevLifts - Thad and JC are on a mission to make web developers healthy. They’re currently offering Personal Training and Nutrition Plans as well as a new program called fit.start(). Get 50% off fit.start() with the coupon code “SYNTAX”. Additionally, the first 10 people to use the code "TASTY" get 50% off your DevLifts Premium subscription. Check it out today! 

mLab is the leading Database-as-a-Service for MongoDB, powering over half a million deployments worldwide. Wes and Scott use mLab to host their own databases as well as take care of backups, security, scaling and performance. Try out a sandbox database on your next mongoDB project → https://mlab.com

5:23

• Components

12:30

• JSX

25:13

• Data and Props

44:48

• Fetching

49:22

• Event Handlers

54:00

• Instance classes + properties

55:02

• Lifecycle Methods

59:55

• Context

1:01:35

• Routing

Preact
Inferno
How to Comment in JSX (article)
Apollo
Redux
LevelUpTutorials.com Level II React Course
React Informed (forms)
Meteor
Axios
Firebase
Gatsby
Here’s how React’s new Context API works

• Scott: Dark Net Diaries Podcast
• Wes: Any suggestions for key management products? + Iliza Shlesigner Stand-Up

• Scott’s Level Up Tuts Pro
• Wes’ Courses

• Scott’s Instagram
• LevelUpTutorials Instagram
• Wes’ Instagram
• Wes’ Twitter
• Wes’ Facebook
• Scott’s Twitter
• Make sure to include @SyntaxFM in your tweets

In this Hasty Treat, Scott and Wes discuss how they create courses, design and build curriculum, as well as insights and best practices for content creation.

If you want to know what’s happening with your errors, track them with Sentry. Sentry is open-source error tracking that helps developers monitor and fix crashes in real time. Cut your time on error resolution from five hours to five minutes. It works with any language and integrates with dozens of other services. Syntax listeners can get two months for free by visiting Sentry.io and using the coupon code “tastytreat”.

4:32 - Wes’ process

• Figure out what to make
• Build the thing you’re teaching in the course
• Have it reviewed by experts
• Simplify and create a linear flow for what you’re teaching

16:25 - Scott’s process

• Chose a topic
• Build the thing
• Create the outline as you go
• Have goals in mind, for individual topics
• Record with final code open

28:25 - How to get started

• Scott’s Instagram
• LevelUpTutorials Instagram
• Wes’ Instagram
• Wes’ Twitter
• Wes’ Facebook
• Scott’s Twitter
• Make sure to include @SyntaxFM in your tweets

In this Hasty Treat, Scott and Wes discuss how they create courses, design and build curriculum, as well as insights and best practices for content creation.

If you want to know what’s happening with your errors, track them with Sentry. Sentry is open-source error tracking that helps developers monitor and fix crashes in real time. Cut your time on error resolution from five hours to five minutes. It works with any language and integrates with dozens of other services. Syntax listeners can get two months for free by visiting Sentry.io and using the coupon code “tastytreat”.

4:32 - Wes’ process

• Figure out what to make
• Build the thing you’re teaching in the course
• Have it reviewed by experts
• Simplify and create a linear flow for what you’re teaching

16:25 - Scott’s process

• Chose a topic
• Build the thing
• Create the outline as you go
• Have goals in mind, for individual topics
• Record with final code open

28:25 - How to get started

• Scott’s Instagram
• LevelUpTutorials Instagram
• Wes’ Instagram
• Wes’ Twitter
• Wes’ Facebook
• Scott’s Twitter
• Make sure to include @SyntaxFM in your tweets

Scott and Wes talk office setups and all things gear. Gotta get the gear!

mLab is the leading Database-as-a-Service for MongoDB, powering over half a million deployments worldwide. Wes and Scott use mLab to host their own databases as well as take care of backups, security, scaling and performance. Try out a sandbox database on your next mongoDB project → https://mlab.com

Get a 30 day free trial of Freshbooks at freshbooks.com/syntax and put SYNTAX in the “How did you hear about us?” section.

11:00

• Wes’ gear
• Scott’ gear
• Scott’s podcasting/screencasting gear

13:30 - Computer

• Wes: Macbook Pro 15"
• Scott: Macbook Pro 15"

17:39 - Monitors

• Wes:

  • [22" vertical Cheap Acer: https://amzn.to/2vkXomG

28:33 - Keyboards and Mice

• Twitter Thread about mice

• Wes:

  • Apple Magic Keyboard
  • Magic Mouse
  • Logitech MX Master 2S

• Scott:

  • CODE Keyboard
  • Apple Magic Trackpad

33:14 - Desks

• Wes:

  • Ikea Countertop
  • Ikea Alex Drawers

• Scott:

37:53 - Chairs

• Wes:

  • Herman Miller Aeron Polished Aluminum

• Scott:

  • Herman Miller Aeron

39:24 - Headphones

• Wes:

