diff --git a/assets/images/telescope.png b/assets/images/telescope.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8871b7a Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/images/telescope.png differ diff --git a/assets/images/thumbnails/Op2030Binoculars.jpg b/assets/images/thumbnails/Op2030Binoculars.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a0b1e35 Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/images/thumbnails/Op2030Binoculars.jpg differ diff --git a/assets/images/thumbnails/ignition.png b/assets/images/thumbnails/ignition.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..eca2e67 Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/images/thumbnails/ignition.png differ diff --git a/assets/images/thumbnails/trophy.jpg b/assets/images/thumbnails/trophy.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..720b896 Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/images/thumbnails/trophy.jpg differ diff --git a/config/_default/menus.en.toml b/config/_default/menus.en.toml index 9a54de3..85b2b58 100644 --- a/config/_default/menus.en.toml +++ b/config/_default/menus.en.toml @@ -33,21 +33,21 @@ weight = 4 [[main]] parent = "Explore" -name = "Discord" -url = "https://discord.com/invite/txcCe8vyQ6" -weight = 3 +name = "Operation 2030" +url = "/operation2030" +weight = 1 [[main]] parent = "Explore" name = "Meetups" url = "/meetups" -weight = 1 +weight = 2 [[main]] parent = "Explore" -name = "Members" +name = "Donate" url = "https://donorbox.org/handmadecities" -weight = 2 +weight = 3 [[main]] name = "About" diff --git a/config/_default/params.toml b/config/_default/params.toml index 4d1fe51..6d4e751 100644 --- a/config/_default/params.toml +++ b/config/_default/params.toml @@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ content = "Handmade Seattle Nov 20th - 22nd, 2024. [Buy Tickets](/tickets) now!" # seo module: https://github.com/gethugothemes/hugo-modules/tree/master/seo-tools/basic-seo [metadata] keywords = ["Conference", "Handmade", "Software", "Programming", "Low-Level"] -description = "Handmade Cities - Indie Conferences for Low-Level Programmers" +description = "In-Person Events for for Low-Level Programmers" image = "images/opengraph.png" diff --git a/content/english/_index.md b/content/english/_index.md index 39cd061..b35e56e 100644 --- a/content/english/_index.md +++ b/content/english/_index.md @@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ banner: icon: "fa fa-ticket pl-2" class: "btn text-white seattle-bg" button2: - enable: true + enable: false label: "Donate" link: "https://donorbox.org/handmadecities" icon: "fa fa-gift pl-2" diff --git a/content/english/about/index.md b/content/english/about/index.md index 0e87128..e0ab87e 100644 --- a/content/english/about/index.md +++ b/content/english/about/index.md @@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ features: color: "#60E3C4" content_class: "text-white" button: - enable: false + enable: true label: "Operation 2030" link: "/operation2030" icon: "fa fa-ticket pl-2" diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/_index.md b/content/english/operation2030/_index.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7aa6f7a --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/_index.md @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ ++++ +title="Operation 2030" +image="/images/telescope.png" ++++ diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/appendix/.proper-ai-usage.md.swp b/content/english/operation2030/appendix/.proper-ai-usage.md.swp new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0d305c6 Binary files /dev/null and b/content/english/operation2030/appendix/.proper-ai-usage.md.swp differ diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/appendix/_index.md b/content/english/operation2030/appendix/_index.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d83c499 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/appendix/_index.md @@ -0,0 +1,6 @@ ++++ +title="Appendix" +date="2024-08-09T09:00:00-04:00" +enddate="2024-08-10T18:00:00-04:00" ++++ + diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/appendix/c-is-evil-so-what.md b/content/english/operation2030/appendix/c-is-evil-so-what.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f68f8a4 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/appendix/c-is-evil-so-what.md @@ -0,0 +1,81 @@ ++++ +title="C is Evil" +mediatype="extra" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="So what?" +thumbnail="" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Prev](/operation2030/directives) (Objectives) | [Contents](/operation2030) | [Next](/operation2030/appendix/proper-ai-usage) + +### So What? + +In early 2025, [File Pilot](https://filepilot.tech) launched to widespread acclaim, stunning the industry with unfathomable performance and breathtaking design (we don’t use those words lightly.) Mainstream articles and big YouTube reviewers praise it as being orders of magnitude cleaner than the default file explorer experience for Windows 11. + +This is the power of the Handmade ethos: a single indie dev shipped something vastly superior than what a trillion-dollar corporation could deliver. That’s a serious wake-up call by the way; it's not something to shrug off or accept as remotely normal. + +When you dig into File Pilot, you’ll find its author wrote the entire thing in pure C. The loudest Rust enthusiasts might call him evil, but Handmade Cities’ response is simple: *... and?* + +Abner pokes fun at Rustaceans too. For example while extending [microui](https://github.com/rxi/microui) to support growable command lists (to queue up more draw commands per frame) he went straight for the jugular: + +```c +function __attribute__((nonnull)) void mu_grow_command_list(mu_Context *ctx, int capacity) { + expect(capacity > ctx->command_list.capacity); + + char *old_base = ctx->command_list.items; + + ctx->command_list.items = TC_REALLOC(ctx->command_list.items, capacity); + ctx->command_list.capacity = capacity; + + /* patch up pointers (Rust enthusiasts: avert your eyes!) */ + ptrdiff_t offset = ctx->command_list.items - old_base; + + // jump commands + mu_Command *cmd = (mu_Command*) ctx->command_list.items; + while ((char*)cmd < ctx->command_list.items + ctx->command_list.idx) { + if (cmd->type == MU_COMMAND_JUMP) + cmd->jump.dst += offset; + cmd = (mu_Command*)((char*)cmd + cmd->base.size); + } + + // root containers + for (int i = 0; i < ctx->root_list.idx; ++i) { + mu_Container *cnt = ctx->root_list.items[i]; + cnt->head = (mu_Command *)((char*)cnt->head + offset); + cnt->tail = (mu_Command *)((char*)cnt->tail + offset); + } +} +``` + +Similarly, NASA repudiates Rust in many areas too, as discussed in our interview with Billy Basso (creator of [Animal Well]()). Timestamped recording below: + +
+ +
+ +That said, Handmade Cities welcomes Rust with open arms. We do love fast Rust software like ```ripgrep```. But if you pester us to stop using C, Zig, Odin, or Jai we’ll laugh you out of the room. Don’t let yourself become a caricature of the Evangelism Strikeforce. + +Rust is, for *most* Handmade devs, too restrictive—a straightjacket limiting the absolute freedom needed to experiment rapidly. Rust is important for many use cases (even preferable. We'll take a Rust web server any day.) But for the kind of Formula 1 race car driving defining our ethos, it’s usually not the right fit. + +This isn’t a reactionary stance at all; we’ve thought deeply about these issues. If you'd like a more sophisticated discussion on the merits of being memory unsafe, with representatives on both sides, check out our podcast from Handmade Seattle 2022. It’s as relevant in 2025 as it was then: + +{{< vimeo 774890907 >}} + +
diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/appendix/proper-ai-usage.md b/content/english/operation2030/appendix/proper-ai-usage.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2be977d --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/appendix/proper-ai-usage.md @@ -0,0 +1,39 @@ ++++ +title="Proper AI Usage" +mediatype="extra" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="How Handmade devs should use AI" +thumbnail="" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Prev](/operation2030/appendix/c-is-evil-so-what) | [Contents](/operation2030) | [Next](/operation2030/appendix/terminal-click) + +**Secretary's Note:** This section is currently under construction. + +Our general stance on AI/LLMs aligns with the article ["Vibe Coding" vs Reality](https://cendyne.dev/posts/2025-03-19-vibe-coding-vs-reality.html). In particular, we tend to agree with the following observations: + +> Without expert intervention, the best these tools can do today is produce a somewhat functional mockup, where every future change beyond that risks destroying existing functionality. + +Or to put it more bluntly: + +> These models are trained on average sloppy code, wrong answers on Stack Overflow, and the junk that ends up on Quora. Despite the power and capability Claude 3.7 Sonnet has in small contexts, when faced with even a small codebase it makes constant silly mistakes that no normal developer would repeat and continue to repeat every hour of its operation. + +Handmade's deep love for low-level knowledge gives us the privilege to resist the reliance on AI. Indeed, developers who fully embrace our values can do well for themselves in the age of LLMs without having to use them. + +For Handmade devs, the proper use of AI is twofold: +- To stay informed about its progress so we can refine our arguments against its misuse +- To use it sparingly and thoughtfully in areas OUTSIDE our core programming work + +Finally, when we do use AI, it should be through privacy-conscious services like Kagi’s Assistant or by running models locally. Anything else violates the principles defining who we are. diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/appendix/terminal-click.md b/content/english/operation2030/appendix/terminal-click.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..01953b2 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/appendix/terminal-click.md @@ -0,0 +1,41 @@ ++++ +title="Terminal Click" +mediatype="extra" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="Our leaders must ship Handmade software" +thumbnail="" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Prev](/operation2030/appendix/proper-ai-usage) | [Contents](/operation2030) + +[Terminal Click](https://terminal.click) (TC) is a terminal emulator created by Abner Coimbre, founder of Handmade Cities. From its very first git commit it works natively on Windows, Mac, and Linux. At the time of writing one hundred beta testers actively use it across all three platforms. It’s currently a 1MB download: + +![](/images/tc_proton_drive.png) + +Which, [according to Abner](https://terminal.click/posts/2025/04/the-wizard-and-his-shell/), is still too bloated. + +### Why does this matter for Operation 2030? + +Why does Abner's side hustle matter for Operation 2030? Because he isn’t just talking about what indie devs should accomplish—he’s working on it himself. Leadership means taking risks, enduring criticism, and paving the way for others. For example, power users have been [quite vocal](https://lobste.rs/s/cysg6o/guiding_users_away_from_cd_ls) in their dislike of TC, and Abner semi-regularly receives hate mail about it (we're not kidding.) Yet he continues undeterred, with the understanding progress must meet some resistance. + +### Killing versus Preserving Shells + +Abner's fiercest competitor is [ghostty](https://ghostty.org/) by Mitchell Hashimoto. Watch their Twitch conversation from 2023 below. They explored their shared values until the philosophical disagreements came to a head: + +{{< vimeo 854038896 >}} + +### Accessing the Closed Beta + +To join the closed beta send an email to abner@terminal.click or, optionally, drop by the TC [Discord](https://terminal.click/discord). Let us know why you’d be a good fit to test an experimental terminal! diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/business/_index.md b/content/english/operation2030/business/_index.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..53b14e3 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/business/_index.md @@ -0,0 +1,6 @@ ++++ +title="Our Revenue" +date="2024-08-09T09:00:00-04:00" +enddate="2024-08-10T18:00:00-04:00" ++++ + diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/business/donations.md b/content/english/operation2030/business/donations.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bf29311 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/business/donations.md @@ -0,0 +1,31 @@ ++++ +title="Donations" +mediatype="rev" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="Independent donors AKA conference members" +thumbnail="" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Prev](/operation2030/business/tickets) | [Contents](/operation2030) | [Next](/operation2030/business/miscellaneous) + +### How Donations Work + +Ticket sales and trade show booths cover the operating expenses for Handmade Cities: renting large venues, paying staff and security, securing A/V equipment, catering, event insurance and more. They run into tens of thousands of dollars per event. + +Independent donors, known as [conference members](/member), keep the founder himself afloat. It's a kind of Patreon that allows Abner to remain a full-time social butterfly. Donations cover his Seattle rent, groceries, healthcare, and the occasional night out. Conference members donate with no strings attached because they believe in the founder's vision with the advisory board's [guidance](/board). + +Your donations to Abner are designed to outlast him. The bus factor is mitigated by his advisory board, meetup hosts and paid staff, some of whom are learning the ropes of running this business. To ensure continuity, Abner has also implemented a dead man’s switch and written his will. + +Of course Abner intends to live a long and fruitful life. He dreams of becoming the Geoff Keighley of systems programmers—or perhaps growing old as a lovable Alex Trebek for computer nerds. (The parallels aren’t perfect, but you get the idea!) diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/business/miscellaneous.md b/content/english/operation2030/business/miscellaneous.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f20bdb6 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/business/miscellaneous.md @@ -0,0 +1,43 @@ ++++ +title="Miscellaneous" +mediatype="rev" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="Experiments in additional income" +thumbnail="" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Prev](/operation2030/business/donations) | [Contents](/operation2030) | [Next](/operation2030/business/trade-show) + +We must diversify revenue to weather the tough years. For example, depressed conference attendance due to mass layoffs could be devastating to our business. Indeed this nearly happened in 2024, where we came close to shutting down like many other tech conferences. We survived through fundraisers, but we’d prefer to build a buffer by creating bonus revenue streams—although ticket sales will always be our primary source. + +Ideas we’re currently exploring: + +- **Software Sales** + Selling our own software is the most promising avenue. Handmade conferences have inspired other indie conferences, so it makes sense to offer them the apps we wrote ourselves to self-host a tech conference. + +- **Magazine Sales** + + As part of [Return to Meatspace](/operation2030/directives/meatspace) we’re publishing physical magazines every quarter (starting January 2026.) We don’t expect meaningful profits here, but they will generate significant word-of-mouth buzz for conference tickets. + +- **Merch Shop** + We’ve been promising merch for AGES but have not delivered yet. Operation 2030 must address this, especially now that Jes Chuhta gave us a [fresh coat](/news/anniversary-rebrand-2024/) of paint. Even if profits are peanuts a merch shop will indirectly boost ticket sales. + +- **Twitch Subscribers** + Twitch streams generate hundreds of dollars every few months (nothing to sneeze at when you're indie.) With a stronger presence we can grow this into the thousands. + +If we succeed diversifying, we’ll also be able to do more than just cover conference costs or Abner’s living expenses: +- Help meetup hosts rent fancier venues for their own local events +- Professionally design and mass print flyers, pamphlets, etc. to spread the word everywhere +- Offer paid contract work to accelerate our Key Objectives—especially [Self-Hosting for All](/operation2030/directives/self-hosting-for-all) which requires a lot of manpower. diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/business/tickets.md b/content/english/operation2030/business/tickets.