If you are reading this you have already discovered one way or another, that the new DevOps.com website has launched. I am proud to say that I have been one of a team of folks who have been working hard on DevOps.com for many months and weeks now.  I will serve as editor-in-chief and as a co-founder. Anyone who has started a business knows that I am also chief cook and bottle washer. That is OK though. This is not my first start up. Staying up until 2:30 or 3:00 am working on the site reminded me of how alive you feel when you are building a business. If only you could bottle that. We know we have much more to do to realize our vision. But we think we have enough to introduce you, the DevOps community to DevOps.com

So what is DevOps.com? Frankly, it is a big tent.  What we have tried to do is create a destination for the burgeoning DevOps community to gather.  Our goal is to have something for everyone with an interest in DevOps. We realize that many DevOps devotees are highly technical.  All of the culture and business discussions are nice, but how can you do more, faster and better? Our aim is to give you lots of information, education and resources to help in your everyday work. We want bloggers and writers who are living the DevOps life and are sharing their own experiences with you.  In fact, we also welcome you to participate fully by sharing your own experiences and thoughts as well. We are always looking for people who have something to add to the conversation.  That last phrase says it all. We want to add to the conversation.  But that conversation can’t be just for those who are technical. We want a bigger tent than that.

I have met and there are many people who know little about DevOps. They have heard the name and are curious though. What they do know is that somehow this could help them transform their organizations into what my friend Gene Kim calls a high powered IT organization.  They are faced with a world where the rules have changed. Iterations take place daily if not hourly, automation is not nice to have, it is mandatory, software has replaced hardware for many. How can they succeed in this environment? DevOps is a key. We want DevOps.com to have a place under our big tent for these people.  Whether they are C-level executives looking to leverage DevOps in their business, VCs looking for insights into their next investment or even job seekers, exploring what talents and skills they will need to succeed, DevOps.com has a place for them under our big tent.

Another goal of DevOps.com is to be more than just a place with great articles, stories and DevOps related content.  We want to be a linchpin of the community.  Though not ready in time for our launch, you will shortly be seeing several other parts of DevOps.com.  We will have a community forum Q&A section shortly.  If you have a question you can ask. Either someone from our staff or maybe someone in the community will answer. Maybe more than one person will answer even.  Maintaining these Q&As will over time build up a great knowledge base which will always be available to the community.

Additionally, we want to facilitate and help all of the great meetup and user groups that are out there dedicated to DevOps.  I have spent a lot of time these past months going to meetings, observing, listening and understanding.  We know that these groups need speakers for monthly meetings, sponsors to supply food, drink and often a place to meet. Help with local community outreach and connecting with other groups to share ideas, experience and learning are also somethings these groups need.  The good news is there are plenty of people and organizations out there who want to help you.  Our mission will be to help match these groups together to strengthen these grass root groups. We have lots of room under the big tent to help in this mission.

Holding a local DevOps Days or workshop?  Need sponsors, speakers, logistic support? DevOps.com can help you too.  Local groups do more to further the DevOps cause than anyone. We want to help and encourage more of it.

In the not too distant future DevOps.com will also be more involved with conferences that play on bigger stages. Whether it be as a media sponsor, covering and reporting on the goings on or providing speakers and content ourselves, we will be on the scene. We plan on holding our own conferences with multi-track sessions, keynotes, exhibits and of course social activities.  Stay tuned for details in the coming months.

Is this an ambitious agenda? You bet it is.  But if you aren’t going to go big, you might as well stay home.  We are being helped by some people who know how to succeed.  We will be announcing shortly some of the people who are behind DevOps.com and who will be helping out.  I am proud to call these people my friends and am honored that they are lending a hand. One person I want to mention now though is my DevOps.com  co-founder, Martin Logan.  When I first started talking about the idea of a DevOps community site I registered a bunch of domains, but knew that DevOps.com would be the best domain name.  I found Martin as owning the domain and reached out to see if he would perhaps sell it for a reasonable sum.  A few hours later we were partners!  Martin is a real, live DevOps dude.  He understands what DevOps is about. None of this is possible without him.

For now take a look around our site. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter in the top right column.  The site look and feel will be changing daily as we continue to iterate in the DevOps way.  Most of all there will always be fresh content.  We should be averaging about 100+ new content articles a month.  There will be something for everyone!

You can reach out to me anytime with comments, suggestions, complaints or questions at ashimmy@devops.com.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy!