I wanted to write a quick note about one of the ways that I stay up to date with things: podcasts.
They're great for anyone who commutes, and the rest of you can surely find some time to fit them in somewhere. Even if you can only track one or two.
A lot of the podcasts I listen to aren't specifically web development or even PHP related, but that is on purpose. I have Twitter and RSS feeds, as well as IRC for keeping up with more directly related topics. I'll detail those later.
For Development
- /dev/hell -- A variety podcast by Chris Hartjes and Ed Finkler. PHP centric, generally. Unless Chris starts ranting. Again.
- Core Intuition -- A variety podcast by Daniel Jalket and Manton Reece. Apple centric, but most stuff applies cross discipline.
- Developing Perspective -- looks excellent, by David Smith, just found out about it today. Haven't had a chance to listen to it yet.
- Build and Analyze -- A podcast by Marco Arment and Dan Benjamin which usually circles around the business of Instapaper, but covers interesting things about development and business.
- The Web Ahead -- A podcast by Jen Simmons which covers a variety of topics we should be informed about as web workers.
For Education
- The Critical Path -- A podcast by Horace Dediu about the theory and practice of disruption, and jobs to be done theory. It has an Apple centric overture, but it uses Apple as an example to build a lesson from.
- Freakonomics -- Always interesting(ish) topics, to keep the brain going.
For Humor
- Back to Work -- This could also go into Education, but I find the duo of Merlin Mann and Dan Benjamin to be quite comedic, and even enjoy listening to their "commercial breaks".
- Roderick on the Line -- A weekly conversation between Merlin Mann and John Roderick. Hilarious.