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..629f0e9 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/business/tickets.md @@ -0,0 +1,55 @@ ++++ +title="Conference Tickets" +mediatype="rev" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="Ticket sales" +thumbnail="" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Prev](/operation2030/structure) (Structure) | [Contents](/operation2030) | [Next](/operation2030/business/donations) + +Ticket sales are the primary source of revenue for Handmade Cities, far surpassing other revenue streams. This is intentional. We want to remain accountable to ticket holders. + +#### **Physical Track: In-Person Tickets** + +Both Handmade Boston and Handmade Seattle feature a physical track. The standard ticket price is $249, comparable to much larger conferences like Twitch Con. Starting in 2025 it will be our "forever price"—we intend to keep this standard price unchanged for as long as we’re in business. + +Exceptions include: +- **Early-bird sales:** $199 +- **Last-minute (door) prices:** $299 + +#### **Online Track: Online Tickets** + +Only Handmade Seattle has an online track because it's a fully-hybrid event. Here’s how it works: +- The entire event is live-streamed for free on Twitch (and YouTube as backup) +- Live Q&A and access to speakers occur in a private chat server, which requires a ticket +- Even the physical track must use the server to ask questions. Online attendees are treated as first-class citizens + +The online ticket is pegged to 30% of the in-person cost: +- **Standard price:** $74 +- **Early-bird sales:** $59 +- **Last-minute prices:** $89 + +These prices are also "forever prices." + +In order to grow, we have to increase attendance rather than raise ticket prices. We may also [diversify](/business/miscellaneous) into extra revenue streams. This approach to pricing is designed to give ticket holders a predictable sense of stability. + +#### **Discounts for the Financially Disadvantaged** + +We offer discounts to struggling students or those facing financial hardship and also frequently give out free tickets when possible—thanks to generous donations from senior engineers. If you live in a country where your purchasing power is significantly lower, we wish to help you too. + +To request assistance, email us at tickets@handmadecities.com with a brief explanation of your circumstances. *Correspondence to this address is strictly confidential.* + +We please ask those who are financially secure to respect this system of trust. Do not abuse it to obtain discounts or free tickets. diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/business/trade-show.md b/content/english/operation2030/business/trade-show.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..310b22c --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/business/trade-show.md @@ -0,0 +1,38 @@ ++++ +title="Trade Show" +mediatype="rev" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="Job booths and demo booths" +thumbnail="" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Prev](/operation2030/business/miscellaneous) | [Contents](/operation2030) | [Next](/operation2030/directives) (Key Objectives) + +### Job Booths + +Employers can rent job booths at Handmade Boston or Handmade Seattle for a fixed rate. The price is the same for all companies, regardless of size. + +This setup creates a win-win-win scenario: +- Handmade Cities earns meaningful revenue from booth rentals. +- Employers gain access to a large in-person audience, which naturally acts as a strong resume filter. +- Ticket holders have the opportunity to meet employers and potentially get hired. + +Importantly, employers are not allowed to sponsor or influence the event itself. Job booth revenue is also intentionally kept much smaller than ticket sales to prevent any risk of a hostile takeover. + +### Demo Booths + +At the time of writing demo booths are free of charge once your submission is approved. If this changes in the future we will install a program for the financially disadvantaged [as we do](/operation2030/business/tickets) for conference tickets. + +**Secretary's Note:** The reason this may change is because venues started raising their fees significantly for renting trade show floors. We must adapt with the times. diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/directives/_index.md b/content/english/operation2030/directives/_index.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a35fefa --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/directives/_index.md @@ -0,0 +1,5 @@ ++++ +title="Key Objectives" +date="2024-08-09T09:00:00-04:00" +enddate="2024-08-10T18:00:00-04:00" ++++ diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/directives/meatspace.md b/content/english/operation2030/directives/meatspace.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4ff5686 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/directives/meatspace.md @@ -0,0 +1,49 @@ ++++ +title="Return to Meatspace" +mediatype="key" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="Abandon FOMO" +thumbnail="" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Prev](/operation2030/directives/small-software-shops) | [Contents](/operation2030) | [Next](/operation2030/directives/self-hosting-for-all) + +By 2030, Handmade Cities wants it to be significantly more appealing for programmers to spend time offline, drinking in the real world, rather than being glued to the Internet. When we are online, it should be intentional, free from FOMO or addiction. To make this happen we’ll focus on growing local meetups while also taking the following steps: + +- **Printed Magazines**: Physical bookstores are making a comeback, especially as Gen-Z seeks relief from doom scrolling. Even tech magazines are regaining traction. Starting January 2026, Handmade Cities is publishing quarterly magazines featuring news and articles written by highly-regarded community members. If you’re a technical writer, please reach out at magazine@handmadecities.com. + +- **No Social Media**: Specifically, Handmade Cities doesn’t use platforms like Twitter/X, Bluesky, or Mastodon at all. We’ve proven we're profitable through our website and newsletter. Our goal is to encourage devs to build their own newsletters to market their work. Most social media sharing Twitter's DNA are addictive finicky platforms to make a healthy living from. Reducing or eliminating our dependence on them is the wisest choice. + +- **Healthy Outreach**: Platforms like Twitch and YouTube, where real people are visible, are more stable options for occasionally promoting your work online. Hacker News and Lobsters are generally also fine. However, these shouldn’t become a *crutch* for making income. + +- **The Return of Mailing Lists**: Mailing lists, like the legendary Linux Kernel Mailing List (LKM), are timeless. They’re accessible on any device, indexable, and distraction-free. If there’s one mantra to take away here, it’s this: *mailing lists and meetups*. + +**Secretary's Note:** We don't want to go back too far in time! Modern UX matters! We're open to alternatives to mailing lists, or newer clients