HTML All The Things - Web Development, Web Design, Small Business

Dive into the comeback of Web News as we discuss popular AI coding tools, the new "vibe coding" trend, and Firefox's new TOS changes. Coding with AI has become commonplace over the past couple years with consumer tools like ChatGPT showing off their coding competence. As professional developers adopt AI into the workplace they may start with ChatGPT, but will likely adopt coding-specific tools such as GitHub Copilot, Cursor, and Windsurf. Vibe Coding is a new trend where you fire up an AI assistant and let it do the coding work for you through human language prompts - opening up rapid prototyping for experienced developers and helping newbies have their ideas realized (to some extent). Firefox has made headlines recently regarding changes to their TOS regarding privacy - are they still the "privacy browser" that many users trusted them to be?

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/vibe-coding-cursor-vs-windsurf-firefox-did-what

Thanks to Magic Mind for sponsoring today's episode! Get up to 25% off their new gummies by using our affiliate link (https://magicmind.com/HTMLGM), or promo code (HTML25).

In this episode we had the pleasure of sitting down with Kent C. Dodds, a celebrated educator, open-source advocate, and React expert. He’s the creator of the Epic Web conference starting on March 25th 2025 and has created some of the best React workshops and courses out there. Together, we dove deep into how AI has made it almost impossible to apply to jobs the traditional way and if junior developers should turn off their AI chatbots when learning. We also covered what framework you should be learning and the roadmap for learning it. (Spoiler alert... it’s React).

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/ai-has-broken-the-web-developer-job-market-w-kent-c-dodds

Dive into this episode of HTML All the Things as hosts Matt and Mike unlock the secrets to thriving in the world of remote work! They break down every model—from synchronous and asynchronous setups to hybrid and freelance paths—so listeners can find the perfect match for their lifestyle and personality. Matt and Mike share actionable strategies for boosting productivity, covering everything from time management and work environment hacks to mastering communication and leveraging top tools like Slack, Notion, and Zoom. The hosts also tackle the challenges unique to remote work, such as isolation, miscommunication, and the elusive work-life balance, offering practical advice on overcoming these hurdles. Plus, they provide expert tips on landing remote web development jobs, building a standout portfolio, acing remote interviews, and spotting red flags in job listings. Whether you're a seasoned remote pro or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights to help you succeed in the ever-evolving remote landscape.

‍Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/how-to-be-successful-as-a-remote-developer

In this episode, Matt and Mike tackle real-world SEO client scenarios and how to solve them. From small business owners struggling to be found online to demanding clients who just want to be “#1 on Google,” we break down the biggest SEO challenges and what it actually takes to improve rankings. We’ll cover: Helping local businesses improve their online visibility, managing client expectations when it comes to SEO, fixing common website and Google My Business mistakes, and the right way to approach SEO for long-term success. If you've ever worked with clients on SEO—or if you're trying to improve your own business’s search rankings—this episode is packed with practical advice you can use.

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/i-want-to-rank-1-on-google-how-to-solve-real-seo-problems

Web developers use a lot of tools to get the job done and unfortunately, those tools sometimes get dropped in favor of newer and shinier ones. In this episode Matt and Mike take a trip down memory lane to revisit and discuss some of the JavaScript tools that have since lost presence in the zeitgeist. These tools include jQuery, MomentJS, Apache Cordova, and more! Some of these tools, while not as spry as they once were, are still fully supported and have new versions in development. While they might not be exciting enough to make headlines on the daily, many are still viable tools projects depending on a project's needs, wants, and age.

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/javascript-tech-we-loved-but-dont-use-as-much-anymore

Are developers forced to choose the popular option? 

This week, Matt had the pleasure of sitting down with Colby Fayock, a content creator and Shopify engineer to discuss the difficulty of choosing tools, plugins, frameworks, and more. Typically when you want stability and support, a safe bet is a popular tool run by a large company or community. However, last year's WordPress drama had many wondering how a platform so massive had a future that suddenly seemed so uncertain. Can options other than the popular ones be a good choice sometimes?

Show notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/the-popular-option-w-colby-fayock

In this episode, Matt and Mike dive into the world of freelancing—a rewarding but often challenging career path for web developers, designers, and tech enthusiasts alike. As 10+ year veterans of their own web dev agency, the guys share their personal insights and experiences when freelancing. Learn how to: make the most out of freelancing platforms like GURU, build an online presence for marketing, leveraging word of mouth once established, and dig up leads in unconventional places. Whether you’re considering freelancing as a side hustle or aiming to go full-time, we’re here to share actionable tips and strategies to set you up for success.

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/freelancing-for-web-development

In this episode Matt and Mike delve into the world of asynchronous JavaScript, inspired by a listener's request. The discussion covers essential concepts such as synchronous and asynchronous operations, explaining how JavaScript's single-threaded nature can lead to blocking issues. The hosts explore various methods to handle async operations, including callbacks, promises, and the increasingly popular async/await syntax. They also address practical issues like error handling and best practices for writing maintainable and performant async code. This episode is ideal for developers looking to deepen their understanding of JavaScript's asynchronous capabilities.

Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/what-is-async-javascript

Thanks to Wix Studio for sponsoring this episode! Check out Wix Studio, the web platform tailored to designers, developers, and marketers via this link: https://www.wix.com/studio