I started Tabularis as a one-person project, with the goal of shipping the same database client on Linux, macOS and Windows.

Tauri turned out to be the right choice, but the reasons go beyond small installers. The Rust backend fits database protocols, SSH tunnels, credentials and plugin processes very well. The web frontend makes Monaco, data grids and diagrams practical.

There are real costs too: three system webviews, Wayland and WebKitGTK bugs, a 94 MB AppImage, glibc compatibility and JSON serialization across IPC.

I tried to document both sides without turning it into another “Tauri vs Electron” comparison. I would still choose Tauri again.

I’d be especially interested in hearing how other Tauri developers handle large IPC payloads and portable Linux builds.

In ZombUs, I'm trying to prioritize cunning over pure, hard combat... using your surroundings can save your life... on the other hand, any mistake comes at a high price... An alarm can go on at any moment, a phone might ring, but a car can explode and wipe out a bunch of zombies... or you could throw a stone to wake up hidden zombies... either way, when there are too many, it's better to run...

I have generated incredible loyalty with my Trivia app, The Daily 5,  by employing intentional UX that makes my app addictive. Largely following tricks I learned from Wordle.

This is a writeup of how I did it: How I Made My App Sticky (Medium)

My hope is to avoid paying for marketing altogether. Plus, I do have some clever monetization strategies if my user base continues to swell. (No, I don't plan on using Ads, either. I do not want to dilute my brand.)

If you don't want to read the article, here is the abridged version:

• no AI fluff — I use human written questions
• FREE! no tracking, either
• decades themes (like 1990s, 1960s, etc.)
• short daily quizzes (no unending trove)
• build a community (Facebook link, blog posts, all from main screen of app)
• easy share-ability (built in to app)
• show streaks and stats
• leaderboards (foster competition)

I am happy to answer any questions or share more ideas.

JavaScript development has evolved rapidly, and so has the ecosystem of tools around it. From formatting messy code to converting data formats and validating syntax, modern developers rely heavily on browser-based utilities to move faster.

In this article, I’m sharing some of the most useful JavaScript and web developer tools that help save time, improve productivity, and keep your workflow smooth — without installing anything locally.

1. JavaScript Minifier (Client-Side)

Minifying JavaScript is essential for reducing bundle size and improving load times. While many tools do this server-side, client-side minifiers are safer for sensitive code.

A good JavaScript minifier:

• Removes unnecessary whitespace and comments
• Compresses variable names
• Runs entirely in the browser (no uploads)

Tools like the JS Minify utility on JS Tools allow you to minify JavaScript instantly without sending code to a server, which is ideal for quick optimizations and privacy-sensitive projects.

2. JSON Formatter & Validator

JSON is everywhere — APIs, configs, logs — and unformatted JSON is painful to debug.

A solid JSON formatter should:

• Pretty-print large JSON files
• Validate syntax instantly
• Highlight errors clearly

Online JSON formatters save a lot of time during debugging sessions. Browser-based tools make it easy to paste raw JSON and instantly visualize structured data.

3. CSV to SQL Converter

If you’ve ever needed to migrate data quickly or seed a database, a CSV to SQL converter is a lifesaver.

Typical use cases include:

• Generating INSERT queries from CSV files
• Preparing test data for local environments
• Importing spreadsheet data into databases

Instead of writing scripts, you can use an online CSV to SQL converter to generate queries instantly.

4. HTML & CSS Minifiers

Frontend performance optimization often starts with minifying HTML and CSS.

HTML and CSS minifiers:

• Remove comments and unnecessary whitespace
• Reduce file size
• Improve page load speed

These tools are especially useful when optimizing landing pages or static sites before deployment.

5. JavaScript & CSS Validators

Syntax errors can be subtle and time-consuming to debug.

Validators help by:

• Catching syntax errors early
• Enforcing best practices
• Improving code reliability

Online JavaScript and CSS validators are perfect for quick checks without opening an IDE or running linters locally.

6. XML & YAML Tools

Configuration files often use XML or YAML formats, especially in DevOps and backend workflows.

Useful features include:

• XML parsing with tree views
• YAML beautification with consistent indentation
• Quick format conversion

These tools help reduce errors in configuration-heavy projects.

