It's 2026, and I still have to teach young folks to manage files on their computers. Four times in the last week I've had to sit with someone and show them how to copy, cut, paste, rename files, etc. Wasn't this generation supposed to have grown up with and understand this tech?

We’ve lived with AI chatbots long enough that this shouldn’t need repeating: confident and convincing doesn’t mean correct. Treat AI as a starting point, not a source. Verify everything. Web search tools still work; use them to find information.

Thinking back on 2025, wasn't TikTok supposed to be gone or sold by now? I still have TikTok functioning on my phone, and it's still owned by ByteDance.

As we start a new semester, a reminder to students everywhere: it’s okay to not earn an A+, submit imperfect work, miss an assignment, or feel frustrated by hard material. Those moments mean you’re learning. Struggle isn’t a failure signal - it’s part of the process.

What do you think the hot web design trends of 2026 will be?

What web design trends do you hope we see less of in 2026?

“One learns from books and example only that certain things can be done. Actual learning requires that you do those things.” — Frank Herbert

A reminder to my students and students everywhere. It's okay not to know things - you're here to learn. But make sure when you encounter something you don't know, you take the time to practice and use the skills/knowledge so you do know it next time you need it.

AI transcription bots are everywhere in meetings—but are we handling privacy right? Should their use and terms be disclosed in advance, announced at the start, or is there a better norm we should adopt?

A student used a random image converter they found online and kept getting corrupted WebP files. I showed them the method we’ve practised all semester, and they said I should “remove the website from the Internet since it doesn’t work.” I’m flattered they think I have that power.

Interview with Dan Stephenson: Web Designer, Magician, Instructor, Podcaster @DGStephenson https://t.co/fnrgkqaNLv

More and more the word "hacked" seems to be used in the media for an undesired technological outcome that can't be explained. We need to find a better word to use.

I chatted with a web dev tonight who ranted about PHP being “ancient” and “unusable.” Five minutes later he said he loves working in WordPress and Drupal. It felt like AI-fed talking points. When I mentioned the contradiction, he immediately walked away.

Interview with Dan Stephenson: Web Designer, Magician, Instructor, Podcaster Check out my interview with Dan Stephenson where we talk about artifical intelligence, social media, magic, web design, and the Calgary Flames. @DGStephenson https://t.co/fnrgkqaNLv

There is a website I log into often that implemented passkeys. Now, whenever I log in with a passkey, it skips prompting me for a password but asks for my TOTP code. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of a passkey?

Whatever happened to the idea Google had years ago where Google Asisstant could phone your local barber and book a haircut for you? It seemed far fetched at the time, but now very doable.

I am disappointed I still need to remind people of this. ChatGPT (and other GenAI LLM tools) is not a truth machine, as it generates responses based on statistical patterns in its training data rather than a commitment to factual accuracy.

I've been exploring my Elgato Stream Deck Mini over the last few weeks and discovered it can have live tiles - clocks, timers, weather, etc. I am finding this really useful to still be able to have a clock when I am running full-screen applications (like games).

More #webdev agencies are defining themselves by a single platform—“WordPress,” “Shopify,”, “Webflow.” It’s a strong brand move, but as a client, I’d value an agency that starts with my goals and then selects the best tool to match.

I've now got my Elgato Stream Deck Mini set up for my #webdev work so I can get access to my eye dropper, measuring tool, code editor, browser's dev tools, DBeaver, and FTP client all set up as buttons. This is a really useful little tool for less than $80 bucks.