Syntax - Tasty Web Development Treats

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]

959: TypeScript on the GPU with TypeGPU creator Iwo Plaza

Scott and CJ sit down live at JSNation NYC with Iwo Plaza, creator of TypeGPU, to dig into how WebGPU is unlocking a new wave of graphics and compute power on the web. They chat about shader authoring in TypeScript, the future of GPU-powered AI in the browser, and what it takes to build a killer developer-friendly graphics library. SHOW NOTES * 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! * 00:32 What is TypeGPU? High-level overview and why it exists * 01:20 WebGPU vs WebGL – the new era of GPU access on the web * 01:47 Why shader languages are hard + making them accessible * 02:24 Iwo’s background in C++, OpenGL, and discovering JS * 03:06 Sharing graphics work on the web vs native platforms * 03:29 WebGPU frustrations that inspired TypeGPU * 04:17 Making GPU–CPU data exchange easier with Zod-like schemas * 05:01 Writing shaders in JavaScript + the unified type system * 05:38 How the “use_gpu” directive works under the hood * 06:05 Building a compiler that turns TypeScript into shader code * 07:00 Type inference, primitives, structs, and TypeScript magic * 08:21 Leveraging existing tooling via Unplugin + bundler integration * 09:15 How TypeGPU extracts ASTs and generates TinyEST metadata * 10:10 Runtime shader generation vs build-time macros * 11:07 How the AST is traversed + maintaining transparency in output * 11:43 Example projects like Jelly Shader and community reception * 12:05 Brought to you by Sentry.io [https://sentry.io/syntax] * 12:30 Does TypeGPU replace 3JS? How it fits the existing ecosystem * 13:20 Low-level control vs high-level abstractions * 14:04 Upcoming Three.js integration – plugging TypeGPU into materials compute shaders * 15:34 Making GPU development more approachable * 16:26 Docs, examples, and the philosophy behind TypeGPU documentation * 17:03 Building features by building examples first * 18:13 Using examples as a test suite + how docs shape API design * 19:00 Docs as a forcing function for intuitive APIs * 20:21 GPU for AI – browser inference and future abstractions * 21:11 How AI examples inform new libraries (noise, inference, etc.) * 21:57 Keeping the core package small and flexible * 22:44 Building “TypeGPU AI”-style extensions without bloating the core * 23:07 The cost of AI examples and building everything from scratch * 23:41 Standard library design and future of the ecosystem * 24:04 Closing thoughts from Iwo – OSS, GPU renaissance, and encouragement * 24:34 Sick Picks & Shameless Plugs SICK PICKS * Iwo: Perogies SHAMELESS PLUGS * Iwo: Syntax Podcast 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]