Disqus - Latest Comments for rolyatmax

Re: React Redux: Can it be simpler?

Taylor — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 17:16:53 -0000

I agree with a lot of this. I feel that, even though Redux is itself fairly simple (a tiny, readable codebase), using it ends up feeling complicated because of the pieces you have to connect in the 3 or more files you pointed out.

Your reducer-inlining solution does seem to eliminate an extra set of files and the coupling-via-constant behavior. I wonder if this makes managing a more complicated, nested application state more difficult, though. Each action's reducer would have to know about the nested structure of the state, and I'm not sure you could easily or cleanly compose reducers when you inline them into your actions.

Middleware logic would also have to reside somewhere else. Say you are using middleware to log every action that flows through it. Duplicating that functionality would require wrapping each action creator with a logger or wrapping the "generic" reducer you've included above. For middleware that only deals with a specific action, this would be less of an issue. In most cases you could probably stick that middleware logic directly in the action itself. However, if you were using the middleware to respond to actions with side effects, coupling those side effects with the action creator and reducer makes the thing harder to test. Say you wanted to update your `localStorage` or make an AJAX request on a specific action. Coupling that code with your action creator and your reducer means having to mock out `localStorage` or the `fetch` API.

But if you aren't using Redux Middleware and your application state is fairly flat and simple, you might not need Redux in the first place. Maybe a single file could hold a set of state-mutating functions for your components to use. When one is called, it would just need to make sure to call `ReactDOM.render` when it's done.

This sort of set up might become slightly harder to test, and you wouldn't get any of the nice developer features that come with Redux (e.g. hot reloading, time travel, etc). And maybe at that point, you'd just want to keep your application state in a top level component's `state`, passing down your state-mutating actions as callbacks that use `setState`?

Anyway - enough rambling. Thanks for the post!

Re: How to Secure Your Computer and Devices Before You Travel

Taylor — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 13:00:25 -0000

Oh oh oh! I almost forgot! Also, NEVER EVER EVER EVER reuse a password. Every login should have a different password. This is why using a password manager is really absolutely necessary. I personally love 1Password. It's on my phone and my computers and syncs to my Dropbox, so even without my phone and computers, I can access my passwords anywhere I have Internet by just going to Dropbox's website. Also, 1Password can generate (kind of) easy-to-remember passwords for you. They'll string together a bunch of random, nonsense syllables for you which is SO much easier to type in than a 15 digit mixture of letters, numbers, and symbols.

Re: How to Secure Your Computer and Devices Before You Travel

Taylor — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 12:56:20 -0000

Nice post! Very good advice!

One thing that should be mentioned is HTTPS. When entering any sort of sensitive information into a website, it's really important to make sure that site is served over HTTPS. (This is true whether or not you are traveling.) When you look at the address, it should be preceded by https - not just http. In some browsers, they cut off that initial part of the address when they display it in the address bar, but there's usually a lock icon of some sort displayed if it's served over HTTPS. (For an example, you can type google.com into your address bar, and, because Google serves all its stuff over HTTPS, you'll see a little lock next to the address.)

HTTPS encrypts your web traffic within your browser - before it even leaves your computer. This means no one on your wifi - even if it's public - is able to see what's being sent back and forth. HOWEVER, where that data is being sent is still in plain sight to all on your wifi network (and to anyone with access to any of the dozens of servers your traffic will be routed through before it reaches its final destination - that means your Internet provider, government agencies, and even private entities which own some of the hardware used to route traffic around the Internet). Using a VPN helps with this. Basically, a VPN sends your traffic through another server and that server goes out and gets the webpage you really wanted and sends that back to you. This effectively hides the ultimate destination of your web traffic.

So if what you are typing into the webpage is sensitive - then checking that the website is served over HTTPS should be good enough. But if you want to obscure what website you are accessing, then use a VPN. (In many countries, there are laws against accessing certain types of web content. You'll want to use a VPN in those cases.) I like the Tor Browser, personally (https://www.torproject.org/.... It is widely used and well-maintained, so it's a pretty safe bet.

