Scott & Mark Learn To...

In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into where they get their tech news and how their habits have evolved from the early days of blogging and RSS to today’s AI-focused email newsletters. They reminisce about the heyday of blogs, the rise and fall of Google Reader, and Mark’s old NT Internals mailing list, which once had nearly 90,000 subscribers. They compare curated sources like Techmeme, The Verge, and The Information, and discuss how AI-driven newsletters have replaced RSS as the primary way they stay informed. The conversation also features a fun moment when Scott looks back at his 20-year-old blog posts and finds references to Mark’s tools that helped launch part of his career.Takeaways:Tech news consumption has shifted from RSS feeds to curated AI-driven newslettersBlogging is still valuable as a personal knowledge archive, even decades laterHow tech history lives in old URLs, broken links, and archived postsWho are they?    View Scott Hanselman on LinkedInView Mark Russinovich on LinkedInWatch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTubeResources:Techmeme: https://www.techmeme.com– A leading tech news aggregator for technology business and breakthrough news.The Verge: https://www.theverge.com– Consumer technology news site covering tech, science, art, and culture.The Information: https://www.theinformation.com– A subscription-based publication focused on technology and business news.The Rundown AI: https://www.therundown.ai – Daily AI newsletter delivering news and practical applications in 5 minutes.Superhuman: https://www.superhuman.ai– Daily newsletter on AI tools, trends, and productivity tips.The Neuron: https://www.theneuron.ai– Daily AI newsletter with trends, tools, and tutorials for professionals.The Batch: https://www.deeplearning.ai/the-batch – Weekly newsletter curated by Andrew Ng’s team, focused on AI research and industry updates.Turing Post: https://www.turingpost.com – Newsletter exploring AI/ML trends, research, and interviews. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into how they each manage the flood of information, reminders, and ideas that fill their daily lives. From handwritten to-do lists to OneNote archives, they explore the balance between productivity tools and procrastination, and how offloading tasks can clear mental space. The two reflect on the psychology of lists, the illusion of control, and whether we’ll ever have a true second brain. A funny, self-aware, and relatable conversation about memory, focus, and the systems that keep us (mostly) functional.    Takeaways:    Writing things down can free up mental space and reduce cognitive load Procrastination can serve a purpose when your brain keeps working in the background Organization doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective   Who are they?     View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn    Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube        Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to           Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping software engineering and the career paths of developers. They discuss the emerging “AI boost” for experienced engineers versus the “AI slowdown” that can hinder those early in their careers, emphasizing the need for companies to create structured learning environments rather than rely solely on AI-driven productivity. The conversation dives into mentorship, apprenticeship models, and how senior engineers must evolve into teachers to ensure vital knowledge transfer. Together, Scott and Mark challenge the industry to rethink how it trains, supports, and measures success for the next generation of software professionals.   Takeaways:    Companies should reward senior engineers who invest time in developing junior talent Critical thinking and troubleshooting skills can’t be automated or shortcut through AI tools Senior developers gain efficiency, while newcomers risk falling behind without proper guidance   Who are they?     View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn    Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube        Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to           Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive deep into the promises and pitfalls of AI-assisted coding. They debate whether large language models can truly handle complex software projects, discuss the limitations of current AI systems in areas like synchronization, and explore the difference between human learning and machine pattern-matching. Along the way, they touch on the dangers of over-anthropomorphizing AI, the rise of “thinking tokens” in new models, and the impact these tools may have on junior developers learning the craft.    Takeaways:    The ongoing debate: can AI scale into true general intelligence or not? The risks of relying too heavily on AI when you don’t understand your own code What junior developers may lose and gain in a world of AI-assisted programming   Who are they?     View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn    Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube        Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to           Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the realities of career progression at Microsoft and in tech more broadly. They discuss the different paths engineers can take, whether through management, deep technical expertise, or individual innovation and the role that scope, impact, and even luck plays in promotions. Along the way, they reflect on the challenges of leveling, the importance of communication, and the balance between recognition, influence, and personal fulfillment in a long-term career.   Takeaways:    Engineers can advance without becoming managers through individual contributions Communication and influence are critical for advancing to senior levels Promotions hinge on measurable business outcomes, not just effort or shipped work   Who are they?     View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn    Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube        Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to           Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the technical side of modern AI research and development workflows. They discuss the power of remote development with VS Code, building custom chatbot tools for jailbreak testing, and exploring token probabilities with log probes. Mark also shares how he leveraged AI to generate a working UX in one shot, why temperature settings matter for model outputs, and his plans to open source his custom chatbot client. Takeaways:   Discover how Mark uses VS Code split between local and cloud for AI researchExplore the risks and creativity behind context injection jailbreakGet insights into model temperature settings and output logprobsWho are they?    View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn  Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube      Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich explore the challenges and opportunities of coding with AI assistants. They compare different models, discuss the quirks of “vibe coding,” and share insights on building tools that bridge LLMs and APIs. Mark walks through his experience developing an academic reference checker, highlighting how AI can help structure messy data, uncover edge cases, and speed up complex development work. The conversation also touches on the evolving joy of coding, from puzzle-solving by hand to managing AI-driven workflows, and how these shifts are reshaping both productivity and creativity.Takeaways:   Mark’s journey building an academic reference checker with AIHow AI assistants are changing the way developers find joy in codingRefChecker source code: https://github.com/markrussinovich/refchecker Who are they?    