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November 2023 - London 🇬🇧 HalfStack

· 3 min read
Dion

On a cold Wednesday in the middle of November, our team of web developers (Rob, Jack, Sarah, Andrew, Ben, Mejsun, and Dion) delved into the bustling atmosphere of HalfStack London 2023. Located on Brick Lane, we found ourselves immersed in a world of innovation, kimchi-fueled camaraderie, and Heroin Chic ambiance.

Highlights of the Conference:​

  • Free T-Shirt Frenzy: It wouldn't be a tech conference without free t-shirts! Jack repurposed his as pyjamas, and Andrew snagged two. Dion took one and still regrets it.

  • Chilling Nightclub Vibes: The conference venue – otherwise used as a nightclub – had us reaching for extra layers. Despite the low temperatures, there was a friendly energy and plenty of hot coffee.

  • Battle Decks and Pub Quiz: Lonely chuckles echoed through the conference space during the Battle Decks game, where speakers improvised talks based on random slides. While the randomness got old quick, it served as an easy-to-ignore filler while we waited for the pub quiz to start. In the quiz, our team undefined secured third place. 🏆 A testament to our JavaScript prowess and proof that low temperatures improve brain function.

  • Culinary Expeditions: At noon we consumed confusing kimchi sandwiches and tried to absorb the warmth of lentil soup into our frozen limbs. Hot chocolates from Dark Sugars rounded off our lunch break before we returned to the venue for the second round of talks.

A poster of the Halfstack conference featuring orange-tinted portraits of all speakers and the words "On the Shore(Ditch)"

Insights from Key Speakers:​

  • Christian Heilmann opened the conference by challenging us to carve our own paths, highlighting the merits of working for smaller companies over big corporations.
  • Alistair Shepherd showcased scroll-based, native CSS animations, offering insights into performance optimization, dynamic color schemes, and dynamically created section dividers by using Midpoint Displacement.
  • Phil Nash introduced CSS-native page transitions, hinting at a future where elaborate libraries may become obsolete. Slides
  • Carly Richmond showcased innovative search functionality using Elastic Search, turning her thesis into an entertaining game.
  • Matteo Collina shed light on NODE_ENV naming conventions, emphasizing the pitfalls behind NODE_ENV=production.
  • Niels Leenheer explored the niche realm of creating a point-of-sale system using web technologies, highlighting the potential of hardware APIs.
  • Anna Migas addressed the unique challenges of web development for African countries, emphasizing lightweight frameworks and user-centric design. Slides
  • Rob Bateman talked about the complexities of writing a Flash emulator (​​Away3D) and how to make money with an Open source project.
  • Alessandro Polidori demystified JS WebRTC APIs, showcasing the setup of a video call app and its potential applications in a live coding session.
  • Liliana Kastilio shared tips on using ChatGPT to refine pitches, unveiling a plethora of cat drawings and creative insights.
  • Tom Dye reflected on the evolution of CSS.
  • Dylan Schiemann The cheerful organizer himself, Schiemann infused the conference with energy and warmth.

Epilogue​

As we bid adieu and turn our backs from the chilly nightclub to walk off into the sunset, we carry with us a treasure trove of memories and inspiration for our next digital adventures. A happy tear gently rolls down our cheeks as we gaze in the general direction of Brick Lane and softly whisper: Until next time, HalfStack.