The Problem
I keep re-inventing ways of making blog platforms. I’ve spent years trying to find the perfect thing. I inevitably ended up with something that I didn’t like. I also had this itch to try to create a platform where maybe, just maybe, others could come and write too. I kept getting hung up on the technicalities…comments, administration, favoriting, blah…blah.
Inaction…or as I said something I didn’t like, was usually the result.
The RealWorld Spec
Enter the this, the so called RealWorld Spec. It’s a standardized blueprint for making a blogging platform, inspired by Medium. When you’ve implemented it, you have a full backend API that you can use with whatever frontend tech you want.
Mind blown.
I discovered it by accident. I’m maintainer for a Hacktoberfest project, and I found out about it by looking for issues. I actually opened an issue and had a person partially implement it. I realized later that it wasn’t appropriate for a URL shortener, which is what the Hacktoberfest project was. I ripped it out from there but it got me thinking…
“Is this the solution I’ve long been looking for?”
Yes, yes it was.
AI to the Rescue
I’ve worked on this blog thing, one way or another, for probably 3 years. I decided to see if AI could pull the bulk of it together for me, which it did this past weekend. This site is the result.
I love the solution, it’s totally useable and gives me a solid platform to extend.
Closing
So, the moral of the story is: Spend a few minutes researching before you re-invent the wheel. You might just find something that will save your years of iteration.
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