Remote Ruby Joined by David Hill
Dec 12, 2025
David Hill, a seasoned Ruby and Rails developer with a diverse background in startups and healthcare, shares his unexpected journey into coding. He discusses his rewarding work on an AED management app, innovative front-end skills learned on small teams, and the open-source release of Basecamp's Fizzy. The conversation dives into modern CSS techniques, the benefits of using AI tools for coding, and insights on upcoming Ruby conferences in 2026. A captivating blend of tech and personal anecdotes awaits!
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Accidental Entry Into Ruby
- David Hill stumbled into Ruby on Rails after being reassigned on his first job and learning it from a bookstore book on the way home.
- He preferred Ruby over Java and PHP and never looked back, which shaped his career path.
Building An AED Management App
- David's favorite project was an AED management app tracking pads, batteries, and inspections to meet legal requirements.
- He enjoyed building it as the sole developer because it forced him to learn both backend and frontend skills.
Learn Frontend By Necessity
- When you're the only developer, force yourself to learn front-end skills rather than outsourcing them.
- Embrace Tailwind and modern utilities to make front-end work faster and clearer.