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Authentic content for self-taught developers

👋🏻 I'm Rob Conery and I'm a self-taught programmer, author, video producer, coach, and speaker. I worked at Microsoft on the VS Code team, founded and sold a few companies, and made a podcast with a friend that did quite well. I love helping self-taught programmers like me, and have a semi-weekly newsletter you can find below.

All the content I make is 100% hand-made and cared for, without the use of ANY AI tooling. I think AI is useful, but I think a human connection is even better.

That's what you'll get here.

Just Released: Get Up to Speed With AI

 

Everyone's talking about how AI is "revolutionizing everything" while you're sitting there wondering if you're missing some crucial piece of the puzzle. You've written a few prompts, read some crappy generated code, and turned it all off.

If this sounds familiar, let me offer some help. In just a few hours I can make it all make sense with this simple, self-paced workshop.

0:00
/6:40

Best Selling Books

 

I enjoy writing a lot, and I really enjoy pushing the boundaries of "the modern coding book". I hate dry walls of text with meaningless "foo bar" demos. I prefer having fun, focusing on real scenarios.

The Imposter's Handbook

I spent years teaching myself the subjects that go into a Computer Science degree: Computation, Complexity Theory, Encryption, Blockchain, Algorithms and Data Structures, Lambda Calculus and more. I wrote down what I learned and decided to share.

Join 30,000+ Self-taught Programmers

A Curious Moon: PostgreSQL the Fun Way

Learn PostgreSQL the way the pros do: on the job and under pressure. You'll assume the role of interim DBA at aerospace startup Red:4, exploring real data from the Cassini mission to Saturn! We start slowly with the basics but soon enough you'll be awash in the most amazing data of our lifetime.

Have some fun learning Postgres!

The Imposter's Roadmap

If you're going to move up into a senior role, you need to master the art of source control, code reviews, DevOps, monitoring, reporting, project management, and, most of all: other people.

Take On That Senior Role

Courses

 

I love creating video courses, here are the most recent available to all members.

AI for Developers With Deadlines

AI for Developers With Deadlines

Need to get up to speed with AI tooling fast? I made this course for you!

21 Lessons

Rails Revisited

Rails Revisited

A detailed walkthrough of migrating a modern JavaScript site back to Ruby on Rails, exploring why Rails might still be the best choice for many web applications.

33 Lessons

The Imposter's Frontend Accelerator

The Imposter's Frontend Accelerator

JavaScript client frameworks are powerful and help you create an amazing experience for your end user. Unfortunately, learning how to use them sucks.

31 Lessons

PostgreSQL Fundamentals

PostgreSQL Fundamentals

A deep dive into PostgreSQL fundamentals using real NASA data from the Cassini mission.

27 Lessons

Computer Science Fundamentals

Computer Science Fundamentals

A video companion to The Imposter's Handbook, covering essential computer science concepts for self-taught programmers.

34 Lessons

Going Out on Your Own as a Solo Programmer

Going Out on Your Own as a Solo Programmer

Always wanted to go out on your own as a solo programmer but don't know where to start? I can't help you with the psychological aspects, but I can give you a blueprint and a plan.

12 Lessons

Recent Posts

 

I love digging in to new things and sharing what I've learned. I'm not casual about it either; I love to go deep.

Site Update, 2025
Life

Site Update, 2025

I like to change things up with my site on an annual basis. This usually means transparent things, such as moving platforms, but this time it's a bit more intense.

· Rob Conery

🤭 Let's try it and see if it sucks
AI

🤭 Let's try it and see if it sucks

One of the fun things you can do with AI is to "just try it", rather than think about it for days or do endless investigation. Let's see how that works.

· Rob Conery

Creating an MCP Server Using Node
Learning

Creating an MCP Server Using Node

I gave two in-person workshops recently at NDC Porto where we built out an MCP server for Claude... using Claude. Here's a recap.

· Rob Conery

Actual, tangible steps to get over Imposter Syndrome
Career

Actual, tangible steps to get over Imposter Syndrome

· Rob Conery

Walking the Walk
Career

Walking the Walk

One of my favorite quotes is from James Clear: "Action breeds motivation". It also scares the crap out of me sometimes.

· Rob Conery

In the Land of the Blind...
Opinion

In the Land of the Blind...

AI backlash is inevitable, but it doesn't help things if you spout nonsense and shout at clouds. In fact, it actually hurts.

· Rob Conery

Join thousands of self-taught programmers just like you and me

 

No spam. No marketing nonsense. Just helpful, actionable posts every few weeks. You'll get:

  • Something of value that you can ponder or put into action that very day.
  • Something written entirely by me, with a 100% no-AI guarantee. I don't hate AI at all, I just don't use it to generate any content on this site.
  • No spam, sales, or marketing. Pure value.