to make the reading experience cleaner. + +- **Touch Grass Technology**: It sounds hilarious, but TGT\* refers to tech which motivates in-person meetups. By 2030, Handmade Cities must have built, curated or contributed to a comprehensive list of TGT tools for the community. + +**References** + +- [Don’t build your castle in other people’s kingdoms](https://howtomarketagame.com/2021/11/01/dont-build-your-castle-in-other-peoples-kingdoms/) +- Tras Otro Progreso: Filosofia de la Tecnologia desde la Periferia (Spanish) + +**Secretary's Note:** If anyone knows of an English translation for the book above, email us at support@handmadecities.com + +--- +\* We've coined Touch Grass Tech playfully but it’s based on a theory from Puerto Rican philosopher Dr. Hector Huyke, who researches philosophy of technology. Abner studied under Huyke and also read his little-known Spanish book *Tras Otro Progreso* (roughly translated as *In Search of Another Kind of Progress*). Written twelve years ago, this obscure book was rather omniscient, predicting today’s issues with how software gets deployed: loss of community, mass layoffs, social media addiction, and even a glimpse into AI-generated slop. + +Huyke’s proposed solution is a concept called *Tecnología Arraigante*, which is rather tricky to translate. Literally, it means "technology for keeping you rooted to the ground." The imagery is striking—like your feet growing tree roots and anchoring you into place. After consulting a professional translator, we found the closest English equivalent is indeed "Technology for Touching Grass." The gist is to use tech for increasing human presence without abandoning the benefits of software. + +Examples include the Light Phone, which eliminates addictive distractions, or couch co-op games, which bring people together. (Even Pokémon GO met this description for a time.) diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/directives/self-hosting-for-all.md b/content/english/operation2030/directives/self-hosting-for-all.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1c6a9e8 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/directives/self-hosting-for-all.md @@ -0,0 +1,51 @@ ++++ +title="Self-Hosting for All" +mediatype="key" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="Make self-hosting actually desirable" +thumbnail="" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Prev](/operation2030/directives/meatspace) | [Contents](/operation2030) | [Next](/operation2030/appendix) (Appendix) + +You can’t realistically own every app or service you use, but you should aim to get closer to that ideal over time. The more of your computing you can run on your own servers—even if they’re initially hosted on something like a DigitalOcean Droplet, AWS instance, or Azure—the more self-sufficient you’ll become. And self-sufficiency is a core trait of a Handmade dev. + +By 2030, our goal is to make self-hosting a desirable and mainstream idea in the software industry. Even if we don’t convince everyone, we must inspire enough developers to make the broader industry blink and take notice. + +#### What Handmade Cities is Doing: + +- Built a replacement to Ticketmaster/Eventbrite for selling conference tickets +- [Self-hosting](https://chat.handmadecities.com) Revolt for live conference chat +- [Actively](/operation2030/structure/meetups) replacing meetup.com +- Created our own newsletter infrastructure for mass emails + +- **Migration Off Discord**: While Discord is [still in use](https://handmadecities.com/discord) by us, it’s fallen prey to enshitification and we can be shut down too easily. We’ve begun migrating to Revolt for year round discussions, not just live conference chat. The full migration will be completed by the end of 2025. + +#### What You Might Try: + +- Join the [Indie Web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IndieWeb) +- Host your personal website off a Raspberry Pi +- If you use [AI models](/operation2030/appendix/proper-ai-usage), learn to run local ones and fine-tune them +- Browse [curated](https://selfh.st/apps/) self-hosted apps, adopt one, and contribute back to the project (e.g., by submitting thoughtful GitHub issues or PRs) +- When self-hosting isn’t practical go for privacy-respecting companies: [ProtonMail](https://protonmail.com) instead of Gmail, [Kagi](https://kagi.com) instead of Google, [Obsidian](https://obsidian.md) instead of Notion, [Ghost](https://ghost.org) instead of Mailchimp, and so on +- **Advanced:** Build and ship your own alternative to a service that’s been enshitified + +#### Notes on UX: + +For self-hosting to become desirable, the UI/UX of (most) self-hosted software needs a massive overhaul—it’s utter garbage. This is the Key Objective keeping the founder up at night. Making self-hosting accessible will require more than just programmers too. Artists and designers are essential to this mission. + +**References** + +- A great starting point is the *Self Host Weekly* [newsletter](https://selfh.st/newsletter/), an expertly curated resource for getting into self-hosted software. diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/directives/small-software-shops.md b/content/english/operation2030/directives/small-software-shops.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..60889f0 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/directives/small-software-shops.md @@ -0,0 +1,31 @@ ++++ +title="Protect Small Software Shops" +mediatype="key" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="Protect (and embolden) independent craftsmanship" +thumbnail="" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Prev](/operation2030/directives/tech-worker-rights) | [Contents](/operation2030) | [Next](/operation2030/directives/meatspace) + +We must protect competent programmers and help them create and sell closed-source software for profit. Whether it’s a solo indie dev or a small team forming a private company, we need to them to succeed. + +We must grow the ranks of successful initiatives as those listed under [Exemplary Software](/operation2030/intro/exemplary-software). Note that while our focus is shipping real-world software, we also recognize the importance of industrial research or teaching material such as *Handmade Hero*, *Mr. 4th Labs*, or *Ink & Switch*. These projects (though not directly commercial products) have been crucial in shaping the community's values. + +By 2030, it must no longer be daunting for a Handmade dev to find a golden path into the industry. If a teenager dreams of becoming a low-level programmer, the answer should be obvious: "Join Handmade Cities—that’s the best place to start." + +To achieve this, we’ll expand our conferences to form partnerships with organizations providing funding or grants to Handmade devs. Handmade Cities itself is a small business funded by ticket sales, not an angel investor, so we’re keen to connect ticket holders with life-changing opportunities instead. Any alliances that we build shall conform to our [core principles](/operation2030/philosophy/core-principles). + +Imagine a future where attending a conference means more than just learning from speakers: it’s a chance to meet people foaming at the mouth to fund your next project or publish your game. A place where job booths are filled to the brim with lean companies (not corporations or VC-funded startups) offering meaningful work, great pay, and real autonomy. diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/directives/tech-worker-rights.md b/content/english/operation2030/directives/tech-worker-rights.