System design made fun — we hand our cohost Saloni, a software engineer, a deck of cards and ask her to explain how apps are actually built.
In this episode, we sit down with Martin, a seasoned software engineer and startup founder who managed to retire in his 40s, thanks to strategic budgeting and early investments in cryptocurrency. He shares insights on how he managed his finances to achieve early retirement, his disciplined approach to dollar-cost averaging (DCA) in Bitcoin, and his journey into the crypto world. We dive into practical questions like how he determined his DCA amounts, budgeted consistently with tools like YNAB (You Need a Budget), and kept his emotions in check through the volatile highs and lows of the Bitcoin market. We also explore his perspective on long-term strategies like DCA compared to trading and discuss his thoughts on whether it's too late to start investing in Bitcoin today. If you’re curious about building financial independence through cryptocurrency or looking for tips on budgeting and intentional investing, this episode is packed with actionable advice!
Did you know Python is an open source language? What is open source? Is open source less secure compared to closed source? What are the two (motivating... and not so motivating) sides in contributing to an open source community, in this case, Python? These questions will be answered by Martin, a recently retired software engineer who has experiences maintaining Python open source projects as part of his work in his startup and being an executive member of the Python User Group in Singapore! ✨Follow us on our socials! - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/ragtechdev - Blog: https://ragtech.hashnode.dev/ - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d - More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdev TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Preview 01:18 Introduction to ragTech 01:34 Introducing Martin 04:06 How would you describe open source and how does it fit in in the world of Python? 05:38 Isn't open source dangerous if everyone can see the source code? 06:53 How does open source compare to closed source when it comes to fixing problems with software? 08:52 How has it been like fo ryou, contributing to the Python open source community? 10:44 What has been the other side of the coin in your experience contributing to the Python open source community? 12:17 What does a maintainer of an open source project do, and is it difficult? 13:22 What are the hidden struggles of giving up your role as a maintainer of an open source project? 14:41 What is it about the culture of learning in the open-source community? 16:35 How do tech communities contribute to learning in the community? 17:21 What doe sit take to organize a tech conference like PyCon, and will you still be involved? 18:38 What are the harsh realities of maintaining a tech community group? 20:40 Why might it be more difficult to maintain a tech community group in Singapore than other places? 22:28 Why should companies start to view participating in tech communities as part of work? 24:28 Conclusion and coming up next
What are the cons to consider when joining hackathons? What are our REAL opinions on internal company hackathons? What are some tips for newbies to hackathons? Join us in part 2 of this episode by ragTech as we talk about our experiences joining hackathons as a solutions engineer, an associate software engineer and a senior software developer! 📢 HACKATHON SHOUTOUT Join the AngelHack Global Hackathon Series movement 🌍: https://go.d3v.gg/wdvsg ✨Follow us on our socials! - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/ragtechdev - Blog: https://ragtech.hashnode.dev/ - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d - More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdev
Can only coders join hackathons? What skills can you gain from hackathons? Can you join hackathons to validate startup ideas that you have? Join us in this episode by ragTech as we talk about our experiences joining hackathons as a solutions engineer, an associate software engineer and a senior software developer! ✨Follow us on our socials! - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/ragtechdev - Blog: https://ragtech.hashnode.dev/ - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d - More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdev
🎙️ Sit back, relax, and tune in to our laid-back podcast where three friends, all passionate women in tech, share their thoughts on some of the most common debates swirling around the tech world! From Light vs. Dark Mode preferences to the age-old question of Startup or MAANG, we're covering it all with laughter and camaraderie. 💬 Join us as we dive into the frontend vs. backend debate, offering insights from our experiences as software engineers and a solutions engineer. From coding challenges to project management woes, we're not holding back in this candid conversation.
In this episode, let us get to know one of our team members, Victoria. She is a solutions engineer, technical blogger, speaker, GitHub Star, WomenWhoCode Singapore leader and now, a newbie podcaster at ragTech! Learn more about her journey in tech and about her in this episode!
In this episode we embark on a journey through the illustrious career of Saloni, the seasoned software developer in the RagTech podcast team. Join us as we delve deep into Saloni's extensive experience, celebrating her triumphs, and gaining valuable insights from her remarkable journey in the dynamic world of software development. Get ready for candid conversations, witty anecdotes, and invaluable lessons as we probe Saloni's odyssey—one line of code at a time. Whether you're a seasoned developer seeking relatable experiences or an aspiring coder eager to learn from the best, this episode offers a front-row seat to the fascinating world of software development. Join us as we unravel the secrets of a coding maestro!
