Hacker News Reader

rwieruchon Ask HN: In the current crisis is starting freelancing doable?

It depends on your clients. Don't put all your eggs in one basket which I did.

My two current clients in Germany are heavily invested in the automotive industry. They have everything on stop for the manufacturing and their software department is not working their full 100% capacity. On the other side, I hear lots of good news from people who are bringing physical services to the web. The digital revolution is just starting here and people have to keep up with more and more demand.

So yeah, I think there is lots of opportunity. It really depends on who you are aiming for as clients.

rwieruchon Ask HN: What is your blog and why should I read it?

For anyone who wants to learn:

* React

* GraphQL

* Node

It's awesome because it got lots of comprehensive tutorials and covers lots of smaller niche topics in this area :)

https://www.robinwieruch.de/blog

rwieruchon Germany and US wrestle over coronavirus vaccine: report

"Trump was doing everything he could to secure a vaccine for the United States, "but only for the US," the newspaper quoted an anonymous German government source as saying."

One related Tweet which goes around: https://twitter.com/thorstenbenner/status/123908864178962841...

rwieruchon US and Germany battle for virus vaccine surpremacy: 1bn US$ offer

Doesn't mean they can buy more companies for this, does it?

rwieruchon US and Germany battle for virus vaccine surpremacy: 1bn US$ offer

rwieruchon Road to React: The One with Hooks

Hi everyone!

Yesterday I released the new “The Road to React”-book. It’s a complete rewrite of the previous book from 2017 which has been downloaded by more than 50.000 people over the last 3 years. It’s also thanks to you, the HN community, that it got popular in 2017 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13170837

In the complete rewrite, readers will learn how to create a modern React application with Hooks with features like sorting, data fetching, client- and server-side search, and pagination. In addition, there are chapters about TypeScript integration, styling, performance optimizations, and testing. If you are just about to learn React or want to get up to speed with the latest concepts, this book is for you!

The book comes with three packages: 1) Book as PDF, MOBI, and EPUB 2) Online Reading Mode 3) 80 Extra Modules about React related topics such as state management, React with Webpack, and React Hooks.

Really looking forward to hearing your feedback!

rwieruchon Why we need a book about naming

I can relate to this. Especially being new to programming leaves one with so many options to name things. Just recently I wrote something about naming conventions in JavaScript [0], but this is only syntax related common sense and not applicable for any other language (I guess). So it would be great to have a guide that doesn't only go into the syntax, but also the semantics (boolean: open -> isOpen). Thanks for putting this together!

[0] https://www.robinwieruch.de/javascript-naming-conventions

rwieruchon Things I wish I knew about state management when I started writing React apps

With the release of React Hooks and the advent of GraphQL + its client-side libraries, state management [0] became a blessing IMO. Whenever it's possible I would opt-in using GraphQL for client-server communication. Then popular libraries like Apollo Client help you with all the state management for remote data and its caching. After this, all the remaining state management can be done with React Hooks (useState, useReducer, useContext)[1]. Only if this gets out of hands, opt-in Redux/MobX/...

- [0] https://www.robinwieruch.de/react-state

- [1] https://www.robinwieruch.de/react-state-usereducer-usestate-...

rwieruchon Ask HN: How do you process payments?

I forgot about this one, but if you want to see a full integration of Stripe and PayPal with a React checkout form, head over here [0]. Working on this right now :)

[0] https://github.com/rwieruch/nextjs-firebase-authentication

rwieruchon Ask HN: How do you process payments?

Keeping it short: Stripe's API is just a dream from a developer's perspective and I don't agree with many things PayPal as a company did in the past. However, as you mentioned, PayPal reaches a wider audience world wide than Stripe. Also even though people would be able to use Stripe from a customer perspective, for many there is still this familiarity with PayPal I guess.

rwieruchon Ask HN: How do you process payments?

Stripe whenever it's possible. However, without PayPal one is missing a bug chunk of people who cannot pay with credit card. Hence, I offer both. Since I implemented both (again) over the last month, here a list of my resources:

- Stripe Elements [0] + Stripe Webhook [1]

- Stripe Checkout [2] + Stripe Webhook [1]

- PayPal Smart Payment Buttons [3]

And one repository:

- basic Stripe Checkout with Webhook in React + Express [4]

Personally I preferred Stripe Checkout over Elements, because they take care about the look and feel.

- 0 https://github.com/stripe/react-stripe-elements

- 1 https://stripe.com/docs/webhooks

- 2 https://stripe.com/docs/payments/checkout

- 3 https://developer.paypal.com/docs/checkout/

- 4 https://github.com/rwieruch/react-express-stripe

rwieruchon Ask HN: What major trend in tech were you wrong about?

- Windows Phone

rwieruchon Ask HN: Is GraphQL still relevant?

1) I think GraphQL is more relevant than ever. Facebook ran into the same problems like Netflix, Airbnb and Twitter and thus came up with GraphQL [0].

2) The most popular one I know is GitHub's GraphQL API [1]. I made the difficult decision to rely on their API to teach GraphQL in my free book [2]. So far, there were no breaking changes for me and people love it to learn GraphQL from a client's perspective.

