Htmx, Open Source, Retro Tech, and Dev Tools with Carson Gross

Htmx, Open Source, Retro Tech, and Dev Tools with Carson Gross

Author: Skill Issue Studios August 15, 2024 Duration: 1:08:01

In this episode of Whiskey Web and Whatnot, Robbie and Chuck talk with Carson Gross about his journey in web development, including the creation of htmx and its predecessor, intercooler.js. They touch on the differences between front-end libraries, the importance of timing in tech adoption, and the relevance of older technologies. Carson also talks about his love for baseball, retro software, and the potential for a return to simpler and more varied tech tools and hardware.

In this episode:

  • (00:00) - Intro
  • (01:39) - Meet Carson Gross
  • (03:25) - Whiskey tasting: Bullet Rye 12 Year
  • (11:45) - Hot takes
  • (21:32) - htmx vs intercooler.js
  • (24:04) - Meme culture
  • (31:43) - Open source and community engagement
  • (36:14) - Pick the tech stack you like
  • (42:15) - Teaching cloud computing
  • (48:01) - Carson’s non-tech career
  • (58:43) - Retro tech

Quotes
“Intercooler vs htmx. They're the same thing. One of my takeaways from that is that timing is really, really important. Intercooler was too early. And we've seen that before in tech. If timing is what matters then the longer you can hang around, the more likely you are to catch that timing at some point.” ~ Carson Gross

“As I've gotten older, I've stopped looking for the one true programming language  and the one true way to  do X or Y or Z. There's a lot of different ways to get stuff done. And I like that there are people doing them different ways and that they've got their different take on things.” ~ Carson Gross

Links

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There's a certain alchemy that happens when you combine deep technical expertise with the warmth of a good conversation, and that's exactly what you'll find in Whiskey Web and Whatnot. Hosts Robbie Wagner, Charles William Carpenter III, and Adam Argyle bring decades of collective experience to the table, but they leave the lecture format at the door. Instead, each episode feels like pulling up a chair with colleagues who are just as passionate about the craft of building for the web as they are about the nuanced flavors in a glass of whiskey. The discussion naturally flows between the concrete details of modern development-like navigating JavaScript frameworks, CSS architecture, or the practical realities of agentic AI and new coding tools-and the broader, human aspects of a software engineering career. This podcast from Skill Issue Studios is built on the idea that the tools and the people who use them are equally important. You'll come for insightful, grounded advice on developer productivity and emerging technologies, but you'll stay for the genuine camaraderie and the occasional spirited debate about which whiskey bottle truly earns a spot on the shelf. It’s a refreshing blend of substance and personality, making complex topics accessible and reminding everyone that there's always a story behind the code.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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