The ReadME Podcast

In this episode of The ReadME Podcast, hosts Neha Batra and Martin Woodward look back on their growth and learnings from the past season, from pronunciation struggles to hosting highs. Next, they share a fun story about the world's first webcam at the University of Cambridge in 1991 and its coffee-related origins. The hosts then dive into the Digital Public Goods Alliance with Ricardo Mirón Torres, who highlights the success of open-source solutions like DHIS 2 in addressing global challenges, including its role in COVID-19 tracking in Sri Lanka. The conversation then shifts to the Laravel PHP framework with Senior Editor Klint Finley, examining its popularity, ease of use, and the vibrant community surrounding it. Klint turns the interview around on Neha and Martin and asks about their favorite moments from the season to close out the episode. Looking for more stories and advice from the open source community? To learn more from the authors and experts featured on this episode, check out: Is Laravel the happiest developer community on the planet?Realizing potential with AIAccessibility barriers are bugs, not feature requestsDigital Public Goods AllianceTell us what you want to hear more about next season! Send us an email to: thereadmeproject@github.com with your ideas and feedback. And, we hope to see you at GitHub Universe 2023 November 8-9! Subscribe for updates. Special thanks to Ricardo Mirón Torres for talking with us about the Digital Public Goods Alliance and how more people can get involved. To Mohammed Said for sharing his experience with Laravel, and to Senior Editor Klint Finley for his reporting on the Laravel community—and for turning the mic on our hosts for this episode! Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and stay up to date with The ReadME Project!

Programming languages are always in flux, and so is the way we use them. In this episode, we dive into the rise of TypeScript, with The ReadME Project’s Senior Editor Mike Melanson outlining its history and evolution. Hosts Neha Batra and Martin Woodward discuss the pros and cons of static typing, and Jordan Harband from TC39 shares his views on the benefits and limitations of TypeScript. We also hear from Aaron Gustafson on AI’s potential to enhance accessibility and highlights the projects that are leading the charge. And Kingsley Mkpandiok from the CHAOSS Project, responds to an #AskRMP submission with tips on encouraging non-code contributions within open source projects. Here’s what’s in store for this episode: Looking for more stories and advice from the open source community? To learn more from the authors and experts featured on this episode, check out: TypeScript and the dawn of gradual typesAdvancing inclusion with progressive enhancementFrom fixing computers on farms to democratizing DevOpsTurbulent times call for adaptive leadershipMake your first open source contribution in four easy stepsSpecial thanks to Jordan Harband for sharing his insights on TypeScript, Aaron Gustafson for outlining the role that AI will play in accelerating accessibility, and Kingsley Mkpandiok for answering a listener question about encouraging non-code contributions. Check-out The ReadME Project, for more episodes as well as featured articles, developer stories, helpful guides, and much more! Send your feedback, questions, and ideas to thereadmeproject@github.com.

The influence of open source extends well beyond code. In this episode, we dive into the less-explored areas of the open source community, spotlighting their profound and wide-ranging impact. With host Neha Batra away for travel, Martin Woodward welcomes Kyler Middleton to discuss navigating the open source community in a highly regulated environment. She highlights the dual challenges of aligning cultural norms and overcoming technical barriers. Also, The ReadME Project’s Klint Finley is back to discuss the underappreciated importance of non-code contributions to open source projects. He emphasizes how roles such as marketers, graphic designers, technical writers, and community managers can be vital for the success of a project. Lastly, we feature a clip from our bonus episode with Kelsey Hightower highlighting the complexity of scaling a project like Kubernetes, which extends beyond technical challenges to include legal, financial, and community-related aspects. Here’s what’s in store for this episode: FarmBotLooking for more stories and advice from the open source community? To learn more from the authors and experts featured on this episode, check out: Non-code contributions are the secret to open source successFinish your projectsDo your part to secure the open source supply chainFrom chaos to clarity: Use code visibility to illuminate unfamiliar codeSpecial thanks to Kyler Middleton for sharing her security and community insights, Kelsey Hightower for discussing open source at scale, and Sarah Rainsberger for highlighting the benefits of non-code contributions to open source success. Check-out The ReadME Project, for more episodes as well as featured articles, developer stories, helpful guides, and much more! Send your feedback, questions, and ideas to thereadmeproject@github.com.

