HTML All The Things - Web Development, Web Design, Small Business

When a client comes in with a dream project and a shoestring budget, what should a developer do? In this episode, Matt and Mike break down the low-budget dilemma - why clients under-budget, when it makes sense to try working with them, and when it’s better to walk away. We explore how to trim features without killing quality, how to set realistic MVP expectations, how to handle classic client excuses (“my cousin can do it cheaper”), and how to protect your reputation even when money is tight. If you’ve ever wondered how far you should cut features or whether a project is still worth doing, this episode dives deep into the realities of balancing budget, quality, and your long-term brand. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/should-you-say-no-to-low-budget-projects Powered by CodeRabbit - AI Code Reviews: https://coderabbit.link/htmlallthethings Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Google has officially rolled out Gemini 3.0, and in this episode we take a casual but focused look at what’s actually improved. Matt and Mike break down the model’s major upgrades, run through how Gemini performed in independent audits, and compare those results to competing LLMs. We also discuss what these improvements mean for day-to-day developer workflows, where Gemini still falls short, and whether Google’s latest release finally puts them back in the race for AI dominance. Please note that this is a casual conversation and look through some of the release materials, it is not comprehensive news coverage. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/gemini-got-an-upgrade-gemini-3-0

In this episode of the HTML All The Things Podcast, Mike walks through the new web development tech that’s been landing on his radar. From next-gen formatters and bundlers to emerging UI frameworks and terminal-UI toolkits, Mike breaks down what each tool is, why it matters, and where its limitations are today. In this episode Matt and Mike cover: BiomeJS - all-in-one formatter/linter with strong Prettier compatibility Ripple - an experimental TypeScript-first UI framework TanStack Start - a router-first full-stack framework for React/Solid Hono.js - tiny, blazing-fast multi-runtime web framework Rolldown - Rust-powered bundler with major Vite build speed gains Effect - type-safe effects/concurrency runtime for TypeScript OpenTUI - build rich terminal UIs using React/Solid renderers If you want a curated look at early-stage tools shaping how we might build for the web in 2025, Mike’s got you covered. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/new-web-development-tech-thats-on-my-radar Powered by CodeRabbit - AI Code Reviews: https://coderabbit.link/htmlallthethings Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

In this edition of Web News, we explore whether developers in 2025 should build a web app or launch through an app store. Web apps offer flexibility and reach, but platforms like the App Store and Google Play bring built-in visibility, reviews, and trusted security. We break down the advantages of each approach and discuss whether launching on a platform gives your project a major edge. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/web-app-vs-app-store-which-should-you-build-for-2025

In this episode of the HTML All The Things Podcast, Matt and Mike tackle a growing sentiment spreading across social media: coding just isn’t fun anymore. What changed? Why are so many developers - new and experienced - feeling burned out or disillusioned in 2025? We break down what originally made coding exciting, from passion projects and creative problem-solving to the thrill of building something entirely new. Then we look at the forces eroding that joy today: elitism in developer communities, the rise of AI-generated code, factory-style expectations, impossible deadlines, layoffs disguised as “project completion,” and the uncertainty surrounding the future of the profession. We also discuss whether the “art” of coding has been lost as AI handles more and more of the hands-on work, and what developers can do to rediscover meaning, fun, and sustainability in their craft - even in 2025. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/why-isnt-coding-fun-anymore Powered by CodeRabbit - AI Code Reviews: https://coderabbit.link/htmlallthethings Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Junior developers are facing one of the toughest job markets in years. Memes of CS grads lining up for a single position might be funny online, but they reflect a harsh reality—AI is boosting senior developer productivity and shrinking opportunities for entry-level roles. Meanwhile, tighter deadlines and post-layoff workloads mean fewer seniors have time to mentor newcomers. In this edition of the Web News, we discuss what’s really happening to junior developers in today’s tech industry and what aspiring devs can do to survive - and even thrive - through it. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/its-over-for-junior-developers

In this episode, Mike sits down with legendary developer and content creator Marko Denic - a full-stack web developer, educator, and agency owner with more than 260k followers across social media. They talk about Marko’s journey from building websites to building an audience, how content creation transformed his career, and what role AI plays in his work today. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/leveraging-social-media-and-content-creation-w-marko-denic

In this episode, Matt and Mike compare JavaScript and Python for building LLM-powered chatbots. They explore how each ecosystem handles tool calling, type safety, performance, and framework support — from TypeScript’s tight end-to-end types to Python’s dominance in data and ML. They also discuss architecture patterns that mix the best of both worlds, helping teams choose the right stack for scalable, efficient AI projects. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/javascript-vs-python-which-is-better-for-building-llm-chatbots Powered by CodeRabbit - AI Code Reviews: https://coderabbit.link/htmlallthethings Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

In this Web News episode, Matt and Mike dive into the big question — is WordPress still relevant in 2025? With modern tools like Webflow, SvelteKit, and Next.js gaining traction, does WordPress still deserve its spot as the world’s most popular CMS? The duo explore its staying power, the ecosystem that keeps it alive, and whether developers should still be learning it today. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/is-wordpress-still-relevant-in-2025

In this episode of the HTML All The Things Podcast, Matt dives into the nuances of researching for a client. Learn how to take a client's diverse needs, turn them into actionable plans, and present solutions that fit perfectly—all while balancing technical expertise with a client-friendly approach. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/the-art-of-client-research-turning-client-needs-into-actionable-plans Powered by CodeRabbit - AI Code Reviews: https://coderabbit.link/htmlallthethings Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

