Modern Web Dev Meets 2000s Flip Phone: What Could Go Wrong?

Modern Web Dev Meets 2000s Flip Phone: What Could Go Wrong?

Author: Skill Issue Studios July 31, 2025 Duration: 1:04:42

This week, Robbie and Chuck talk with Tom Barrasso about building modern web apps for $15 flip phones, and the challenges of building for ultra-low-end devices. Tom shares his journey from building a podcast app during the pandemic to working in developer relations at CloudMosa. They dive into digital minimalism, the surprisingly advanced features of today’s flip phones, and what it’s like to work remotely while traveling the globe.

In this episode:

  • (00:00) - Intro
  • (01:07) - Meet Tom Barrasso
  • (02:54) - Whiskey rating & review: Johnny Walker Black
  • (12:07) - Hot Take: Tailwind or vanilla CSS
  • (12:26) - Hot Take: Fit rebase or merge?
  • (13:13) - Hot Take: VS Code sidebar left or right?
  • (13:33) - Hot Take: Were smartphones a mistake?
  • (16:04) - Is switching to a flip phone easier today?
  • (21:17) - Increasingly expensive fast food
  • (22:58) - A brief history of flip phones
  • (29:13) - Building for devices the modern web forgot
  • (34:17) - How AI fits into developing for feature phones
  • (39:28) - Language quirks, accents, and phonetic texting
  • (42:34) - Tips for digital nomads and Tom’s global travels
  • (50:15) - Workplace politics
  • (55:21) - What would Tom do if not in tech?
  • (59:04) - Plugs

Links

Connect with Tom

Connect with Chuck and Robbie

Subscribe and stay in touch

Whiskey Web and Whatnot Merch

Enjoying the podcast and want us to make more? Help support us by picking up some of our fresh merch at https://whiskey.fund.


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

Whiskey Web and Whatnot
Podcast Episodes
Italian Culture, CSS, Remote Work, Gen Z Career Advice, and more! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:59
In this episode of Whiskey Web and Whatnot, RobbieTheWagner and Charles William Carpenter III sip some Old Forester 1920 and Bushmills, and dive into a casual conversation about their experiences of Italian culture, food…
Typecraft: TypeScript, Vim, Foodie YouTube, Linux, and More! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:26
In this episode of Whiskey Web and Whatnot, Robbie and Chuck talk with Chris Power, the creator behind the Typecraft YouTube channel. Known for his expertise in Linux and TypeScript, Chris discusses various tech, languag…
Htmx, Open Source, Retro Tech, and Dev Tools with Carson Gross [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…
Disappointing Whiskey, Pizza Debates, and Tech Conference Adventures [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:47
In this episode of Whiskey Web and Whatnot, hosts RobbieTheWagner and Charles William Carpenter III review a disappointing whiskey that leaves them questioning their life choices, discuss their lackluster food experience…
The Future of Ember and Modern Build Tools with Chris Manson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:50
In this episode of Whiskey Web and Whatnot, Robbie talks with Chris Manson about the intricacies of JavaScript classes, the evolving landscape of React and Ember, and the benefits of using Vite in modern app development.…
Introducing: Whiskey Web and Whatnot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:27
Veteran web developers RobbieTheWagner and Charles William Carpenter III host this informal, whiskey-fueled fireside chat with your favorite web devs. They discuss all things web development including JavaScript, TypeScr…