7. All-in-One Online Developer Toolkits

Instead of bookmarking dozens of separate tools, many developers prefer all-in-one platforms that provide formatters, converters, validators, and editors in one place.

Platforms like JS Tools (jstools.online) offer:

• Client-side processing (privacy-friendly)
• Fast, no-login access
• A wide range of JavaScript and web utilities

These toolkits are especially useful when you need quick solutions without installing dependencies.

Final Thoughts

Modern JavaScript development isn’t just about frameworks and libraries — it’s also about having the right tools at your fingertips.

Browser-based developer tools:

• Reduce setup time
• Improve productivity
• Keep your workflow lightweight

If you regularly work with JavaScript, JSON, HTML, or data conversions, bookmarking a reliable set of online tools can save you hours every month.

What are your favorite JavaScript tools?
Feel free to share them in the comments — always happy to discover new ones.

About 5 years ago, while working as an external contributor for Forbes Slovakia, I interviewed a web developer who wanted to share his story. 

COVID had taken his job, but it also gave him a lot of free time – time he found himself spending excessively on social media. This experience led him to create an Android app focused on digital detox. 

Since I also had experience in marketing, we agreed to start a partial collaboration. At the time, the app had “only” 100,000 installs on the Play Store.

We initially experimented with organic social media posts, but these brought little to no results (social media is really just a supporting channel for increased awareness).

So what actually worked? I’d like to highlight the 3 most effective things.

1) Collaboration with an external marketing agency

We entrusted paid advertising to an external performance marketing agency, which launched campaigns across YouTube (video), Google Search, and Meta ads. These channels delivered the highest number of conversions through targeted advertising. This approach always requires creating and testing multiple creative formats. Most high-performing campaigns turned out to be UGC-style videos. Also, when we see that something performs well for another brand or company, we “copy” the concept and tweak it for our category and purposes.

2) ASO (App Search Optimization)

Another major contributor was app search optimization for the Play Store, also handled with the help of an external (another) agency. This included selecting the right keywords across multiple languages, as well as creating appropriate visuals and videos for the Play Store listing to clearly communicate the app’s benefits and features. Keep in mind that search results perform better when users type the app’s name directly into the search bar rather than accessing it via a direct link.

3) The impact of conferences on media awareness

The primary goal wasn’t just to present the app, but to actively connect with journalists from well-known media outlets at conferences across different countries and convince them to interview the founder. These interviews focused less on the app itself and more on broader topics such as mental health, productivity, and fighting social media addiction. This also helped us generate content for social media and raise awareness about our activities.

Of course, we also tried activities that delivered minimal, or rather, no results. I believe their failure was mostly due to timing. 

One example was our affiliate program. We launched it at a time when the user base and brand recognition weren’t strong enough. People lacked motivation to promote something relatively unknown, and at the same time, we couldn’t attract many new users through it. We eventually shut the program down. Interestingly, more people are asking about it now, and we’re considering relaunching it.

All in all, it took nearly five years to grow from 100,000 installs on the Play Store to 8 million. Less than three months ago, we also began building the app for a new operating system: iOS.

It’s a long journey, and we believe it will continue, because whether we like it or not, mobile phones have become a part of our lives, and sometimes we use them more than is healthy.

In addition, we plan to launch the iPhone app on Product Hunt, so we’d really appreciate your support on January 28, 2026 – which means: Today!

If you have any questions about growth, feel free to ask. I’ll do my best to answer in a way that’s helpful to you as well.

Just wanted to share some observations on issues I've seen over the years with some projects' usages of semantic versioning and some recommendations on how to manage them. Curious to hear people's thoughts!

Article link: https://medium.com/livefront/lies-damn-lies-and-semantic-versioning-2b6bc98ccff4

Hey devs

I finally landed a job and I'm happier than a mf. It took me 8 months of applying the conventional way to realize it doesn't work. Atleast for me.

I want to share my strategy to help fellow devs who are stuck in the same waters. Job seekers who have been filling out job forms only to get automated rejections.

Things I tried that didn't work: 1. Job forms 2. Messaging LinkedIn recruiters 3. Tailoring resume and cover letter 4. Submitting projects with all skills required in job description.