In this bonus episode, we hear from Kubernetes superstar Kelsey Hightower. Diving into crucial elements like empathy in maintainership, succession planning, and the identification of future leaders, hosts Martin Woodward and Neha Batra explore Kelsey’s philosophy on fostering thriving open source communities—and his hopes for the future state of Kubernetes. Dedicated to GitHub’s Maintainer Month, the conversation focuses on the people behind the projects, highlighting their extraordinary effort and celebrating their impact on the community. To close out this special episode, members of The ReadME Podcast community thank maintainers who have had a positive impact on them. Here’s what’s in store for this episode: Aaron Francis Cassidy Williams Frances Coronel Anthony Sottile Peter Strömberg, and Brandon RingeSpecial thanks to our guest, Kelsey Hightower, and to all of the maintainers who called in to share appreciation for their fellow maintainers. Check-out The ReadME Project, for more episodes as well as featured articles, developer stories, helpful guides, and much more! Send your feedback, questions, and ideas to thereadmeproject@github.com.

This month, we consider the evolution of openness in open source. The ReadME Project’s Senior Editor, Mike Melanson joins hosts Martin and Neha to discuss expert advice on why “closed to contributions” sometimes makes sense and how that model aligns with open source expectations. Additionally, maintainer, founder, and CEO of Scarf Avi Press highlights the benefit of analytics to maintainers and the open source community, and discusses the metrics that matter most. Also, Jessica Januik, Senior Software Engineer at Google, answers a listener question and shares insight into why humor is paramount when building team chemistry. Here’s what’s in store for this episode: Looking for more stories and advice from the open source community? To learn more from the authors and experts featured on this episode, check out: How ‘open’ should your open source be?Formatters, linters, and compilers: Oh my!Harness the power of generative AI for software developmentGitHub’s Maintainer Month calendarSustain Podcast Maintainer Month seriesSpecial thanks to Avi Press for detailing community analytics for maintainers, Jessica Januik for sharing insight into building team chemistry, and Ben Johnson for walking us through his decision to limit contributions to Litestream. Check-out The ReadME Project, for more episodes as well as featured articles, developer stories, helpful guides, and much more! Send your feedback, questions, and ideas to thereadmeproject@github.com.

This month we’re exploring quantum leaps in technology—then, now, and what devs can do today to prepare for tomorrow. The hosts welcome Klint Finley, Senior Editor of The ReadME Project, to discuss the role that open source played in a recent nuclear fusion breakthrough. Additionally, we speak with Jerome Hardaway, Executive Director of Vets Who Code, who shares practical advice on fortifying your career against unforeseen forces. And for those just getting started, Kedasha Kerr joins us to answer a listener question and provide tips to get going with Git and GitHub. Here’s what’s in store for this episode: Looking for more stories and advice from the open source community? To learn more from the authors and experts featured on this episode, check out: Open source is fueling the future of nuclear physicsTwitch: A game changer for developersSimplifying developer onboarding with a few clicksJunior to senior: An action plan for engineering career successSpecial thanks to Kedasha Kerr for sharing her thoughts on getting started with Git and GitHub. Also, thank you to J. Luc Peterson for providing insight on open source’s role in developing nuclear fusion technology.

Here’s what’s in store for this episode: Looking for more stories and advice from the open source community? To learn more from the authors and experts featured on this episode, check out: From gaming with your eyes to coding with AI: New frontiers for accessibilityThe ReadME Podcast’s accessibility conversationKristy McNaught’s GitHub Sponsors pageEyeMineThe unique origins of open source in machine learningCheck out Ed Summer’s keynote at axe-conSpecial thanks to Annalu Waller, Becky Tyler, and Kirsty McNaught for being a part of this conversation. Also, thank you to Ed Summers for setting the stage, sharing his story, and highlighting why accessible technology benefits everyone.

Here’s what’s in store for this episode: Looking for more stories and advice from the open source community? To learn more from the authors and experts featured on this episode, check out: Building super fans through genuine human connectionsAgicalThe modern web’s underrated powerhouseEnterprise code migration with developer happiness in mindMove past incident response to reliabilitySpecial thanks to Jana Iris for sharing her thoughts on getting started with OSS community building. Also, thank you to Peter Strömberg and Brandon Ringe, co-maintainers of Calva, for providing their insight on collaborative maintainership and how building together can benefit the community.

