#126 How Suz Hinton went from Dev to White Hat Hacker
Digest
Sue's Hinton, a software engineer and security researcher from Melbourne, Australia, shares her unique and winding journey through tech. Starting with a Commodore 64 in the early 90s, she developed a passion for computers and eventually pursued a multimedia degree, gaining a diverse skillset that proved invaluable throughout her career. After a stint in advertising, she found her way into education, teaching and rewriting curriculum at a TAFE institution. Her love for embedded hardware led her to explore the world of physical computing, building projects like a replica New York City Metro card that plays train noises. Sue's journey took her to the United States, where she worked at companies like Zappos, Microsoft, and CrowdStrike, gaining experience in various fields and learning from top-tier engineers. She also became a pioneer in live coding on Twitch, sharing her knowledge and passion for open source development. Sue's dedication to learning led her to pursue a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, earning numerous industry certifications along the way. This academic pursuit ultimately helped her transition into a security researcher role at CrowdStrike, where she leverages her technical skills and deep understanding of security concepts to contribute to the fight against cyber threats. Sue's story highlights the importance of embracing a diverse skillset, the power of continuous learning, and the unexpected opportunities that can arise from pursuing your passions. Sue discusses her recent experience with burnout, which led her to take a break from her research job and focus on her master's thesis. She shares insights into recognizing burnout and emphasizes the importance of taking time off to decompress and rejuvenate. Sue also discusses her plans for the future, which include pursuing online education courses and working on personal software projects. She highlights the importance of finding joy in the things she enjoys, even during periods of burnout. Sue concludes the conversation by recommending resources for listeners, including YouTube channels like Nerd Forge, No Clip, and Splash Wave, and books like "The Dream Machine" and "Space Rogue." She encourages listeners to explore these resources and find inspiration in the work of others.
Outlines
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Early Days with a Commodore 64
This Chapter discusses Sue's early experiences with computers, starting with inheriting a Commodore 64 from her uncle. She describes how she learned to use the computer through trial and error, exploring batch files and eventually discovering the world of websites. This early exposure to technology sparked her passion for computers and laid the foundation for her future career.
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A Winding Path Through Tech
This Chapter delves into Sue's educational journey, highlighting her decision to pursue a multimedia degree after initially considering a career as a veterinary nurse. She describes how this program provided her with a broad range of skills, including sound production, 3D modeling, and video creation, which she has utilized throughout her career and personal life.
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The Value of a Jack of All Trades
This Chapter explores the benefits of having a diverse skillset, as Sue explains how her multimedia degree prepared her for her early contract work and helped her navigate various roles in the tech industry. She shares anecdotes about her first jobs, including creating flash banners for a major car company and working on interactive projects for an advertising agency.
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Moral Dilemmas in Advertising
This Chapter discusses Sue's experience working in the advertising industry and her ethical concerns about the manipulative nature of advertising. She reflects on her time at an advertising agency, highlighting the fast-paced environment and the pressure to create engaging but potentially misleading content. Sue expresses regret for contributing to the rise of intrusive online advertising and shares her perspective on the evolution of advertising technology.
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The Joy of Teaching and Live Coding
This Chapter focuses on Sue's transition into education and her passion for teaching. She describes her experience teaching multimedia at a TAFE institution and how she rewrote the curriculum to incorporate more relevant technologies. Sue also shares her inspiration for starting live coding on Twitch, citing the influence of other streamers and her desire to demystify open source development.
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A Love for Embedded Hardware
This Chapter explores Sue's fascination with embedded hardware and her passion for building physical projects. She recounts a pivotal experience in her TAFE course where a teacher brought in a custom-built arcade cabinet, sparking her interest in electronics and hardware hacking. Sue describes her collection of old keyboards and her excitement when the Arduino platform emerged, allowing her to pursue her hobby more effectively.
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Ambitious Hardware Projects
This Chapter highlights Sue's most ambitious hardware project, which involved working with a medical equipment company to develop a live-streamed 3D virtual experience for the HoloLens. She describes the technical challenges of streaming 3D content in real time and the importance of optimizing for latency and user experience.
