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Ruby for All

By: Andrew Mason & Julie J
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  • Summary

  • A weekly Ruby focused podcast hosted by Andrew Mason and Julie J. Each week we discuss topics ranging from Ruby, Ruby on Rails, learning, how to be a better developer, and more. The focus is on providing a podcast that caters to junior Ruby on Rails developers.
    © Andrew Mason & Julie J
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Episodes
  • RailsConf 2024 Countdown — Behind the Scenes with Kevin Murphy

    RailsConf 2024 Countdown — Behind the Scenes with Kevin Murphy
    Apr 18 2024
    In this episode of 'Ruby For All', hosts Andrew and Julie welcome guest Kevin Murphy, Software Developer at Pubmark and member of the RailsConf program committee. The discussion kicks off with Andrew and Julie catching up, then transitions into an in-depth conversation about the RailsConf planning process. Kevin and Julie, the Speaker Liaison, share insights into the workings of the program committee, the selection criteria for conference talks, and the challenges and rewards of organizing RailsConf. Additionally, Kevin elaborates on his role in the committee, the theme for this year's conference, and his goals for impact, and Julie looks forward to supporting speakers and managing workshops. The episode emphasizes the importance of volunteer contributions to the success of RailsConf and encourages attendees to express their gratitude to the organizers, and to go check out all the details at RailsConf.org and buy your tickets now! Press download to hear more! [00:00:15] Andrew and Julie catch up, Andrew overslept after finishing a project, Julie was up late watching videos, and Andrew recommends the show “Invincible.”[00:02:22] Kevin introduces himself and explains why he likes working with Ruby on Rails. [00:03:37] Kevin discusses the role of the RailsConf program committee, explains their responsibilities, including reviewing proposals and scheduling talks. [00:05:10] We learn what Kevin looks for in a conference talk proposal, emphasizing relevance to the theme and potential audience interest. Julie shares her perspective on reviewing proposals, considering both her emotional response and broader interests. [00:07:38] Kevin shares his first experience on the committee and discusses the time commitment involved and talks about the fairness of reviewing all proposals at once after the submission deadline. [00:11:03] Julie expresses her difficulty with the proposal reviewing process, suggesting that a grading scale might have been more effective for her. Kevin reflects on the surprises of the reviewing process and the difference between his perceptions and the rankings generated by the review system. [00:12:41] Julie adds that the difficulty in having to reject good talks due to overlapping topics or because they might fit better at another conference like RubyConf,[00:13:09] Andrew asks if the proposers receive feedback on why their talks may be more suited for RubyConf, and Kevin explains that if they ask, Ruby Central will make their best effort to provide it.[00:14:47] What’s been the most rewarding part of this experience for Kevin and Julie? Kevin finds the opportunity to impact the community through the program committee rewarding, and Julie says she’s waiting to see the full impact of her role as Speaker Liaison, which involves making speakers feel supported and pairing them with mentors.[00:16:24] Kevin and Julie both explain how they were invited to join the program committee by Ufuk, who’s a member of the Ruby Central board, and Julie brings up a previous episode with Kevin on conference speaking. [00:17:52] Andrew asks what Kevin and Julie think the hardest part of will be being on the program committee at the conference. Kevin hopes his committee responsibilities won’t impact his conference experience too much, and Julie anticipates the challenge of not having as much personal downtime during the conference due to her responsibilities. [00:19:41] Kevin reflects on the subjective nature of selecting talks and how different perceptions among committee members can affect decisions. He emphasizes that rejected talks are not necessarily of poor quality but may not fit due to other reasons.[00:21:02] Julie inquires about Kevin’s role on the program committee and how he feels so far. His role involves scheduling and organizing accepted talks and workshops, reviewing and giving feedback on rejected proposals, and just being available.[00:22:00] Julie’s role is Speaker Liaison, helping speakers with their needs and feeling special, and helping with scheduling workshops. Kevin clarifies the concept of tracks at conferences and since there aren’t any this year, the goal is to align all talks with the overall theme of building with Rails. Julie mentions a blog post written by Kevin about the absence of tracks at RailsConf.[00:23:28] Kevin shares his aspirations for his impact on RailsConf: ensuring a safe, educational experience for attendees, seeing first-time speakers succeed, and enjoying the mentorship process. Julie describes her motivation for becoming a Speaker Liaison: to provide a supportive experience for speakers. [00:25:03] RailsConf is happening in Detroit, May 7-9. Kevin expresses his excitement for various aspects, including the strong program and meeting friends, and urges everyone to visit RailsConf.org, check the schedule, and get tickets. [00:28:19] Find out where you can follow Kevin online. Panelists:Andrew MasonJulie JGuest:Kevin MurphySponsors:...
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    29 mins
  • Coding Campfires — Unplugged Adventures at Rails Camp West with Bobbilee Hartman