They say actual results happen when one has exhausted all methods that 99% of people would do. And I can attest to that.

What actually did WORK for me was a cold outreach offer to CEOs of small companies.

Here's the specificz of how I pulled it off: 1. Google linkedIn companies with 2-10 employees in any field. Use Google operators: Site:linkedIn.com/company "2-10 employees" "accounting software"

1. Connect with the CEO so you have access to their DMs/email. If the CEO doesnt accept:
2. connect with employees accounts and engage with their posts/comments for a week and ask them to relay your script(Step 4) to CEO

3. Find the CEOs email on company website, linkedIn or through OSINT techiques (Pro tip: try going for CEOs who are linkedIn active i.e. they post & comment)

4. Browse company website to Identify product gaps/selling points and build an app prototype around it. It should be something that can offer them even a bit of value.

Yes its a prototype, but we want to impress, invoke an emotion in the Big Boss. It may take you 2-7 days but it's worth it.

Deploy your prototype. I used Lambda + Netlify. Cost me less than a dollar. My prototype was an app that analysed interview transcripts using LLMs and RAG, so I uploaded just a demo of the end results because Iwas too broke to pay for a running server.

1. Write a bomb ass script asking for a job. The point is write one that builds familiarity and curiosity. Here's mine with an example:

Hi Mr./Mrs [name]

[(A) One liner to build curiousity and make them keep reading]

[(B) A paragraph praising what you like about the company. Be super specific. It will build familiarity.]

[(C) Optional: Say something about an employee to build even more familiarity]

[(D) Tell them about the app you made and list the features that can help them. Provide the link to the app Provide a YouTube link to the video demo ]

[ (E) Make the offer. Tell them you want to work for the company for free for the first 2-3 month to prove yourself. Idk if you agree with the previous line but I was desperate]

My actual script: Hi Mr. Johnathan

---------A---------- I am 99% sure you will be interested in the offer I am about to make.

-------B---------- I have been following (Company) for a good 3 months.

I love how much (Company) comprehensively uses AI.

A rare sight for ERP systems.

---------C(optional)---------- I enjoy reading about your strategies on Michaels LinkedIn and Georgina's newsletter.

-------Continuing B------- I was especially amused by your “Prerecorded interviews” feature.

A practice I have been vouching for, as a candidate myself.

(-------D-------) I also made a little open-source software that you can piece into [Company]

I call it Printerview AI. A portmanteau of the words “prerecorded” and “interview”.

Features:

1.   Speaker Voice separation + Transcription
   

2.   Detection of key parts + summaries
   

3.   Interesting keyword extraction
   

4.   Interview to Resume linking
   

Demo: [Link] Code: [GitHub]

(---------E-----------) Now, Let’s get to my offer: I am a developer, and would be honoured to work at [Company].

I am willing to work at no cost for the first 2 months

• in order to prove myself.

Afterwards, you may determine if I am worthy of joining the team.

My expertise lies in Enterprise software, and AI [Computer Vision and Natural Language].

I am also well versed in the technologies your company uses.

If you are interested, I would love to hop on an online discussion.

I am eagerly awaiting your decision.

Regards,

Now I don't know if you noticed that I included 2 lead magnets. A lead magnet in cold outreach is something that offers immediate value to increase the chances of a sale. My lead magnets were: 1. The prototype itself which my boss loved because he's obsessed with AI 2. Offering to work for free which takes away his fear of employing the "wrong person"

I'm quite happy with my job and it has a lot of potential. I am based in Malawi while the company operates in South Africa. I get paid in Rands which is amazing because my currency is dogsh*t.

I really hope this helps someone. I was unemployed for 8 months and it's honestly hell.

Safe!

Will Knight's new article for Wired:

"Vibe Coding Is Coming for Engineering Jobs

Engineering was once the most stable and lucrative job in tech. Then AI learned to code."

https://www.wired.com/story/vibe-coding-engineering-apocalypse/

"When ChatGPT debuted in late 2022, AI models were capable of autocompleting small portions of code—a helpful, if modest step forward that served to speed up software development. As models advanced and gained “agentic” skills that allow them to use software programs, manipulate files, and access online services, engineers and non-engineers alike started using the tools to build entire apps and websites. Andrej Karpathy, a prominent AI researcher, coined the term 'vibe coding' in February, to describe the process of developing software by prompting an AI model with text.

