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Self-Directed Research

Latest episodes

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Jul 2, 2025 • 52min

HTML5 video

Delve into the quirky world of HTML5 video as the hosts discuss the intricacies of bitrate ladders and their hilarious recording challenges. Discover the technical hurdles faced in developing an ad-free streaming platform, coupled with insights on efficient image handling and alt text. Explore the evolution of modern image formats like WebP and AVIF, and learn about the advantages of new video codecs alongside browser compatibility woes. With a lighthearted tone, personal anecdotes and data quirks make complex topics relatable and entertaining.
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Jun 25, 2025 • 42min

Typst is pretty neat

Dive into the world of Typst as the hosts enthusiastically discuss its advantages over LaTeX, which they humorously critique. Discover the evolution of typesetting languages, from LaTeX to the collaborative-friendly Markdown, and how modern tools like Typst are reshaping document creation. The conversation also highlights innovative uses of Typst in UI design and the challenges of typesetting with SVG. Join the laughter as they share anecdotes about their tech journey and the quirks of navigating new tools.
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Jun 18, 2025 • 52min

DRM schemes

The top 10? Bottom 10? In any case, enjoy a breakdown of 10 digital rights management schemes. Also, admire Amos' restraint as a YouTuber that they waited until 2025 to make a numbered list. Visit sdr-podcast.com/drm-schemes to see the show notes and transcript! This episode is sponsored by Depot: the build acceleration platform that's on a mission to make all builds near instant. If you're tired of watching your builds in GitHub Actions crawl like the modern-day equivalent of paint drying, give Depot's GitHub Actions runners a try. They’re up to 10x faster, with unlimited concurrency, faster caching, support for Linux, macOS, and Windows, and they plug right into other Depot optimizations like accelerated container image builds and remote caching for Bazel, Turborepo, Gradle, and more. Depot was built by developers who were tired of wasting time waiting on builds instead of shipping. It's made for teams that want to move faster and stay focused on what actually matters. That’s why companies like PostHog use Depot to cut build times from over 3 hours to just 3 minutes, saving tens of thousands of build hours every week. Start your free 7-day trial at depot.dev and let them know we sent you.
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10 snips
Jun 11, 2025 • 37min

sans-io: meh

Dive into the intriguing world of 'sans-io' as James and Amos dissect its impact on Rust programming. They tackle challenges in async programming, sharing personal anecdotes and technical critiques. The debate on file formats, including Sans.io and the relevance of async I/O systems, highlights the quest for better protocol designs. Memory management complexities come under scrutiny, emphasizing stack versus heap allocation strategies. The conversation also explores the limitations of the Tokyo Rust LS, questioning its handling of TCP sockets and control events.
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Jun 4, 2025 • 45min

automating macOS

Dive into the world of macOS automation, where enhancing content creation meets the power of Markdown. Discover the art of integrating code samples into videos while tackling image editing and background removal challenges. Explore the complexities of automating screenshots with JavaScript for Automation, and uncover the historical significance of AppleScript in streamlining workflows. Lastly, learn how to improve website accessibility for screen reader users, ensuring a more inclusive digital experience.
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12 snips
May 28, 2025 • 27min

Proxying is just dumb routing

James and Amos dive into the fascinating world of routing and proxying, simplifying complex networking concepts. They tackle the roles of DNS and BGP in navigating internet intricacies. A unique take on building computing systems with salvaged technology sparks creativity. The importance of reverse proxies in web development shines through, enhancing performance and security. Optimizing message protocol design and data encoding for efficiency rounds out the conversation, along with a look at build acceleration to supercharge development timelines.
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10 snips
Dec 11, 2024 • 43min

The Embedded Buddy System

James shares why you might want to design embedded systems as a network of devices, instead of trying to cram everything into a single chip Visit sdr-podcast.com/the-embedded-buddy-system to see the show notes and transcript! **Sponsor:** Poststation, a tool from OneVariable that makes it easy to set up communication between your desktop, laptop, or an embedded Linux system, to as a many connected microcontrollers as you need. If you're a company building a product around multiple devices, and would like to have all of the "plumbing", tooling, and device management handled out of the box, send us an email to contact@onevariable.com for early access.
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Dec 4, 2024 • 48min

Merde is not Serde

In a rare direct follow-up episode, Amos shares an even differenter take on Serde, this time focusing on the kind of needs a server would have when handling data. Spoiler: Yes, merde means poop in French. Visit sdr-podcast.com/episodes/merde-is-not-serde/ to see the show notes and transcript! CodeCrafters is a service for learning programming skills by doing. Visit our referral link at CodeCrafters to start your free trial. If you decide to upgrade, you'll get a discount and a portion of the sale will support this podcast.
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Nov 27, 2024 • 41min

A different serde

A bit about how serde works well, a bit about how serde doesn't work well, and a bit about a different, questionable way of doing things Visit sdr-podcast.com/episodes/a-different-serde/ to see the show notes and transcript! CodeCrafters is a service for learning programming skills by doing. Visit our referral link at CodeCrafters to start your free trial. If you decide to upgrade, you'll get a discount and a portion of the sale will support this podcast.
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Nov 20, 2024 • 41min

My home automation journey

Embark on a fascinating journey through the world of home automation. Discover the evolution of Bluetooth and its challenges in connecting smart devices. Delve into the differences between mesh networking and point-to-point connections, focusing on security and privacy. Hear real-life anecdotes about integrating the Philips Hue system and the complexities of DIY projects. Experience the emotional benefits of automation while navigating the humorous pitfalls of technology compatibility. It's a blend of tech insights and personal reflections!

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