Syntax - Tasty Web Development Treats

964: Markdown as a CMS is a bad idea

In this potluck episode of Syntax, Wes and Scott answer your questions about keyboard shortcuts, choosing frameworks in the age of AI, markdown vs CMSs, backup strategies, moving countries for work, staying relevant as a developer, and more! SHOW NOTES * 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! * 02:28 Do keyboard shortcuts actually improve productivity? * Hyperkey [https://hyperkey.app/] * 08:41 What is Error Lens [https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=usernamehw.errorlens], and why use it? * Ep 956: Should I Keep Using WordPress? [https://syntax.fm/show/956/should-i-keep-using-wordpress] * 11:44 How Scott is using a Svelte 5 service worker [https://gist.github.com/stolinski/373cd1d251ff823f6203ab53147cd433] * 14:52 Does tech stack choice still matter with AI coding? * Ep 951: A first look at Remix 3 [https://syntax.fm/show/951/a-first-look-at-remix-3] * 20:15 What stack should you choose for a greenfield SaaS? * 22:38 What’s the right stack for a band website? * 28:24 Is moving countries for work worth the tradeoff? * 34:59 Brought to you by Sentry.io [https://sentry.io/syntax/] * 36:16 How should you manage commits with AI tools? * 40:50 Is programming still a good career in the AI era? * 47:03 How should you back up large files and media? * Ep 949: Web Dev HORROR Stories + Spooky Trivia! (Spooky Stories Pt. 1) [https://syntax.fm/show/949/web-dev-horror-stories-spooky-trivia-spooky-stories-pt-1] * Ep 962: The Home Server / Synology Show [https://syntax.fm/show/962/the-home-server-synology-show] * 53:29 What backup setup works for small teams and clients? * 55:14 How should you store sensitive files safely? * 58:07 Sick Picks + Shameless Plugs SICK PICKS * Scott: Philips LED Ultra Definition [https://amzn.to/4pw3HfW] * Wes: LEGO Builder App [https://www.lego.com/en-us/builder-app] HIT US UP ON SOCIALS! Syntax: X [https://twitter.com/syntaxfm] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/syntax_fm/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@syntaxfm] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/96077407/admin/feed/posts/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@syntax_fm] Wes: X [https://twitter.com/wesbos] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wesbos/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wesbos] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesbos/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@wesbos] Scott: X [https://twitter.com/stolinski] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stolinski/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@stolinski] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stolinski/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@stolinski] Randy: X [https://twitter.com/randyrektor] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/randyrektor/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@randyrektor] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@randyrektor]

963: Hardware Hacking with Matt Brown

Scott and Wes chat with YouTuber and security consultant Matt Brown about breaking into IoT devices, extracting firmware, and decoding the hidden tech inside everyday gadgets. Matt shares his methods, the legal boundaries, and the wild stories behind his most interesting hacks. SHOW NOTES * 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! * 01:21 Curiosity in Hacking * 03:28 Understanding IoT Devices * 07:15 Brought to you by Sentry.io [https://sentry.io/syntax]. * 07:40 Linux vs Microcontrollers * 10:11 UART Console Access * 13:56 Firmware Extraction Techniques * 14:19 Guessing Usernames and Passwords * 19:22 Extracting Password Hashes * 23:15 Legal Considerations in Hacking * 30:06 Where does the inspiration come from? * 31:20 Using Logic Analyzers * 37:45 CAN Protocol in Automotive * 45:42 Influence of Lewis Rossman * 54:05 Sick Picks & Shameless Plugs SICK PICKS * Matt: Key Person of Influence [https://danielpriestley.com/key-person-of-influence-book/] SHAMELESS PLUGS * Matt:Matt Brown on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@mattbrwn], Brown Fine Security [https://brownfinesecurity.com/] HIT US UP ON SOCIALS! Syntax: X [https://twitter.com/syntaxfm] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/syntax_fm/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@syntaxfm] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/96077407/admin/feed/posts/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@syntax_fm] Wes: X [https://twitter.com/wesbos] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wesbos/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wesbos] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesbos/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@wesbos] Scott: X [https://twitter.com/stolinski] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stolinski/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@stolinski] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stolinski/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@stolinski] Randy: X [https://twitter.com/randyrektor] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/randyrektor/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@randyrektor] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@randyrektor]

