Forem: Erin Bensinger

#DEVDiscuss: Developing SaaS Products

Erin Bensinger — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 19:43:46 +0000

Time for #DEVDiscuss — right here on DEV 😎

How To Build a Scalable SaaS Backend in 10 Minutes With 100 Lines of Code 🚀

JS for ZenStack ・ Jun 21 '23

#webdev #javascript #typescript #architecture

Inspired by @jiasheng's Top 7 post, tonight’s topic is...developing SaaS (software as a service) products!

In their post, @jiasheng shares about their project @zenstack and how it can be used to build "a scalable SaaS backend in 10 minutes with 100 lines of code" 🔥

It’s hard to build a scalable SaaS system. Having been involved in the development of four commercial SaaS products at my previous company, I've come to realize the multitude of complexities that arise compared to typical consumer products. Among these complexities, one prominent area lies in the intricate realm of permission control and access policies.

Questions:

What's more important to you when building a SaaS: reducing complexity, or having lots of features and functionality?
How have you approached access control with SaaS apps in the past?
How does building SaaS at the startup level differ from working on a SaaS at the larger, commercial level?
Any triumphs, fails, or other stories you'd like to share on this topic?

#DEVDiscuss: Reddit's API Changes

Erin Bensinger — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 21:01:40 +0000

Time for #DEVDiscuss — right here on DEV 😎

Inspired by the hot news topic of the week, tonight we're discussing...Reddit's API changes!

In case you missed it: Reddit has recently made changes to its API, including a decision to charge for API use over a certain limit. This update will cause various third party Reddit apps, including the very popular Apollo, to close down due to an inability to afford their operations. In response, the moderators of many Reddit communities have taken their subreddits private in protest.

DEV user @theaccordance had a unique, intriguing take on the whole situation:

The Reddit blackout is a lesson in risk management

Joe Mainwaring ・ Jun 16 '23

#discuss #security #learning #startup

The 2010s was a golden age in capital investment and the technology industry benefited significantly, enabling a lot of free resources as a draw to build audiences and engagement. However, the 2020s so far have proven to be more challenging. Money is no longer free and as a result, many companies are having to mature their business models to be more self-sustaining. This means reducing expenses and finding additional sources of revenue. Monetizing previously open APIs is an unfortunate intersection that addresses both needs. Expect less free beer on the internet as we progress through these tougher economic times.

So let's talk about it!

Questions:

What do you think about Reddit's API changes?
Have your internet browsing habits been affected by the protests?
Do you think we'll continue to see changes in the "free" internet as the years progress?
Any other perspectives you'd like to share on this topic?

#DEVDiscuss: Ultimate Tips for Writing Technical Content

Erin Bensinger — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 20:00:00 +0000

Time for #DEVDiscuss — right here on DEV 😎

The Ultimate Guide to Writing Technical Blog Posts

Rizèl Scarlett ・ Jun 6 '23

#writing #careerdevelopment #leadership #contentwriting

Inspired by @blackgirlbytes's Top 7 post, tonight’s topic is...ultimate tips for writing technical content!

Based on her experience as a Developer Advocate, Rizèl Scarlett has written an incredible, comprehensive guide to writing technical content — seriously, take a look 👀

So let's talk about it!

Questions:

Which of the points in the ultimate guide have served you well as a technical content writer?
What are your top tips for writing technical content? Where or how did you learn them?
Any triumphs, fails, or other stories you'd like to share on this topic?

Community Spotlight: Out in Tech

Erin Bensinger — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 16:30:00 +0000

This month, we're celebrating organizations paving the way for LGBTQ2S+ technologists to find inclusion, belonging, and affirmation within our industry.

In this post, we shine a spotlight on Out in Tech, a non-profit community of over 45,000 LGBTQ2S+ people in the technology industry (including me, hi 👋🏻). 🏳️‍🌈

Out in Tech is on a mission to unite the LGBTQ2S+ tech community. Take it from their mission statement:

We envision a tech industry where LGBTQ+ people are empowered, well represented, and have full agency, from intern to CEO. We believe this will lead to:

Equity and belonging for all underestimated groups (centering women and people of color);

Innovative new ideas, products, and platforms; and

A more just future.

I've been a member of Out in Tech's active, supportive Slack community for years now. I've seen firsthand the power of the LGBTQ2S+ community coming together to share career opportunities, organize in-person meet-ups, and connect over pop culture, hobbies, and family life.

Slack isn't their only virtual community, though! They also offer a digital corps, which is an opportunity to connect and collaborate online to support LGBTQ2S+ organizations with free web services.

To support the emerging generation of LGBTQ2S+ technologists, Out in Tech offers a program called Out in Tech U. It includes a mentorship program for LGBTQ2S+ people ages 17–24 to make career connections and learn skills to support them on the job—all in a queer-inclusive, affirming environment.

