the usage of backdrop has not gone up for a year, I saw one conversation today from a developer who said the backdrop hasn't got a large developer community which could be a problem for the future expand, what's the best way to attract more developers here ?
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The usage stats don't tell the full story as it depends on the site being setup to check for updates. Some agencies have their own processes for that and disable that module.
See https://forum.backdropcms.org/forum/backdrops-low-rate-adoption for more
That said, we are always looking to attract more. There are plenty of conversations on the chat channel (https://backdrop.zulipchat.com/) if you'd like to contribute.
Currently, we are trying to raise awareness with Drupal 7 site owners
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The usage stats don't tell the full story as it depends on the site being setup to check for updates. Some agencies have their own processes for that and disable that module.
See https://forum.backdropcms.org/forum/backdrops-low-rate-adoption for more
That said, we are always looking to attract more. There are plenty of conversations on the chat channel (https://backdrop.zulipchat.com/) if you'd like to contribute.
Currently, we are trying to raise awareness with Drupal 7 site owners
Not a dev here - but i didn't even know about Backdrop until before yesterday: It was from this thread, 2nd comment. And i've been using Drupal 6 about 10-13 years ago quite amibitiously...
...that was during times where most module/theme downloads had the beloved green background of stability.
However, i ended my project and didn't know how the landscape looked like when 7 was around. I came back peeking into Drupal 8/10 a few times and saw that most of my beloved modules stopped getting updates or contributions over 10 years ago. Just looking at the fact that there is something like the "composer" literally made my head explode.
Who knows, maybe many just don't know about Backdrop and only got shellshocked from Drupal's constant changes to a point where they don't even visit the official website to look for information related to it. I can imagine that many of the old devs from these times got overworked because of constant PHP version/Drupal core updates, which made the whole process too much of a burden. Especially when they're doing it voluntarily/in their spare time. Even me as a recreational user. So we may barely even inform ourselves about what springs from Drupal, such as Backdrop, just like i was personally done with the whole thing.
Old devs would make great candidates since Drupal 6/7's simplicity kept us all at it. I'm suddenly quite immersed with Backdrop for the last 1-2 days because it has that good old quickness vibe. It's really well done so far, and i wish i could contribute anything significant.
Anyways, my two cents are:
Backdrop should make some active and attractive promotion, and keep its promise at ease and simplicity. Maybe Drupal should just pass around a newsletter to all those who signed up for it at the Drupal forums. I assume devs must have some understanding of the inner framework for a quick "acquiring" of them, that's why i'm referring to old Drupal devs.
If i, as an old user, didn't know about Backdrop, who knows how many others don't? Best of luck!
Thank you for your insight. We have seen quite a few new users recently, but there is always room for more. We have tried reaching out to D7 site owners but if you have any other ideas for how to reach these devs, then that would be helpful.
Thanks for approving! I would place some kind of bet on Drupal's newsletter power, since the word about Backdrop (and the quest to find old devs) could land in many inboxes simultaneously. It should unmistakeably state its orientation around the flexibility and flair of the older Drupal - and even better.
Other than that, ranked SEO promotions and going out on recommendation trips could also help reaching ambitious new devs, but i'm just an observer. Drupal's main site doesn't even have a Backdrop link (or ad) on the front page. If there was one, i'm sure there would be some traffic around Backdrop - be it users or devs.
If we can't lure them in with a team of jumpin' cheerleaders and a virtual promised land of opportunities, then i hope the current devs stay fresh and motivated at least... I too need them. I can but offer one variety of coffee.
Thank you for your insight. We have seen quite a few new users recently, but there is always room for more. We have tried reaching out to D7 site owners but if you have any other ideas for how to reach these devs, then that would be helpful.