March 2024 Summaries

Directus has launched the Directus Marketplace Beta, aimed at enhancing the discovery and installation of extensions for both Cloud and self-hosted Directus projects. The marketplace adopts an open "listing" approach to encourage community contribution while implementing necessary security measures to maintain user trust. By leveraging npm for the Directus Extensions Registry, the marketplace allows for improved search and filtering capabilities through a custom API, while also ensuring the ability to block or delist potentially harmful extensions. Security, stability, and liability are key considerations, with measures such as a "Safe Mode" for disabling problematic extensions and a focus on client-side or sandboxed server-side extensions. Compatibility issues are addressed by requiring extension authors to provide metadata on supported versions, though this information may sometimes be outdated. The introduction of the Sandboxed Extensions SDK, requiring explicit permissions, aims to foster secure extension development. Although still in beta, the marketplace marks the beginning of a more customizable and extensible future for Directus, with plans for further development and community engagement.

Directus 10.10 is a notable release featuring several key updates, including the introduction of the Directus Marketplace Beta, which allows users to discover and install extensions directly within the Directus Data Studio. This new marketplace, powered by the Directus Extensions Registry, aims to increase the discoverability and trust of extensions and will eventually support paid extensions, offering revenue opportunities for contributors. Additionally, content versioning for live preview has been standardized, simplifying the implementation of Live Preview with a single data structure. The release also includes several breaking changes such as the deprecation of typed extension folders, a shift to session cookie-based authentication in the Data Studio, and an introduction of an allow list for SSO redirects, all of which may require user action. The update is available for download on Docker Hub, npm, and Directus Cloud, and the Directus team is seeking feedback on the marketplace through its Discord channel.

Directus TV is a video streaming platform launched just before Christmas, offering a diverse range of content for developers, including educational shows, interviews with engineering leaders, and entertaining programming like development challenges and explorations of unconventional technologies. The platform aims to entertain, educate, and foster community engagement, while showcasing the capabilities of Directus. In spring 2024, Directus TV is expanding its lineup with new shows and returning favorites, including "What’s In Your Dock," "The Joy of Theming," "Ready Set Battlesnake," "Short Hops," and "Digging The Rabbit Hole," which provides insights into the platform's creation and operations. Returning series include "100 Apps in 100 Hours" and "Dev Thoughts," promising more content for viewers to enjoy as they delve into the Directus TV experience.

Directus is a versatile project suitable for a wide range of users, from small hobbyists to large organizations, with its Enterprise Cloud offering dedicated infrastructure for mission-critical projects that require heightened security and support. Operating in over 20 regions with a GDPR-compliant Data Processing Agreement, the platform has expanded its cloud services to include customer-requested features such as autoscaling infrastructure, which ensures stability even during traffic surges and is enabled by default for new Enterprise projects. Additionally, users can now easily configure custom domains via the Directus Cloud Dashboard, simplifying the process of building web applications. With its updated infrastructure, Directus provides maximum uptime, reliability, and security, supporting thousands of global projects, including those for major enterprises like Copa Airlines, Walmart, and T-Mobile.

The newly launched Directus Partner Program is designed to empower agencies by offering a range of benefits that enhance their engagement with Directus and their clients. Central to the program is a formal certification process aimed at improving partner skills and fostering trust, along with a comprehensive resource center to aid in effectively communicating Directus's features. The program also introduces a partner directory to increase agency visibility and co-marketing opportunities to highlight partners' successes. Support is further extended through advisory calls to aid project strategy, while a revenue-sharing model incentivizes partners by providing financial benefits tied to long-term customer success. Expansion plans later in the year aim to include technical partners, broadening collaboration opportunities.

Directus has announced several new initiatives and updates, including the beta release of the Directus Marketplace as part of its 10.10 version, and the introduction of the Directus Payments Hackathon with submissions due by the end of March. The company has also launched custom domains and autoscaling for Directus Cloud, enhancing performance and flexibility, and has introduced a new Partner Program for agencies, offering perks such as increased knowledge, visibility, and support. Additionally, Directus+ offers benefits like pre-made starter kits and workshops. The State of Data Survey 2024 results were released following a six-week run, and various events are scheduled, including Open Source Outlook and a workshop for publishing extensions. Directus encourages community engagement through its Discord server.

Directus+ is a subscription service designed to enhance the Directus experience for users such as hobbyists, freelancers, and teams by providing a range of features including Starter Kits, exclusive workshops, and community perks. The Starter Kits are pre-built data models for various applications, allowing users to focus on customizing the frontend of their projects. Additionally, members gain access to in-depth workshops conducted by Directus experts, which are available both live and on-demand. Other benefits include a premium Discord role, access to exclusive merchandise, and the opportunity to influence the future development of Directus. By joining Directus+, users receive immediate access to resources and support that can significantly elevate their project capabilities.

Directus is launching a series of hackathons this year, beginning with a March event focused on developing extensions related to payments and billing. Participants are encouraged to integrate payment service providers like Stripe and Braintree, create referral systems, automate payment messaging, and more, with the goal of enhancing Directus's capabilities without replicating full e-commerce functionalities. The hackathon offers cash prizes, with winners also choosing a charity for donations, as part of an initiative that previously supported organizations like codebar and Cool Earth. Submissions are open until the end of March, with additional details available on Directus's website.

Directus attributes its success to a three-pronged approach: an open-source project fostering a strong community, professional and enterprise offerings like Directus Cloud, and a fully extensible platform that developers and users can customize. The platform's extensibility is highly valued, enabling users to integrate various services and build automation. In an effort to enhance usability, Directus has launched the Directus Marketplace Beta in version 10.10, featuring a new Extensions Registry that simplifies the discovery and installation of extensions. This registry, currently using npm as a data source, aims to foster trust and potentially offer monetization opportunities for developers. The Marketplace, accessible for all Directus projects, is open to feedback from the community to drive its future development, with discussions facilitated via a dedicated Discord channel.

The latest survey on data trends reveals surprising insights into the tech industry's current preferences and practices. PostgreSQL emerges as the leading database choice for over 63% of JavaScript developers, highlighting a significant trend towards relational databases due to their reliability and structured approach. Despite the excitement around NoSQL, relational databases remain preferred by 57% of respondents. Developers are increasingly leaning towards cloud-hosted database solutions, with 68% opting for platforms like AWS and GCP, underscoring a shift towards managed services. REST APIs dominate with a 94% preference, demonstrating their enduring appeal. Interestingly, cost is not the primary concern for hosting; instead, performance and reliability take precedence. Additionally, 64% of developers use AI for code generation, although there's caution around AI's role in data analysis and database interactions. This survey marks the beginning of a series that will further explore these trends across different demographics and regions.