    Coding Campfires — Unplugged Adventures at Rails Camp West with Bobbilee Hartman
    Apr 11 2024
    On this episode of "Ruby for All," hosts Andrew and Julie catch up with Julie returning after a bout of strep throat, and then share their excitement about having guest Bobbilee Hartman, the founder of Rails Camp West USA, joining them. Bobbilee discusses the origins of Rails Camp, its unique unplugged experience, and the variety of activities attendees can engage in, from coding retreats to outdoor adventures like hiking zip-lining, and kayaking. She also shares the logistics of organizing such an event, the sense of community it fosters among tech professionals, and how it differentiates from traditional conferences by offering a more personalized, inclusive, and memorable experience. The episode also touches on the challenges and joys of planning such an event, future locations, and the benefits of sponsoring, Press download to hear more! [00:00:39] Bobbilee explains her history with tech community events and Rails community, mentioning her shift to developer relations, the start of Rails Camp, and her personal interests.[00:01:27] Andrew expresses his long-standing interest in Rail camp since college, and Bobbilee details the Rails Camp US experience. [00:08:01] Bobbilee talks about the evolution of Rails Camp, its sponsorship, and the organization, including the scholarship program, location changes, food arrangements, and personal outreach for ticket sales and promoting the event. [00:13:19] Andrew inquires about the unique benefits of Rails Camp’s style of conference. Bobbilee discusses the small size of Rails Camp, how it caters to different communication styles, and facilitates community through organic interactions rather than traditional networking. [00:15:35] Addressing Julie’s concerns about attending unfamiliar events, Bobbilee emphasizes that most attendees come alone, and the event’s structure in small groups makes it welcoming for newcomers. She mentions various options for lodging and activities, accommodating different comfort levels and financial situations. [00:17:56] Bobbilee explains the intense planning involved in Rails Camp, finding new venues each year, working with new partners, and sourcing local items for goodie bags. [00:19:55] Bobbilee shares her personal rewards from organizing Rails Camp, such as staying connected with the tech community, helping sponsors, and maintaining relationships as life becomes busier. [00:22:17] Andrew talks about his own experiences with big conferences and appreciates the small group activities and inclusiveness at Rails Camp. Bobbilee explains how meals and activities are organized to ensure inclusivity and engagement, and she details her vigilance in ensuring all participants feel included. [00:24:20] We learn that Rails Camp is being held in Cascade, Idaho this year. The venue is a top-rated summer camp with numerous activities, located on a private lake, and Bobbilee expresses a desire to include whitewater rafting as an activity and is seeking a sponsor if anyone is interested. [00:27:13] Julie is curious about the venue selection process, and Bobbilee explains that she uses a combination of her saved lists, summer camp directories, and Google Maps to ensure venues are in suitable locations. [00:31:46] Bobbilee leaves listeners with the idea that Rails Camp is a simple, all-inclusive experience for those seeking an alternative to big conferences, emphasizing easy logistics and a variety of activities available. [00:33:26] The conversation wraps up with Bobbilee discussing sponsorship opportunities with various benefits attached to different levels of support. Panelists:Andrew MasonJulie J.Guest:Bobbilee HartmanSponsors:HoneybadgerGoRailsLinks:Andrew Mason X/TwitterAndrew Mason WebsiteJulie J. X/TwitterJulie J. WebsiteBobbilee Hartman WebsiteBobbilee Hartman X/TwitterBobbilee Hartman LinkedInRails Camp USA X/TwitterRails Camp West Rails Camp West Registration (00:00) - Bobbilee's Tech Community Journey (01:27) - Rails Camp US Experience Overview (08:01) - Evolution and Organization of Rails Camp (13:19) - Unique Benefits of Rails Camp (15:35) - Making Rails Camp Welcoming for Newcomers (17:56) - Intense Planning and Logistics of Rails Camp (19:55) - Personal Rewards of Organizing Rails Camp (22:17) - Appreciation for Rails Camp's Inclusiveness (24:20) - Venue Details for Rails Camp 2024 (27:13) - Venue Selection Process (31:46) - Rails Camp: A Simple, All-Inclusive Experience (33:26) - Sponsorship Opportunities Wrap-Up
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    35 mins
  • Vegas Vibes — Sin City Ruby 2024 Recap with Drew Bragg