View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn  Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube      Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich share strategies for conducting more effective and purposeful one-on-one meetings. They emphasize the value of tailoring the approach to each individual, encouraging agenda-setting in advance, and prioritizing critical topics to ensure they are addressed. The discussion covers best practices for providing and receiving constructive feedback, maintaining visibility across teams, and striking a balance between trust and accountability. They also address the importance of recognizing contributions, differentiating between credit and “lift,” and using one-on-ones to proactively identify and remove obstacles.Takeaways:   Tailor meeting style to each person’s preferences for communication and frequencyAvoid over-preparation or unnecessary large meetings when a small discussion will sufficeShare discussion topics ahead of one-on-ones with senior leaders to maximize valueWho are they?    View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn  Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube      Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to         Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Scott and Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich explore vibe coding with AI, testing how Copilot Agent Mode can analyze their transcripts to see who talks more on the show. They discuss coding with AI as a collaborative sculpting process, debate crediting AI for its contributions, and reflect on the human judgment still needed for prompting and refining outputs. Along the way, they generate graphs, poke fun at each other’s talk time, and share insights on how AI is changing coding and creative work.   Takeaways:    See how Copilot Agent Mode can generate graphs from transcripts Learn the difference between vibe coding and spec-driven development Explore the potential for interactive charts using D3.js for podcast data   Who are they?     View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn    Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube        Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to           Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Scott and Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich discuss innovative tools they built with AI assistance: Mark’s smart directory navigation tool that streamlines moving through nested folders by typing partial names, and Scott’s study website that transforms complex topics into structured, digestible material with AI-generated answers and progress tracking. They explore the challenges of AI “hallucination,” where models invent detailed but fictional information, and share insights on computer science history, including Leslie Lamport’s contributions. Their conversation also touches on evolving UI design trends from minimalist styles to flashy effects like “liquid glass” and debates the balance between aesthetics, usability, and energy efficiency in modern technology.   Takeaways:    Challenges of owning gaps in knowledge and the value of asking questions boldly How AI can invent convincing but false project details Mark demonstrates his new AI-assisted directory navigation tool called MCD   Who are they?     View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn    Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube        Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to           Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts     Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Scott and Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich Scott shares the behind-the-scenes stress and preparation that went into his recent TEDx talk, which required memorizing a 12-minute script and performing it without a teleprompter. Mark Russinovich opens up about how he experiences stress when his schedule gets out of control, and both hosts discuss the importance of mindfulness, exercise, having work besties, and managing social energy. The episode is packed with practical tips, vulnerable moments, and reflections on what it really takes to perform at a high level, whether it’s on stage, at work, or in life.   Takeaways:    Trusted colleagues make high-pressure jobs sustainable Skill is built through reps, not just raw ability Repetition, feedback, and coaching turned Scott’s talk into something powerful      Who are they?     View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn    Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube        Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to           Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Scott and Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive deep into the topic of self-promotion, visibility, and personal branding. They explore the blurry lines between promoting your work, representing your company, and building a personal brand—whether intentional or not. With humor, honesty, and vulnerability, they reflect on online criticism, handling stress, and the challenge of staying authentic while being visible.    Takeaways:    Why personal branding doesn’t always mean having a “strategy” How to balance work visibility with personal authenticity The challenge of managing side projects and perception within corporate environments   Who are they?     View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn    Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube        Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to           Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Scott and Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the chaotic world of large language models, hallucinations, and grounded AI. Through hilarious personal stories, they explore the difference between jailbreaks, induced hallucinations, and factual grounding in AI systems. With live prompts and screen shares, they test the limits of AI's reasoning and reflect on the evolving challenges of trust, creativity, and accuracy in today's tools.    Takeaways:    AI is getting better, but we still need to be careful and double check our work AI sometimes gives wrong answers confidently Jailbreaks break the rules on purpose, while hallucinations are just AI making stuff up    Who are they?     View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn    Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube        Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to           Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Scott and Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the emotional complexity of receiving feedback—especially when it’s tough to hear. They explore the difference between constructive critique and personal opinion, the impact of timing and context, and how motivation behind feedback can shape how it's received. Sharing real stories about presentation flops, speaker coaching, and surprising reactions to their ideas, they reflect on how experience builds resilience and why it’s important to hold onto your convictions while staying open to growth. They also touch on the balance between instinct and data in decision-making, the subtle politics of corporate resistance, and even the fine art of surviving massive Zoom meetings with 81 attendees. It’s an honest, funny, and thoughtful conversation about learning, evolving, and breathing through it all.   