To write blog posts that developers will actually read, focus on providing clear, concise, and practical information. Prioritize code examples, concrete solutions, and a logical flow that mirrors the developer's problem-solving process. Avoid unnecessary jargon, flowery language, and long introductions. Instead, get straight to the point, explain the "why" behind the "how," and use visuals like diagrams and screenshots to illustrate complex concepts. Finally, ensure your code is functional, well-formatted, and easily testable by readers. This approach respects the developer's time and provides immediate value, making your blog post a useful resource they'll appreciate and share.
This article outlines five challenging employee archetypes: the Passive-Aggressive, the Know-It-All, the Gossip, the Negative Nancy, and the Slacker. It offers strategies for managing each type, emphasizing clear communication, direct feedback, and setting expectations. For passive-aggressive employees, the key is to address issues openly and encourage direct communication. Know-it-alls benefit from being given opportunities to share their expertise constructively, while gossips need to be reminded of professional conduct. Negative employees require a focus on solutions and positive reinforcement, and slackers respond best to clearly defined expectations, accountability, and consequences. The overall approach emphasizes addressing the behavior directly, documenting issues, and focusing on performance improvement, ultimately aiming to foster a more positive and productive work environment.
Hacker News users generally found the linked article on difficult employees to be shallow and offering generic, unhelpful advice. Several commenters pointed out that labeling employees as "difficult" is often a way for management to avoid addressing underlying systemic issues or their own shortcomings. Some argued that employees exhibiting the described "difficult" behaviors are often reacting to poor management, unrealistic expectations, or toxic work environments. The most compelling comments highlighted the importance of addressing the root causes of these behaviors rather than simply trying to "manage" the individual, with suggestions like improving communication, providing clear expectations and feedback, and fostering a healthy work environment. A few commenters offered personal anecdotes reinforcing the idea that "difficult" employees can often become valuable contributors when management addresses the underlying problems. Some also criticized the framing of the article as victim-blaming.
Summary of Comments ( 49 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43503872
HN commenters generally praised the article for its practical advice on writing for a technical audience. Several highlighted the importance of clarity, conciseness, and providing concrete examples, echoing the article's points. Some suggested additional tips, like linking to relevant resources and using clear diagrams. One commenter appreciated the focus on empathy for the reader and understanding their context. A few debated the value of analogies, with some finding them helpful while others considered them distracting or potentially misleading. The emphasis on respecting the reader's time and intelligence was a recurring theme throughout the comments.
The Hacker News post "How to Write Blog Posts That Developers Read · Refactoring English" generated a moderate amount of discussion with several insightful comments.
Many commenters praised the article for its practical advice and clear writing style. One commenter appreciated the focus on clarity and conciseness, stating that it mirrored their own experiences trying to find helpful technical information online. They lamented the prevalence of overly verbose or poorly written blog posts that waste a developer's time. Another user echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of getting straight to the point and avoiding unnecessary fluff, particularly when developers are looking for solutions to specific problems.
The suggestion to avoid jargon and explain technical terms was well-received, with several comments highlighting the difficulty of navigating technical content when unfamiliar with specific terminology. One commenter, identifying as a junior developer, explained how daunting it can be to encounter unfamiliar acronyms or technical terms, making clear explanations crucial for accessibility. Another pointed out that even experienced developers may not be familiar with all the jargon in a specific niche, reinforcing the universal benefit of clear definitions.
The advice regarding code examples also sparked discussion. Several commenters underscored the importance of clear, concise, and functional code examples. One commenter argued that code examples should be treated with the same care as the prose, ensuring they are well-formatted, commented, and directly relevant to the topic. They suggested avoiding overly complex or contrived examples that obscure the core concept being explained. Another emphasized the value of showing both incorrect and corrected code to illustrate the problem and solution effectively.
Some comments also offered additional tips not explicitly mentioned in the article. One user suggested using visual aids like diagrams or flowcharts to supplement code examples and explanations, particularly for complex topics. Another recommended using a consistent format and structure for code blocks to improve readability.
A few commenters expressed minor criticisms. One commenter felt that the article's focus on brevity could be misinterpreted as discouraging thorough explanations. They argued that while conciseness is important, it shouldn't come at the expense of providing sufficient detail for readers to fully understand the topic.
Overall, the comments on the Hacker News post largely praised the article for its practical advice on writing effective technical blog posts for developers. The discussion emphasized the importance of clarity, conciseness, clear code examples, and avoiding jargon to create engaging and informative content.