We're glad that organizations like Out in Tech exist to support our LGBTQ2S+ colleagues as they grow their careers in our industry. 💖

Know of other great LGBTQ2S+ organizations, initiatives, or groups in tech? Share in the comments and let's continue to build community. 🌈

#DEVDiscuss: Optimizing Dockerfiles

Erin Bensinger — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 19:56:00 +0000

Time for #DEVDiscuss — right here on DEV 😎

Dockerfile Optimization using Multistage Builds, Caching, and Lightweight images

Internet Explorer ・ May 30 '23

#docker #programming #kubernetes #laravel

Inspired by @er_dward's Top 7 post, tonight’s topic is...optimizing Dockerfiles 🐳

According to the post...

Leveraging Docker's caching mechanism and multistage builds can result in significant enhancements in Dockerfile efficiency for a Laravel PHP application using Yarn and Nginx. With a better understanding of these mechanisms, developers can craft Dockerfiles that build faster, produce smaller images, and thus, reduce resource usage.

Questions:

What tools, tips, and tricks have you used to optimize Dockerfiles?
Have you used any non-Docker solutions for efficient container development?
Any triumphs, fail whales, or other stories you'd like to share on this topic?

Happy Pride Month, DEV Community! 🏳️‍🌈

Erin Bensinger — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 14:00:00 +0000

In many countries around the world, LGBTQ2S+ Pride Month is celebrated throughout the month of June. Here at DEV, we'll be celebrating by uplifting the stories of LGBTQ2S+ individuals in the tech industry.

Interested in sharing your story? Learn more from the DEV post below!

Share Your Expertise & Stories with #devpride this Pride Month! 🌈

dev.to staff for The DEV Team ・ May 30 '23

#devpride #lgbtq #meta #wecoded

Why celebrate Pride Month on DEV?

The team at DEV believes that all LGBTQ2S+ people deserve safe and life-affirming workplaces, schools, communities, homes, legal rights, and healthcare. We believe in a world where each person is empowered to be their true, colorful, and multifaceted self in all areas of life — including in our online coding communities.

We believe that an inclusive technology field brings a diversity of thought, which is key to the development of the best possible tools, technologies, and visionary futures to make the industry and the world a better place.

Why is Pride Month celebrated?

The first Pride Month in the US occurred in 1970 to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising of June 1969. The Uprising was a direct response to the oppression of LGBTQ2S+ people and their rights.

A lot has changed in the 54 years since Stonewall, but we have a long way to go toward making the world a safe and inclusive place for LGBTQS+ people to be their true selves without fear of discrimination, oppression, and harm (even the United Nations Office of Human Rights thinks so).

So what can the #DEVCommunity do?

This Pride Month, we're celebrating in a few different ways:

Spotlighting LGBTQ2S+ Tech Experiences

This month, the DEV Team will be sharing posts about organizations and initiatives helping LGBTQ2S+ people thrive in the industry. We'll also be giving a little shout-out to one of our favorite gay developers from history on his 111th birthday (if you know, you know! 🤖).

Uplifting Your Stories in #devpride

We’d love to hear stories about how being LGBTQ2S+ has impacted your career as a developer, both in positive and negative ways. We're particularly interested in hearing how you've overcome challenges within the community. Have there been specific jobs, conferences, or experiences that have played a role in your journey?

We're committed to showcasing your content using our moderation tools and sharing it across our social media channels. Our goal is to amplify queer voices, provide visibility to queer experiences, and spark important conversations.

Learn more from the post below:

Share Your Expertise & Stories with #devpride this Pride Month! 🌈

dev.to staff for The DEV Team ・ May 30 '23

#devpride #lgbtq #meta #wecoded

Adding Your Pronouns on DEV

In case you missed it: you can add your pronouns to your DEV profile!

To do this, first make sure you’re logged in, then navigate to your profile settings > Personal > Pronouns.

Not sure what this means? Check out this helpful guide to learn more.

Promoting Inclusion, Discussion, and Respect

We kindly ask you to join the discussion with respect and open-mindedness. Every voice matters, so let's make sure everyone feels welcomed and valued.

Here are some ways you can help:

Call out any abusive, harmful, and unfriendly language you see in posts and comments using our reporting tools
Encourage authors by leaving kind and welcoming comments
Ask curious, open questions and share your personal perspectives so we can help understand each other better
And, as always, follow our Code of Conduct!

Let's create an awesome and inclusive space! Happy Pride Month, DEV Community 🌈❤️

#DEVDiscuss: What's New in ES2023?

Erin Bensinger — Tue, 30 May 2023 20:06:56 +0000

Notice our fresh new look? 💅🏻💁🏻‍♀️

Big thanks to DEV's Content Creator @rachelfazio for designing a new header for #DEVDiscuss!

