Originally aired in December 2023: In this episode of the Mechanical Ink podcast, host Schalk Neethling speaks with guest Jordan Harband in a deep dive into the open-source world. Jordan shares his journey from a garage startup to becoming a pivotal figure in the open-source community. He speaks passionately about the philosophy behind open source, emphasizing its role in fostering innovation through collaboration and building on existing work.

A significant part of the conversation revolves around the inclusivity and accessibility aspects of open source. Jordan underscores the democratizing power of open source, discussing how it provides a platform for diverse individuals to contribute and influence technological advancements.

The discussion also touches on the ethical aspects of software development. Jordan highlights the importance of considering the human impact of technical decisions, stressing the need for ethical considerations in development processes.

Managing multiple open-source projects, Jordan sheds light on challenges like time management, burnout, work-life balance, and personal coping strategies. His role in TC39, the committee responsible for JavaScript standards, is also a topic of discussion, providing insights into the complexities and responsibilities associated with shaping the future of web development.

Overall, the episode offers a comprehensive look into the open-source world, from the perspective of a key player in the field, shedding light on its challenges, rewards, and ethical considerations.

Links

* Jordan Harband on LinkedIn

* Jordan Harband on GitHub

* Jordan Harband on NPM

* TC39

* Ecma

* OpenJS Foundation

* TC39 Proposals

* ES-Shims

* globalThis

* Revolutionising Web Docs: Documentation Engineering, Sustainability, Security - Open Web Docs

* Schalk Neethling on LinkedIn

* Mechanical Ink

Community

* Join the community on Slack

* Recorded with Riverside.fm (Affiliate link)

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Thanks for reading Mechanical Ink Studio - Open Source - Open Web! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

In this episode of the Mechanical Ink podcast, Schalk Neethling sits down with Daniel Beck, a documentation engineer writer based in Amsterdam. Daniel discusses his extensive career in software documentation, emphasizing the importance of understanding the audience and balancing quality content with effective tooling. He elaborates on the challenges of identifying with job titles such as writer, engineer, or documentation engineer, and reflects on his experiences working on MDN Web Docs. The conversation explores the intricacies of contributing to open-source projects, highlighting the need for soft skills.

Daniel introduces projects like Baseline and Web Features, which provide critical data on web platform support, and shares his perspective on the potential and limitations of AI in technical writing. Throughout the discussion, the importance of process, tools, and reader-centered documentation remains a central theme.

Links

* Daniel Beck on LinkedIn

* Daniel Beck on the web

* Baseline

* Schalk Neethling on LinkedIn

* Mechanical Ink Studio

Community

* Join the community on Slack

* Recorded with Riverside.fm (Affiliate link)

Help Others Find The Podcast

* Rate and review on Spotify

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Thanks for reading Mechanical Ink Studio - Open Source - Open Web! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

In this episode of the Mechanical Ink podcast, host Schalk Neethling sits down with Miriam Suzanne, a multifaceted expert in web development, an invited expert to the CSS Working Group, and a founder of OddBird. Our discussion spanned a range of topics, from the historical evolution of the web, the impact of social media and algorithms on creativity, the importance of collaboration, the process of writing a specification, the intricacies of modern CSS, the future of Sass, the challenges of funding open-source and work on web standards, and the exciting future of the web.

We also touch on the potential role of large language models (AI) in web development and the potential role AI can play. We also discuss approaches to writing CSS in the modern web development landscape and how we can play to the strengths of CSS, not be afraid to let go of some control, and embrace the beauty of CSS.

Miriam also shares some exciting upcoming features of CSS, the indie web, and the joy of building for the web in small, close-knit teams. It is a far-reaching, insightful, and inspiring conversation.

Links

* Miriam Suzanne on LinkedIn

* Miriam Suzanne on the Web

* Cascading Layouts Workshop

* Oddbird

* Sass

* The Business Site

* Schalk Neethling on LinkedIn

* Mechanical Ink Studio

Community

* Join the community on Slack

* Support the podcast on Patreon

* Recorded with Riverside.fm (Affiliate link)

Help Others Find The Podcast

* Rate and review on Spotify

* Rate and review on Apple Podcasts

Thanks for reading Mechanical Ink Studio - Open Source - Open Web! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

In this episode of the Mechanical Ink podcast, Schalk Neethling hosts Chris DeMars, a Senior Developer Advocate at DigitalOcean. Chris shares his journey in the tech industry, emphasizing the importance of community and accessibility in web development. He delves into the role of a Developer Advocate, highlighting the need to bridge the gap between the community and the organization.