962: The Home Server / Synology Show

Wes and Scott talk about their evolving home-server setups—Synology rigs, Mac minis, Docker vs. VMs, media servers, backups, Cloudflare Tunnels, and the real-world pros and cons of running your own hardware. SHOW NOTES * 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! * 01:35 Why use a home server? * 07:29 Apps for home servers * 16:23 Home server hardware * 18:27 Brought to you by Sentry.io [https://sentry.io/syntax/] * 20:45 VMs vs containers and choosing the right software * 25:53 How to expose services to the internet safely * 30:38 Securing access to your server HIT US UP ON SOCIALS! Syntax: X [https://twitter.com/syntaxfm] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/syntax_fm/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@syntaxfm] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/96077407/admin/feed/posts/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@syntax_fm] Wes: X [https://twitter.com/wesbos] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wesbos/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wesbos] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesbos/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@wesbos] Scott: X [https://twitter.com/stolinski] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stolinski/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@stolinski] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stolinski/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@stolinski] Randy: X [https://twitter.com/randyrektor] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/randyrektor/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@randyrektor] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@randyrektor]

961: Keeping Up With The Fast and Furious Web

Scott and CJ go live from JS Nation NYC to talk about how developers can actually stay current without drowning in the constant churn of new tools and trends. They break down how to see through the fluff, focus on why tech exists before adopting it, and build a healthier, curiosity-driven approach to learning in 2025 and beyond. SHOW NOTES * 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! * 00:39 Scott delivering a non-technical talk at JS Nation. * 03:24 Lamenting the frequency of change as developers. * 03:46 Understanding why things exist before deciding to learn them. * 05:11 Learning styles are a myth? * 07:41 First dates and psychology exams. * 10:39 Discovering is step one, playing is step two. * 13:32 Learn with a project that you actually want. * 18:16 Brought to you by Sentry.io [https://sentry.io/syntax]. * 18:34 Cutting through the noise of new tech. * 21:40 Using AI as a learning tool * 25:12 Sick Picks & Shameless Plugs. SICK PICKS * Scott: dbrand Ghost Case 2.0 [https://dbrand.com/shop/ghost/iphone-17-pro-clear-cases] * CJ: analog watches HIT US UP ON SOCIALS! Syntax: X [https://twitter.com/syntaxfm] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/syntax_fm/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@syntaxfm] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/96077407/admin/feed/posts/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@syntax_fm] Wes: X [https://twitter.com/wesbos] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wesbos/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wesbos] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesbos/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@wesbos] Scott: X [https://twitter.com/stolinski] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stolinski/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@stolinski] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stolinski/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@stolinski] Randy: X [https://twitter.com/randyrektor] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/randyrektor/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@randyrektor] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@randyrektor]

