Weeknotes 22:24

September 1, 2022

Week of August 21-27

TIL – <InnerBlocks/>

Last week, I was trying to figure out how to build a complicated layout using Gutenberg blocks. I build custom blocks using Advanced Custom Fields (ACF). I do not know React nor do I have a lot of desire to learn it. ACF has given me a great way to build the blocks I need.

Back to my problem. I needed to build a tabs component that would have a lot of different layout options (blocks) inside of it. I was not aware of <InnerBlocks/>. My first idea was to use a flexible content field inside a repeater field for the different tab panels. But that would involve a lot of work to set up those flexible layouts. I remember thinking to myself that I wish I could just use Gutenberg blocks within my custom tab block. It would be so much easier to use what I already have created rather than recreating similar layouts using the flexible content field in ACF.

I was talking things over with my colleague, Ryan, and he said, “why don’t you just use Gutenberg blocks?” He then went on to tell me about <InnerBlocks/>. One of the things I like about it is that I can specify the Gutenberg blocks I want to allow within that parent element. This is just the solution that I needed to build out my tabs component.

With each new Gutenberg project I build, I learn something new. <InnerBlocks/> will probably be the most valuable lesson I learn from my current project.

LGND Campfire

For the second week in a row, we had a guest join us for our LGND Campfire. This past week, we welcomed Audra Kruse from AHIP. (Sidenote: The AHIP website is beautiful and built with CraftCMS.) AHIP is one of LGND’s clients. LGND created an animated video for mental health care campaign. Audra was the point person from AHIP who worked with the LGND team.

It was great to peel back the curtain and hear some of the inner workings of an advocacy association. Audra was very excited about what she was talking about. She was one of the most animated presenters I have seen on Zoom. I loved her enthusiasm. I gained a better awareness of this client and what they are trying to accomplish in their work. I also enjoyed hearing some of her stories from when she worked with the International Dairy Foods Association.

Highlights from the week

• I sat in a Zoom interview with a candidate for a project manager role we are hiring for.
• My youngest had her 16th birthday.

Articles I read

• Simplify your CSS selectors – Quick video from Kevin Powell about using :where and :is to simplify selectors
• Work ethics – Some great thoughts from Jeremy Keith. I can usually produce great work in less time. I appreciate employers that focused more on getting the work done well than on how many hours a day your butt is in a seat.
• Reorganizing the Front-End Development Team – Interesting to see how Viget is dividing up its team. It somewhat follows the front and back of the front-end.
• Modern alternatives to BEM – daverupert.com
• The horizontal overflow problem
• Use the Right Container Query Syntax – In preparation for the release of Chrome 105, Miriam brings us up to speed on the right syntax for using container queries. The syntax has changed over the past year and many tutorials have the old syntax.
• Using Grid Named Areas to Visualize (and Reference) Your Layout – I probably should start doing this with my more complex layouts.
• UX Principles that include Cognitive Accessibility
• Auto-fit Vs Auto-fill
• Complex conditional width using flex-basis with clamp

Books I am reading

• Alchemy: The Dark Art and Curious Science of Creating Magic in Business, Brands, and Life – I finished this one on Saturday. Read my thoughts about the book from last week.
• The Storytelling God – I read a very challenging chapter this week about the reality of hell.

What I watched

• Spider-man: No Way Home (Digital Copy) – I watched this before I saw ads that they are re-releasing this one in theaters.
• Operation Mincemeat (Netflix) – This one was pretty good. Could have done without one vulgar scene. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the story. Made me think of things I read in Churchhill’s Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.
• Making the Cut (Netflix) – enjoyed watching this with my wife but now have to wait till Friday to see the next episode.
• Light and Magic (Disney+)
• She-Hulk (Disney+)

What I played

• Wordle – I have been playing more often lately but not everyday like I once was.
• MLB The Show 21 (Braves) – I lost Game 4 of the World Series and lost my advantage as the series is tied at 2 a piece. I also lost Freddie Freeman to an injury. He made a great diving save but injured his shoulder and is out for the rest of the series.