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Learn MoreThe History of the "Developers" Project
The idea for a unique media format arose during my collaboration with Habr. Early in my IT career, I realized I lacked deep technical knowledge. I wanted experts to discuss complex topics in an accessible format, which created a certain discomfort. To better understand the issues and improve the quality of discussions, I turned to my friend Phil Ranjin, a well-known developer on the Twitter platform. This collaboration gave me the opportunity to gain the necessary knowledge and understand how to effectively convey complex ideas to a wide audience.
We began conducting joint interviews, which was the first step towards realizing our project. Over time, Phil suggested creating joint articles: he generated ideas, and I edited them. This collaboration quickly became popular, and we realized that we had found our unique style of presenting information. Our work not only attracted attention, but also allowed us to better understand the interests of our audience, which contributed to the further development of the project.
As our content grew in popularity on the Habr platform, so did the amount of dissatisfaction. The growing audience brought critics, which was unexpected for us. One user even developed a browser extension named after us, which certainly caused us mixed feelings. We understand that with increasing interest in our content comes a variety of opinions, and this is part of our development. We continue to work on the quality and relevance of our materials to meet the needs of all users.
One comedian noted that he doesn't post his performances on YouTube to avoid being lumped in with cooking blogs and cat videos. We felt something similar while analyzing the content on Habr. We wanted to create a unique space—a platform where our readers could enjoy high-quality materials free from negativity. We strive to provide information that is useful and relevant, and to build a community that values originality and quality content.
We have decided to focus on developing podcasts. Our articles on the Habr platform continued to generate interest among readers, and we began using them to promote our new project. This led to critics who had previously commented on our publications also leaving their reviews on the podcast pages. We value our audience's opinions and strive to improve our content based on the feedback received. Podcasts have become not only a new format for us but also an opportunity to deepen our engagement with our audience.
As we delved deeper into the world of podcasts, the volume of written material began to decrease, but the desire to return to writing remained strong. Phil, like me, was enthusiastic about continuing to write and develop his development skills. As a result, we decided to combine our ideas into a single project and assembled a team of like-minded individuals to launch the "Developers" platform. This project aims to create high-quality content for developers and share experiences in the field of technology.
Topics of our materials
Habr's editorial policy has recently undergone significant changes. Previously, my publications covered important topics, including the leak of user data on VKontakte, which generated widespread audience interest. However, Habr soon changed direction, limiting the content topics. At the end of February, the platform's management announced a new focus on technology, which changed the approach to publications. Now the emphasis is shifted exclusively to technical and technological aspects, which may affect the diversity of issues discussed and reader interest.
We believe that technology and politics are closely interconnected. Trying to separate them from each other can lead to the loss of important context. Without a deep understanding of the social and political environment in which technologies develop, it is impossible to adequately assess their significance and evolution. Banning the discussion of political aspects on the Habr platform will only lead to superficial discussions that do not reflect reality. It's important to recognize that technology influences politics, and vice versa, so a comprehensive analysis of these relationships is essential for understanding current trends.
We strive to combine the traditions of classic journalism with deep technical knowledge. Our goal is to create high-quality and engaging content accessible to both experienced IT professionals and those new to the field. We aren't afraid to tackle complex topics and are prepared to explain them in professional terms, making our content valuable and useful to a wide audience. Our team focuses on ensuring informative and relevant materials, which contributes to the development of knowledge in the field of information technology.
Our target audience consists of experienced developers and IT newbies. We believe that even complex topics can benefit everyone. It's important that our materials remain accessible to readers, allowing them to return to them whenever they're interested in certain terms or concepts. We strive to ensure that every reader finds something valuable in the content, regardless of their level.
I've also encountered difficulties mastering technology. I remember poring over complex articles on Habr, not understanding half the material, but they were so engaging that they captivated me. Natasha Davydova has created an excellent guide for beginners, based on her unique experience in IT. While middle IT professionals may not need this advice, they still find it supportive and an opportunity for self-reflection. This approach helps not only beginners but also more experienced professionals better understand complex concepts and develop their skills.
Code vs. Lifestyle: What's More Important in IT?
The question of what's more important in the IT community—code or lifestyle—remains controversial. The situation with Phil and his team, who created an innovative library and faced backlash on the Habr platform, highlights the importance of public perception. Criticism often arises even before users have time to understand the essence of the project. This highlights the need for a deeper understanding of both the technical side of development and the context in which it is being implemented. It's important to consider that a successful product must not only be high-quality from a code perspective but also resonate with the community.
Don't be afraid to share your achievements and projects. Even if someone has already developed a similar solution, they may have introduced unique improvements or fresh ideas. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone can freely present their developments and find support. An open discussion of developments promotes development and inspires new achievements.
