All Episodes

September 6, 2025 96 mins

Wolf hands you the keys to the old-world kingdom, which turn out to still be valuable, just much less used!

Most programmers are comfortable in their IDE but still click through file managers and manually handle repetitive tasks outside of it. You might know basic command line navigation, maybe even write the occasional script, but you're missing the real superpower: composition - the art of connecting existing tools to solve complex problems without writing any code. This episode reveals how thinking like a conductor rather than a programmer transforms your relationship with the command line. We'll show you how to orchestrate simple, specialized tools into powerful workflows that handle the tedious work you're doing manually right now. Whether you're a Python developer who reaches for scripts too quickly or someone who's been intimidated by the terminal, you'll walk away understanding how to compose solutions from tools that already exist on your computer. By the end, you'll have a clear path from GUI-dependent to composition master, with five practical takeaways you can implement this week to start building your personal superpower toolkit.

Takeaways

  • You now have the conceptual framework: command line as composition and orchestration, not memorizing cryptic commands
  • The specialist tools already exist on your computer right now - you're learning to conduct the orchestra
  • Every composition you create becomes part of your growing personal capability
  • Start this week: pick one repetitive task that annoys you and find its composition solution
  • Your journey from GUI-dependent to composition master begins with connecting just two simple tools


Here's a link for the article about a VPN service that is doing screen captures of what you think are private pages:

https://www.csoonline.com/article/4044514/featured-chrome-extension-freevpn-one-caught-capturing-and-transmitting-user-data.html

Hosts:
Jim McQuillan can be reached at jam@RuntimeArguments.fm
Wolf can be reached at wolf@RuntimeArguments.fm

Follow us on Mastodon: @RuntimeArguments@hachyderm.io

If you have feedback for us, please send it to feedback@RuntimeArguments.fm

Checkout our webpage at http://RuntimeArguments.fm

Theme music:
Dawn by nuer self, from the album Digital Sky

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Host

Jim McQuillan and Wolf

Jim McQuillan and Wolf

Popular Podcasts

Are You A Charlotte?

Are You A Charlotte?

In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.