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

Is web development truly recession proof? In this episode of the HTML All The Things Podcast, Matt and Mike explore how different types of recessions—tech downturns, regional slumps, and global crashes—impact developer jobs and freelancing. They discuss why tech’s deep connection to so many industries can make developers more resilient, how side hustles and niche targeting can provide security, and why major economic downturns often spark new online opportunities. Drawing on community perspectives and industry insights, this episode unpacks what it takes to keep your career strong in uncertain times. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/is-web-development-recession-proof 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 discuss Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong’s controversial decision to fire engineers who refused to adopt AI tools like GitHub Copilot and Cursor. After purchasing enterprise licenses, Armstrong gave employees just one week to integrate the tools into their workflows, even holding a Saturday meeting to enforce compliance. Was this “heavy-handed” approach justified, or did it cross the line? We break down the story, explore the ethics of forcing AI adoption, and consider what this means for the future of engineering culture. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcast/was-the-coinbase-ceo-too-harsh-ai-firings

Every developer has war stories about a project that went sideways—too many abstractions, tests that didn’t catch what mattered, or a late-night deploy with no rollback plan. In this episode, Matt and Mike dig into the seven biggest mistakes teams make when building web apps and how to avoid them. From over- and under-engineering, leaving hard problems until the last minute, and wasting time in low-impact areas, to skipping security basics, ignoring observability, and neglecting CI/CD, we cover the traps that derail projects. Along the way, we share practical strategies—like building for 10× growth (not 100×), using tracer-bullet proofs of concept, scoping by impact, and shipping behind feature flags. Whether you’re launching your first SaaS or scaling an enterprise app, these lessons will help you build faster, safer, and smarter. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/top-mistakes-that-developers-make-when-building-a-web-app-and-how-to-prevent-them 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.

AI often makes headlines for its risks—huge electricity usage, job replacement fears, and ethical concerns around training on human-created work. But is there another side to the story? In this Web News episode, Matt and Mike explores the positives of AI that are often overlooked. From childhood sci-fi dreams of voice-controlled computers to the imaginative worlds of Star Trek, we’ll look at AI through rose-coloured glasses and discuss what it could mean for the future when viewed with optimism. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/from-star-trek-to-today-dreaming-of-ais-best-future

A fascinating dive into the world of web development starts with a retail worker's career dilemma. The discussion tackles the saturation of the job market and the rising influence of AI on entry-level positions. It emphasizes the importance of networking and adaptability. Listeners learn about the contrasting paths of freelancing versus traditional jobs, the intricacies of using tech tools, and the entrepreneurial potential within niche markets. The gig economy's role in reshaping web careers and skill optimization for better earnings is another highlight.

When developers and tech-savvy users interact with technology, they often do it in ways that differ drastically from the general public. While the average consumer might eagerly adopt new features and shortcuts at face value, techies tend to avoid gimmicks, question claims, and create their own workflows. In this episode of Web News, we explore how these different usage patterns affect app design, UX decisions, and the experiences we create as developers. Do we need to design with two audiences in mind—one for the general user and another for the tech-savvy crowd? Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/do-developers-use-technology-differently

The developer job market is tougher than ever — but it’s not impossible to land your dream role. In this episode, I’m joined by Taylor Desseyn, VP of Global Community at Torc, a talent platform helping top developers connect with companies fast. We dive into: The current state of the tech job market in 2025 Why many developers are struggling to get hired The role of networking and developer communities in job hunting Insider tips for landing a web development or software engineering job quickly What companies really look for when hiring tech talent Whether you’re a junior developer trying to break in or a seasoned engineer facing layoffs, this episode is packed with practical career tips to help you stand out and get hired. Keywords to help you find us: developer jobs, tech hiring, software engineer jobs, web development careers, coding job tips, networking in tech, programming careers, tech layoffs, how to get a job in tech. 🎧 Listen now and start taking control of your career in a tough market. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/landing-a-developer-job-in-a-tough-market-w-taylor-desseyn-vp-at-torc 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 what's becoming an annual feature, Matt and Mike discussed the results of the Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2025. There are an absolute ton of different categories and results in this survey, the guys have cherry picked a few key metrics to drive conversation and debate on the state of the 2025 developer market. With AI tools coming in hot this year (and last for that matter), many think that the industry is in a state of upset - do you think the survey results confirm that? Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/stack-overflow-developer-survey-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.

AI is everywhere—popping up in every tool, platform, and app we use. But with all this supposed productivity, why are we spending so much time tinkering with AI tools instead of just... working? In this episode, we dig into whether the time we spend learning and adjusting AI is actually worth it—or if it's starting to backfire. Is this just a phase of growing pains, or will "tinkering" always be part of using AI as it rapidly evolves? Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/we-shouldnt-focus-on-ai

In this episode, Matt and Mike explore whether learning the fundamentals of coding is still necessary in 2025, now that powerful AI tools can write, refactor, and explain code in seconds. Do new developers still need to understand things like variables, loops, and logic, or can they jump straight into building projects with AI assistance? We talk about the pros and cons of skipping the basics, when foundational knowledge becomes essential, and how modern devs can balance AI-driven productivity with real skill-building. We also dive into how this all ties into web development, vibe-coding, and the rise of no-code/low-code tools. Whether you're just starting out or building your 10th project, this conversation will help you decide where to focus your learning next. Show Notes: https://www.htmlallthethings.com/podcasts/are-coding-basics-still-relevant-in-the-age-of-ai 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.