Weekly TeX - how knowledge sharing shapes our culture

Weekly Technology Exchange (TeX) sessions are an integral part of Codeborne’s DNA. These sessions provide our team with the opportunity to share new knowledge, present interesting discoveries, and discuss the latest technological advancements.

But TeX isn’t just about code and software – it’s also a space where we share hobbies, passions, and inspiring stories. How did this tradition start, and what have we learned from it over the years?

Where did the idea for TeX come from?

Our TeX tradition traces its roots back to the past work experiences of one of our founders. In a company where pair programming wasn’t practiced, there was a lack of structured knowledge sharing, leading to the need for a weekly session where people could exchange insights and learn from each other. Later, in another company with partial pair programming, the TeX concept continued – and proved to be successful.

When Codeborne was founded, it felt natural to introduce this practice here as well. Since then, every Wednesday at 2 PM, we gather to broaden our horizons.

How has TeX impacted Codeborne?

TeX has evolved into more than just a forum for technical knowledge sharing – it has become a core part of our work culture. It has helped many overcome the fear of public speaking, as each presenter must respond to questions and justify their ideas. It has also allowed us to transition smoothly between different client projects. Because we work in diverse fields—such as energy, fintech, military technology, and education—TeX allows us to share best practices and avoid reinventing the wheel.

TeX has also played a crucial role in the adoption of new technologies.

New technologies that started with TeX

Several technologies we actively use today were first introduced and discussed in TeX sessions:

• Svelte – Our primary frontend technology originated from a discussion after a conference. When the Anonima project started, it was tested and quickly became the preferred frontend framework. A recent TeX session covered Svelte 5, sharing insights on its latest advancements.
• Tuple – When the COVID-19 lockdowns began, Codeborne needed a solution for remote pair programming. After revisiting past discussions from TeX, Tuple was tested and found to be the perfect fit.
• Flutter – After being discussed at TeX, Flutter was later adopted in one of our projects.
• AI and automation tools – AI has been a recurring TeX topic, encouraging the team to experiment with different AI-powered tools in everyday work.

Most memorable and unexpected TeX sessions

While many TeX sessions focus on software development, some of the most memorable ones have showcased diverse passions and expertise beyond coding:

• Technical deep dives – Sessions have covered topics such as Docker, Svelte reactivity, database indexes, and handling exceptions in code. Security topics have also been a recurring focus, with insights on best practices, potential vulnerabilities, and real-world demonstrations of security risks in project environments. In one session, a demonstration showed how easily project computers could be accessed, revealing data exposure risks—ranging from source code access to commit permissions and, in some cases, live logs and databases. This led to significant improvements in how teams secure their devices and accounts.

• Extreme programming and the Codeborne way – A session explored extreme programming, reinforcing the principles and methodologies that define Codeborne’s approach.

• UX and design – Sessions have explored prototype showcases, fundamental design rules, and best practices for selecting the right chart types for data visualization, particularly when dealing with time-based data.

• Conference insights and industry takeaways – Various team members have shared insights and key learnings from conferences they attended, keeping the team informed about industry trends and innovations. These sessions have provided valuable discussions on emerging technologies and best practices.

• Hobbies and outdoor experiences – Topics have included orienteering, long-distance relay runs, the physics of skydiving and parachute mechanics, drone building, woodworking techniques, medium and large format analog cameras and photography, and the evolution of DJ technology, including advancements in equipment and mixing techniques.

• Innovations and automation – Sessions have covered AI-driven hand-tracking for gaming, Telegram bots for automated calorie tracking, real-time programming of robots for autonomous navigation, and hacking an office coffee machine to uncover its hidden functionalities.

• Cultural insights – A session covered experiences from a conference in Kazakhstan, while also exploring cultural aspects and everyday life in the country. Another session explored the Japanese calendar transition linked to emperor changes.

• Startup lessons and entrepreneurship – Sessions have explored real-world experiences in founding startups, overcoming challenges, and scaling business operations.

• Guest speakers and external insights – Over the years, TeX has hosted several guest speakers covering topics such as large-scale construction project coordination, insights into launching businesses in the Austrian energy sector, and discussions on mental health, including interactive assessments for evaluating anxiety and stress levels. A guest speaker on mental health facilitated a test that participants completed to assess their anxiety and stress levels, offering valuable insights into well-being and stress management.

These sessions not only help the team get to know each other better but also expand our perspectives.

Why is TeX important to us?

TeX is not just a weekly knowledge-sharing session – it’s part of Codeborne’s culture. It helps us grow, exchange ideas, and broaden our perspectives. Whether the topic is the latest technology or the physics of skydiving and understanding how parachutes work, every TeX session makes us better developers and a stronger team.

Most of all, TeX is something we always look forward to each week!

Join us!

Codeborne is full of interesting people and exciting challenges. We’re expanding our team and currently looking for a full-stack developer. If you love solving real-world challenges with a skilled team, we’d love to hear from you!

Learn more about the Codeborne experience