And one last thing about encryption. If you have any sensitive information on your laptop at all, the whole damn thing should be encrypted. It's not enough to just have a password on your computer. Someone can physically take apart your laptop and just read directly off the hard drive. Thankfully, this is super easy to fix if you're on a Mac. In System Preferences, go to Security & Privacy, and click the FileVault tab and make sure that's turned on. It'll take awhile to encrypt your drive (maybe hours or even a day), but it shouldn't keep you from being able to use your laptop while that's going on. This basically scrambles everything on your hard drive in a way that only someone with the password can unscramble. Your computer's hard drive will look like a bunch of gibberish to any sophisticated thief.

That's all I got! This was a really excellent post!!

Re: http://www.jakeandamir.com/post/875967494

Taylor — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:37:53 -0000

You guys are getting professional. These are excellent.

Re: Ok, ANOTHER new design...

Taylor — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:23:21 -0000

I like it.

Re: so this is happening.

Taylor — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:07:47 -0000

I am SO glad that Gale is back. I LOVE Gale.

Re: tumbléo

Taylor — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:55:22 -0000

I actually really like this guy's voice.

Re: Streeter Seidell

Taylor — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:53:52 -0000

Oh god, thank you so much for this...

Re: tumbléo

Taylor — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:35:24 -0000

You pretty much have to think of it this way. There's no way to completely protect your online content from unauthorized use.

Re: a(m) - tbaldwin: I think my old friend David Lindell had...

Taylor — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:22:05 -0000

Actually, I stole the video off this website: http://5dollarwater.com/

You might want to look at it.

Re: Streeter Seidell

Taylor — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:52:16 -0000

I've watched this show for years. It warmed my heart to see you both on it.

QOTD #1 - Like nuts in your mouth.
QOTD #2 - Big tooth.

Re: a(m) - tbaldwin: Thank you God for Food Network in HD. ...

Taylor — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 01:32:36 -0000

It is literally orange.

Aaaaaannnnddd spells out "Food Network HD"

I can't help it.

Re: Quick Question

Taylor — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 10:53:17 -0000

Oh wow Jake... I am so sorry.

Re: a(m) - streeter: Damn, this guy is talented.

Taylor — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:52:03 -0000

This is so crazy.

Re: a(m) - Once I got good and starving in the cookbook...

Taylor — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 19:24:53 -0000

Do you write under the pseudonym Lynne Truss?
(... because I'm pretty sure that's your voice echoing in my head.)

Re: The Bath-Grinch Who Stole Christmas

Taylor — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:23:21 -0000

yeah, Anne Marie..
God, you're disgusting...

Re: a(m) - I love the Internet. Last week it was the Lil Jon...

Taylor — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:42:14 -0000

That was amazing...

I don't know why, but I just want to worship the Lord right now...

Re: Lolliblog

Taylor — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:47:07 -0000

Wow, that is amazing... I'm sure Jake could get some small supporting role.

Re: Hoodie Justice

Taylor — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:39:20 -0000

You internet celebrities know that you could probably ask for any number of sub-$20 Christmas items, and your adoring fans would probably get some of them for you.

Re: The Wave

Taylor — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:08:44 -0000

Amir's your son, too?

Re: Blue Moon

Taylor — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:20:54 -0000

I just thought it was, as you say, a part of the beer's culture that it be garnished with an orange slice, and thus commonly understood. You might want to steer clear of Boulevard Wheat, too; though I'm not sure they serve it up there. I have never heard of a beer having an actual slice floating on top, only a wedge served with it. And in your defense, a floating slice really does sound unappetizing. Stella and other Belgian beers like Duvel also have their own culture, though. They are supposedly to be served in particularly shaped glasses to ensure the proper amount of foam which is usually abundant in Belgian ales.

Re: Jake And Amir Dot Com - Ballgame

Taylor — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:52:09 -0000

I love the sports ones...

Re: Jake's Webbed Journal

Taylor — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:58:53 -0000

Probably one of the funniest videos I have ever seen.

Re: Pony Club

Taylor — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:36:20 -0000

Yeah, Jake. What's Pony Club?

Re: Cadbury Eggs

Taylor — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:43:59 -0000

So, did you win the eggs?