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Where can you learn from the people you follow without paying? Brian Pfeil’s personal directory points to eight free online resources from six creators, spanning software notes, tool documentation, podcasts, science-oriented content, web development, and independent product building. Pfeil describes the list as “The builders and thinkers I read and listen to most, and where they teach for free.”
How to choose a starting point
Pick by the subject and format you are most likely to use: practical software writing, command-line documentation, long-form audio, science-related material, web-development patterns, engineering essays, or independent product-building. Pfeil marks two of the eight resources with a star as his preferred starting points: Simon Willison’s Weblog and Patterns.dev. The descriptions below reflect how his directory presents each resource, not an independent ranking or comparison of teaching quality.
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Software, AI, and engineering
Simon Willison’s Weblog ★
Pfeil describes Willison’s blog as daily, hands-on notes about using large language models to build software, and recommends it as a place for engineers to keep up with AI. Choose it if you prefer ongoing written examples and observations.
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Willison’s LLM is a command-line tool for talking to hosted or local models. Pfeil also points to its documentation as a tutorial, making it a practical option if you want to learn through tool instructions and examples.
#1 Best Overall
Mitchell Hashimoto’s Writing
Hashimoto writes about building Ghostty, systems programming in Zig, and working with AI agents. It is a fit for readers interested in those engineering projects and topics.
AddyOsmani.com
Addy Osmani’s essays cover AI-assisted coding, working with agents, and web performance. Pfeil describes Osmani as a Google engineering lead.
Rank #2
- TOUCH, HEAR & LEARN: Kids tap pictures to hear clear English words and phrases—no smart pen or screen needed—making this interactive book simple for ages 2-8 to explore independently
- 500 WORDS ACROSS 18 THEMES: This 500-word sound book covers letters, animals, food, travel, jobs, family, clothes, toys, transportation, household items, and more
- MORE THAN FIRST ENGLISH WORDS: Unlike basic sound books that focus only on nouns, it also covers common sentences, antonyms, verbs, numbers, colors, shapes, seasons, and real-life scenes
- SCREEN-FREE LEARNING ANYWHERE: For families seeking books that read aloud to kids, this rechargeable talking book supports listening and repetition at home, preschool, or on trips
- A GIFT THAT GROWS WITH THEM: Colorful illustrations, touch-activated sound, and varied topics make this interactive English sound book for kids ages 2-8 a thoughtful birthday or holiday gift
Web development
Patterns.dev ★
Pfeil describes Patterns.dev as free material on design, rendering, and performance patterns for modern web applications. He notes that it includes Addy Osmani’s JavaScript design patterns book. This is his other starred choice and a natural entry point if you want web-development material organized around patterns.
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Long-form listening and science-oriented material
Lex Fridman Podcast
The directory describes the podcast as long-form conversations with AI researchers, engineers, and scientists, with full episodes and transcripts. It may suit you if you want extended interviews and the option to read along or consult a transcript.
Rank #3
- Childrens Learn to Read Books Lot 60 - First Grade Set + Reading Strategies NEW
- 60 stapled booklets total. 15 titles each in levels A, B, C, and D
- Each 8-page reader is black and white as designed by a reading specialist to attract attention to the print
- Measures 4 1/2" by 5 1/2"
- This series of books is a Teachers' Choice award winning item as voted by Learning Magazine!
Huberman Lab
Huberman Lab covers how the brain and body work, alongside science-based habits related to sleep, focus, and learning. Pfeil presents it as a resource for readers interested in those subjects.
Independent product building
levels.io
Pieter Levels writes about building and running profitable products independently. The topics in Pfeil’s description include building in public, keeping a simple stack, and launching quickly.
Rank #4
What “free” means here
Pfeil’s directory describes its eight resources as free and says the links open without sign-in. That is the article’s description, not a verified guarantee of each destination’s current access terms. Check the relevant destination directly for current availability or any sign-in, usage, or other conditions before relying on access.
Recommended Free Tools
The list is part of a seven-part series of free learning paths. Its eight-resource count describes the directory’s contents; it is not a study result. The list is personal curation rather than a controlled comparison, so use the descriptions to find a format and subject that suit you rather than treating the choices as an objective ranking.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【LEARNING WHILE PLAYING】 This is a book helping toddlers to learning while playing.Parents can participate in children’s activities to help them understand thinking, perceive colors, and enhance logical knowledge. The busy book game is an excellent educational toy developed for children over 3 years old
- 【15 THEMES AND 14 DRAWING&WRITING PAGES】 This Busy Book covers 15 themes, including numbers, alphabet, Food & drink, fruits, animals, rainbow, colors, shapes, size discrimination, transportation, weather, week, seasons, holidays and planets. Each themes can enrich the child's knowledge base. There is also a 14-page drawing and writing page to meet the needs of children who love to write and paint, and is equipped with 8 colored pens
- 【DIVERSE LEARNING EXPERIENCE】 This preschool educational toy is multi-functional, allowing child to develop fine motor skills, communication, verbal and problem-solving skills, memory, logic, imagination and visual perception,etc
- 【SAFE TO PLAY】 The certification was passed (CPC,Children’s Product Certificate). This preschool educational toy are made with the highest quality safe material that will withstand through generations of learning. The edges of the flash cards are rounded to avoid any potential harm
- 【BEST GIFT】 Keeping the children busy and get a moment of silence for yourself when you need. So, this is great gift for our children,even for parents.Need to attach the Velcro by yourself
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