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8af1a19 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/directives/tech-worker-rights.md @@ -0,0 +1,60 @@ ++++ +title="Mainstream Tech Worker Rights" +mediatype="key" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="Big Tech sees you as an overpaid plumber" +thumbnail="" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Prev](/operation2030/business) (Revenue) | [Contents](/operation2030) | [Next](/operation2030/directives/small-software-shops) + +### Make it a Normal Discussion + +Handmade Cities isn’t the place to stage political revolution. However, by 2030, we will have become the best place in the tech industry for open discussions on labor rights and the balance between labor and capital. (Don't underestimate the power of public forums.) + +Let's recall programmers ARE part of the labor class and that fighting for worker rights is as American as apple pie: remember how we pulled off 40-hour work weeks or outlawed child labor? The tech industry needs to reckon with this reality. + +The more skilled a programmer you are the more you might care about this topic—it directly impacts your economic future. That said, we welcome thoughtful disagreements as much as support. These debates must occur without resorting to thought-stopping clichés like calling one side “robber barons” and the other “communists.” + +If we can agree the status quo needs to change, you’re in good company. + +#### Progress So Far + +At the end of 2024, Handmade Cities took a risky step by shifting the Overton window of acceptable discourse. We platformed Andrew Kelley (creator of the Zig programming language) and his divisive keynote—a condemnation of the software industry’s financial incentives. + +**Secretary's Note:** The Twitch stream is not available as a recording yet, but we have a backup on YouTube (timestamped): + +
+ +
+ +Andrew's sharp tongue is *partially* responsible for the civil war within the Handmade community (see [here](https://handmade.network/blog/p/8989-separating_from_handmade_cities#30378) and [here](/news/splitting-from-handmade-network/)) and we’re still recovering from the fallout. However, we stand by the decision. + +Abner believes Andrew’s diagnosis of the industry’s problems was largely accurate. However, unlike Andrew, Handmade Cities disagrees open-source software or non-profits will rescue us; read our other Key Objective: [Protect Small Software Shops](/operation2030/directives/small-software-shops). In addition, we're betting on a culture where social status is conferred to long-term business owners. Companies like [Sublime HQ](https://www.sublimehq.com) and the mighty [Valve](https://store.steampowered.com/) (no longer small!) are great examples of this approach. We require the presence of nimble competitors keeping Big Tech [on their toes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrmqC2A3QK8). + +That said, Abner and Andrew are aligned on a crucial point: tech workers need collective bargaining power. Not everyone can start a business or join some benevolent employer. So whether it's through guilds, unions, or another form, workers (not management) need a seat at the table *pronto*: being well-paid will no longer cut it. Without negotiating power we bear witness to the continued rise of mediocre software. Workers are forced to endure hostile AI/LLM takeovers without a say. Mass layoffs march on. + +#### Handling Future Controversy +This is our most controversial Key Objective and it will turn some people off. That’s okay. This is part of the 20% of our [80-20](/operation2030/structure/80-20) content split, so it’s trivial for community members to skip if they’re not interested. Advisory board members, meetup hosts and paid staff are also not strictly required to promote this subject themselves if it conflicts with their own views. + +This is in accordance with our philosophy [Zero Favoritism](/operation2030/philosophy/zero-favorites). + +**References** +- Blood in the Machine: The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/intro/_index.md b/content/english/operation2030/intro/_index.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..065e22d --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/intro/_index.md @@ -0,0 +1,6 @@ ++++ +title="Introduction" +date="2024-11-20T09:00:00-04:00" +enddate="2024-11-22T18:00:00-04:00" ++++ +Handmade Cities (HMC) is on a mission to reshape the software industry for systems programmers. Our **mandate** is to clear a path for anyone—from juniors to seniors—to go on and become well-connected, well-paid practitioners embodying the Handmade ethos. diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/intro/exemplary-software.md b/content/english/operation2030/intro/exemplary-software.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..db9d821 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/intro/exemplary-software.md @@ -0,0 +1,47 @@ ++++ +title="Exemplary Software" +mediatype="intro" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="We need more of these by 2030" +thumbnail="/images/thumbnails/trophy.jpg" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Contents](/operation2030) | [Next](/operation2030/intro/mandate) + +The gist of Operation 2030 is simple: to flood the market with competent programmers shipping eye-popping quality software. That’s the ultimate outcome we are seeking: putting the status quo to shame. + +In alphabetical order here's some hand-picked examples of developers embodying our ethos. These authors succeeded shipping critically-acclaimed Handmade software, companies, and/or promising demos: + +- [**Animal Well**](https://animalwell.net) +- [**EmberGen**](https://jangafx.com/software/embergen) +- [**File Pilot**](https://filepilot.tech) +- [**fred**](https://fred-dev.tech) +- [**Ladybird**](https://ladybird.org) +- [**Mr. 4th Labs**](https://mr4th.com) +- [**Orca**](https://orca-app.dev) +- [**Raylib**](https://raylib.com) +- [**Serenum**](https://samhsmith.com/serenum/) + +These projects—or the people behind them—have presented at our conferences or meetups, often more than once. + +**Note:** The authors may not necessarily endorse Operation 2030; they’re just great examples of what we’re aiming for. + +#### Products sharing our values (but aren’t associated with us): + +- **Sublime [Text](https://www.sublimetext.com) | [Merge](https://www.sublimemerge.com)** +- **[Affinity Designer 2](https://affinity.serif.com/en-gb/designer/)** +- **[Scrivener](https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview)** + +There’s more out there, but not nearly enough. diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/intro/introduction.md b/content/english/operation2030/intro/introduction.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e04c745 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/intro/introduction.md @@ -0,0 +1,63 @@ ++++ +title="Introduction" +mediatype="intro" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="The how and why of Operation 2030" +thumbnail="/images/thumbnails/ignition.png" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Prev](/operation2030/intro/mandate) | [Contents](/operation2030) | [Next](/operation2030/philosophy) (Philosophy) + + +#### Why the Urgency? +We believe Operation 2030 **MUST** be completed by January 2030 or the software industry risks falling into permanent disrepair: we're building mediocre, fragile ecosystems for a technofeudal universe in which users own nothing. Programmers face mounting job insecurity, reduced autonomy, and stunted career growth. (Mass layoffs continue unabashed.) Meanwhile, Big Tech has grown so massive it operates *beyond the confines* of regular business, rendering smaller companies and indie developers unable to compete. + +Five more years of this without organized resistance and the damage is likely irreversible. + +This document serves as our marching orders. It will grow increasingly specific, with a finalized PDF and printed copies ready by the end of 2025. When 2030 arrives, we’ll release a postmortem in the first quarter—good or bad, we’ll confront the results head-on. + +We can win. + +#### What is the Handmade ethos? + +In the Handmade Cities (HMC) [mandate](/operation2030/intro/mandate) we said: + +> Our **mandate** is to clear a path for anyone—from juniors to seniors—to go on and become well-connected, well-paid practitioners embodying the Handmade