3)I would use it if I want to have no under-/overfetching, declarative data fetching, microservice API aggregation, ... [3]

4) Using it in personal projects and one client of mine is using it in one application to aggregate multiple microservices (each one speaking GraphQL) into one GraphQL API gateway. So far, everything works like expected. We didn't hit any rate limiting and caching issues because of the N+1 problem yet. But we are prepared for them :)

[0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=783ccP__No8

[1] https://developer.github.com/v4/

[2] https://www.robinwieruch.de/the-road-to-graphql-book/

[3] https://www.robinwieruch.de/why-graphql-advantages-disadvant...

rwieruchon Ask HN: How to deploy a single web page in 2019?

Digital Ocean with Server Blocks. That's how I host multiple static websites in one 5$ Droplet. Otherwise, Digital Ocean with Dokku for web applications to host multiple apps in one Droplet as well. [0]

[0] https://www.robinwieruch.de/deploy-applications-digital-ocea...

rwieruchon Step by Step into an Advanced Webpack Setup

Hi everyone. I went through an advanced Webpack setup last week and documented everything I encountered along the way. You start with a basic JavaScript application which gets bundled by Webpack from scratch. From there, you introduce development and production builds, source maps, environment variables, further build configuration depending on development and production mode, additional add-ons and lots more.

I have another minimal React + Webpack tutorial [0] on the side which can be easily combined with this one to evolve it into an advanced React + Webpack setup. You can also combine it with ESLint [1]. I hope it’s useful for someone :)

[0] https://www.robinwieruch.de/minimal-react-webpack-babel-setu...

[1] https://www.robinwieruch.de/react-eslint-webpack-babel/

rwieruchon Ask HN: Freelancer? Seeking Freelancer? (June 2019)

SEEKING WORK - Remote, Berlin, World - Content Marketing / Marketer

_______________________________

Are you looking for someone to promote your Tech Startup / Product / Idea? I love to create traction for these sorts of things. Currently I am working with other brands to get out their name. Don't hesitate to reach out to me, someone who is eager to work with you, rather than outsourcing it to a generic agency.

_______________________________

What I do:

- Content Production (Blog, Product, Newsletter, Push Notifications, Social Media)

- Content Marketing Strategies (Long Term SEO Optimization, Newsletter Campaign (e.g. Drip Campaigns), Mailing Lists)

- Landing Page Optimization (.e.g Guidance, SEO, Conversion Rates)

- Dedicated Content Promotion on third-party Platforms (Social Media, Reddit, HN, Niche Websites, Influencer)

- Social Media Channel Optimization / Assistance (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram)

- Landing Page or Blog Setup (e.g. Hosting, Domain Registration, Initial Setup)

_______________________________

I am eager to work with you or your company on these things. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Where you can find out more about me: https://www.iamliesa.com

rwieruchon Show HN: RSS Search Engine

Thank you for sharing! Loving it already :)

One question: Are you feeding this application manually with RSS feeds from different websites or do you have a crawler in place?

rwieruchon Ask HN: What stack is your personal blog built on?

Hugo for my blog, but I am redoing everything with Gatsby.js now.

My course platform uses Next.js for server-side rendering + Firebase. When I launched it, I have written up a longer article about my choices: https://www.robinwieruch.de/how-to-build-your-own-course-pla...

rwieruchon Ask HN: Freelancer? Seeking Freelancer? (April 2019)

SEEKING WORK - Remote, Berlin, World - Content Marketing / Marketer

_______________________________

What I do:

- Content Production (Blog, Product, Newsletter, Push Notifications, Social Media)

- Content Marketing Strategies (Long Term SEO Optimization, Newsletter Campaign (e.g. Drip Campaigns), Mailing Lists)

- Landing Page Optimization (.e.g Guidance, SEO, Conversion Rates)

- Dedicated Content Promotion on third-party Platforms (Social Media, Reddit, HN, Niche Websites, Influencer)

- Social Media Channel Optimization / Assistance (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram)

- Landing Page or Blog Setup (e.g. Hosting, Domain Registration, Initial Setup)

_______________________________

I am eager to work with you or your company on these things. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Where you can find out more about me: https://www.iamliesa.com

rwieruchon Ask HN: Can I offer different prices to different users for the same product?

Maybe it's not the thing you are looking for, after I read your question carefully, but just wanted to mention that I do the same for customers depending on their country with Purchasing Power Parity to adjust prices. [0]

[0] https://github.com/rwieruch/purchasing-power-parity

rwieruchon Ask HN: What sparked your interest in programming?

