Interview with David Eads

David Eads, in a conversation with Sam Bhagwat, discusses his extensive use of Gatsby for creating data visualization projects at ProPublica, highlighting its benefits for journalistic work. Gatsby's static site generation capability ensures maintainability and cost-effectiveness in newsrooms, where projects often need to be published and left for long periods without active maintenance. Eads explains that Gatsby’s consolidated query system, which accommodates various data sources like Google Sheets and databases, enhances the workflow in journalism by allowing seamless data integration. He shares his experience in using Gatsby's plugin system to create dynamic content workflows, often leveraging Google Sheets as a makeshift content management system for translations and interface text. The conversation also touches on the importance of web performance in engaging readers, as fast-loading content is crucial for grabbing and maintaining audience attention in the competitive landscape of online journalism.