#SIGNALstories: Real time web lessons from Guillermo Rauch

#SIGNALstories: Real time web lessons from Guillermo Rauch

When you want to learn about the real time web there are few better people to impart such knowledge than the creator of socket.io, Guillermo Rauch. Socket.io is my go to WebSockets library for Node.js (I particularly enjoyed using it to help set up a WebRTC connection) so hearing from him last year at SIGNAL 2015 was particularly exciting.

I really like the way Guillermo frames the idea of “real time”, effectively that the interface is both fast and self updating. That may seem like common sense, but when you define something like that you can focus your attention on achieving it. He also went on to talk about some fascinating things like:

• the history of Google Docs and how it became more “real time”
• why everyone’s most loved/hated text editor (delete as appropriate), vi uses such terse commands
• the things you need to pay attention to when keeping real time interfaces up to date
• the controversial idea that rendering HTML on the server and then taking over with JavaScript is the secret to fast web applications

All of those turn out to be highly relevant when building real time features with something like IP Messaging, so if you haven’t already, do yourself a favour and check out the video.

If you want more real time stuff then SIGNAL 2016 is the place for you. We’ve got a whole bunch of talks on real time communications that are going to be just as useful, technical and entertaining as Guillermo was. But don’t wait for the videos, join us there and be a part of the conversation too.

And if that’s not enough reasons to come, I’ve got more for you. Firstly, drop the code PNASH20 into the registration form and save yourself 20% off the ticket. And if it’s not you but your boss who needs convincing, we’ve got a letter for them explaining all the ways you’ll return from SIGNAL a better developer.

See you in San Francisco in May!