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Formative Years at Zappos
This Chapter focuses on Sue's experience working at Zappos, a company known for its unique culture and customer-centric approach. She describes the high-caliber front-end team at Zappos and how their focus on performance and innovation helped her elevate her skills. Sue also shares her perspective on the cultural differences between Australia and the United States and the challenges of navigating immigration paperwork.
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Back to School and a New Path
This Chapter discusses Sue's decision to return to school and pursue a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity. She explains her motivation for seeking a structured learning environment and her desire to gain a deeper understanding of a field that she found both fascinating and intimidating. Sue also shares her experience earning numerous industry certifications as part of her degree program.
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Transitioning to Security Research
This Chapter details Sue's transition from a general software engineer to a security researcher. She describes how her certifications and experience in security-focused roles at Stripe helped her secure a position at CrowdStrike. Sue emphasizes the value of her cybersecurity degree in understanding the technical concepts and terminology used in her new role.
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Capture the Flag Events and InfoSec
This Chapter explores Sue's involvement in Capture the Flag (CTF) events, which are hacking challenges designed to test security skills. She describes her participation in collegiate CTFs and her experience competing in a reverse engineering competition hosted by the National Security Agency (NSA). Sue shares her unique souvenir from the NSA - a lime green fidget spinner - and reflects on the thrill of receiving a package from such a prominent organization.
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Rapid Fire Questions and Reflections
This Chapter concludes with a series of rapid fire questions, covering topics such as Sue's approach to customizing her tooling, her thoughts on Vim, her perspective on the importance of not putting your identity into a single tool, and her experience with real-time versus asynchronous communication. Sue also reflects on the impact of live coding on her career and her decision to create her own streaming platform.
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Burnout and Rejuvenation
This Chapter delves into Sue's experience with burnout and her strategies for recovery. She describes the gradual onset of burnout, characterized by increased anxiety, disengagement, and decreased productivity. Sue shares her decision to leave her research job and focus on her master's thesis, emphasizing the importance of taking time off to decompress and rejuvenate. She highlights the importance of finding joy in the things she enjoys, even during periods of burnout, and shares her personal strategies for recovery, such as reading, watching documentaries, and engaging with inspiring communities.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Recommendations for Resources
This Chapter concludes with Sue's recommendations for resources that have inspired her, including YouTube channels like Nerd Forge, No Clip, and Splash Wave, and books like "The Dream Machine" and "Space Rogue." She encourages listeners to explore these resources and find inspiration in the work of others.
Keywords
Burnout
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress. It is characterized by feelings of cynicism, detachment, and a lack of accomplishment. Burnout can manifest in various ways, including fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and a loss of motivation. It is often associated with work-related stress, but it can also be caused by other factors, such as personal relationships, financial difficulties, or health issues. Burnout is a serious condition that can have a significant impact on an individual's well-being and productivity. It is important to recognize the signs of burnout and seek help if necessary. Strategies for preventing and managing burnout include setting healthy boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and seeking support from others.
Cloudflare TV
Cloudflare TV is a 24/7 streaming platform focused on technical topics. It features live streams and pre-recorded content from various experts and creators in the tech industry. Cloudflare TV provides a platform for learning, sharing knowledge, and engaging with the tech community. It is similar to Twitch but specifically tailored to technical content.
Nerd Forge
Nerd Forge is a YouTube channel that creates creative and engaging content related to technology, gaming, and pop culture. They are known for their high-quality productions, unique perspectives, and entertaining style. Nerd Forge's content often explores the history, development, and impact of technology, with a focus on innovation and creativity.
No Clip
No Clip is a YouTube channel that produces in-depth documentaries about video games and the people who create them. They are known for their insightful interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and engaging storytelling. No Clip's documentaries provide a unique perspective on the creative process, the challenges of game development, and the impact of video games on culture.
Splash Wave
Splash Wave is a YouTube channel that creates nostalgic and informative documentaries about retro gaming, particularly focusing on Sega games, arcade games, and the history of gaming technology. They use 3D graphics and retro-inspired visuals to create a visually engaging and immersive experience. Splash Wave's documentaries explore the technical aspects of game development, the cultural impact of games, and the stories behind iconic titles.
