In this episode, we'll talk about stealing techniques and approaches from other hobbies or industries. What have you learned from one hobby that might be useful for your programming career? I can think of a few.

Steal From Other Hobbies

It's hard to believe, but the last Q&amp;A episode was published over two years ago. Let's fix that with a new 2022 edition. I'll answer a wide variety of questions, such as: how to initially plan a business, are lifetime accounts are worth offering, why aren't there dedicated Laracasts apps, how to avoid content creator burnout, and more. 

It's hard to believe, but the last Q&amp;A episode was published over two years ago. Let's fix that with a new 2022 edition. I'll answer a wide variety of questions, such as: how to initially plan a business, are lifetime accounts are worth offering, why aren't there dedicated Laracasts apps, how to avoid content creator burnout, and more.

Laracasts Q&A: 2022 Edition

I often hear about flat organizational structures and how they lead to more autonomy and better collaboration. That could be true! It sounds appealing. But my worry is: don't you lose the zoomed out perspective in the process? From my experiences, that multi-focus hierarchy is essential.

I often hear about flat organizational structures and how they lead to more autonomy and better collaboration. That could be true! It sounds appealing. But my worry is: don't you lose the zoomed out perspective in the process? From my experiences, that multi-focus hierarchy is essential.

Zoom Out

For a number of years now, I've found myself quietly mumbling the words, "Don't participate," every time I feel the need to insert myself into events or conversations that have nothing to do with me. It works wonders. Nearly every time, I delete the draft and get back to work.

For a number of years now, I've found myself quietly mumbling the words, "Don't participate," every time I feel the need to insert myself into events or conversations that have nothing to do with me. It works wonders. Nearly every time, I delete the draft and get back to work.

Don't Participate

In this episode, I take some time to ponder over which programming bullet points I wish had been drilled into me more in the early days of my learning. We'll discuss the psychology of learning, design patterns, SOLID, and, of course, the never-ending river of programming opinions.

In this episode, I take some time to ponder over which programming bullet points I wish had been drilled into me more in the early days of my learning. We'll discuss the psychology of learning, design patterns, SOLID, and, of course, the never-ending river of programming opinions.

Programming Bullet Points I'd Send Back in Time

It's far too easy for developers to fall into a trap of never shipping new code to production. "It's not ready," we tell ourselves. "Just one more month to clean things up, and then we'll push it up." But if you're not careful, there will always be a reason why it's still not ready. In this episode, we discuss habit building and why it's necessary to not be a perfectionist. 

It's far too easy for developers to fall into a trap of never shipping new code to production. "It's not ready," we tell ourselves. "Just one more month to clean things up, and then we'll push it up." But if you're not careful, there will always be a reason why it's still not ready. In this episode, we discuss habit building and why it's necessary to not be a perfectionist.

If It's Not Perfect, Ship It

If you've worked in programming spaces for any period of time, you will surely have heard the advice, "It's better to go slow than fast." We all instinctively knows this, and, yet, we're simultaneously obsessed with optimizing every facet of our workflow. 

If you've worked in programming spaces for any period of time, you will surely have heard the advice, "It's better to go slow than fast." We all instinctively knows this, and, yet, we're simultaneously obsessed with optimizing every facet of our workflow.

Be the Tortoise

Whenever I ask a slightly controversial programming question, the responses often take one of three shapes. Let's talk about each of them in this episode, before taking a few moments to discuss why it's so important to play gracefully with ideas.

Whenever I ask a slightly controversial programming question, the responses often take one of three shapes. Let's talk about each of them in this episode, before taking a few moments to discuss why it's so important to play gracefully with ideas.

Three Shapes

Every time I learn something new, I have to re-remind to trust the process. I'm not sure why. That feeling of "I can't" never goes away. You would think we'd eventually make the connection that if you work on something a little bit today, and a little more tomorrow, you'll eventually become quite skilled. And, yet, why do I always begin the learning phase with a hesitation that says, "You'll never be able to do this."