Takeaways:    The importance of understanding the context in which feedback is received How hard it can be to maintain belief in your work after negative feedback You don’t have to accept all feedback you can pick what serves you the best    Who are they?     View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn    Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube        Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to           Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich discuss using AI to build a fractal shader in just 15 minutes—something that would normally take hours of manual coding. They explore the challenges and limitations of AI in real-world projects, particularly with large, complex codebases. The conversation covers the importance of understanding licensing and tools like GitHub Copilot for sourcing and attributing code. Mark shares his experiences with AI-assisted coding, particularly the frustrations of models that "fix" issues but miss the mark. They highlight how AI struggles with complex projects, maintaining state, and adapting to evolving requirements. Ultimately, they agree that while AI can assist with certain tasks, human expertise is essential for ensuring the right context and specification in development.  Takeaways:    Despite initial skepticism, the first attempt at creating the shader worked nearly perfectly AI models may not always use the latest API versions, causing security or functionality issues Enterprise AI development involves continuous iteration, evolving from V1 to more refined versions    Who are they?     View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn    Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube        Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to           Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   Download the Transcript Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into a lively mix of tech nostalgia, AI-driven code attribution, and shader programming mishaps. Scott introduces "ShaderGlass," an app that overlays CRT-style shaders on windows, leading to a chaotic live troubleshooting session when it renders invisibly. They also explore AI-assisted code attribution, joke about their legendary Zoomit skills, and poke fun at "vibe coding" among younger developers.   Takeaways:    AI-generated code can now include references to original sources Scott proves that some apps can operate without Windows recognizing them How AI-generated code challenges traditional copyright laws       Who are they?     View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn    Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube        Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to           Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   Download the Transcript Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich discuss their favorite technical conference, TechReady, an internal Microsoft event that allowed for unfiltered discussions about strategy and future technologies. They reflect on how speaking candidly in internal settings can influence public communication and decision-making. Mark recalls his bold stance on Rust over C++, which gained traction internally and externally, leading to direct discussions with Microsoft leadership. They also touch on the challenges of public communication as Microsoft executives, the company's relatively open culture compared to other tech giants, and lessons learned from past social media missteps.      Who are they?     View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn    Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube        Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to           Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   Download the Transcript Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the art of building reputations throughout the careers. Scott shares a story about directly messaging a distinguished engineer with a technical question, sparking a discussion about when it's appropriate to contact someone you don't know. Mark acknowledges that his title and reputation give him confidence to reach out to others but emphasizes not bothering people with "randomness." They explore when it's okay to say no, why thoughtful questions build influence, and how legendary computer scientist Donald Knuth turned bug reports into prized autographs. Mark shares his approach to unread messages, while Scott reveals his trick for turning good questions into content. Plus, a candid discussion on imposter syndrome—when even the most accomplished minds feel out of their depth.   Takeaways:    The key is knowing when to ask questions versus when to do more self-research Why titles serve as shorthand for expertise, but their importance depends on context. How highly accomplished professionals deal with self-doubt and imposter syndromeWho are they?     View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn    Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube        Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to           Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   Download the Transcript Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the concept of systems thinking—what it means, why it matters, and how it applies beyond just coding. Scott recalls an insightful conversation with a colleague, who argues that while younger generations are taught to code, they aren’t taught to understand the larger systems in which code operates. They discussed how systems thinking approach contrasts with traditional code practices. They also explored the challenges of integrating AI into coding, the limitations of AI-generated code, the necessity of understanding the broader system in which code operates and debated the balance between deep analysis and decisive action.  Takeaways:    Experience and mindset shape systems thinking Understanding how one's work fits into a larger system can lead to better decision-making With AI handling more coding tasks, the real value lies in the ability to think architecturally and systemically       Who are they?     View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn    Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube        Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to           Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Scott & Mark Learn To, Scott Hanselman and Mark Russinovich dive into the history and evolution of ZoomIt, a popular screen annotation and zooming tool Mark created over 25 years ago. Originally built to enhance technical demos, ZoomIt has become an essential utility for countless users, including Scott, who calls it second nature. Mark shares how the tool's intuitive, keystroke-driven design surpasses alternatives like Windows Magnifier, making it a favorite for presentations and daily use.   You can download Zoomit for free here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/zoomit  And it is now part of PowerToys toolkit: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/zoomit   Takeaways:    ZoomIt's key features, including live zoom, annotations, blurring, and color customization Mark highlights new features showcasing ZoomIt's ongoing evolution to better serve users ZoomIt is entirely keystroke-driven, eliminating the need for menus or toolbars    Who are they?     View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn  View Mark Russinovich on LinkedIn    Watch Scott and Mark Learn on YouTube        Listen to other episodes at scottandmarklearn.to           Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   Download the Transcript Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.