May 2016 Summaries

This guide provides a step-by-step tutorial on how to host a website built with Lektor on Netlify, including setting up continuous deployment. Lektor is an open-source content management system that comes with a built-in GUI CMS and a Mac app, making it easy for new users to create content. The tutorial assumes the reader has Python installed and walks them through installing Lektor, building their site using Lektor's quickstart feature, preparing their site for deployment by creating a .gitignore file and specifying dependencies, and connecting their site to Netlify by linking their GitHub repository and authorizing Netlify to access it.

Static websites have been gaining popularity in recent years due to their ability to provide faster page loads, lower maintenance costs, and improved security. Despite this, some developers may be hesitant to adopt static website generators due to concerns about SEO, content updates, user interaction, and setup time. However, the author argues that these concerns are often overstated and can be addressed with the right tools and approaches. For example, prerendering services like Prerender.io can help improve SEO by rendering dynamic content on the server-side. Additionally, static websites can easily be updated using markdown files or hosted CMS options like Contentful or Prose.io. User interaction is also not a problem for static sites, as APIs can be used to add features like social sharing and commenting. Finally, setup time can be minimized with the right tools and frameworks, such as Metalsmith or Brunch, which provide pre-built boilerplate frameworks and repositories of skeletons to get started.

A static website is a fast, secure, beautiful alternative to traditional CMS-driven websites. By using a static site generator, you can avoid the security vulnerabilities of outdated software, the slow performance of dynamic sites, and the complexity of managing multiple dependencies. With a static site, you can easily host your site on a CDN for faster load times, scale your site without worrying about increased costs, and enjoy a smaller footprint with fewer dependencies. Additionally, using a static website generator provides an excellent developer experience, making it easy to build, deploy, and maintain your site.

The world of static website generators (SSGs) has grown significantly, offering developers a range of options to build fast, secure, and scalable websites. With the increasing importance of speed and security in modern web development, SSGs have become an attractive choice for building dynamic content without the need for expensive backend databases and servers. The top ten static site generators discussed include Jekyll, Hexo, Hugo, Octopress, Pelican, Brunch, Middleman, Metalsmith, Harp, and Exposé, each with its strengths and use cases. Some notable honorable mentions include Gatsby, Roots, GitBook, Cactus, and others. Once a generator is chosen, Netlify provides hosting and deployment services that cater to the needs of SSG users, offering performance, security, and flexibility. With the rise of Jamstack, static site development has become more accessible and efficient, allowing developers to focus on building fast, secure, and scalable websites with ease.