
Remote Ruby
Two Rubyists having conversations and interviewing others about Ruby and web development.
Latest episodes

Jul 4, 2025 • 42min
Conferences, Hotwire Native updates, and a surprise guest!
In this episode of Remote Ruby, Andrew and Chris dive into a range of Rails-related updates, development workflows, and tech frustrations, all while preparing for RailsConf and Rails World. Chris dives into the evolution of Ruby Gems toward Python-style wheels and secure precompiled binaries, while Andrew breaks down the value of namespacing and modularization in Rails apps. They also reflect on accessibility, QA, component architecture, and how LLMs are changing the game for solo devs, Plus, a surprise visit from J**** C******adds some comic relief and candid takes on sabbaticals, Rails World, and a podcast competition. Hit download now! LinksJudoscale- Remote Ruby listener giftOn Rails PodcastAndrew’s referral link for SnipdRails World 2025Ruby Gems and bundler ReleasesPython WheelsFluxAdam Wathan (YouTube) Chris Oliver X/Twitter Andrew Mason X/Twitter Jason Charnes X/Twitter

Jun 27, 2025 • 47min
Adventures with Puny Code and Other Programming Puzzles
In this episode of Remote Ruby, Chris and Andrew chat through everything from extreme summer heat, tornadoes, and driving habits, to browser quirks, Unicode bugs, Punycode, and the intricacies of building and maintaining rich text editors. Their conversation drifts into developer tools like Tiptap and Lexical, accessibility issues, browser rendering oddities, and even some personal stories involving cooking fails and skateboarding injuries. Hit download now to hear more! LinksJudoscale- Remote Ruby listener giftThe Sad Story Of The Unicode Snowman (Hacker News, Dec 23, 2010)TiptapLexicalPunycodeHoneybadgerHoneybadger is an application health monitoring tool built by developers for developers.JudoscaleMake your deployments bulletproof with autoscaling that just works.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Chris Oliver X/Twitter Andrew Mason X/Twitter Jason Charnes X/Twitter

Jun 20, 2025 • 47min
Unpacking Direct Routes and More
The hosts share humorous stories about recent tech outages and their impacts. They dive into creating custom URL helpers with direct routes, enhancing efficiency in Rails applications. There's excitement over Ruby 3.3's new features, like embedded typed data objects and the Prism syntax validation tool. Personal anecdotes about productivity in different workspaces, parenting chaos, and upcoming RailsConf plans add a relatable touch. The conversation blends technical insights with fun tales of food and future ambitions.

Jun 9, 2025 • 37min
The MMM Episode-Mario Kart, Meta Tags, and One Month Rails
Get ready for a delightful blend of gaming and tech discussions! The hosts kick things off with excitement about Nintendo's Switch 2 and reminisce about unforgettable Mario Kart experiences. They tackle the nitty-gritty of Rails development, from debugging meta viewport issues to navigating JSON-LD for SEO. Also, learn about the innovative TRMNL e-ink display and its practical uses. Their experiences with production challenges and coding mishaps add a humorous twist, making tech relatable while keeping the gaming spirit alive!

May 30, 2025 • 38min
Bites and Bytes – Cheesesteaks and One Month Rails
The hosts share amusing food adventures, particularly their love for Philly cheesesteaks. They dive into the challenges of testing in Ruby on Rails, comparing frameworks like Selenium and Playwright. An intriguing discussion on cars gives way to insights about a new autoscaler service designed for traffic spikes. They also touch on the complexities of acquiring an old Rails app and adapting to new tools like Postgres extensions for VS Code. The blend of culinary delights and tech talk creates a unique listening experience!

May 23, 2025 • 31min
The Frustrations of React and the Power of Turbo
The hosts hilariously vent about their React frustrations while praising the simplicity of Hotwire. They dive into efficient page updates using turbo streams, showcasing rapid feature developments. Recent Ruby updates spark discussions on namespace management and gem versioning intricacies. Amidst tech talk, personal stories include a vibrant Post Malone concert experience, blending professional insights with real-life hilarity. They also touch on their upcoming Philadelphia retreat, mixing productivity tips with lighthearted banter.

May 16, 2025 • 38min
Gems, Jokes, and JavaScript
Andrew and Chris tackle the quirks of SMTP configuration and share their experiences with various email delivery tools like Postmark and Mailtrap. They dive into development automation, visual debugging tools, and even touch on whimsical projects like an insult generator. Glean insights on user management in Rails and explore funny anecdotes about coding annoyances and the humorous dream of retreating to farming. Plus, don’t miss their take on current Stripe announcements and some TV show recommendations!

May 9, 2025 • 26min
Why is the Test Suite Hanging?!
Explore the intricacies of debugging with insights on Stripe's billing integration and testing complexities. Discover the challenges of a test suite that mysteriously hangs during execution and the triumphant use of advanced tools like LLDB and GDB. Experience the frustration of inconsistent test results across different environments. Dive into the balance of collaboration versus individual growth in the fast-paced software engineering landscape. Plus, anticipation builds with a cliffhanger about an exciting new project!

Apr 25, 2025 • 57min
São Paulo to Sin City
In this episode of Remote Ruby, Chris and Andrew catch up on recent events and dive into their experiences with various conferences. They discuss their travels to Brazil, Philly, Chicago, and Vegas, sharing the highlights and challenges of each trip. The conversation then shifts to technical topics, including insights from the Tropical on Rails conference, live translations, the impressive quality of Hotwire's functionality, and the fun time they had reuniting and hanging out with Jason in Vegas. They also tackle complexities and changes in Stripe's API integration, debating the pros and cons of self-hosting versus using hosted services. Hit the download button now to hear more! LinksChris Oliver XAndrew Mason BlueskyJudoscale- Remote Ruby listener giftRailsConf-July 8-10, 2025-Philadelphia, PAGosuSimplicity- sustainable, humane, and effective software development by Dave ThomasHoneybadgerHoneybadger is an application health monitoring tool built by developers for developers.JudoscaleMake your deployments bulletproof with autoscaling that just works.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Chris Oliver X/Twitter Andrew Mason X/Twitter Jason Charnes X/Twitter

Apr 11, 2025 • 52min
More Listener Questions
The hosts dive into their busy schedules while answering listener questions, discussing improvements for Rails and hybrid work best practices. They share strategies to foster team engagement remotely and inspire interest in Object-Oriented Programming and Test-Driven Development. Tips for attending Ruby conferences, including securing employer sponsorship, are highlighted. Finally, they explore ways for newcomers to land remote Ruby jobs, emphasizing effective portfolio building and the benefits of writing blog posts to enhance visibility in the developer community.