Lifestyle is important Our content. Early in my career at Habr, I believed that discussing hobbies and leisure activities among IT professionals was unacceptable. However, we strive to change this perception and emphasize that life outside of work plays an equally important role. We believe that hobbies and leisure activities help develop creativity and contribute to professional growth. Finding a balance between work and personal life is important, and our content aims to inspire readers to make time for their passions, which ultimately enriches their lives and careers. IT newbies are often interested in programming but can be intimidated by discussing it. Experienced professionals sometimes believe that a lack of work outside of the office indicates a lack of dedication to the profession. However, it's important to remember that a fulfilling life outside of work contributes to increased productivity and creativity. A variety of hobbies and leisure activities help maintain motivation and inspiration, which in turn positively impacts professional skills. It's important to find a balance between work and personal life to develop as a professional and stay interested in what you do.
Phil consistently provokes controversy with his opinions. This is not his goal, but a byproduct of his unique writing style. We, as authors, cannot control this process, but we can use it as a tool for deeper discussions on various topics. This approach allows us to expand the horizons of discussions and draw attention to important issues that require careful analysis and evaluation.
My goal is to identify and share inspiring stories of people in the field of information technology. Drawing on my experience in storytelling, I apply screenwriting techniques to make these stories more engaging and emotionally rich. This method not only improves comprehension, but also gives each story a unique character, highlighting the importance of personal experience in the IT community.
I focus on uncovering stories related to trade secrets and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). Often, companies restrict their employees from sharing information about internal processes, which hinders open discussion. This creates fear of potential consequences, which only exacerbates the situation. Transparency and trust are key in business, and it's important to find a balance between protecting confidential information and sharing knowledge for the common good.
About Our Team
Our project took almost a year to create. The timeframe was limited, as each team member combined their main work with development. We initially planned a release for the end of 2021, but decided to refine some key aspects. In late February, we faced significant changes and new challenges in the media sphere, which impacted our plans and development strategy.
We are currently located in Russia and actively monitoring the current situation. The blocking of regional media is happening incredibly quickly, and some have not even had time to begin their work. We cannot predict how long we will be able to remain in these conditions. It's important to stay informed and prepared for changes in the media environment.
A few weeks after our launch, in mid-August, our colleague Phil received a call from an investigator. He was informed of a complaint filed related to comments on our website and social media. Despite the lack of evidence of a crime, the investigator recommended that he temporarily leave for Tbilisi, and Phil followed this advice.
The situation around us was confusing, but it also brought home the importance of our project. We witnessed the disintegration of the international community and felt the need to preserve the achievements of the IT industry that had been built over many years. Our team set a goal to launch on August 1st, and now we have achieved that goal.
Phil, our team's lead programmer, has always strived to realize his ambitions and create a successful project. He worked in partnership with his best friend, with whom he studied programming, and their shared enthusiasm inspired colleagues to join the development. An acquaintance of theirs also joined the project as a project manager. This close-knit team, united by common goals, is actively working to create an innovative product with the potential to change the market.
Our website design was created by a professional working for a well-known design firm. Despite some delays along the way, his assistance was invaluable. Our team members worked actively on the project in their free time, finding opportunities to discuss and resolve emerging issues. This collaboration allowed us to create a functional and attractive website that meets user needs.
When we needed to invest in infrastructure development, we received an interesting offer from a company seeking programmer internships. We agreed to collaborate, but the experience was unsuccessful—the interns were unable to cope with the tasks set. As a result, instead of working on media content, we were forced to spend time on training, which brought only limited financial support. Unfortunately, the help from the interns was minimal, and the bulk of the development burden fell on our team.
Challenges on the Path to Creating Unique Media
Developing the design of our project required significant effort and numerous iterations. Initially, we planned to implement two themes: light and dark. However, during the process, we only managed to implement the dark version. After launching the project, and taking into account feedback from our readers, we decided to return to developing a light theme. As a result, we strive to create a more user-friendly and attractive interface that will meet the preferences of our audience and improve the user experience.
Our designer, with ten years of experience working on large industrial projects, faced a challenging task. We wanted to create a space where he could express his creativity without the pressure of demanding clients. This was an opportunity to create something that could become a true work of art, similar to the Behance platform where designers present their best work. We inspired him to explore innovative ideas, and he developed many unique features that we plan to implement in the future.
During development, the team encountered internal conflicts reminiscent of the swan, crayfish, and pike situation. Some members, believing that the frontend was being developed inefficiently, began making changes without consulting the rest of the team. This caused confusion and shock when other developers discovered significant changes in the code. Such conflicts can negatively impact the development process and the quality of the final product, so it is important to establish communication and collaboration within the team to achieve common goals.
It is important to note that this is not an industrial development. Our team came together to create a project based on our vision, without interference from managers or client demands. While this approach can sometimes create chaos, it also opens up opportunities for creativity and innovative solutions.
One of the main reasons for the difficulties that arose was the use of GitHub. We decided to abandon our own editor and completely migrate to this platform. However, access restrictions on GitHub led to a decrease in functionality, which complicated the development process. Switching to another platform would have required rethinking the entire concept of our project.
When developing "Developers", we aimed to create the most technologically advanced media platform. Our main goal is to attract the attention of developers through high-quality code and modern technologies. The development team is actively working on new features, striving to make the site as customizable as an integrated development environment (IDE). This represents a real technological challenge, and we are confident that the result will inspire users.
