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Technical

What's in a name? That which we call a var by any other name would make code smell

In today's (2026-01-27) chat we will discuss names.

In Clean Code (Robert C. Martin), naming variables, functions, classes, and other structures is compared to naming a child. Yet we still see placeholders like x, tmp, or d littered throughout codebases.

How do you approach naming? • Do you iterate endlessly? write → delete → rewrite—until the name feels perfect? • Do you drop a quick name and come back to refactor later? • Or do you stick with the first name and tell others to stop “wasting time” on naming?

Everyone and anyone are welcome to join as long as you are kind, supportive, and respectful of others.

Cookie jar labeled as 'Basmati Rice'

Self-hosting: What gives?

The topic for the December 16th, 2025 chat is self-hosting. More and more developers are exploring it, but what are the benefits? Does it really improve security? And is the effort justified for a personal project or a small team?

Everyone and anyone are welcome to join as long as you are kind, supportive, and respectful of others. Zoom link will be posted at 12pm MDT.

2 people working on a computer

How long will it take to implement feature X?

I came across this article. I'll jump to the end and quote his conclusion:

Estimates – as defined in the English language – isn’t really the problem here. The problem is when estimates are treated as predictions, deadlines, and used to put pressure on developers who are just trying to do their jobs. Estimates – the way they are used in our industry today – hurts people and reduces the psychological safety in our organisations. I believe we would be better off if we could work in a way that allows developers to be transparent and continuously communicate updated estimates as development progresses.

What do you think? How can estimates be realistic? How are estimates done where you work? Agile, e.g. Story Points, planning poker? Or more formal software costing, e.g. COCOMO, Function Points?

Everyone and anyone are welcome to join as long as you are kind, supportive, and respectful of others. Zoom link will be posted at 12pm MDT.

desk