Every time I learn something new, I have to re-remind to trust the process. I'm not sure why. That feeling of "I can't" never goes away. You would think we'd eventually make the connection that if you work on something a little bit today, and a little more tomorrow, you'll eventually become quite skilled. And, yet, why do I always begin the learning phase with a hesitation that says, "You'll never be able to do this."

Trust the Process

In this episode, we discuss the three-month process of converting Laracasts to a single-page application with Inertia.js.

In this episode, we discuss the three-month process of converting Laracasts to a single-page application with Inertia.js.

The Best of Both Worlds

The Laracasts snippet, each episode, offers a single thought on some aspect of web development.

A couple of weeks ago I decided to learn Laravel, and oh my God what a big blessing it has being! To start, I didn’t know that for $15 a month I could get the mentorship of a season and trained developer like Jeff. His videos are AMAZING and now that I just find out that he has a podcast I can see more of the person that he is, not just the developer. Great podcast, Jeff thank you for being an inspiration and mentor to many developers around the world. Keep up the good work!

Coding & Life

Jeffrey never ceases to amaze me. Everything he does is always excellent quality. Great podcast!

Amazing

The Laracasts Snippet

Making the transition from employee to business owner is, to be frank, scary as hell. If you're not careful, you'll freeze. The "what ifs" will quickly assume command, and you'll once again fall back to the safe path. But, if you can fight it, there just might be something better on the other side.

Making the transition from employee to business owner is, to be frank, scary as hell. If you're not careful, you'll freeze. The "what ifs" will quickly assume command, and you'll once again fall back to the safe path. But, if you can fight it, there just might be something better on the other side.

Go Out On Your Own

The concept of mental debt is something that developers never talk about. We're obsessed with pointing out technical debt, but isn't there value in worrying about our limited mental energy? There's only so much complexity we can take in.

The concept of mental debt is something that developers never talk about. We're obsessed with pointing out technical debt, but isn't there value in worrying about our limited mental energy? There's only so much complexity we can take in.

Technical Debt vs. Mental Debt

Today I completed a year long project that I'd like to talk to you about.

Today I completed a year long project that I'd like to talk to you about.

Developer Fitness

Every developer should develop and manage at least one project themselves. Doing so not only harnesses your discipline, but it also forces you to flex product-related muscles you've never used before.

Every developer should develop and manage at least one project themselves. Doing so not only harnesses your discipline, but it also forces you to flex product-related muscles you've never used before.

Focus on Two Hours, Not Two Years

Developers passionately disagree with one another on most programming issues. For every tutorial on class inheritance, duck-typing, naming conventions, and mutability, I'll show you another resource that argues vehemently in the opposite direction.

Developers passionately disagree with one another on most programming issues. For every tutorial on class inheritance, duck-typing, naming conventions, and mutability, I'll show you another resource that argues vehemently in the opposite direction.

The Correct Way to Think of Objects

Too many ideas and practices in programming are accepted as basic truths. "Don't do it like that! It's dirty." What I'm concerned with is who gets to determine what is and isn't acceptable code to write. Today, I'd like to share four common practices and ideas that I tend to disagree with.

Too many ideas and practices in programming are accepted as basic truths. "Don't do it like that! It's dirty." What I'm concerned with is who gets to determine what is and isn't acceptable code to write. Today, I'd like to share four common practices and ideas that I tend to disagree with.

Programming Truths

90% of developers don't test their code. Made up percentages aside, I think you'll find that this is fairly accurate, when you gather the entire development community. How come? With so much evangelism across the board, what's the reason behind this hesitation?

90% of developers don't test their code. Made up percentages aside, I think you'll find that this is fairly accurate, when you gather the entire development community. How come? With so much evangelism across the board, what's the reason behind this hesitation?

90% of Devs Don't Test Their Code. Why?

I've begun to find that, in so many cases, the basic, boring path - for learning a skill or achieving some result - ends up being the correct one. It's not the fancy twelve-point program that costs $899 to unlock. Nope, not even close.

I've begun to find that, in so many cases, the basic, boring path - for learning a skill or achieving some result - ends up being the correct one. It's not the fancy twelve-point program that costs $899 to unlock. Nope, not even close.