Our team brings together many specialists, each with their own unique goals. I focus on creating compelling stories, while the developers strive to develop a platform that aligns with their vision and delivers high-quality code. Each of us contributes to our shared success, and we value this diversity of opinions and skills.
I have serious concerns about burnout. My experience working at Habr has had a negative impact on my mental health, leading to difficulties writing articles and communicating with interviewees. It was a difficult period, and I fear that a similar situation may recur. I understand the importance of taking care of my mental health and strive to avoid situations that can lead to burnout.
Companies have repeatedly contacted us with threats of legal action. These situations are worrying, and we cannot predict their outcome. However, our primary goal is to cover important and meaningful stories despite the challenges that arise. We remain committed to quality content and strive to bring audiences relevant information, even under pressure.
Our Team Development Strategy
We are looking for talented journalists whose skills and approaches to work inspire us. Our goal is to create a platform where professionals can not only receive interesting topics from our team but also independently submit their own ideas for publications. Together, we will explore important and timely issues and share engaging and informative stories that will reach a wide audience.
A key element of our plan is to improve the quality of materials produced by developers. Currently, authors post their texts on the GitHub platform, where we analyze them. If we identify an interesting idea that can be further developed, we'll work on it. Finished materials will be integrated into the general pool, while those that don't meet our standards will remain unpublished. Moderation will be conducted based on our preferences, without strict rules, focusing on subjective tastes. This will allow us to create higher-quality content that meets our audience's expectations.
Content quality is our primary focus. We are open to a wide range of topics, but we refuse to publish materials that conflict with our values. In such cases, the material will not be published on our website. We strive to provide only valuable and informative content that meets our standards and meets the interests of our audience.
We intend to use existing platforms to promote our content, including social media, Telegram channels, and Twitter. These resources allow us to reach a wider audience than some traditional media outlets. We have several large Telegram channels and a significant number of subscribers on YouTube. In addition, our colleague Phil has an extensive Twitter community. Therefore, our initial resources are sufficient to achieve our goals.
We actively use viral marketing to create articles that can spark discussion. A striking example of our strategy was the invitation of Berezhnoy from Yandex, when the company openly admitted its mistakes. This event became an important topic of discussion in the professional community and caused a significant stir. In the future, we intend to continue publishing similar stories that will attract attention and encourage active exchange of opinions.
The Value of Projects for Developers
For several years, I have been thinking about the real value that projects like "Developers" bring. This question may seem complex, but at its core, it comes down to understanding our place in the world of technology and being mindful of what we are creating. Projects like "Developers" play an important role in the development of the tech environment by facilitating the exchange of knowledge and practices among developers. They help build a community where ideas and innovations can freely develop, which ultimately contributes to the improvement of the quality of technologies and services. Understanding this context helps us appreciate the significance of such initiatives and their contribution to overall progress.
There is a disturbing trend in the world of software development: many developers, fascinated by modern technology, are beginning to perceive themselves as part of the machine world. They become an adjunct to their tools, such as integrated development environments (IDEs). As a result, they lose sight of the important aspects of their profession, focusing solely on completing tasks and satisfying basic needs. This can lead to a decrease in creativity and innovation, as well as a deterioration in the quality of the final product. Developers must remember the importance of the human factor in technology and strive for harmony between using tools and developing their skills.
The modern world is becoming increasingly digital, and information technology permeates all aspects of life. Businesses, regardless of their size, are actively adopting new technologies to remain competitive. Just a few decades ago, mobile phones were simple push-button devices, but now we are constantly surrounded by information flows. This transition significantly changes the way we perceive the world around us and even affects our physiology. It is important to understand how digitalization is shaping new habits and requirements for business, as well as how it is changing everyday life.
Developers control powerful tools, but many of them are unwilling to accept responsibility for their impact. Some argue that these tools are merely tools, incapable of making independent decisions about the goals and purposes of the code they create. Questions about the future of technology, its implications, and how it will change the world in the coming decades remain largely ignored. It is important to recognize that technology is not neutral; it shapes society, and responsibility for its use should rest with developers. Discussing the ethical aspects of technology and its impact on people's lives should be a priority in software development to minimize negative consequences and ensure sustainable development. Awareness of the meaning of life, as well as an understanding of political and philosophical issues, should become important aspects of developers' thinking. This will allow them to control technological progress and prevent its potential threats to the future of humanity. Developers, with a deep understanding of these issues, will be able to create more responsible and ethical technologies that will serve the benefit of society and support sustainable development. Additional resources for in-depth study of the topic include various sources of information, such as books, articles, online courses, and video lectures. These resources will help deepen knowledge and expand understanding of key aspects. It is recommended to pay attention to specialized websites and platforms where you can find up-to-date information, as well as study the opinions of experts in this field. Using these materials will not only improve your skills, but also help you apply the knowledge you gain in practice.
- Evgeny Kot's report "R&D: Developers and Fools" from the HolyJS conference
- Why the lack of a stable income is the best motivation for working in IT
- The PHP programming language: its popularity and features
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