The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source

The legacy of CSS-Tricks (Interview)

Aug 5, 2022

Chris Coyier, founder of CSS-Tricks, shares his journey from a personal blog to a major community-driven platform. He discusses the significance of CSS-Tricks in web development, reflecting on its acquisition by DigitalOcean. Coyier highlights the challenges of transitioning ownership while maintaining legacy and trust. The conversation also dives into the evolution of online communities and the emotional landscape of content creation, emphasizing the importance of supportive networks in fostering growth within the tech landscape.

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INSIGHT

Podcast Episode Count Dilemma

High episode counts can be a double-edged sword for podcasts.
While signaling experience, it may also intimidate new listeners.

ANECDOTE

Early Discovery of Chris Coyier

Jerod Santo recalls discovering Chris Coyier through a video of him coding a sidebar.
He was impressed by Coyier's screen setup and the number of items in his dock.

ANECDOTE

Pre-YouTube Screencasts

Chris Coyier discusses hosting screencasts on CSS-Tricks, predating YouTube's popularity.
He used S3 for hosting and WordPress for publishing, even creating a custom RSS feed.

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Episode 500!!! And it has been a journey! Nearly 13 years ago we started this podcast and as of today (this episode) we’ve officially shipped our 500th episode. As a companion to this episode, Jerod and Adam shipped a special Backstage episode where they reflect on 500 episodes. And…not only has it been a journey for us, but it’s also been a journey for our good friend Chris Coyier and CSS-Tricks — which he grew from his personal blog to a massively popular contributor driven model, complete with an editor-in-chief, a wide array of influential contributors, and advertisers to help fund the way. The news, of course, is that CSS-Tricks was recently acquired by DigitalOcean in March of 2022. We get into all the details of this deal, his journey, and the legacy of CSS-Tricks.

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Featuring:

Chris Coyier – Website, GitHub, X
Adam Stacoviak – Website, GitHub, LinkedIn, Mastodon, X
Jerod Santo – Website, GitHub, LinkedIn, Mastodon, X

Show Notes:

Something missing or broken? PRs welcome!