Choose the Boring Path

While most episodes generally focus on one central idea, today is more a stream of consciousness. We'll discuss everything from the struggles of running a business, to Metroid, to social media addiction, to Cobra Kai. Grab a drink and let's hang out.

While most episodes generally focus on one central idea, today is more a stream of consciousness. We'll discuss everything from the struggles of running a business, to Metroid, to social media addiction, to Cobra Kai. Grab a drink and let's hang out.

Stream of Consciousness

After working with PHP for over ten years now, there's one question that continues to pop up - no matter what year it is: "Isn't PHP Dead?" Let's talk about it.

After working with PHP for over ten years now, there's one question that continues to pop up - no matter what year it is: "Isn't PHP Dead?" Let's talk about it.

Isn't PHP Dead?

The subject of this week's episode is gamification. I'll begin by gushing over Outer Wilds, and then move on to discussing the pros and cons of general gamification elements in web apps and schools.

The subject of this week's episode is gamification. I'll begin by gushing over Outer Wilds, and then move on to discussing the pros and cons of general gamification elements in web apps and schools.

Gamification

If we're being frank, in the last month, I've felt somewhat burned out. As developers, it happens to us all at some point or another. Let's talk about that for a bit.

If we're being frank, in the last month, I've felt somewhat burned out. As developers, it happens to us all at some point or another. Let's talk about that for a bit.

Mint-Chocolate Burnout

Kevin McCallister

In this episode, we'll begin with a five minute discussion of Home Alone, because I know my audience - and that's what you're truly craving from me. Then, we'll move on to a variety of realizations I've come to 2017 - and they're not all related to code.

In this episode, we'll begin with a five minute discussion of Home Alone, because I know my audience - and that's what you're truly craving from me. Then, we'll move on to a variety of realizations I've come to 2017 - and they're not all related to code.

Kevin McCallister is a Jerk (and 2017 Realizations)

Rather than big New Year's Resolutions, I prefer to make three simple lists. Prioritize the things you love to do, incentivize the things you need to do, and optimize the things you hate to do. It's cheesy as hell, but stay with me...

Rather than big New Year's Resolutions, I prefer to make three simple lists. Prioritize the things you love to do, incentivize the things you need to do, and optimize the things you hate to do. It's cheesy as hell, but stay with me...

Prioritize, Incentivize, Optimize

There's no two ways about it: taking things too far is simply a rite of passage. Whether it's developers over-evangelizing microservices and command-oriented architecture, or guitar players forcing newly learned modes into their solos, we all take it too far...before finally pulling back.

There's no two ways about it: taking things too far is simply a rite of passage. Whether it's developers over-evangelizing microservices and command-oriented architecture, or guitar players forcing newly learned modes into their solos, we all take it too far...before finally pulling back.

Taking it Too Far is a Rite of Passage

So you're a developer planning to launch your first SaaS or subscription site? The business side of things get really complicated... really fast, right? In this episode, I rattle off ten tips and notes to be aware of, as you prepare for launch. We're less focused on code-specifics, and more the realities of starting and running a business.  Your naivety is your greatest weapon. As soon as you make enough revenue to consider going full-time, get a good accountant fast. Many business books are irrelevant for this type of business. Be skeptical of their advice. Don't fake it. You're not CEO of a one-person business. Automate as much as possible. If you're doing it manually over and over, that needs to be fixed ASAP. The guilt is the hardest part. Eventually, you must schedule office hours, and adhere to them. When handling customer support requests and social media, be a human being, not a corporation. Think small - and then iterate. Decide the life you want to optimize for.