  • Bose QC35s
  • Apple AirPods

• Scott:

  • AKG K 553 Pro
  • M-Audio Bx8 monitors

43:50 - Hard Drives / Backup Systems

• Wes:

  • WD My Passport 1TB
  • Backblaze Backup

• Scott:

  • WDMyCloud EX4100

47:28 - Charging Stations

• Wes:
  • Anker USB Wall Charger

48:52 - USB Splitters

• Wes:

  • CalDigit TS3 Plus
  • Amazon Basics USB 3 Hub

• Scott:

  • CalDigit TS3 Plus

50:35 - Wifi

• Wes:

  • Amplifi HD Mesh

• Scott:

  • Google Wifi Mesh

54:26 - Recording Gear

• Check out episode 037 for a full rundown of all of our recording gear

• Wes:

  • Heil PR40 Pack
  • dbx 286s
  • Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

• Scott:

  • Electro Voice RE-20
  • Sony a7 III
  • Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

58:32 - Misc

• Wes:

  • Peak Design Everyday 30L Backpack
  • Skyroam Solis Hotspot

• Scott:

  • Google Home
  • Smart outlet that shuts off all my stuff
  • topodesigns.com

• Laravel Nova

• All of the above ;)

• Scott’s Level 1 Apollo Client with React Course
• Wes’ Advanced React Course - Coming Soon

• Scott’s Instagram
• LevelUpTutorials Instagram
• Wes’ Instagram
• Wes’ Twitter
• Wes’ Facebook
• Scott’s Twitter
• Make sure to include @SyntaxFM in your tweets

Scott and Wes talk office setups and all things gear. Gotta get the gear!

mLab is the leading Database-as-a-Service for MongoDB, powering over half a million deployments worldwide. Wes and Scott use mLab to host their own databases as well as take care of backups, security, scaling and performance. Try out a sandbox database on your next mongoDB project → https://mlab.com

Get a 30 day free trial of Freshbooks at freshbooks.com/syntax and put SYNTAX in the “How did you hear about us?” section.

11:00

• Wes’ gear
• Scott’ gear
• Scott’s podcasting/screencasting gear

13:30 - Computer

• Wes: Macbook Pro 15"
• Scott: Macbook Pro 15"

17:39 - Monitors

• Wes:

  • [22" vertical Cheap Acer: https://amzn.to/2vkXomG
  • [27" Dell 4k - https://amzn.to/2Mo3NnO
  • [Ergotron Monitor Arms - https://amzn.to/2voS9CF

• Scott:

  • LG 34UC88-B 34-Inch 21:9 Curved UltraWide
  • VIVO Dual stand

28:33 - Keyboards and Mice

• Twitter Thread about mice

• Wes:

  • Apple Magic Keyboard
  • Magic Mouse
  • Logitech MX Master 2S

• Scott:

  • CODE Keyboard
  • Apple Magic Trackpad

33:14 - Desks

• Wes:

  • Ikea Countertop
  • Ikea Alex Drawers

• Scott:

  • Ikea Karlby Walnut Countertop + Jarvis Legs === dope desk!

37:53 - Chairs

• Wes:

  • Herman Miller Aeron Polished Aluminum

• Scott:

  • Herman Miller Aeron

39:24 - Headphones

• Wes:

  • Bose QC35s
  • Apple AirPods

• Scott:

  • AKG K 553 Pro
  • M-Audio Bx8 monitors
  • Polk Audio 12” Subwoofer for that booom booom!

43:50 - Hard Drives / Backup Systems

• Wes:

  • WD My Passport 1TB
  • Backblaze Backup

• Scott:

  • WDMyCloud EX4100

47:28 - Charging Stations

• Wes:
  • Anker USB Wall Charger

48:52 - USB Splitters

• Wes:

  • CalDigit TS3 Plus
  • Amazon Basics USB 3 Hub

• Scott:

  • CalDigit TS3 Plus

50:35 - Wifi

• Wes:

  • Amplifi HD Mesh

• Scott:

  • Google Wifi Mesh

54:26 - Recording Gear

• Check out episode 037 for a full rundown of all of our recording gear

• Wes:

  • Heil PR40 Pack
  • dbx 286s
  • Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

• Scott:

  • Electro Voice RE-20
  • Sony a7 III
  • Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

58:32 - Misc

• Wes:

  • Peak Design Everyday 30L Backpack
  • Skyroam Solis Hotspot

• Scott:

  • Google Home
  • Smart outlet that shuts off all my stuff
  • topodesigns.com

• Laravel Nova

• All of the above ;)

• Scott’s Level 1 Apollo Client with React Course
• Wes’ Advanced React Course - Coming Soon

• Scott’s Instagram
• LevelUpTutorials Instagram
• Wes’ Instagram
• Wes’ Twitter
• Wes’ Facebook
• Scott’s Twitter
• Make sure to include @SyntaxFM in your tweets