Here’s what’s in store for this episode: 00:00 - Martin and Neha share how they spent the holiday break and discuss New Year's resolutions. 02:25 - First Commit: The story of TIME magazine naming the computer “Machine of the Year.” 06:10 - Feature Release: The ReadME Project’s Mike Melanson shares how maximalism in development has crept into places where it doesn’t belong. 18:15 - #AskRMP: Frances Coronel joins the podcast to answer a listener question about how someone getting started in open source can find their first mentor. 20:20 - The Interview: bashbunni joins the hosts to discuss how she balances a servant leadership mentality with learning in public—all for the benefit of the community of developers around her. Looking for more stories and advice from the open source community? To learn more from the authors and experts featured on this episode, check out: What’s in a name? Moving GitOps beyond buzzwordMiddleware for web applications: it’s not just for enterprisesMarie Kondo your software stack with open sourceGreat leaders create more leadersbashbunniTIME magazine’s “Machine of the Year”Special thanks to Frances Coronel for sharing her thoughts on finding mentors in open source, bashbunni for highlighting why giving back is the best way to build community, and Carson Gross for offering their perspective on why minimalism in development helps keep things moving.

Here’s what’s in store for this episode: 00:00 - Neha and Martin discuss the return of social norms and the childhood video games they remember best. 03:38 - First Commit: The hosts share the origin story of the NORAD Tracks Santa system. 06:57 - The Interview: Dr. Johanna Pirker provides her perspective on how open source can help the gaming industry move toward a more inclusive future. 21:17 - #AskRMP: Cassidy Williams joins the podcast to answer a listener question about how to makes sense of functional programming. 23:24 - Feature Story: The ReadME Project’s Klint Finley digs even deeper into how open source game developers are pushing gaming industry innovation and accessibility even further. Looking for more stories and advice from the open source community? To learn more from the authors and experts featured on this episode, check out: (Virtual) reality checkWhat we can learn from vintage computingPrivacy engineering: 8 tips to mitigate risks and secure your dataHow to optimize your code reviewsGame Lab GrazNORAD Tracks Santa systemSpecial thanks to Cassidy Williams for providing her insight into getting started with functional programming, Dr. Johanna Pirker for speaking with us about the future of gaming and virtual reality, and Harmony Honey for offering their perspective on the open source engines and tools that are making game development more accessible. Subscribe to The ReadME Project newsletter! Each month the (free!) newsletter highlights new stories, best practices, and opinions developed for The ReadME Project, as well as great listens and reads from around the community.

Here’s what’s in store for this episode: 00:00 - The hosts discuss GitHub Universe and highlight some of their favorite sessions. 02:30 - First Commit: Neha and Martin discuss the US presidential election of November 1952, which was the first time that a computer was used to predict winners. 05:55 - Features Story: The ReadME Project Sr. Editor, Klint Finley, joins to discuss his recent story Building the future of the command line. 18:30 - #AskRMP - Friend of the podcast and GitHub Senior Software Engineering Manager, Helen Hou-Sandi, joins to answer this month’s listener submitted question. 22:15 - The Interview: Appsmith Co-Founder and CTO, Arpit Mohan, joins us to discuss the myth of the lone hacker and what it takes to manage an open source business. Looking for more stories and advice from the open source community? To learn more from the authors and experts featured on this episode, check out: Building the future of the command lineMarie Kondo your software stack with open sourceLook beyond lock-in with open source observabilityDocumenting knowledge: a guide to successful note-taking

Here’s what’s in store for this episode: Looking for more stories and advice from the open source community? To learn more from the authors and experts featured on this episode, check out: Don’t call it a comeback: Why Java is still champOpen source gaming(Virtual) reality checkResearch: quantifying GitHub Copilot’s impact on developer productivity and happinessAttend GitHub UniverseGame Off 2022Special thanks to guest experts Christina Lee for her perspective on Java and Kotlin, Xavier René-Corail, for his expertise and answering our #askRMP question this month, and to GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke for sharing his story and passion for developer happiness.

Here’s what’s in store for this episode: First CommitFeatures StoryFunctional programming is finally going mainstream.#AskRMPThe InterviewLooking for more stories and advice from the open source community? To learn more from the authors and experts featured on this episode, check out: Functional programming is finally going mainstreamKlint FinleyPublishing your work increases your luckAaron FrancisBdougie'sOpenSaucedFunctional Programming 101Cassidy WilliamsThe five-minute feedback fixHillel WayneONWARD: A framework for maintaining maintainersFrances CoronelSpecial thanks to Cassidy Williams for lending her perspective on functional programming, @bdougieYO for his expertise and answering our #askRMP question this month, and to Aaron Francis for sharing his insights on overcoming your fears and publishing your work.

