March 2020 Summaries

Mux's transition of their blog to Sanity as a headless CMS marks a significant shift from their previous use of Ghost, aiming to streamline their digital presence by integrating it with their existing Gatsby-based marketing site. The decision to use Sanity was driven by its developer-friendly nature and its ability to function as a real-time database, allowing for a more tailored content management approach. Mux focused on defining a schema that includes multiple authors and categories rather than tags, and they implemented a "soft requirement" for images to maintain design flexibility. The migration process involved scripting to transfer approximately 130 blog posts, ensuring the content was accurately represented in the new system. Their workflow now involves drafting in Google Docs, transferring content to Sanity, and utilizing Gatsby for previews before publishing, which triggers a deployment of the updated site. This integration not only supports their blog but also extends to other content on mux.com, enhancing the overall coherence of their digital footprint.

Amidst the global pandemic, the Sanity community continues to thrive, showcasing creativity and adaptability through various projects and collaborations. The community digest highlights several initiatives, including the establishment of a dedicated channel for content modeling, emphasizing its importance in expressing organizational content without compromising user experience. Espen Hovlandsdal introduces a tool to minify GROQ queries, aiding developers in managing query sizes efficiently. Additionally, the transition of Mux.com's blog to Gatsby and Sanity.io is detailed, providing insights into the migration process. Notable projects such as James Warner's personal website, the cat-related ecommerce site Cat Person, and visually creative sites like Phenomena and Kyoto Zen House demonstrate the diverse applications of Sanity's tools. The Community Club by kotn.com offers resources to navigate the challenges posed by COVID-19, reflecting the community's commitment to support and innovation during uncertain times.

Sanity HQ, a platform known for its content management solutions, acknowledges the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly its logistical challenges between Oslo and San Francisco offices, and offers support through a Norwegian concept called "dugnad," which involves voluntary work for the public good. The company extends assistance to those affected by the pandemic by sponsoring plans with extended API quotas and advanced functionality, encouraging projects that pivot online and require a CMS or asset pipeline. Community members have shared various initiatives, including a site for working parents in the UK, a takeout tracker in Austin, a COVID-19 stats site, and an open-source project for societal support by recovered individuals. Additionally, Sanity provides a platform for developers to share their projects, like building forms with Sanity, generating CSS palettes, and creating portfolios. The digest also highlights a Sci-Fi Twitter Bot and features a profile of technologist Kelly Quantrill, who discusses her diverse interests, including web development, generative art, and her recent project of a science fiction Twitter bot powered by Sanity.

As the COVID-19 pandemic intensifies globally, Sanity addresses the challenges faced by individuals and businesses, emphasizing their commitment to supporting affected communities while maintaining their operations. The company highlights its robust team, strong community, and financial backing, which enable them to navigate the crisis effectively. Despite experiencing service instability due to increased usage, Sanity has implemented solutions to enhance scalability and reliability, including backend service sharding. In a spirit of solidarity, they offer free advanced plans to non-profit coronavirus-related initiatives, encouraging collaboration through their community channels. Sanity continues to prioritize the well-being of its employees, service stability, and the development of its product, while also welcoming Alexander Staubo back to their team as they aim to strengthen their offerings during these unprecedented times.

In a week marked by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sanity developer community continued to thrive by engaging in various projects, launching new websites, and sharing insights. Highlights include Richard Haines's e-commerce guide using Gatsby, Snipcart, and Sanity, and new plugins for Wistia and positioning. Microsoft celebrated International Women's Day by featuring Victoria, a frontend engineer at Sanity, as an inspiring figure in tech. Developers shared tips on branding studios and utilizing technology, with projects like Flanko Watches and Framing People incorporating diverse tech stacks such as Shopify, Auth0, and Next.js. A notable hackathon by Geta Digital demonstrated Sanity's versatility, while developer Boye Borg discussed his involvement with Oslo Pride's website, detailing a series of tech stack rewrites to enhance productivity. The community's collaborative spirit and diverse projects underscore Sanity's role in fostering innovation and support among developers.

Sanity.io's latest Community Digest explores various topics, including content modeling strategies, client onboarding via screencasts, and community achievements using the Sanity platform. The digest highlights the work of content strategist Carrie Hane, who advises against starting web design projects with a site map, encouraging a structured content approach. Henrique's innovative idea of using screencasts for client onboarding is also featured, enhancing the understanding of Sanity Studio's functionality. The digest showcases projects such as a new site for Hua Explore and the migration of the Kunsthall Trondheim website to a Sanity-based stack, emphasizing the platform's suitability for art and museum sites. Additionally, the profile of Holly Gronau, a full-stack developer from Toronto, provides insights into her work with Sanity and other technologies, as well as her personal interests and favorite features of the platform.