Keeping up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends in the web development industry is essential. As a web developer, you should have a reliable source of information that provides you with relevant and useful insights. However, with numerous sources available, it can be overwhelming to identify the best ones. While some developers rely on news sites to stay informed, others prefer organic watch strategies. In this article, we will explore effective strategies for active and organic watch and share tips on how to find the most valuable web development resources.
Active Watch
While news sites are a popular choice for active watch, they can be overwhelming and spammy. The challenge is to sift through numerous articles to find the most valuable insights. In contrast, other sources like Hacker News and Reddit provide a more efficient way to stay up-to-date. Although Hacker News is not a web development-focused site, it covers a wide range of technology-related topics. If a web development technology or framework appears on its homepage, it's likely to be relatively popular. Reddit is a unique platform that functions as a social network organized by "subreddits," which are forums dedicated to specific topics. There are many subreddits that focus on web development, such as /r/php, /r/javascript, and /r/webdev. You can also use the site's search function to find subreddits dedicated to specific frameworks or languages.
Another effective way to stay informed is by joining developer communities on platforms like Discord or forums. You can ask for suggestions, share ideas, and learn from other developers. On Discord, for example, you can find channels like #links, where people can post links to popular resources.
Organic Watch
Organic watch is a strategy that involves staying informed as the need arises. Instead of actively seeking out new information, you research and learn as you encounter new challenges or technologies. For example, if you need to implement a carousel for a project, you would start researching the best libraries to use. You can begin with a simple search, such as "good library carousel javascript," and refine your results by using site filters like site:reddit.com or site:stackoverflow.com. By reviewing the responses, you can compile a list of potential candidates for your project.
In addition to search results, you can use developer communities to find recommendations and suggestions. If you're part of a team, you can also ask your colleagues for their experiences and suggestions.
Filtering Results
After creating a list of potential tools, you should narrow down your choices to a few candidates to test. For example, when looking for carousel libraries, you may come across libraries like Glide, Swiper, Embla, Slick, among others. To reduce your list, you can evaluate each option briefly and eliminate those that don't fit your criteria.
Conclusion
Staying informed is vital for web developers to keep up with the latest technologies and trends. While news sites are a popular choice for active watch, they can be overwhelming and spammy. On the other hand, organic watch is a more efficient way to stay up-to-date as the need arises. Whether you prefer active or organic watch, it's essential to filter your results to focus on the most relevant and useful information. By leveraging developer communities and other resources, you can stay informed and improve your skills as a web developer.