Welcome to this episode of ragTech, where we dive deep into the world of creating communities as a technical founder and software engineer. In this episode, we unravel the journey of Natasha, a dynamic individual whose resume is dotted with various organizations, many of which she initiated herself. As a seasoned technical founder and software engineer, Natasha shares her insights into the evolution of her career, shedding light on how she came to specialize in zero-to-one products. Join our ragTech team as Natasha delves into the philosophy that propels her in community creation and team building. We talk about the principles and values that guide her as she cultivates environments where innovation thrives and connections flourish. From the initial spark of an idea to the tangible manifestation of a community, Natasha takes us through the intricate process of bringing people together for a common purpose. Moreover, Natasha provides a unique perspective on time management, juggling multiple roles and commitments with finesse. Learn about the strategies she employs to stay organized and efficient, ensuring that each project and community she's involved in receives the attention it deserves. Whether you're an aspiring technical founder, software engineer, or someone intrigued by the intricacies of community building, this podcast offers valuable insights into the mind of Natasha—a trailblazer in the tech industry who has mastered the art of turning ideas into impactful communities. Tune in and be inspired by the wisdom and experiences of a true innovator!
We often hear about "developer burnout," and for those outside the tech industry, it's easy to imagine programmers as god-like individuals with superpowers, capable of typing over 140 words per minute and staring at multiple monitors in a dark room for hours on end. But is this really true? What is this "tech industry" like really? Whether you are working in a non-technical industry or not, technology is at the forefront of our lives in this era. In the first episode of ragTech, we will dispel prevalent misconceptions and examine various stereotypes within the tech industry through the lenses of our ragtag team! And best of all, this is just a prelude to all the possible topics we want to explore more deeply in upcoming episodes!
What does a solutions engineer really do — and can AI actually replace that?In this episode of RagTech, we kick off our new series “AI Isn’t Taking My Job” with our very own co-host and solutions engineer Victoria, who gets candid about what she does, collaborates, and even uses AI tools like Copilot and vibe coding to make her work faster (but not replaceable).We also put her on the spot with a live client project — using our prototype tech card game to simulate how solutions engineers think, plan, and build apps. 💻🔥🎯 What you’ll learn:What a solutions engineer actually does in a dayHow AI tools empower developers (not replace them)Why communication, experience, and intuition still matter in techSneak peek of our upcoming System Design Card Game 👀🎧 Listen in for honest, funny, and surprisingly relatable tech talk.💬 Drop a comment: Do you think AI could replace your job?✨Follow us on our socials!- Website: https://ragtechdev.com/- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d- More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdev
In this pilot episode of Taking the Buzz out of Buzzwords, we sit down with our guests for a fun and enlightening round of Techie Taboo. The challenge? Explain complex tech terms without using the “taboo” words everyone usually defaults to. First word: Agent — from what it does to the different types of protocols, we break down the buzz and uncover what it really means, all while having a laugh along the way.
