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Behind The Scenes: Designing a New Blog/Portfolio
- Authors
- Name
- Bradley DeLeonard
- @bradsabear
Embracing Continuous Improvement
I'm constantly refining my code and projects, and I genuinely believe that if you love coding, this is the best approach. Embracing continuous improvement not only keeps you adaptable in a fast-changing world but also lets you create something truly unique and personal.
The Fascination with Building
Since I first got into coding as a kid, I've been fascinated by the freedom to build anything you can imagine—provided you're willing to invest the time and effort. It's rewarding to pour hours into fixing something small or adding features that might go unnoticed by others but make all the difference to you.
The Current State of the Blog
While the current setup for this blog works reasonably well, I have ambitious goals that require a more sophisticated infrastructure. This means I’m considering a significant overhaul to create a blog that feels both special and tailored to the community’s needs.
.mdx
Files: Reliable but Limited
Markdown Currently, we’re using markdown (.mdx
) files, which handle even long posts efficiently because they’re lightweight text files. Markdown has been reliable, and there’s no major performance bottleneck here. However, switching to a database-driven system opens up potential for growth, makes major updates smoother, and makes tasks like editing far easier. Moving to a database isn’t just about convenience; it aligns with industry standards, especially for logging, data management, and scalability.
Moving Towards a Database-Driven Blog
Converting the blog to a database-driven system will support more complex features and future expansions. A database allows for more intuitive management of content, streamlines edits and updates, and makes it easier to scale as the site evolves. Additionally, it provides a robust foundation for handling data logging and supporting advanced functionalities down the road.
Introducing Membership and Engagement
In the future, I’d also like to enable membership features. While plans are still evolving, I aim to offer perks for those who register, log in, and engage with the blog. Membership options might include both free and paid tiers, allowing subscribers to access exclusive benefits and build a stronger community around the blog.
Future Vision for Membership
Although the specific benefits are still being defined, my goal is to create a membership model that enhances the user experience and fosters deeper engagement. Paid subscriptions may become an option for those interested in extra perks and exclusive content, though this is still under consideration.
Let me know if there’s any section you’d like to expand or detail further!