#125 Open Source is Changing. The Changelog Host Jerod Santo Shows You How to Keep Up
May 24, 2024
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Quincy Larson interviews Jerod Santo, host of The Changelog podcast, discussing open source AI models, Relicensing, and the challenges facing open source. They cover Jerod's life as a remote dev in Omaha, generating news for the Changelog show, and commissioning music albums. Insights on open source community, Rust adoption, and the future of learning are shared.
The Changelog podcast covers current issues like AI models and Relicensing in open source software development.
The Changelog News podcast provides in-depth updates on the world of open source with a focus on quality content.
The podcast's dynamic approach includes pop culture references and engaging sound bites for a resonant listening experience.
Podcasting's intimacy allows for authentic insights and enriching dialogues on diverse topics in open source and tech trends.
The trend in web development shifting to server-side rendering aims to simplify routing and improve performance on various devices.
Deep dives
Origins of ChangeLog News
The ChangeLog News podcast stemmed from the newsletter, aiming to provide more depth and discussion on the news rather than quick headlines. Jared wanted to experiment with producing audio content, which eventually gained positive feedback from listeners, leading to its continuation, evolving over its 94 episodes.
Sound Design and Engaging Experience
The podcast's polished sound design and incorporation of memes, catchphrases, and sound effects create an engaging and captivating listening experience. Jared's focus on quality and providing nuances, ear candies, and relatable pop culture references enrich the content, making it delightful and resonant with the audience.
Philosophy Behind References and Sound Bites
Jared's fondness for pop culture references and sound bites influences the podcast's dynamic approach. Initially heavy with references, the podcast's content has evolved to strike a balance between relatable content and depth, catering to a broader audience while offering sprinkles of nostalgic and engaging moments.
Intimate and Informative Conversations
Podcasting's intimacy and informative nature allow Jared to provide an inside look into diverse topics and spur engaging conversations. The podcast's conversational style mirrors genuine dialogues, with Jared and guests sharing insights, stories, and opinions, creating a unique and enriching experience for listeners.
Open Source Music Producer Breakmaster Cylinder Highlighted
Breakmaster Cylinder, a mysterious music producer, has gained recognition for creating music for numerous podcasts, including The Change Log. The episode delves into the prolific nature of Breakmaster Cylinder's work, particularly focusing on the production of podcast theme songs and the unique partnership formed with The Change Log to create exclusive music tracks.
Trends in Web Development: Return to Server Side Rendering
The podcast episode highlights the trend in web development shifting back to server-side rendering from client-side rendering. This evolution aims to simplify routing, hydration, performance, especially on resource-constrained devices and networks. Tools like Phoenix LiveView and Ruby on Rails are regaining popularity for their straightforward and efficient web app development approaches.
AI Integration Trends and Challenges
The episode discusses the prevalent trend of integrating AI tools into various projects while facing the challenge of finding an approachable toolkit that caters to most developers' needs. Notable tools like Llama are mentioned, providing accessible access to AI models. The episode also touches on the acknowledgment of the AI trend dominating GitHub projects over the past 18 months.
Developer Community Culture and Advocacy for Open Source
The conversation highlights the unique culture within the developer community characterized by collaboration, sharing, and support. The advocacy for open source contributions and the value placed on community support and volunteerism in open source projects emerge as essential themes. The hosts emphasize the importance of maintaining the fabric of this giving and sharing culture within the developer community.
Professional and Personal Insights Exchange
The engaging discussion showcases the mutual admiration and learning between the hosts and guests. Personal and professional insights are exchanged, touching on a wide range of topics from programming trends to community dynamics. Both parties acknowledge and appreciate each other's contributions to the tech world through education, advocacy, and community building.
Podcast Episode Discusses Microsoft Build Conference Attendance
The podcast team anticipates attending the Microsoft Build conference, focusing on developer-centric announcements and insights. The event offers an opportunity to engage with industry leaders, explore Azure-related developments, and delve into dynamic tech discussions. Participation in such conferences reflects the podcast's commitment to staying abreast of tech trends and fostering valuable connections in the industry.
On this week's episode of the podcast, freeCodeCamp founder Quincy Larson interviews Jerod Santo, host of The Changelog, a podcast about open source software development that has been going strong for 15 years.
Jerod is plugged in to the world of Open Source, going to all the big conferences and interviewing all the big open source creators.
We have a fun, wide-reaching conversation about some of the current issues facing open source, such as AI models and Relicensing – essentially, a big company closed-sourcing a previously open source project after they buy out its creator. (Fun fact: this can't happen to freeCodeCamp because charities cannot be bought or sold.)
I ask Jerod about:
- his life as a remote dev in Omaha, Nebraska, raising his 6 his kids - the Changelog News podcast with its weekly 10 minutes of updates on the world of open source - his process, and how he researches and surfaces interesting news for his show - and how The Changelog commissioned 3 full albums worth of music over the years, which you can stream for free.
Can you guess what bass line I'm playing during the intro? It's from a 1984 pop classic.
Be sure to follow The freeCodeCamp podcast in your favorite podcast app. And share this podcast with a friend. Let's inspire more folks to learn to code and build careers for themselves in tech.
Also, I want to thank the 9,331 kind people who support our charity each month, and who make this podcast possible. You can join them and support our mission at: https://www.freecodecamp.org/donate
Links we talk about during our conversation:
Jerod's weekly Changelog News podcast that you should totally subscribe to (it's free): https://changelog.com/news
Jerod and Adam interview the head of the Open Source Initiative on AI models and open source, which he and I discussed during this podcast: https://changelog.com/podcast/578
Changelog Beats: https://changelog.com/beats
And of course, my interview with Jerod and Adam about their developer journeys, and the history of The Changelog on its 10th anniversary: https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/open-source-moves-fast-10-years-of-the-changelog/
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