ethos. + +But what IS this so-called ethos? + +It is best captured by the 600+ episodes of [Handmade Hero](https://guide.handmadehero.org) (still relevant today—that’s the beauty of low-level programming). It’s also outlined in the Handmade Network [manifesto](https://handmade.network/manifesto) and practiced through software projects like [Terminal Click](https://terminal.click), created by our founder. + +**Secretary's Note:** While Handmade Hero 100% inspired us, and Casey Muratori collaborated with us in the past, his company Molly Rocket Inc. is NOT affiliated with Handmade Cities. There are three legal organizations carrying the Handmade brand and Handmade Cities is just one of them. Operation 2030 reflects *our* views, not those of Molly Rocket nor Handmade Network. + +#### What do we mean by official portal? + +In the [mandate](/operation2030/intro/mandate) we also said: + +> Whether they choose careers as indie developers, small business owners or by joining lean software shops [...] our website is the official portal to achieve that dream. + +"Portal" might sound vague so let’s clarify. Our expertise is organizing tech conferences and local meetups around the world. We don’t offer funding\* or grants directly. + +What we DO have is a vast in-person network. Social capital can be as valuable as money, and Handmade Cities has already transformed many lives. Over the past decade, our founder has built an international coalition of highly-driven and caring systems programmers—without third-party funding, relying solely on the strength of the community. + +It’s time to mobilize our network to accomplish Operation 2030’s [Key Objectives](/operation2030/directives). + +#### Are high-level programmers welcome? Non-programmers? + +Absolutely. We love systems programming but completing the operation requires broad alliance: web developers, UI/UX designers, legal experts, technical writers—everyone has a role to play in Operation 2030. + +--- + +\* We’re working to partner with organizations that can provide financial support to indie developers and small software shops. See the Key Objective: [Protect Small Software Shops](/operation2030/directives/small-software-shops) for more info. diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/intro/mandate.md b/content/english/operation2030/intro/mandate.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e5915af --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/intro/mandate.md @@ -0,0 +1,43 @@ ++++ +title="Handmade's Mandate" +mediatype="intro" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="Read the full mandate and join the cause" +thumbnail="/images/thumbnails/Op2030Binoculars.jpg" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Prev](/operation2030/intro/exemplary-software) | [Contents](/operation2030) | [Next](/operation2030/intro/introduction) + +Handmade Cities (HMC) is on a mission to reshape the software industry for systems programmers. Our **mandate** is to clear a path for anyone—from juniors to seniors—to go on and become well-connected, well-paid practitioners embodying the Handmade ethos. + +We're the gateway for newcomers to emerge ready to succeed, skipping the corporate grind or venture capital. Whether they choose careers as indie developers, small business owners, or by joining lean software shops (with good pay and high levels of autonomy), our website is the official portal to achieve that dream. + +For someone who does join a corporation or VC-backed startup, they must do so on their own terms: with strong tech worker rights shielding them from unethical layoffs, along with mutual loyalty and respect from management. + +Call us crazy if you must—we're making this vision reality by 2030. + +**Follow Operation 2030's Progress** +- Subscribe to the [newsletter](https://handmadecities.com/news) +- Visit a local [meetup](https://handmadecities.com/meetups) near you +- Attend a conference: [Boston](https://handmadecities.com/boston) and/or [Seattle](https://handmadecities.com/seattle) +- Join our [Discord](https://handmadecities.com/discord) (Optional) + +--- + +**About the Author** + +The founder of Handmade Cities ([Abner Coimbre](https://abner.page)) is the original author and maintainer for Operation 2030, who's channeled the general sentiments of his audience. This does not mean every community member agrees with Operation 2030. Indeed, even Abner's own team may not fully endorse the entirety of the document. (We are not a monolith.) + +What matters is that we're aligned on *most things*. And that's good enough to be getting on with. diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/philosophy/_index.md b/content/english/operation2030/philosophy/_index.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..68e74c1 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/philosophy/_index.md @@ -0,0 +1,6 @@ ++++ +title="Philosophy" +date="2024-08-09T09:00:00-04:00" +enddate="2024-08-10T18:00:00-04:00" ++++ + diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/philosophy/anti-corporate.md b/content/english/operation2030/philosophy/anti-corporate.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..62264fa --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/philosophy/anti-corporate.md @@ -0,0 +1,31 @@ ++++ +title="Anti-Corporatism" +mediatype="philo" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="Big Tech forgot our humanity" +thumbnail="" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Prev](/operation2030/intro/) (Intro) | [Contents](/operation2030) | [Next](/operation2030/philosophy/anti-vc) + +We’re not against corporations as a concept. In fact, we recognize that healthy forms of corporations exist and are gaining traction: Public Benefit Corporations (PBCs) being a prime example. Abner’s father, for instance, retired on a company pension (not a 401k) back when American corporations valued loyalty to their employees. + +But that was then. Today's corporations—especially in big tech—are beyond callous. They’ve become unprecedented economic giants, defying the usual checks and balances of business. Their singularl ambition is increasing shareholder value at any cost. Software quality, and by extension the user experience, was abandoned long ago. The only incentives that matter now are seizing control of our computing devices and extracting ever-increasing rent. + +Handmade Cities subscribes to the view that we’re living under technofeudalism. While this may oversimplify a complex capitalist reality, it’s an accurate enough description—and a dangerous one. + +When healthy competition rises Big Tech crushes it. Smaller competitors are either acquired or outspent. Just about everything is corporatized, leaving indie devs and small software shops extremely vulnerable. Their power is so entrenched they can overindulge in self-interest, delay regulations, or rewrite laws to suit their needs. Anything but real innovation or fair play. + +**Conclusion:** Handmade Cities is keen to see the little guy thrive in an actual competitive market. We reject corporate power and are working to erode it. Big Tech’s choke hold must be broken, so we’ll do everything within our purview to make that happen. diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/philosophy/anti-vc.md b/content/english/operation2030/philosophy/anti-vc.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1015eae --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/philosophy/anti-vc.md @@ -0,0 +1,39 @@ ++++ +title="Anti-VC" +mediatype="philo" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="Do you love enshitification? 'Cause we don't" +thumbnail="" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Prev](/operation2030/philosophy/anti-corporate) | [Contents](/operation2030) | [Next](/operation2030/philosophy/core-principles) + +We strongly prefer private companies that are profitable through a direct relationship with their customers. Venture capital, by its nature, often runs counter to this philosophy, so we generally frown upon it. + +The worst excesses of VC-backed startups can be nearly as harmful as Big Tech. Founders are burdened with millions of dollars they’re expected to return many times over. This creates incentives that select for rapid growth and investor returns over product quality or customer satisfaction. + +We interviewed Nuno Leiria: Ex-Optimization Lead for Unreal Engine 5. His new company, [Nuno Technologies](https://www.nilo.xyz/), accepted external funding. Abner laid out his concerns in full. Catch their exchange below (timestamped): + +
