Heikki Linnakangas, Robert Aboukhalil, and Scott Ford discuss Neon, bringing desktop apps to the web with WASM, the future of Postgres, innovative application monitoring, bioinformatics and web assembly, emulating BIOS, open source dependency security, bug fixing as a business, supply chain attacks, and looking ahead to the new year.
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Quick takeaways
WebAssembly (Wasm) allows for bringing desktop apps to the web in the field of bioinformatics, making them accessible across different platforms without installation.
Using emulated Linux environments in the browser, WebAssembly (Wasm) can power interactive tutorials for command-line tools, providing a cost-effective and accessible way to learn and practice using these tools without spin-up container instances.
WebAssembly (Wasm) enables the compilation of bioinformatics tools, eliminating complex installations and allowing data analysis directly in the browser, simplifying access to these tools and addressing dependency management issues.
Deep dives
Bringing Open Source Packages to the Web
Robert Abukalil specializes in using WebAssembly (Wasm) in the field of bioinformatics. By leveraging Wasm, he brings desktop applications for bioinformatics to the web, making it accessible across different platforms without the need for installation. He has developed tools like BioWasm and sandbox.bio to create interactive tutorials and analysis tools, enabling users to analyze biological data directly in the browser. The tutorials provide step-by-step instructions and exercises using emulated environments, allowing users to gain hands-on experience. Robert is also exploring the possibility of using Wasm for command-line tool tutorials, creating a less expensive and more accessible alternative to traditional container-based setups.
The Potential of Wasm for Interactive Tutorials
Robert Abukalil is focusing on using WebAssembly (Wasm) to power interactive tutorials for command-line tools. By emulating a Linux environment in the browser using tools like Xterm.js and V86, users can follow along with the tutorials in a simulated terminal environment. This approach provides a cost-effective and accessible way to learn and practice using command-line tools without the need for spin-up container instances. While still in its early stages, the aim is to expand the range of tools covered and enable users to create their own tutorials in the future.
Unlocking the Potential of WebAssembly (Wasm)
Robert Abukalil leverages the power of WebAssembly (Wasm) to bring bioinformatics applications to the web. By compiling bioinformatics tools into Wasm, he eliminates the need for complex installations and allows users to perform data analysis directly in the browser. This approach simplifies the access to bioinformatics tools while addressing issues with dependency management. Furthermore, Robert explores the use of Wasm for interactive tutorials, enabling users to learn and engage with command-line tools directly in their browser. Through his projects like BioWasm and sandbox.bio, Robert demonstrates the potential of Wasm to revolutionize the accessibility and functionality of bioinformatics in the web environment.
Revolutionizing Coding Tutorials with Wasm and Virtual Environments
Robert Abukalil pioneers the use of WebAssembly (Wasm) in coding tutorials, aiming to create a more immersive and engaging learning experience. By utilizing emulated Linux environments in the browser, Robert allows users to follow step-by-step tutorials and exercises directly on their web browser. This approach eliminates the need for complex setups or costly virtual machine instances, making coding tutorials more accessible and affordable. Furthermore, it provides a safer environment for users to experiment and learn without the risk of causing damage to their local systems. Combining Wasm and virtual environments shows great potential in revolutionizing coding education and empowering users to learn coding concepts in an interactive and practical manner.
Socket: Analyzing Dependencies and Improving Code Quality
Socket helps developers by fully analyzing their code dependencies, detecting risks and vulnerabilities that they may not have time to find. The tool offers easy installation through integrations like CLI, GitHub app, and API. It monitors pull requests and provides accurate analysis of dependencies, not just for vulnerabilities but for overall risk and code quality. Socket aims to assist developers in making better decisions about the packages they use. Its simplicity and focus on the pull request workflow make it accessible for projects of any size.
Corgi Bites: Challenges and Transformation in a Changing Market
Corgi Bites, a consultancy founded in 2008, has faced significant challenges due to recent macroeconomic downturns. The company has experienced a loss in revenue and a reduction in team size. The market shift towards low-code, no-code platforms and a preference for full-time hires has further impacted the business. With the need to adapt, Corgi Bites is exploring productizing some aspects of their services. Freshly, their upcoming product, focuses on analyzing dependency freshness, assessing application quality, and providing security insights. Corgi Bites sees potential in offering products that address common development challenges and help teams solve problems internally.
This week we’re taking you to the hallway track of All Things Open 2023 in Raleigh, NC. Today’s episode features: Heikki Linnakangas (Co-founder of Neon and Postgres hacker), Robert Aboukhalil (Bioinformatics software engineer) working on bringing desktop apps to the web with Wasm, and Scott Ford who loves taking a codebase from brown to green at Corgibytes.
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Neon – The fully managed serverless Postgres with a generous free tier. We separate storage and compute to offer autoscaling, branching, and bottomless storage.
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