April 2016 Summaries

The Flatmarket platform is a free, open-source static eCommerce solution that offers speed, security, and reliability. It features responsive design, the benefits of static sites, and the security of Stripe for payment processing. By using Flatmarket with Netlify, developers can create fast, secure, and scalable online stores without relying on heavy backend databases. The platform allows for easy deployment to GitHub and integration with Stripe and Heroku, making it a viable alternative for eCommerce businesses looking to improve their website's performance and security.

This tutorial guides users on how to host a website built with Phenomic, a new static site generator built with ReactJS, on Netlify. To set up the environment, users need to install Node.js and NPM using nvm, then create a new directory for their Phenomic site, install Phenomic, and configure it by setting up a CNAME file and installing dependencies. Next, users need to pre-prepare their build by checking which version of Node.js is supported by Netlify, creating a .nvmrc file with the desired version number, and initializing a new Git repository on GitHub. Once the repository is set up, users can connect it to Netlify, configure settings, and deploy their site using Netlify's continuous deployment feature.

The React programming language has gained significant popularity over the years, especially after Facebook open-sourced its Android- and iOS-focused kin React Native in March 2015. Kyle Mathews, the creator of GatsbyJS, attributes his decision to use React to its declarative model for generating DOM, which made DOM manipulation easier and more efficient. Mathews praises React's component model, which allows developers to encapsulate complex functionality and reuse it across multiple places. He also appreciates the simplicity and power that comes with working in JavaScript, which has undergone significant changes over the years. Despite concerns about "JavaScript fatigue," Mathews believes that new tools and frameworks like Gatsby can make development more efficient and enjoyable. He envisions a future where static sites become increasingly popular, and he hopes to see more activity around Gatsby, a tool that integrates various React-related tools into one platform.

At Netlify, speed is a major focus due to the importance of fast internet. The company uses a Content Delivery Network (CDN) setup that optimizes server response times and reduces latency issues. This intelligent CDN features logic layers that provide control over cache invalidation, traffic shaping, and instant rollbacks, allowing for faster site deployment and higher uptime. With multiple asset CDN providers and geographically aware nodes, Netlify's setup ensures that assets are delivered quickly to users worldwide, making it an essential feature for building fast and secure websites.

Netlify allows customers to install their own SSL certificates, providing an alternative to the free 1-click SSL option offered by LetsEncrypt. To do so, users must log in to their Netlify account, select their site, and click on the "SSL" tab. They will then be prompted to provide their PEM-formatted certificate, private key, and intermediate certificate chains. It's worth noting that installing a wildcard certificate can limit access to subdomains for other users on the same admin account. Once all fields are filled in, the user can click "Install Your Certificate" to secure their site.

Cactus is a modern build tool that runs on Python and uses Django's templating engine. To use Cactus, you need to install it using pip and create a virtual environment. Once installed, you can create a new site with Cactus by running `cactus create` followed by the name of your site. You then need to prepare your site for deployment by creating a `.gitignore` file and a `requirements.txt` file, which lists the dependencies required by your project. After that, you can push your site to GitHub and link it to Netlify, where you can configure settings such as the build command and choose which repository to deploy from. Once configured, Netlify will build and optimize your site, making it live and available to the public.

Thomas Reynolds, the Technical Director at Instrument and creator of Middleman, a widely used static site generator, recently discussed trends in modern web development. He noted that JavaScript has become the dominant technology, making it easier to build complex frontend apps, which is driving the growth of static sites. Git-centric workflows have also gained importance, allowing for seamless collaboration and version control. Reynolds prefers developing with modern web technologies, citing benefits such as type systems, stability, and ease of use. He envisions a future where development tools provide more structured approaches to building websites, making it easier for developers to create high-quality sites without needing extensive backend knowledge.