So you're a developer planning to launch your first SaaS or subscription site? The business side of things get really complicated... really fast, right? In this episode, I rattle off ten tips and notes to be aware of, as you prepare for launch. We're less focused on code-specifics, and more the realities of starting and running a business. <ol> <li>Your naivety is your greatest weapon.</li> <li>As soon as you make enough revenue to consider going full-time, get a good accountant fast.</li> <li>Many business books are irrelevant for this type of business. Be skeptical of their advice.</li> <li>Don't fake it. You're not CEO of a one-person business.</li> <li>Automate as much as possible. If you're doing it manually over and over, that needs to be fixed ASAP.</li> <li>The guilt is the hardest part.</li> <li>Eventually, you must schedule office hours, and adhere to them.</li> <li>When handling customer support requests and social media, be a human being, not a corporation.</li> <li>Think small - and then iterate.</li> <li>Decide the life you want to optimize for.</li></ol>

10 Business Tips When Launching Your First App

Remote

In this episode, line by line, I'll answer a recent question related to remote contractors. We'll discuss choosing an applicant, tips for getting the job, tooling, workflow, and more.

In this episode, line by line, I'll answer a recent question related to remote contractors. We'll discuss choosing an applicant, tips for getting the job, tooling, workflow, and more.

Remote Contractor Workflow Q&A

I keep a list of frequently asked questions, related to Laracasts and being a programmer in general. In this episode, we'll breeze through a long list; everything from Jim Henson, to DHH, to facades!  What music do you (Jeffrey) listen to when coding? Why not branch out and teach more subjects on Laracasts? Should I be using Laravel facades? Should I test every single class? Sublime, PHPStorm, or Vim? Why do developers disagree so much on best practices? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of a best practice?? Do you have any advice for first-time conference speakers? What do you do if you can't grok a particular coding concept? How do you refactor code, if you have no idea where to start? What theme do you use? Who are your personal, coding, and education heroes?

I keep a list of frequently asked questions, related to Laracasts and being a programmer in general. In this episode, we'll breeze through a long list; everything from Jim Henson, to DHH, to facades! <ol> <li>What music do you (Jeffrey) listen to when coding?</li> <li>Why not branch out and teach more subjects on Laracasts?</li> <li>Should I be using Laravel facades?</li> <li>Should I test every single class?</li> <li>Sublime, PHPStorm, or Vim?</li> <li>Why do developers disagree so much on best practices? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of a best practice??</li> <li>Do you have any advice for first-time conference speakers?</li> <li>What do you do if you can't grok a particular coding concept?</li> <li>How do you refactor code, if you have no idea where to start?</li> <li>What theme do you use?</li> <li>Who are your personal, coding, and education heroes?</li></ol>

The Q&A Episode

In this episode, we're focused entirely on simple performance tips that anyone can implement right now. Every kilobyte counts,  so try to implement at least a few of these, if you aren't already! Show Links  https://www.cloudflare.com/ https://imageoptim.com/mac https://pngmini.com/ https://github.com/turbolinks/turbolinks

In this episode, we're focused entirely on simple performance tips that anyone can implement right now. Every kilobyte counts, so try to implement at least a few of these, if you aren't already! Show Links <ul> <li><a href="https://www.cloudflare.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.cloudflare.com/</a></li> <li><a href="https://imageoptim.com/mac" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://imageoptim.com/mac</a></li> <li><a href="https://pngmini.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://pngmini.com/</a></li> <li><a href="https://github.com/turbolinks/turbolinks" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://github.com/turbolinks/turbolinks</a></li></ul>

Simple Laravel Performance Wins You Can Implement Right Now

Today, we're discussing the importance of building little projects for yourself. Whether it's a podcast, or book, or web app, pick something and force yourself to see it through to completion. Along the way, I'll tell you about my completely rewritten book, and why I'm so excited to share it this time around.

Today, we're discussing the importance of building little projects for yourself. Whether it's a podcast, or book, or web app, pick something and force yourself to see it through to completion. Along the way, I'll tell you about my completely rewritten book, and why I'm so excited to share it this time around.

Shut Up and do the Work

The best podcast episodes on non-current politics. Covering topics such as universal basic income, democracy, poverty & justice and more. For anyone interested in learning more about politics that affect that world, not just now, but in the longer term. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Non-Current Politics Podcasts

What is this?
1 quote, 3 ideas & 1 question from a carefully curated podcast episode.
Every Monday & Wednesday.

Want a 3rd insight and episode every week? Email me at curation@owltail.com.