The Dream Machine
"The Dream Machine" is a book by author that explores the history of computing, from its early days to the rise of personal computers. It provides a comprehensive and engaging narrative of the key individuals, technologies, and events that shaped the modern computing landscape. The book is known for its detailed research, insightful analysis, and engaging writing style.
Space Rogue
"Space Rogue" is a book by that tells the story of the Cult of the Dead Cow, a group of hackers and activists who emerged in the early days of the internet. The book explores the group's history, their hacking exploits, and their impact on the development of computer security and online culture. "Space Rogue" is a fascinating account of the early days of hacking and the evolution of online activism.
Cult of the Dead Cow
The Cult of the Dead Cow (cDc) is a group of hackers and activists known for their work in computer security, online activism, and promoting free software. They emerged in the early 1980s and gained notoriety for their hacking exploits, their advocacy for digital rights, and their contributions to the development of security tools and techniques. cDc has been influential in shaping the landscape of computer security and online activism, and their work continues to inspire and influence others.
Q&A
What are some signs of burnout and how can you recognize it?
Sue describes the gradual onset of burnout, characterized by increased anxiety, disengagement, and decreased productivity. She mentions feeling overwhelmed by normal tasks, withdrawing from colleagues, and experiencing a significant drop in productivity. If you find yourself struggling to get out of bed, feeling guilty about not working, and avoiding conversations with colleagues, it might be a sign of burnout.
What are some strategies for recovering from burnout?
Sue emphasizes the importance of taking time off to decompress and rejuvenate. She suggests finding joy in the things you enjoy, even during periods of burnout. Her personal strategies include reading, watching documentaries, and engaging with inspiring communities. She encourages listeners to find what works best for them and prioritize self-care.
What are some resources that Sue recommends for those interested in technology, gaming, and computer history?
Sue recommends YouTube channels like Nerd Forge, No Clip, and Splash Wave, which offer creative and engaging content related to technology, gaming, and pop culture. She also recommends books like "The Dream Machine" and "Space Rogue," which provide insightful narratives about the history of computing and the early days of hacking.
What are Sue's plans for the future?
Sue plans to pursue online education courses and work on personal software projects. She is also looking forward to graduating with her master's degree and taking a break from the industry to focus on her personal interests.
Show Notes
On this week's episode of the podcast, freeCodeCamp founder Quincy Larson interviews Suz Hinton. She's a software engineer, security researcher, and one of the first ever people to live-stream her coding on Twitch.
We talk about:
- How Suz started her career building browser ads in Adobe Flash, working around bandwidth early 2000s limitations.
- How she moved to the US from Melbourne to work at Zappos, and then Microsoft and Stripe.
- Her love of hardware and embedded development
- How she went back to school to study infosec, and launched a second career as a security researcher
- How she nearly burned out after 20 years in tech, and what she's doing to recover.
Can you guess what song I'm playing on my bass during the intro? It's a 2015 song from an Australian musician.
Be sure to follow The freeCodeCamp podcast in your favorite podcast app. And share this podcast with a friend. Let's inspire more folks to learn to code and build careers for themselves in tech.
Also, I want to thank the 9,331 kind people who support our charity each month, and who make this podcast possible. You can join them and support our mission at: https://www.freecodecamp.org/donate
Links we talk about during our conversation:
- Suz's article on live coding on freeCodeCamp: https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/lessons-from-my-first-year-of-live-coding-on-twitch-41a32e2f41c1/
- NoClip video game development documentaries: https://www.youtube.com/@NoclipDocs
- The Dream Machine by M. Mitchell Waldrop. Suz says it's "Dense and long, but the best narrative about how computing came to be." https://press.stripe.com/the-dream-machine
- Space Rogue: How the Hackers Known as L0pht Changed the World by Cris Thomas. "A book about the original cult of the dead cow hacking group." https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/space-rogue-cris-thomas/1142912008