HTML All The Things - Web Development, AI, and Developer Careers

In this episode, Matt and Mike explore whether AI can effectively teach React through project-based learning. Using a real side project - rebuilding the Xbox 360 Blades dashboard as a web app - they walk through how React concepts like props, state, and component structure are learned through iteration, experimentation, and replacing code as understanding improves. The discussion focuses on learning by building, avoiding overwhelm, and using AI as a guide rather than a shortcut. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/can-ai-teach-me-react-project-based-learning 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.

With modern development, we’re almost never coding alone. Google, MDN, Stack Overflow, and now AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini are always just a tab away. But what happens if that safety net disappears? In this edition of Web News, we explore the idea of offline programming - whether it’s still realistic going into 2026, what skills it actually tests, and whether there’s any real value in trying to code without constant internet access. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/the-art-of-offline-programming

In this episode of the HTML All The Things Podcast, Mike walks through his development setup in late 2025 - not just the tools he uses, but how he uses them day-to-day. From his MacBook Pro and editor setup to peripherals, travel gear, and gaming hardware, Mike breaks down what worked well over the past year, what didn’t, and why certain choices stuck. This isn’t a sponsored or affiliate-driven rundown - it’s a practical look at a real developer setup after a year of shipping projects, recording podcasts, and experimenting with workflows. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/my-development-setup-in-late-2025 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.

The holidays are coming up, and for many developers that brings up a familiar dilemma - should you keep coding, learning, and building… or should you unplug and take a real break? With fast-moving frameworks, constant updates, and pressure to stay relevant, stepping away can feel risky. But burnout is real, and the holidays are often one of the few chances we get to properly recharge. In this Web News, we talk about whether developers should code over the holidays, when it makes sense to keep tinkering, and when it’s healthier to step back and reset. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/should-developers-code-over-the-holidays-hustle-culture

“SEO is dead” has been a running joke for over a decade - but heading into 2026, the debate feels louder than ever. With AI search, shrinking Google traffic, zero-click results, TikTok discovery, Amazon reviews, Reddit research, and AI assistants reshaping how people find information, the real question isn’t whether SEO is dead… it’s what SEO has become. In this episode, Matt and Mike break down the new world of search in 2025/2026 - where users bounce between Amazon, Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Google, and AI tools before making a purchase. We explore how platforms are stealing traditional website traffic, why “zero-click search” doesn’t mean zero opportunity, how brands build trust across multiple ecosystems, and why your website still matters more than it seems. SEO isn’t dying - Google-only SEO is. Discover what “Search Everywhere Optimization” really looks like and how developers, creators, and business owners can adapt their strategy for 2026 and beyond. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/is-seo-dead-seo-in-2026 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 and Mike dive into the idea that consumer computing might be reaching a breaking point. With RAM prices skyrocketing, hardware getting more expensive, and the industry shifting toward cloud-powered and AI-assisted workflows, we ask a dramatic question: Is this the end of consumer computing as we know it? We explore how pricing, market consolidation, and changing developer expectations are reshaping the future - and whether everyday consumers will still be able to afford powerful machines in the coming years. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/the-end-of-consumer-computing-as-we-know-it

The web development world never stops moving - frameworks push new versions, browsers release new features, dependabot keeps chiming in, and AI tools like Cursor and the latest LLMs drop at a dizzying pace. In this episode, Mike breaks down why everything updates so fast, how he personally decides what’s worth upgrading, and how he stays sane with the nonstop stream of patches, releases, and AI model announcements. From security fixes to real productivity gains, Mike shares practical strategies for keeping your workflow stable without falling behind. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/never-ending-updates-ai-models-cursor-frameworks 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 dig into one of the biggest marketing debates heading into 2026: should you try to be on every platform? With SEO shifting beyond Google, brands are reevaluating how they show up across Reddit, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and everywhere else people search for answers. We break down when it makes sense to focus on a single platform, when multi-platform posting actually pays off, and why “being everywhere” isn’t always the optimal strategy. From content formats to audience behaviour, we explore what really matters as platforms evolve and fragmentation continues across the web. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/should-you-be-on-every-platform-in-2026

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's Gemini 3.0 rollout is here, and it's causing quite a stir! Upgrades tackle past weaknesses while boosting day-to-day developer workflows. The hosts share personal stories about Gemini's previous shortcomings and reveal performance leaps through benchmarking. Discussions cover the cost versus performance trade-offs and the implications of enhanced parametric knowledge for SEO. They also explore new integrations and the innovative 'Anti Gravity' IDE, highlighting exciting opportunities for developers and agents alike!