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Hello, everyone. My name is Lucian Ghindă. You can find me on all social media. I'm curating a newsletter called SH Ruby, and you can reach me at [email protected]. Today, I want to share some ideas about how we can bring more people into our Ruby community.
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I will discuss what we can share online to attract people interested in learning Ruby. This includes the types of articles we can write, project ideas, developer experiences, starter kits, and more. The goal of my talk is to spark a conversation and invite everyone to contribute their thoughts as well.
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First, let's talk about why we chose Ruby. While it may seem obvious to those already involved in the Ruby community, we often don’t explain this to those outside. We may say that Ruby is beautiful, but beauty is subjective. If we want to grow our community, we should articulate why we chose Ruby and what makes it special for us. By doing so, we can potentially inspire others to join.
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From my observations, people often select technologies not solely on technical superiority but rather on the promise these technologies offer for the future. This is why it's crucial to discuss what Ruby brings to the table: the opportunities and promises it presents. If we can express this clearly, we might be able to attract more people.
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The second idea is simpler: I invite you to start a blog or contribute an article to someone else's blog. You might wonder why we need more content. First, we need to keep Ruby-related content fresh. Although there is a wealth of information available, the Ruby ecosystem is constantly evolving, and we need new perspectives on how to create models, controllers, and tackle object-oriented programming.
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Moreover, much content today is influenced by social media, leading to a rapid obsolescence of older articles. If you write something today, it might be forgotten by next month. Keeping content fresh helps ensure that people can find relevant and timely information. Additionally, by writing about your experiences, you might assist someone facing similar challenges, which is a rewarding feeling.
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Having more content encourages diversity in the way Ruby is expressed and learned. People have different learning styles, and increased content availability allows individuals to find resources that resonate with them. Lastly, write for your own growth. Expressing your thoughts in writing enhances your understanding and knowledge, which is essential for becoming an expert.
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If you're unsure where to start, don't feel pressured to write a comprehensive guide or a book. Begin with a short article, just like a social media post. Focus on sharing your everyday experiences with Ruby. Here’s a simple format to consider: briefly outline the context, define the problem, explore potential solutions, and then describe your chosen solution. For example, if you were implementing user authentication, discuss the context and challenges you faced, the gems you explored, and the decision you made.
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The last point I'd like to make is to engage with the younger generation by going to where they are. The younger audience—those in universities or even younger—will make up a significant portion of the workforce in the coming years. It's important to attract them to Ruby, as the languages they learn will influence the projects they undertake. This means we should consider utilizing platforms where they spend their time, possibly even social media channels like TikTok.
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Before I conclude, I urge you to start a blog. I know developers often feel overwhelmed, but starting small is key. If you do decide to start a blog, please let me know. I would love to feature your work in my newsletter. Thank you very much for your time!