Mechanical Ink Podcast

By: Open Source - Open Web - Open Standards - Accessibility
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  • Summary

  • The Mechanical Ink podcast is a podcast about the open-source ecosystem. We speak to project maintainers, open-source companies, and companies who play a critical role in ensuring a healthy ecosystem. We ask the tough questions but also celebrate the wins and acknowledge open-source software's critical role in the world.

    schalkneethling.substack.com
    Schalk Neethling
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Politics & Government
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Episodes
  • Ethics, Inclusivity, and the Future of Open Source - Jordan Harband

    Ethics, Inclusivity, and the Future of Open Source - Jordan Harband
    Oct 6 2024

    Originally aired in December 2023: In this episode of the Mechanical Ink podcast, host Schalk Neethling speaks with guest Jordan Harband in a deep dive into the open-source world. Jordan shares his journey from a garage startup to becoming a pivotal figure in the open-source community. He speaks passionately about the philosophy behind open source, emphasizing its role in fostering innovation through collaboration and building on existing work.

    A significant part of the conversation revolves around the inclusivity and accessibility aspects of open source. Jordan underscores the democratizing power of open source, discussing how it provides a platform for diverse individuals to contribute and influence technological advancements.

    The discussion also touches on the ethical aspects of software development. Jordan highlights the importance of considering the human impact of technical decisions, stressing the need for ethical considerations in development processes.

    Managing multiple open-source projects, Jordan sheds light on challenges like time management, burnout, work-life balance, and personal coping strategies. His role in TC39, the committee responsible for JavaScript standards, is also a topic of discussion, providing insights into the complexities and responsibilities associated with shaping the future of web development.

    Overall, the episode offers a comprehensive look into the open-source world, from the perspective of a key player in the field, shedding light on its challenges, rewards, and ethical considerations.

    Links

    * Jordan Harband on LinkedIn

    * Jordan Harband on GitHub

    * Jordan Harband on NPM

    * TC39

    * Ecma

    * OpenJS Foundation

    * TC39 Proposals

    * ES-Shims

    * globalThis

    * Revolutionising Web Docs: Documentation Engineering, Sustainability, Security - Open Web Docs

    * Schalk Neethling on LinkedIn

    * Mechanical Ink

    Community

    * Join the community on Slack

    * Recorded with Riverside.fm (Affiliate link)

    Help Others Find The Podcast

    * Rate and review on Spotify

    * Rate and review on Apple Podcasts

    Thanks for reading Mechanical Ink Studio - Open Source - Open Web! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit schalkneethling.substack.com
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Responsive, Generative, Accessible, Unions, The Web - Ethan Marcotte

    Responsive, Generative, Accessible, Unions, The Web - Ethan Marcotte
    Jun 19 2024
    In this episode of the Mechanical Ink podcast, host Schalk Neethling sits down with Ethan Marcotte, a prominent figure in web design known for coining the term "responsive web design." Ethan's journey in the design world spans over two decades, during which he has significantly influenced how websites are created and experienced across various devices.Beyond his contributions to design, Ethan has become a vocal advocate for labor rights in the tech industry. His book, "You Deserve a Tech Union," delves into the importance of unionization, especially in an industry marked by precarity and frequent layoffs. Through collective bargaining, tech workers can secure better working conditions, fair wages, and job security, which are often lacking in the current pro-business U.S. labor landscape.The episode also touches on the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence. Ethan expressed concerns about the use of training data without proper consent and the broader implications of AI on labor. His proactive stance includes measures to prevent AI platforms from using his website's content, highlighting the need for greater control and transparency in how AI technologies operate.Accessibility remains a cornerstone of Ethan's vision for the web. He argues that web accessibility should be integrated from the start, rather than being an afterthought. This approach ensures that all users, regardless of their abilities, can interact with web content effectively. Design systems play a crucial role in achieving this by providing a structured approach to creating accessible and performant web components, but there needs to be support and buy-in at an organizational level.As the tech industry continues to evolve, Ethan's insights offer valuable guidance on navigating its complexities. His advocacy for responsive design, worker power, and ethical AI underscores the need for a more inclusive, fair, and thoughtful approach to technology. By embracing these principles, we can build a better web that serves everyone.Links* Ethan Marcotte on LinkedIn* Ethan Marcotte on the web* You deserve a tech union* Co-op Series Part I: Our decision to pursue worker-ownership* The ShopTalk Show podcast* Ursula Franklin - The Real World of Technology* Making version noir* Erika Hall’s chicken pics* Mandy Brown’s, A Working Library* Mandy Brown - Everything changes* Schalk Neethling on LinkedIn* Mechanical Ink StudioCommunity* Join the community on Slack* Recorded with Riverside.fm (Affiliate link)Help Others Find The Podcast* Rate and review on Spotify* Rate and review on Apple PodcastsThanks for reading Mechanical Ink Studio - Open Source - Open Web! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit schalkneethling.substack.com
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Job Titles, Documentation Engineering, Baseline and Web Features - Daniel Beck

    Job Titles, Documentation Engineering, Baseline and Web Features - Daniel Beck
    Jun 12 2024

    In this episode of the Mechanical Ink podcast, Schalk Neethling sits down with Daniel Beck, a documentation engineer writer based in Amsterdam. Daniel discusses his extensive career in software documentation, emphasizing the importance of understanding the audience and balancing quality content with effective tooling. He elaborates on the challenges of identifying with job titles such as writer, engineer, or documentation engineer, and reflects on his experiences working on MDN Web Docs. The conversation explores the intricacies of contributing to open-source projects, highlighting the need for soft skills.

    Daniel introduces projects like Baseline and Web Features, which provide critical data on web platform support, and shares his perspective on the potential and limitations of AI in technical writing. Throughout the discussion, the importance of process, tools, and reader-centered documentation remains a central theme.

    Links

    * Daniel Beck on LinkedIn

    * Daniel Beck on the web

    * Baseline

    * Schalk Neethling on LinkedIn

    * Mechanical Ink Studio

    Community

    * Join the community on Slack

    * Recorded with Riverside.fm (Affiliate link)

    Help Others Find The Podcast

    * Rate and review on Spotify

    * Rate and review on Apple Podcasts

    Thanks for reading Mechanical Ink Studio - Open Source - Open Web! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit schalkneethling.substack.com
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 28 mins

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