In this episode of the Mechanical Ink podcast, host Schalk Neethling speaks with guest Jordan Harband in a deep dive into the world of open source. Jordan shares his journey from a garage startup to becoming a pivotal figure in the open source community. He speaks passionately about the philosophy behind open source, emphasizing its role in fostering innovation through collaboration and building on existing work.

A significant part of the conversation revolves around the inclusivity and accessibility aspects of open source. Jordan underscores the democratizing power of open source, discussing how it provides a platform for diverse individuals to contribute and influence technological advancements.

The discussion also touches on the ethical aspects of software development. Jordan highlights the importance of considering the human impact of technical decisions, stressing the need for ethical considerations in development processes.

Managing multiple open source projects, Jordan sheds light on the challenges like time management, burnout, and work-life balance, sharing personal strategies for coping with these issues. His role in TC39, the committee responsible for JavaScript standards, is also a topic of discussion, providing insights into the complexities and responsibilities associated with shaping the future of web development.

Overall, the episode offers a comprehensive look into the open source world, from the perspective of a key player in the field, shedding light on its challenges, rewards, and ethical considerations.

Community

• Join the community on Slack
• Continue the conversation on GitHub
• Support the podcast on Patreon
• Recorded with Riverside.fm (Affiliate link)

Links

• Jordan Harband on LinkedIn
• Jordan Harband on GitHub
• Jordan Harband on NPM
• TC39
• Ecma
• OpenJS Foundation
• TC39 Proposals
• ES-Shims
• globalThis
• Revolutionising Web Docs: Documentation Engineering, Sustainability, Security - Open Web Docs
• Schalk Neethling on LinkedIn
• Mechanical Ink

In this first episode of the new Open Source Project and Maintainer Spotlight series, host Schalk Neethling speaks with Browser Compat Data cor contributor Vinyl Da.i’gyu-Kazotetsu.

Vinyl Da.i’gyu-Kazotetsu, an independent software developer deeply involved in the Browser Compatibility Data (BCD) project. Vinyl shares her journey from learning software development to becoming a key figure in open-source projects. The discussion delves into the intricacies of browser compatibility, highlighting the challenges developers face due to varying browser implementations.

Vinyl explains the differences between BCD and CanIUse, emphasizing BCD’s focus on machine readability and detailed feature support. The integration of BCD in platforms like MDN Web Docs and its importance in web development is a key topic. Vinyl also touches on the dynamic nature of web technologies and how the BCD project adapts, including the potential inclusion or exclusion of different browsers and run times based on community interest and reviewer capacity. 

This insightful conversation provides a deep dive into the world of browser compatibility data, the ongoing efforts to streamline web development, and how you can contribute.

Community

• Join the community on Slack
• Continue the conversation on GitHub
• Support the podcast on Patreon
• Recorded with Riverside.fm (Affiliate link)

Links

• Vinyl on GitHub
• Gooborg Studios
• Buy Vinyl a Coffee or Ten
• Vinyl on the Mycelium Network Podcast
• Support Open Web Docs
• BCD Collector - BCD Collector Issues
• Browser Compat Data
• BCD Good First Issues
• BCD Issues for HTML, CSS, JavaScript
• Sovereign Tech Fund invests in Open Web Docs
• JavaScript Iterator Browser Compat Data on MDN Web Docs
• Ruth John on GitHub
• Florian Scholz on GitHub
• Philip Jägenstedt on GitHub
• Reports of Node's death are greatly exaggerated - The Changelog
• Reflecting on Bun's big launch - The Changelog
• Schalk Neethling on LinkedIn
• Mechanical Ink

Note: There is some talk of suicide ideation during this episode. Please take care while listening. If you need help, please use the following link to find resources near you. https://resources.byspotify.com/

There is no way to capture the emotional and inspirational story maze that Lars weaves in this episode. What follows is my best attempt, but do yourself a favor and pull up a code editor, a quiet moment, a cup of coffee, or all three and listen to this far-reaching episode filled with beautiful and raw storytelling.

K Lars Lohn's journey in the tech world began in his childhood, heavily influenced by his innate curious nature, Tandy Town, United Manufacturing, and Radio Shack. During this wide-ranging and inspirational conversation filled with beautiful storytelling, Lars delves into the profound impact of early experiences on his career trajectory, recounting his transition from using proprietary software to embracing open-source platforms, spurred by a licensing dispute with Microsoft. This shift highlights the adaptability and resilience that have marked his varied career, from software development to rose farming and art.

The episode also touches on Lars' challenges within the corporate tech world, particularly in dealing with rigid corporate structures and difficult employers. A fascinating aspect of his story is the integration of his artistic pursuits, namely music and art, with his professional life in technology. This blend underlines the importance of creative outlets and how they can enrich one’s work in tech.

Lars strongly advocates for diversity, not just in terms of race or gender, but crucially in thought and experience within the tech industry. He argues for the value of different perspectives in problem-solving and innovation. This episode offers an inspiring and multifaceted view of a life in technology, underscored by hardship, resilience, creativity, and storytelling.

Community

• Join the community on Slack
• Continue the conversation on GitHub
• Support the podcast on Patreon
• Recorded with Riverside.fm (Affiliate link)

Links

• K Lars Lohn on LinkedIn
• Losing my first programming job
• The Grand Old Lady
• The Burlington Northern Ski Lift
• A Call for Source Code CSS
• Waltzing and Programming are the Same Thing
• My Grudge with the Redmond Racketeer
• The Abandoned Rose Garden
• A Road Not Ridden
• My Coming Out Story
• Lars' Maze Art
• Support Lars on Patreon
• Schalk Neethling on LinkedIn
• Mechanical Ink

Videos

• Pycon 2016 closing keynote
• Well-Tempered API
• Maze Art Video
• Childish Intuition