+ +
+ +The answer was surprisingly thoughtful, but it’s hard not to feel like our friend is swimming in a sea of sharks. diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/philosophy/core-principles.md b/content/english/operation2030/philosophy/core-principles.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bb115a8 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/philosophy/core-principles.md @@ -0,0 +1,50 @@ ++++ +title="Core Principles" +mediatype="philo" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="Without these four pillars there's no Handmade Cities" +thumbnail="" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Prev](/operation2030/philosophy/anti-vc) | [Contents](/operation2030) | [Next](/operation2030/philosophy/zero-favorites) + +1. **Sponsor-Free** + Handmade Cities (HMC) rejects all sponsorship deals. You’ll never see a “sponsored by” disclaimer at our events. Talks and software demos come from presenters sharing what excites them most free from corporate influence. Speakers, demoers, and guests are welcome to criticize any tech company or software as they deem fit. + +2. **Software Quality** + The industry has abandoned its users, wresting control from their devices and charging them rent for miserable experiences. HMC is determined to reverse this trend. Users deserve respect as customers and should feel delighted when using our software. + +3. **Self-Hosted Software** + We strongly encourage community members to self-host wherever possible or [practical](/operation2030/directives/self-hosting-for-all). Self-sufficiency is a bulwark against corporate overreach. HMC practices what it preaches: anything essential to our conferences or meetups is handled in-house. + +4. **Directly Funded** + + [Direct funding](/operation2030/business) means promoting ourselves through word of mouth without chasing ad revenue or social media trends (we don't have any Twitter-style account.) Our growth comes strictly from: + - Ticket sales + - Independent donations, no strings attached + - Renting booths at trade shows: at a fixed rate for all employers, who have no influence over the event's content. + + In short, we grow our business through mom-and-pop transactions between us (a small business) and our attendees (hopefully, you!) + +#### Anti-Corporate, Anti-VC +While not a core principle, it’s worth noting we're generally [anti-corporate](/operation2030/philosophy/anti-corporate) and against [venture capital](/operation2030/philosophy/anti-vc). That said, we always welcome audience members from corporations or startups; perhaps we’ll change your mind! + +HMC primarily supports: +- Small software shops +- Indie developers +- Public Benefit Corporations +- Non-profits + +We believe these entities should charge users upfront for quality software that they can own forever. Recurring subscriptions should usually be viewed with skepticism, but closed-source software that’s “free of charge” is the worst offender—think of Google, Instagram, X, Windows and the like. diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/philosophy/zero-favorites.md b/content/english/operation2030/philosophy/zero-favorites.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..82b871e --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/philosophy/zero-favorites.md @@ -0,0 +1,34 @@ ++++ +title="Zero Favoritism" +mediatype="philo" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="Dissenting views matter" +thumbnail="" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Prev](/operation2030/philosophy/core-principles) | [Contents](/operation2030) | [Next](/operation2030/structure/) (Structure) + +**Dissenting views matter.** As long as someone genuinely cares about software quality and the craft of making good software (beyond just earning a paycheck), they will virtually\* always have a platform at Handmade Cities: even if their views directly contradict or criticize other contributors, or even the founder himself. + +We intentionally include opposing perspectives. For example: +- Andrew Kelley publicly criticized Kagi’s business model while Kagi was actively hiring at the same Handmade conference. +- We rented a job booth to K&C, a defense contractor, which outraged a conference speaker who nearly stormed out—until Abner spent half an hour justifying their inclusion. +- Orca supporters were pissed off when Serenum was given a platform, because Serenum fans openly trash Orca’s work. [Both companies](/operation2030/intro/exemplary-software) demoed at the same event. + +Our stance is clear: the founder and his advisory board curate a buffet of content, and it’s up to the audience to decide what resonates best with them. + +--- + +\* We prohibit the usual suspects like hate speech, doxxing, or incitements to violence. diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/structure/80-20.md b/content/english/operation2030/structure/80-20.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1a9a450 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/structure/80-20.md @@ -0,0 +1,31 @@ ++++ +title="80-20 Content Split" +mediatype="struct" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="80% programming, 20% humanity" +thumbnail="" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Prev](/operation2030/philosophy) (Philosophy) | [Contents](/operation2030) | [Next](/operation2030/structure/meetups) + +As a general guideline, the content at our conferences and meetups follows an 80/20 split: + +1. **80% Craft of Programming** + The majority of content focuses on becoming a better programmer. This includes engineering talks, lectures and cool demos. While most of it caters to seniors, we’ll always carve out a reasonable space to welcome juniors to the Handmade ethos. + +2. **20% Economic Well-Being** + The remaining content is on improving the programmer’s financial prospects. Topics include marketing yourself as an indie dev, practicing social skills, advocating for your rights as a tech worker, and even safeguarding your own health—because unexpected medical emergencies can devastate anyone’s finances, especially in America. + +Future conferences will clearly label which presentations fall into which category of the 80/20 split, so audience members can skip what doesn’t interest them. We also encourage civil yet vigorous disagreements during Q&A sessions. diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/structure/_index.md b/content/english/operation2030/structure/_index.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ef45f5d --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/structure/_index.md @@ -0,0 +1,6 @@ ++++ +title="Our Structure" +date="2024-08-09T09:00:00-04:00" +enddate="2024-08-10T18:00:00-04:00" ++++ + diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/structure/conferences.md b/content/english/operation2030/structure/conferences.