This episode’s all about Vibe Coding — yep, that new trend where AI helps you build apps just by describing them. Sounds wild, right?We chat about:💭 What vibe coding actually is (spoiler: not a Gen Z thing!)🍗 The app Saloni built that turns menu descriptions into food images⚙️ How AI tools like Windsurf plan, debug, and even ask for your permission before touching your code🚨 Why it’s amazing for prototypes — but not quite ready for full enterprise apps🤖 The importance of prompt engineering (and Saloni’s genius trick to get AI to write your prompts for you)Basically — vibe coding feels like pair programming with an overly polite senior dev. 😂✨Follow us on our socials!- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ragtechdev- Blog: https://ragtech.hashnode.dev/- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d- More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdev
Did you know that today (sept 30) is International Podcast day? Nope, we didn't either but when we found out, we had to publish today! 😊Thanks for supporting ragTech so far! If you're new here, hi! We hope you enjoy our conversations!✨Follow us on our socials!- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ragtechdev- Blog: https://ragtech.hashnode.dev/- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d- More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdev
In this episode, we explore what it means to build a personal brand as a software engineer. We chat about how Victoria became a GitHub Star, discuss the importance of GitHub in your tech portfolio, tips on picking the right domain name, and walk through a custom Linktree-style feature on Natasha's dev personal site. For multi-passionate techies struggling to define themselves — this one's for you.We post biweekly on our podcast that shows honest tech conversations from real people in the industry✨Follow us on our socials!- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ragtechdev- Blog: https://ragtech.hashnode.dev/- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d- More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdevTimestamps00:00 Introduction00:22 The Struggles of Identifying as a Divergent Inquisitive01:41 Is Being an Explorer an Identity Within Itself?04:23 How to Find Your Personal Brand05:33 What Others Think About You - Abstract it One Level Higher08:20 Your Identity is a Constant Iteration, Not a Static Object09:28 Demo of Linktree-like Feature on a Webfolio10:30 Further Thoughts on Making Portfolio Codebase Modular and Opensource11:29 The Importance of GitHub for Techies as a Portfolio13:20 Search for a Domain Name Before Naming Projects14:24 How Victoria Became a GitHub Star17:23 Summary of Natasha's App Review Series19:50 Conclusion
We post biweekly on our podcast that shows honest tech conversations from real people in the industry✨Follow us on our socials!- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ragtechdev- Blog: https://ragtech.hashnode.dev/- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d- More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdevTimestamps0:00 Introduction00:16 Demo of a Blog Written in Markdown w/o a CMS01:30 Explaining SEO and Tags02:49 Pros of Using CMS: In-built SEO03:43 Using Redirect Links from Website to External Blog04:55 Cons of External Blog: Redirecting Traffic Away from Website05:36 Deciding Where You Want Traffic Towards: Blog or Website?07:17 Exploring Victoria Lo's, a Technical Writer's, Blog + Website08:48 Exploring Saloni's Medium Page for Tech Blogging10:13 Realization that all 3 of Us Drew 2D Avatars for our Blogs11:12 Conclusion
🎮 In this video, three techies dive into a creative and unconventional portfolio — a Harvest Moon-inspired pixel game that breaks away from the typical to-do list projects. They discuss why personal identity matters in tech portfolios, how side projects can showcase true passion and learning, and why it’s time to move beyond the standard "professional" templates. Whether you're a developer building your first portfolio or looking to revamp your online presence, this conversation will inspire you to tell your own story through your work.✨Follow us on our socials!- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ragtechdev- Blog: https://ragtech.hashnode.dev/- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d- More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdev
Join us in this episode as we dive deep into the realities of career growth in the tech industry! Our hosts share their personal journeys, the unexpected twists and turns they've faced, and the valuable lessons learned along the way. Whether you're just starting out or looking to make your next big move, this conversation will inspire you to embrace the ups and downs of your own career path.✨ What you'll hear in this episode:Real stories of non-linear career progressHow to handle setbacks and pivot pointsTips for staying motivated and resilientAdvice for women and underrepresented groups in techDon't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more honest conversations about tech careers!CareerGrowth #WomenInTech #TechPodcast #NonLinearCareers #CareerAdviceListen now and remember: your journey is uniquely yours!✨Follow us on our socials!- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragtechdev/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ragtechdev- Blog: https://ragtech.hashnode.dev/- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KfM9JTWsDQ5QoMYEh489d- More Links: https://linktr.ee/ragtechdev
Are most software engineers really introverts, or is that just a stereotype? In this episode, we dive into the world of personality types (MBTI) and how they shape the way developers communicate — whether in meetings, code reviews, or remote teams.👀 Whether you're an INTP, ENFP, or somewhere in between, understanding your MBTI can help you collaborate better and grow as a tech professional.🎙️ Ep. 32 is packed with relatable insights for engineers, team leads, and anyone curious about personality psychology in tech.🧠 What’s your MBTI type? Do you think it affects how you work and connect with others? Drop a comment and let’s talk!
In this episode, Saloni and Natasha sit with Martin, a retired software engineer and educator in tech, who is seriously considering homeschooling for his young daughter in lieu of advancements in AI.
Milania Greendevald
Working for the best company is a natural desire for each of us. Accordingly, we must be aware that the best employers receive a large number of responses to their vacancies. In order not to get lost in the flow of resumes on job sites, take an individual approach - tell about yourself through a well-written resume. Got Resume Builder https://www.gotresumebuilder.com/ helped me a lot with this.