Chris discusses his passion for web accessibility, driven by personal experiences, and the evolution of front-end development. He also touches on the significance of open-source contributions, and the value of Hacktoberfest, and offers insights into effective leadership.

Beyond work, Chris enjoys various hobbies, including paintball, fishing, and the paranormal. The conversation concludes with reflections on the responsible use of AI and advice for those navigating their tech careers.

Links

* Chris DeMars on LinkedIn

* Chris DeMars on GitHub

* CSS Tricks Site Editor role at DigitalOcean

* Schalk Neethling on LinkedIn

* Mechanical Ink Studio

Community

* Join the community on Slack

* Support the podcast on Patreon

* Recorded with Riverside.fm (Affiliate link)

Help Others Find The Podcast

* Rate and review on Spotify

* Rate and review on Apple Podcasts

Thanks for reading Mechanical Ink Studio - Open Source - Open Web! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

In this episode of the Mechanical Ink podcast, host Schalk Neethling sits down with web accessibility specialist Hidde de Vries. We discuss the NL Design System project, an ambitious open-source initiative by the Dutch government aimed at creating a unified design system and set of components for all government websites and digital services. The project takes a collaborative approach, where different government organizations contribute components, guidelines, and user research, fostering a community-driven effort towards accessibility and inclusivity.

Web accessibility emerges as a central theme, emphasizing the importance of ensuring digital products and services are usable for everyone, including people with disabilities. The discussion delves into the challenges of automated accessibility tools and overlays, highlighting the need for manual testing and a deep understanding of accessibility principles. Additionally, the role of AI and language models in accessibility is explored, recognizing their potential benefits, such as automated transcription, while acknowledging their limitations in understanding context and intent.

The significance of HTML and the evolution of web standards is also highlighted, with Hidde expressing excitement about new features like the `popover` attribute and `invokers` API, which simplify the implementation of accessible components and interactions. Furthermore, the impact of AI-generated code on web accessibility is discussed, emphasizing the need to guide and train these models to prioritize accessibility and produce code that adheres to accessibility standards and best practices.

Links

* Hidde de Vries on LinkedIn

* Hidde de Vries on the Web

* Hidde de Vries on GitHub

* Talk: Could browsers fix more accessibility problems automatically?

* Overlay Fact Sheet

* On popover accessibility: what the browser does and doesn’t do

* Invokers API

* Schalk Neethling on LinkedIn

* Mechanical Ink Studio

Community

* Join the community on Slack

* Support the podcast on Patreon

* Recorded with Riverside.fm (Affiliate link)

Help Others Find The Podcast

* Rate and review on Spotify

* Rate and review on Apple Podcasts

Thanks for reading Mechanical Ink Studio - Open Source - Open Web! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

In this episode of the Mechanical Ink podcast, Schalk Neethling sits down with Rachel Nabors, whose journey from a cartoonist lost in the world of comics to a beacon in the tech community embodies the spirit of innovation and adaptability. Rachel's story is a testament to the power of embracing change, leveraging one's unique skill set, and the importance of continuous learning in the fast-paced tech industry.

The podcast delves into the evolving landscape of coding jobs, where foundational skills in coding remain indispensable despite the rapid advancements in technology. Rachel's experiences highlight how animation, often perceived through the lens of entertainment, plays a crucial role in enhancing user experience and accessibility in web development.

A focal point of their conversation is the value of open-source contributions and active participation in tech communities. Rachel advocates for the democratization of tech education, emphasizing the need to make learning resources more accessible and to foster environments that encourage mentorship and support.

Moreover, Rachel offers advice for those navigating the uncertainties of the tech industry. She underscores the importance of resilience, finding work that fulfills, and the perpetual pursuit of knowledge. Her insights serve as a guide for not only surviving but thriving in the ever-changing tech landscape.

This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone interested in technology, education, and the intersection of art and science. Rachel Nabors' journey is a compelling narrative of transformation, illustrating the endless possibilities that await those willing to explore the frontiers of digital innovation.

Links

* Rachel Nabors on LinkedIn

* Rachel on GitHub

* The Tech Career Survival Guide

* Schalk Neethling on LinkedIn

* Mechanical Ink Studio

Community

* Join the community on Slack

* Support the podcast on Patreon

* Recorded with Riverside.fm (Affiliate link)

Help Others Find The Podcast

* Rate and review on Spotify

* Rate and review on Apple Podcasts

Thanks for reading Mechanical Ink Studio - Open Source - Open Web! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.