The ReadME Podcast is your portal into the open source community. We'll introduce you to the people building the projects you use every day, answer your questions about tech, and guide you through the ever-changing open source landscape. We take deep dives into the trends shaping the future of technology, the culture and craft of software development, look back at the milestones that made open source what it is today, and learn from community experts. No matter where you are in your developer journey, there’s something here for you. Check out more episodes, stories, and guides at The ReadME Project.

For the final ReadME Podcast episode of Season 2 our hosts Brian and Neha turn the spotlight around and interview each other. The conversation covers everything from Nintendos at Christmas and university computer hand-me-downs to Encarta, Ask Jeeves, and Netscape. They also dive down the rabbit hole of their tech journeys—starting from the beginning. Learn how they got into open source and who gave them the nudges they needed to really find their stride. They also share their approaches to imposter syndrome, what keyboard shortcuts they love, and whether they prefer coffee or tea. There’s a little serendipity, a lot of OSS love, and a few surprises along the way. Check out The ReadME Project for more episodes, stories and features: https://github.com/readmeign-up And sign-up for our monthly newsletter: https://github.com/readme/#newsletter

As a school director, Quincy dabbled with code to automate some of his colleagues’ more administrative tasks—and it changed everything. Computers tackled the tedious work, and teachers could focus on teaching. This led Quincy to pursue programming more seriously, but his transition to work as a software engineer was a bit rocky. Inspired to find a better way, he merged his love of education with coding to create FreeCodeCamp in 2014. Quincy opens up about his life pre-programming, the lightbulb moment behind FreeCodeCamp, and why it’s important that it stays accessible. Quincy on GitHub: https://github.com/QuincyLarson Check out FreeCodeCamp: https://www.freeCodeCamp.org Be sure to check-out The ReadME Project for more episodes, stories and features: https://github.com/readme and sign-up for our monthly newsletter: https://github.com/readme/#newsletter

Jani Eväkallio discovered programming when he was stuck inside with a broken leg as a teenager. He fell in and out of programming afterwards and took an OSS hiatus at 16. He has since dove back in and maintained countless projects over the years—but quickly recognized his own limitations and didn’t hesitate to hand over the reins to those looking for the responsibility. Jani discusses his relationship with open source, why he turned down millions of dollars for FOAM, and where he’s currently channeling his creativity. Jani on GitHub: https://github.com/jevakallio Jani on the web: https://jevakallio.dev/ Be sure to check-out The ReadME Project for more episodes, stories and features: https://github.com/readme and sign-up for our monthly newsletter: https://github.com/readme/#newsletter

Salma Alam-Naylor, aka White Panther, discovered programming at a young age but focused on music and comedy into her twenties. Though her path to developing wasn’t obvious or linear, she wouldn’t change it for anything. Today, she’s a positive force in open source, making an impact on Twitch, Discord, and via her vocal commitment to accessibility and inclusivity in tech. In our conversation, she shares her journey to open source, where music and code meet, and how becoming a parent changed her perspective on the future of work. Salma on GitHub: https://github.com/whitep4nth3r Salma on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/whitep4nth3r Salma on Discord: https://discord.com/invite/theclaw Be sure to check-out The ReadME Project for more episodes, stories and features https://github.com/readme, and sign-up for our monthly newsletter: https://github.com/readme/#newsletter

Liyas Thomas is the founder of Hoppscotch, an open source API development ecosystem that’s seen exponential growth. Encouraged by his own mentors, Liyas now maintains Hoppscotch full time. Whether he’s programming or pursuing his passion for art, he always puts beauty at the core of his work. During this conversation, he shares his path to Hoppscotch, the importance of community, and a preview of his newest endeavor: a book. Liyas on GitHub: https://github.com/liyasthomas Liyas' website: https://liyasthomas.com/ Be sure to check-out The ReadME Project for more episodes, stories and features: https://github.com/readme

Fred Schott’s love for programming started early, and he worked hard during his 20s at companies like Box and Google. As his own side projects experienced open source success, Fred took the plunge in 2021 and started Astro, a JavaScript-based static site builder full time. In this conversation, he speaks about his introduction to open source, his path to Astro, and the role luck plays in success. Fred on GitHub: https://github.com/fredkschott Astro on the web: https://astro.build/blog/introducing-astro/ Be sure to check-out The ReadME Project for more episodes, stories and features: https://github.com/readme