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..98be699 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/structure/conferences.md @@ -0,0 +1,53 @@ ++++ +title="Tech Conferences" +mediatype="struct" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="Two annual conferences: from Boston to Seattle" +thumbnail="" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Prev](/operation2030/structure/meetups) | [Contents](/operation2030) | [Next](/operation2030/structure/team) + +Handmade Cities hosts two major tech conferences each year: [Handmade Boston](/boston) (HMB) in the summer and [Handmade Seattle](/seattle) (HMS) in the fall. + +Early-bird ticket sales typically start sometime in the spring. Subscribe to the [newsletter](/news) to stay updated. + +#### Summer - Handmade Boston + +- **The Sister Conference to Seattle** + HMB is a smaller, more intimate event focused on what Abner calls “long-ass technical lectures.” It's the fully-offline counterpart to Seattle: there is no online track. Only in-person tickets are sold. +- **Return to Form** + Starting in 2025 we’re going back to the exact format of the first HMB conference (sans homework) which was the most well-received. We are recreating the old-school lecturing environment. + +HMB lectures are typically 90–120 minutes long. They're informal sessions with room for tangents and audience interaction. Think of Martin Mozeiko’s [legendary](/media/boston-2023/errors-and-compilers) HMB recording on compiler errors/warnings—raw, unpolished, but deeply impactful. It’s still referenced by the community today and strongly influenced Abner’s programming habits; he’s now obsessed with arena poisoning! + +**Next Handmade Boston:** August 1–2, 2025 (Fri–Sat) + +#### Fall - Handmade Seattle + +- **Our Flagship Conference** + HMS is the largest event featuring a trade show, job fair, and a fully-hybrid experience with both physical and online tracks. +- **Professionally Live-Streamed** + Thanks to our [technical producer](/about) HMS is 100% professionally live-streamed. + +HMS is packed with shorter, polished talks and demos. While it’s less of a deep dive than HMB it does reach a broader audience. (Presenters can still tackle technical subjects, but they’ll have less time to do so.) A community favorite is Andreas’ Context is Everything: + +{{< vimeo 644068002 >}} + +HMS often explores bigger questions that plague the Handmade community. For example, we asked the head of [Ink & Switch](https://inkandswitch.com) why the industry struggles to create simple software. His response led to a masterclass in software complexity: + +{{< youtube czzAVuVz7u4 >}} + +**Next Handmade Seattle:** December 5–7, 2025 (Fri–Sun) diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/structure/meetups.md b/content/english/operation2030/structure/meetups.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..48bc8ce --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/structure/meetups.md @@ -0,0 +1,37 @@ ++++ +title="Local Meetups" +mediatype="struct" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="Handmade meetups around the world" +thumbnail="" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Prev](/operation2030/structure/80-20) | [Contents](/operation2030) | [Next](/operation2030/structure/conferences) + +**meetup.com but handmade** + +We’re building a self-hosted [alternative](https://handmadecities.com/meetups) to meetup.com, though it’s still in its early stages. + +Right now, our meetup hosts use a command-line app developed by Abner and the wider community: *Meetup Invite 2000*. It’s user-friendly, packed with features, and generally works like this: you feed it a Markdown file, and it sends out a polished email to all meetup subscribers. + +When someone subscribes to notifications on the [Meetup](/meetups) page, the host for that city automatically sees it in their command-line tool. Hosts can also export their mailing list whenever; if they decide to part ways with Handmade Cities they can take their current audience with them. + +In the future, we plan to build a web dashboard to complement Meetup Invite 2000 (we already have a basic prototype.) For now, we’ve lucked out because our meetup hosts know their way around terminals. Which leads us to one final observation. + +In early 2025 Abner launched the closed beta for Terminal Click (see [Appendix](/operation2030/appendix/terminal-click) for why it's relevant). Around that same time we started meetups in Tokyo, Japan—a milestone that’s been a long time coming. It was very rewarding to see the our host, Migue-san, use a terminal emulator written by us to invoke Meetup Invite 2000 also written by us: + +![](/images/tc_screenshot_1.png) + +Dogfooding what we preach is essential to achieve [Self-Hosting for All](/operation2030/directives/self-hosting-for-all). diff --git a/content/english/operation2030/structure/team.md b/content/english/operation2030/structure/team.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9145211 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/english/operation2030/structure/team.md @@ -0,0 +1,23 @@ ++++ +title="The Team" +mediatype="struct" +conference="seattle-2022" +date="2022-11-16T12:00:00-08:00" +description="The Handmade Cities Team" +thumbnail="" + +[[videos]] +title="Memory Strategies" +embed="https://player.vimeo.com/video/774890907" +service="vimeo" +download_link="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/774890907/rendition/720p/file.mp4?loc=external&oauth2_token_id=1777364455&signature=3c443137144bf46966f5607ab00f818dfa5f98e1ac7643e62160f55e0bb27792" + +[[speakers]] +name="Abner Coimbre" +bio="" +image="" ++++ + +[Prev](/operation2030/structure/conferences) | [Contents](/operation2030) | [Next](/operation2030/business) (Revenue) + +Meet our team on the Handmade Cities About page. You can contact any of us by emailing support@handmadecities.com first. diff --git a/data/social.json b/data/social.json index 33da5d7..cafd3e9 100644 --- a/data/social.json +++ b/data/social.json @@ -5,16 +5,16 @@ "icon": "fab fa-twitch", "link": "https://twitch.tv/abnercoimbre" }, - { - "name": "Vimeo", - "icon": "fab fa-vimeo", - "link": "https://vimeo.com/handmadecities" - }, { "name": "YouTube", "icon": "fab fa-youtube", "link": "https://www.youtube.com/@HandmadeCities" }, + { + "name": "Discord", + "icon": "fab fa-discord", + "link": "https://handmadecities.com/discord" + }, { "name": "Email", "icon": "fa fa-envelope", diff --git a/layouts/operation2030/section.html b/layouts/operation2030/section.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b00136d --- /dev/null +++ b/layouts/operation2030/section.html @@ -0,0 +1,95 @@ +{{ define "main" }} + {{ if .Params.Image }} +
+ {{ partial "image" (dict "Src" .Params.Image "Alt" "Banner" "Class" "w-1/4 h-1/4 mx-auto" ) }} +
+ {{ end }} +
+
+

{{ .Params.Title }}

+
+
+
+
+
+
+ {{ $sections := slice . }} + {{ if .Sections }} + {{ $sections = .Sections.ByDate.Reverse }} + {{ end }} + {{ range $sections }} +
+
+

{{ .Title }}

+
+
+ {{ .Content }} +
+
+ {{ range .RegularPages.ByDate }} +
+ {{ $image := .Params.thumbnail }} + {{ if $image }} + + {{ partial "image" (dict "Src" $image "Context" .Page "Alt" .Title "Class" "mb-3 w-full rounded") }} + + {{ end }} +
+ +

+ {{ .Title }} +

+ +
+ {{ with .Params.mediatype }} +
+ {{ if eq . "intro" }} + + Intro + {{ end }} + + {{ if eq . "philo" }} + + Policy + {{ end }} + + {{ if eq . "struct" }} + + Logistics + {{ end }} + + {{ if eq . "rev" }} + + Business + {{ end }} + + {{ if eq . "key" }} + + Directive + {{ end }} + + {{ if eq . "extra" }} + + Bonus Section + {{ end }} +
+ {{ end }} +
+
+

{{ .Params.description | markdownify }}

+
+ {{ end }} +
+ {{ range .Params.Notes }} + {{ partial "components/bignote.html" . }} + {{ end }} +
+ {{ end }} +
+
+

Changelog

+

- v0.5.0, Copyright © April 2, 2025

+
+
+
+{{ end }} diff --git a/layouts/operation2030/single.html b/layouts/operation2030/single.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..45b998d --- /dev/null +++ b/layouts/operation2030/single.html @@ -0,0 +1,12 @@ +{{ define "main" }} + {{ partial "page-header" . }} +
+
+
+
+ {{ .Content }} +
+
+
+
+{{ end }} diff --git a/static/images/tc_proton_drive.png b/static/images/tc_proton_drive.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f8ff576 Binary files /dev/null and b/static/images/tc_proton_drive.png differ diff --git a/static/images/tc_screenshot_1.png b/static/images/tc_screenshot_1.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4e1c796 Binary files /dev/null and b/static/images/tc_screenshot_1.png differ