960: Reacting to the Weird + Creative Corners of the Web

Wes and Scott talk about the weird, creative corners of the web—from live-coded music with Strudel and wild Hydra visuals to shader wizardry, projection-mapping art, fully synced Christmas lights, and more. SHOW NOTES * 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! * 01:10 Strudel [https://strudel.cc/] * https://www.tiktok.com/@dj_dave__/video/7541104277234748685 [https://www.tiktok.com/@dj_dave__/video/7541104277234748685] * https://www.tiktok.com/@switch.angel/video/7542776528057257229 [https://www.tiktok.com/@switch.angel/video/7542776528057257229] * 03:45 Hydra [https://hydra.ojack.xyz/] * https://www.tiktok.com/@spacetiger3000/video/7552354878635511095?q=hydra%20video%20synth&t=1762879433461 [https://www.tiktok.com/@spacetiger3000/video/7552354878635511095?q=hydra%20video%20synth&t=1762879433461] * 05:44 P5.js [https://beta.p5js.org/] * https://www.tiktok.com/@julian_hespenheide/video/7408511121323248929?q=p5.js%20&t=1762879954031 [https://www.tiktok.com/@julian_hespenheide/video/7408511121323248929?q=p5.js%20&t=1762879954031] * https://www.tiktok.com/@m171148385929472638284/video/7544793538496679190?q=p5.js%20&t=1762879954031 [https://www.tiktok.com/@m171148385929472638284/video/7544793538496679190?q=p5.js%20&t=1762879954031] * 08:03 ShaderToy [https://www.shadertoy.com/] * https://shaders.com/ [https://shaders.com/] * https://www.shadertoy.com/view/ldlcRf [https://www.shadertoy.com/view/ldlcRf] * https://www.tiktok.com/@phi.graphics/video/6927475445059292421?q=shadertoy&t=1762879566343 [https://www.tiktok.com/@phi.graphics/video/6927475445059292421?q=shadertoy&t=1762879566343] * https://www.tiktok.com/@fifi_cgi/video/7255109146062687494?q=shadertoy&t=1762879566343 [https://www.tiktok.com/@fifi_cgi/video/7255109146062687494?q=shadertoy&t=1762879566343] * 11:13 Brought to you by Sentry.io [https://sentry.io/syntax] * 11:37 MadMapper [https://madmapper.com/] * https://www.tiktok.com/@dfiftyd50/video/7556202990529563920 [https://www.tiktok.com/@dfiftyd50/video/7556202990529563920] * https://www.tiktok.com/@dfiftyd50/video/7569626387577965844?q=projection%20mapping&t=1762879388084 [https://www.tiktok.com/@dfiftyd50/video/7569626387577965844?q=projection%20mapping&t=1762879388084] * 14:13 Touch Designer [https://derivative.ca/] * https://www.reddit.com/r/TouchDesigner/ [https://www.reddit.com/r/TouchDesigner/] * https://www.tiktok.com/@bedareveryday/video/7558850186601172246?q=Touch%20Designer&t=1762879652502 [https://www.tiktok.com/@bedareveryday/video/7558850186601172246?q=Touch%20Designer&t=1762879652502] * https://www.tiktok.com/@maze88196/video/7521311510488943894?q=Touch%20Designer&t=1762879652502 [https://www.tiktok.com/@maze88196/video/7521311510488943894?q=Touch%20Designer&t=1762879652502] * https://www.tiktok.com/@valen.bertol/video/7475117172847562039?q=Touch%20Designer&t=1762879652502 [https://www.tiktok.com/@valen.bertol/video/7475117172847562039?q=Touch%20Designer&t=1762879652502] * 16:45 xLights [https://xlights.org/] * https://www.tiktok.com/@ravespotlight/video/7311729112425516320?q=lights%20christmas&t=1762879799384 [https://www.tiktok.com/@ravespotlight/video/7311729112425516320?q=lights%20christmas&t=1762879799384] * https://www.tiktok.com/@thatlightguy_/video/7315199858338565418?q=xlights%20show&t=1762879927155 [https://www.tiktok.com/@thatlightguy_/video/7315199858338565418?q=xlights%20show&t=1762879927155] * 20:19 Sick Picks + Shameless Plugs SICK PICKS * Scott: NeueCast [https://neuecast.app/] * Wes: * 6 Port 2.5G Unmanaged Ethernet Switch [https://amzn.to/49dBTbx] * UGREEN USB to Ethernet Adapter 2.5Gb [https://amzn.to/47CwKIR] HIT US UP ON SOCIALS! Syntax: X [https://twitter.com/syntaxfm] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/syntax_fm/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@syntaxfm] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/96077407/admin/feed/posts/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@syntax_fm] Wes: X [https://twitter.com/wesbos] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wesbos/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wesbos] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesbos/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@wesbos] Scott: X [https://twitter.com/stolinski] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stolinski/] Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@stolinski] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stolinski/] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@stolinski] Randy: X [https://twitter.com/randyrektor] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/randyrektor/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@randyrektor] Threads [https://www.threads.net/@randyrektor]