Guest Charlie Cheever shares his journey from coding in Q basic to working at Facebook, while discussing the evolution of gaming on Facebook and the transition to mobile app development. Highlights include Expo's role in COVID app development and the advantages of using Expo in React Native development.
Early programming interests sparked by basic language exploration laid the foundation for Charlie Cheever's passion for coding.
Quora's inception focused on quality content and leveraging grad student contributions to curate high-quality answers for an enriched user experience.
The challenges faced during Quora's mobile app development highlighted the significance of mobile platforms despite fragmentation issues and user traffic capture.
Deep dives
Charlie Cheever: Early Programming Influence and Growth
Charlie Cheever discussed his early programming interests, sharing how he discovered programming through a library book on creating computer games, leading him to a deep dive into basic programming language. He reminisced on his experiences with graphing calculators, showcasing how accessibility and experimentation fueled his passion for coding, laying the foundation for his journey into computer science and theoretical knowledge.
Quora's Inception and Focus on Quality Content
The inception of Quora was detailed, highlighting the recognition of the need for a knowledge platform beyond existing sites like Yahoo Answers. The emphasis on quality content was underscored, with insights into leveraging grad student contributions for engaging and informative answers, ultimately leading to a curated selection of high-quality content for a more enriching user experience.
Mobile App Development Challenges and Success
The podcast delved into the challenges faced during the development of mobile apps for Quora, illuminating the lengthy processes and fragmentation issues encountered, especially with the Android app development. Despite the hurdles, the apps were well received, capturing a significant portion of user traffic and emphasizing the growing significance of mobile platforms in the digital landscape.
Challenges of Building Mobile Apps vs. Websites
Developers face challenges when building mobile apps compared to websites due to the limitations of using web technologies like phone gap. The speaker discusses a whimsical idea of creating an app similar to Uber or Lyft but faces obstacles like the time and effort required to develop it into a mobile app. The difficulties in mobile app development are highlighted, emphasizing the barriers faced in bringing unique and innovative app ideas to life.
Expo's Contribution to Streamlining App Development
The focus shifts to the development journey of Expo, where the speaker reflects on the initial perceptions of Expo as more suitable for demo or beginner apps. However, the conversation evolves to embrace Expo as a key component in the future of React Native. The episode delves into the evolution of Expo's features, highlighting its role in simplifying app development and enhancing distribution methods. The narrative underscores Expo's commitment to empowering developers and optimizing the app creation process.
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