APIs. I documented my journey with them over here when I encountered them the first time art university https://www.robinwieruch.de/what-is-an-api-javascript They just empower you to build things.

rwieruchon Ask HN: Freelancer? Seeking Freelancer? (March 2019)

SEEKING WORK - Remote, Berlin, World - Content Marketing / Marketer

_______________________________

What I do:

- Content Production (Blog, Product, Newsletter, Push Notifications, Social Media)

- Content Marketing Strategies (Long Term SEO Optimization, Newsletter Campaign (e.g. Drip Campaigns), Mailing Lists)

- Landing Page Optimization (.e.g Guidance, SEO, Conversion Rates)

- Dedicated Content Promotion on third-party Platforms (Social Media, Reddit, HN, Niche Websites, Influencer)

- Social Media Channel Optimization / Assistance (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram)

- Landing Page or Blog Setup (e.g. Hosting, Domain Registration, Initial Setup)

_______________________________

I am eager to work with you or your company on these things. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Where you can find out more about me: https://www.iamliesa.com

rwieruchon Ask HN: Advice for Hosting and Deploying My Side Project

Second this. DO is great and I host all my projects, whether static websites, Node.js applications or just MVPs there.

- Static Websites on one $5 Droplet with Server Blocks: https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-set-...

- Web Applications on one $5 Droplet with Dokku: https://www.digitalocean.com/products/one-click-apps/dokku/

In case if you are interested, I explain my setup over here: https://www.robinwieruch.de/deploy-applications-digital-ocea...

rwieruchon Ask HN: Is there a step-by-step guide on how to create a successful startup?

I think you have to stitch together the pieces from different guides/courses. For instance, I just released a React + Firebase course to ramp up your business [0] with a minimal tech stack. That's one piece you can use to "create [a] MVP". But all the other pieces you have to get from other books/courses/guides. I guess there is no guide yet covering it all except for a basic overview.

- [0] https://www.robinwieruch.de/the-road-to-react-with-firebase-...

rwieruchon Ask HN: Freelancer? Seeking Freelancer? (February 2019)

SEEKING WORK - Remote, Berlin, World - Content Marketing / Marketer

_______________________________

What I do:

- Content Production (Blog, Product, Newsletter, Push Notifications, Social Media)

- Content Marketing Strategies (Long Term SEO Optimization, Newsletter Campaign (e.g. Drip Campaigns), Mailing Lists)

- Landing Page Optimization (.e.g Guidance, SEO, Conversion Rates)

- Dedicated Content Promotion on third-party Platforms (Social Media, Reddit, HN, Niche Websites, Influencer)

- Social Media Channel Optimization / Assistance (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram)

- Landing Page or Blog Setup (e.g. Hosting, Domain Registration, Initial Setup)

_______________________________

I am eager to work with you or your company on these things. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Where you can find out more about me: https://www.iamliesa.com

rwieruchon The Road to React with Firebase

Hello everyone. I am excited to release The Road to React with Firebase this week. It's a free ebook which teaches you advanced React with Firebase while building a starter kit project with user management, authentication, and other neat features such as sending email verifications, social logins with Google and Twitter, and password retrievals.

I believe it's a great minimal tech stack to create MVPs or to bootstrap product ideas. That's why I wanted to show it to others by building such a starter kit application with React + Firebase step by step in this book. I hope you enjoy it :)

rwieruchon Ask HN: Freelancer? Seeking freelancer? (January 2019)

SEEKING WORK - Remote, Berlin, World - Content Marketing / Marketer

_______________________________

What I do:

- Content Production (Blog, Product, Newsletter, Push Notifications, Social Media)

- Content Marketing Strategies (Long Term SEO Optimization, Newsletter Campaign (e.g. Drip Campaigns), Mailing Lists)

- Landing Page Optimization (.e.g Guidance, SEO, Conversion Rates)

- Dedicated Content Promotion on third-party Platforms (Social Media, Reddit, HN, Niche Websites, Influencer)

- Social Media Channel Optimization / Assistance (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram)

- Landing Page or Blog Setup (e.g. Hosting, Domain Registration, Initial Setup)

_______________________________

I am eager to work with you or your company on these things. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Where you can find out more about me: https://www.iamliesa.com

rwieruchon Ask HN: What do you use for authentication and authorization?

If I do a MVP with React.js, my go to solution is Firebase. [0] Authorization is possible as well. [1] If I need to scale this MVP, I would eventually migrate to a self-hosted backend solution. In my case, it would be Node.js with a GraphQL interface that enables authentication with JWT [2]. Alternatives could be Passport.js and Auth0.

- [0] https://www.robinwieruch.de/complete-firebase-authentication...

- [1] https://www.robinwieruch.de/react-firebase-authorization-rol...

- [2] https://www.robinwieruch.de/graphql-apollo-server-tutorial/

rwieruchon Ask HN: What does success for a technical book look like?

Serial self-publisher [0] here and loving it :-)

From a number's perspective, I think you can look at anything between $0 - $3000 a month for a popular technical book on Amazon. Maybe there are some even up at $3000 - $5000. That doesn't include what you get from publishing it through other channels as well.

That's only on point of viewing it though. I like more to see success from the recommendation/readers ratio perspective: How many of the people that have read your book would recommend it to someone else. That's where word of mouth comes into play that I find so much more worth than any money. It guarantees your book's success over the long term, not only for the launch. As every startup launch: it's a marathon and not a sprint! So make sure you deliver high quality or iterate towards high quality.

- [0] https://www.robinwieruch.de/the-road-to-learn-react/