Revolutionising Web Docs: Documentation Engineering, Sustainability, Security - Open Web Docs

In this episode of the Mechanical Ink podcast, host Schalk Neethling speaks with guests Florian Scholz, Jory Burson, and Will Bamberg from Open Web Docs. They start the conversation by talking about web documentation and the vital role of open-source projects such as MDN Web Docs, unveiling how documentation roles have evolved. From being traditional information providers to now encompassing Documentation Engineering, or Documentation as Code. This approach ensures that developers have access to comprehensive, understandable, and user-friendly resources. A significant part of their discussion revolves around the challenges and strategies in funding and sustaining open-source initiatives. The guests highlight the critical role of sustainable financial models, drawing attention to contributions from various sources including the Sovereign Tech Fund and the platform provided by Open Collective. The Sovereign Tech Fund exemplifies the kind of diverse support needed for these initiatives, blending individual, governmental, and corporate contributions. Alongside funding, the episode delves into making open-source contributions more accessible, by reducing barriers through education, creating welcoming and supportive environments, and avoiding gatekeeping. The conversation also delved into 'Securing the Web Forward,' a theme arising from TPAC discussions and a W3C workshop. This segment underscores the importance of enhanced security documentation for the web platform and the need for education to ensure developers know that security, like accessibility, is each developer's responsibility. Looking to the future, the podcast envisions a landscape where accurate, accessible documentation is seamlessly integrated with developer tools and platforms, keeping pace with the rapidly evolving domain of web development. Links Open Web Docs Jory Burson on LinkedIn Will Bamberg on LinkedIn Florian Scholz on LinkedIn Sovereign Tech Fund Securing the Web Forward Open Collective MDN Web Docs Browser Compatibility Data (BCD) Write The Docs Continue the conversation on GitHub Join the community on Slack Schalk Neethling on LinkedIn Mechanical Ink