    Vegas Vibes — Sin City Ruby 2024 Recap with Drew Bragg
    Apr 4 2024
    In this episode of 'Ruby for All', host Andrew is joined by guest Drew Bragg to talk about the ins and outs of the Sin City Ruby conference. Drew provides a comprehensive breakdown of the event, highlighting the mix of technical and lifestyle talks presented, the benefits of regional conferences for building community and networking, and the unique atmosphere that smaller, regional conferences offer. Additionally, the episode covers the importance of Ruby and Rails in current technology, personal experiences with speaking and organizing community events, and thoughts on the future of regional programming conferences. The conversation concludes with Drew emphasizing the value of these gatherings in strengthening the Ruby community and encouraging participation in future events. Hit download now to hear more! [00:00:29] Drew introduces himself and tells us what he does, and Andrew explains why he didn’t attend the conference and what he did instead. [00:02:45] Drew talks about his game show-style talk he gave, which is interactive and challenges attendees’ knowledge of esoteric Ruby syntax. [00:05:31] Andrew brings up seeing Jason’s talk and the attendee makeup at Sin City Ruby, noting many new faces and speculating on the impact of regional conferences bringing in local attendees who might not travel to larger conferences. [00:07:51] Andrew asks about the speakers’ dinner, which Drew describes as a communal eating experience. [00:11:42] Drew explains the first day began with a forced socialization event which Drew found more pleasant in a smaller conference setting.[00:12:44] Andrew inquires about the style of talks at Sin City Ruby, wondering if there was a particular focus. Drew describes the conference as having a mix of topics with some technical, business-related, and lifestyle-oriented tasks related to Ruby and Rails. [00:14:01] Drew mentions enjoying Stéfanni Brasil’s talk, Jason’s live coding dressed as Elvis was very entertaining and hilarious, and Obie Fernandez’s closing keynote offering a different perspective on AI’s impact on the industry.[00:15:40] Regarding lack of recordings at the conference, Drew sees benefits form a speaker’s perspective, and acknowledges that recordings can be valuable for review and as a portfolio asset. [00:18:41] Drew prefers speaking at smaller conferences for the close-knit atmosphere and better audience interaction but acknowledges that larger conferences have their own advantages.[00:21:12] Andrew asks what went well with this conference, and Drew explains he appreciates the laid-back nature and mentioned the relaxed atmosphere set by organizer Jason Swett made the event feel more like a meetup.[00:24:23] Drew shares that he didn’t find any aspect of the conference that didn’t go well and praises the simplicity of regional conferences like Sin City Ruby. He emphasizes the convenience of Vegas as a conference location. [00:25:40] Discussing Vegas itself, both Andrew and Drew enjoyed visiting Hoover Dam and the overall experience of connecting with people with shared interests in Ruby. They also touch on having fun people-watching and the vibrant environment of “Old Vegas.”[00:27:55] Drew’s takeaway from the conference is the reaffirmation of Ruby and Rails’ potential and expresses enthusiasm for the talks he attended, singling out Tom Rossi’s as particularly energetic and engaging. [00:31:01] Drew promotes the idea of attending or organizing local conferences for their intimate nature and the connections they foster. He gives a shout-out to several upcoming Ruby conferences. [00:32:05] Find out where you can follow Drew and his podcast online.Panelist:Andrew MasonGuest:Drew BraggSponsors:GoRailsHoneybadgerLinks:Andrew Mason X/TwitterAndrew Mason WebsiteJulie J. X/TwitterJulie J. WebsiteDrew Bragg X/TwitterDrew Bragg MastodonDrew Bragg WebsiteCode and the Coders who Code it Podcast Sin City Ruby 2024 (00:29) - Sin City Ruby: Drew’s Introduction (02:45) - Game Show Talk: Testing Ruby Knowledge (05:31) - New Faces at Sin City Ruby (07:51) - Speakers' Dinner: A Communal Experience (11:42) - Forced Socialization: Networking Made Easy (12:44) - Talk Styles: Technical to Lifestyle (14:01) - Highlight Talks: From Elvis to AI (15:40) - The No-Recording Debate (18:41) - Small vs. Large: Conference Dynamics (21:12) - What Made Sin City Ruby Shine (24:23) - The Simplicity of Regional Conferences (25:40) - Vegas Adventures: Beyond the Conference (27:55) - Ruby’s Vibrant Future and Energetic Talks (31:01) - The Value of Local Conferences (32:05) - Following Drew: Online and Beyond
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    33 mins
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