Ok, time for the main event: Our audiences on Twitter and Mastodon selected an excellent discussion topic today, so let's get into it. 😎

What's new in ES2023? 👀

Jasmin Virdi ・ May 26 '23

#javascript #webdev #programming #news

Inspired by @jasmin's Top 7 post, tonight’s topic is...what's new in ES2023?!

If you're not familiar, updates to ECMAScript for 2023 have been finalized! (Ok, kind of — they're not final until July, but they've reached Stage Four, meaning that they're all-but-certain to be final updates). You can learn more about the updates from TC39's site.

Questions:

Which of these updates are you most excited about?
Did any of these updates confuse, frustrate, or disappoint you?
Are there any updates you were hoping to see this year but didn't?
Any triumphs, fails, or other stories you'd like to share on this topic?

#DEVDiscuss: Recovering From Burnout

Erin Bensinger — Tue, 23 May 2023 21:00:00 +0000

image created by Margaux Peltat for the Chilled Cow YouTube channel

Time for #DEVDiscuss — right here on DEV 😎

How to Come Back From Burnout

Henry Boisdequin ・ May 19 '23

#mentalhealth #learning #coding #beginners

Inspired by @hb's Top 7 post, tonight’s topic is...recovering from burnout 😮‍💨🔥

Burnout is tough. When you are burnt out from something, you resent it, and don't want touch it again. This unhealthy relationship with that thing only decreases your productivity and your mental health.

Questions:

Have you ever experienced burnout in your coding career?
If so, how did you recover?
If not, how have you kept yourself protected from burnout?
Any triumphs, fails, or other stories you'd like to share on this topic?

Big Boat Stuck!

Erin Bensinger — Wed, 17 May 2023 16:30:13 +0000

My BlueSky skyline (that's the timeline, but sky-themed) is blowing up today over the news that a big boat is stuck.

Detroit ship freed after being stuck in Detroit River near Windsor

The MV Mark W. Barker ship ran aground Wednesday morning in the Detroit River near the U.S.-Canada border.

usatoday.com

Imagine my surprise when, upon further reading, I learn that...the big boat is stuck very close to my hometown 😳

Working remotely with a global community can make the world feel so big that when something happens close to home, it feels like a one in a million occurrence.

So, here's my question: has a wild viral story ever happened close to your hometown or place of residence? Please share!

#DEVDiscuss: Succeeding in OSS

Erin Bensinger — Tue, 16 May 2023 20:14:33 +0000

image created by Margaux Peltat for the Chilled Cow YouTube channel

Time for #DEVDiscuss — right here on DEV 😎

Inspired by @tigt's Top 7 post, tonight’s topic is...Succeeding in OSS!

How to Succeed in Open Source Without Really Trying (Really)

Taylor Hunt ・ May 10 '23

#webdev #svg #javascript #npm

≥8 years ago, I wrote about an extremely niche improvement to a very specific use of SVGs. It got enough positive feedback that I turned that knowledge into an NPM package: mini-svg-data-uri.

Today, it’s both one of the most and least important web dev things I’ve ever done.

Questions:

Have you ever had a surprise, unexpected, or random OSS success?
Have you ever worked really, really hard on an OSS project and received minimal reward?
What can we do, collectively, to better support OSS builders and maintainers whose work we rely on?
Any triumphs, fails, or other stories you'd like to share on this topic?

#DEVDiscuss: HTMX

Erin Bensinger — Tue, 09 May 2023 21:01:53 +0000

image created by Margaux Peltat for the Chilled Cow YouTube channel

Time for #DEVDiscuss — right here on DEV 😎

Inspired by @quii's Top 7 post, tonight’s topic is...HTMX!

HTMX is the future

Chris James ・ May 5 '23

#htmx #webdev

Unlike SPAs, HTMX doesn't throw away the architectural approach of REST; it augments the browser, improving its hypermedia capabilities and making it simpler to deliver a rich client experience without having to write much JavaScript if any at all.

Questions:

Do you think HTMX is the future? Why or why not?
Have you had a chance to implement HTMX yet? What did you think?
If you haven't used HTMX...why not?
Any triumphs, fails, or other stories you'd like to share on this topic?

CodeNewbie is on Bluesky!

Erin Bensinger — Fri, 05 May 2023 14:56:56 +0000

Hey Newbies! We've just set up an account over on Bluesky, a new social networking site built on a new social networking protocol.

If you've managed to secure an invite code, you can follow us there @codenewbie.org!

Unfortunately we don't have any invite codes to share yet 🥲 when we do, though, we want to help get our community members access to the site. So stay tuned! 💜

Have you heard of Bluesky? Are you curious to check it out, or are you loyal to another social network or protocol? Let us know in the comments!