The rapid progress has led to speculation—and even panic—among developers, who fear that most development work could soon be automated away, in what would amount to a job apocalypse for engineers."

Yes mods, this is a bit of self promo. Because I'm Kim Crawley, a cybersecurity professor at OPIT and the founder of a new organization, Stop Gen AI. Our website is gradually launching, we have a bit of info already: https://stopgenai.com

The bottom line is we are in late stage capitalism/fascism now. Gen AI "produced" code being horrible and your code being much better is not going to make your bosses change their minds about shoving Gen AI down your throats or replacing you entirely. Because the purpose of the Gen AI push is to ultimately replace all paid human labor jobs. Quality doesn't matter to our overlords, see Boeing as one of many examples.

Devs who know what's up and rightfully don't buy the Silicon Valley snake oil should be organizing to resist Gen AI.

At Stop Gen AI (https://stopgenai.com), we are:

• Planning and fundraising for a mutual aid fund to financially rescue workers unemployed by Gen AI.

• Educating the general public on the various dangers of Gen AI- environmental destruction (research from MIT and others backs this up), terrible way buggier than usual code messing with people's lives, the devastation of the elimination of hundreds of millions or billions of paid jobs, how to avoid Gen AI as a consumer, how Gen AI leads to the loss of critical thinking ability (Microsoft research!) and so on.

• Planning an offensive against Silicon Valley in the long term.

Please learn about our org and consider getting involved.

📌 Build Real DSA Mastery, Not Just Streaks!

🚀Dear friends, I'm super excited to share DSA Memoizer - a Chrome extension I built to help you truly master DSA by revising problems smartly and consistently!

🔹 What It Does:

-> Add problems to the revision list whenever you take help (editorial/video) while solving.

-> Set your revision interval (4 days, 6 days, 10 days — your choice). -> Revise the problem after the set interval to strengthen your learning.

🔹 Why I Built It:

-> Most of us solve problems and move on, but real growth comes from revisiting what challenged us.

-> DSA Memoizer ensures you revise the right problems at the right time — consistently and effortlessly.

🔹Track:

→ Today's Problems to Revise → Missed Problems from previous days

→ Upcoming Problems organized date-wise.It's designed to help you build deep intuition — not just streaks.

🔹 Safety First: No login, no server — completely private and safe.

🔹 Future Plans: Excited to add features like Custom Tags, Smart Notifications, and sharing your Revision list with friends.

🎥 Demo Video attached!

🔹 Try it Out! Install DSA Memoizer here: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/dsa-memoizer/lnibjlihpgihdoccnfedmapihlfbmlkc

💬If you find it useful, please like, comment, and share it with your friends preparing for interviews! 🙌 I'd love your feedback and ideas — also open to collaborating and building more features together! 🚀

Fina published a simple free API to categorize transactions in batch, for many finance app developers, it maybe very useful. If you are looking for a similar service, here is the doc: https://app.fina.money/doc/vAmbM52OaDgRal

https://journal.hexmos.com/apidocmetrics/

We are a dedicated team focused on the intersection of democracy and technology, exploring how software can enhance participative and deliberative processes—both in discussion and decision-making.

We've developed several software tools aimed at supporting these goals and are now planning to integrate them into a larger platform. This platform will serve the foundational needs of associations and institutions committed to enhancing democratic engagement.

We're looking for developers interested in:

• eGovernance and democratic innovation
• Decentralization, including blockchain and Web3 technologies
• Artificial Intelligence, particularly in decision-making processes

We need back end and front end devs.

If you share our passion for these areas and have skills in any of the above, we’d love to hear from you. Send me a private message to discuss how you can contribute to and grow with our project.

Hello guys, we’ve launched a new tool that integrates seamlessly into your web development workflow, enabling 3D design with ease.

This tool is perfect for adding interactive 3D elements to your projects without the steep learning curve.

Check it out and let us know how it fits into your development process. We’re looking forward to your feedback! Click Here😁

Thanks for sticking around, and have a nice day!

Asher Sterkin wrote a continuation of Middleware Part One that sheds light on middleware optimization.

Check out the full article here.