In this Web News, Matt and Mike discusses the recent AWS outage and what it says about our overreliance on centralized services. From fragile cloud infrastructure to “move fast and break things” culture, this episode explores how we built systems that can take entire industries offline — and what developers can do to make technology more resilient, including offline-first features and smarter UX design. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/our-tech-is-too-fragile-aws-outage

In this episode of the HTML All The Things Podcast, Matt sits down with Quincy Larson - founder of freeCodeCamp.org - to talk about the future of learning to code in 2025. They discuss how AI is changing developer education, how to escape tutorial hell, and what makes freeCodeCamp’s free, open-source approach so effective. Quincy also shares insights into building a non-profit tech education platform and advice for aspiring developers looking to go freelance or start their own projects. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/inside-freecodecamp-learning-to-code-in-2025-w-quincy-larson Powered by CodeRabbit - AI Code Reviews: https://coderabbit.link/htmlallthethings

In this episode of the HTML All The Things Podcast, Mike opens up about the real challenges he faces as a web developer. From procrastination and work-life balance to imposter syndrome, AI overreliance, and the ongoing question of management versus hands-on coding — he dives into the struggles that often go unspoken in the dev world. Mike shares how he tries (and sometimes fails) to overcome these hurdles, offering a candid look at the ups and downs of staying productive and motivated in tech. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/struggling-learning-and-trying-again-my-biggest-challenges-in-web-development Powered by CodeRabbit - AI Code Reviews: https://coderabbit.link/htmlallthethings Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

In this edition of the HTML All The Things Web News, Matt and Mike discuss a viral Reddit post where a web developer says their manager’s use of ChatGPT has made their job a nightmare. They unpack whether this is the new workplace reality or a case of AI overstepping its bounds. Along the way, they share their own client experiences, talk AI etiquette, and explore how developers can set healthy boundaries when working alongside artificial intelligence. Show Notes: www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/a-chatgpt-nightmare-ai-etiquette Original Reddit Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/webdev/comments/1o80iri/chat_gpt_is_making_my_job_into_a_nightmare/

In this episode of the HTML All The Things Podcast, Matt breaks down CSS for absolute beginners. You’ll learn what CSS is, where it goes, and how it makes websites look beautiful. From understanding selectors and specificity to learning why classes beat IDs for flexibility—this crash course keeps things simple, visual, and easy to understand through audio. Matt also walks through common CSS mistakes beginners make and how to avoid them. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/css-crash-course-for-absolute-beginners Powered by CodeRabbit - AI Code Reviews: https://coderabbit.link/htmlallthethings Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

While working on the HTML Crash Course, Matt realized how easy it is for experienced developers to skip foundational steps when teaching. In this episode, Matt explores why learning order is so important and how educators can make programming more accessible without overwhelming beginners. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/the-importance-of-learning-order-in-coding

In this episode of the HTML All The Things Podcast, Matt sits down with Shant Dashjian, a developer educator at Scrimba and founder of Pro Coding Mentor. Shant shares his journey from learning code to mentoring aspiring developers, highlighting the importance of building strong fundamentals, gaining real-world experience, and staying consistent when the going gets tough. We talk about what makes an effective mentor, how developers can make the most of coding bootcamps and platforms like Scrimba, and why community is often the missing link in a student’s success. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to give back by mentoring others, this episode is full of practical advice and insights to level up your career. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/developer-education-and-mentoring-w-shant-dashjian Powered by CodeRabbit - AI Code Reviews: https://coderabbit.link/htmlallthethings Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

Modern web development feels easier than ever — but only on the surface. In this episode, Matt and Mike break down which parts of web dev have truly become simple thanks to frameworks, AI scaffolding, and one-click hosting… and which parts remain tough as ever. From complex third-party integrations and security concerns to scaling, debugging, and design systems, they explore the deeper challenges that still require human creativity and technical judgment. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/is-web-development-too-easy-now Powered by CodeRabbit - AI Code Reviews: https://coderabbit.link/htmlallthethings Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.

In this edition of the Web News, Matt dives into a thought he had while out on the golf course: are we ever going to have tech that’s so seamless it doesn’t pull us out of the moment? We’ll talk about the current state of ‘analog’ versus ‘digital’ experiences, why even the most advanced wearables can’t fully disappear into the background yet, and what it might take to reach a future where technology is truly invisible but still helpful. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/phones-golf-and-the-problem-of-always-being-connected

Learning HTML is the first step to building websites, but it can feel overwhelming when you’re starting from scratch. In this crash course, Matt and Mike break down the absolute basics of HTML in a way that’s clear, practical, and beginner-friendly. You’ll learn what HTML is, how tags work, why structure matters, and how semantic HTML makes your sites more accessible and SEO-ready. We’ll also cover how search engines use your HTML, why clean code helps ranking, and what to focus on before diving into CSS and beyond. Whether you’re brand new to coding or brushing up on fundamentals, this episode will give you the foundation you need to start building the web. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/html-crash-course-for-absolute-beginners Powered by CodeRabbit - AI Code Reviews: https://coderabbit.link/htmlallthethings Use our Scrimba affiliate link (https://scrimba.com/?via=htmlallthethings) for a 20% discount!! Full details in show notes.