Being Scrappy in Development: Use What You Know and Ship

In the fast-paced world of software development, it's easy to get caught up in the endless cycle of new frameworks, tools, and methodologies. Every week brings another "game-changing" technology that promises to revolutionize how we build software. But here's a controversial truth: you don't need the latest and greatest tools to build something amazing.

The Trap of Shiny New Tools

We've all been there. You're about to start a new project, and you think:

• "Maybe I should learn that hot new framework first..."
• "This project would be perfect for trying out that trending database..."
• "Everyone's talking about this new deployment platform..."

Stop. Just stop.

The Power of Using What You Know

Here's why using familiar technologies is often the better choice:

1. Faster Development

   • No learning curve to slow you down
   • You know the gotchas and best practices
   • Your muscle memory works in your favor

2. Better Problem-Solving

   • You can focus on solving the actual problem
   • Less time debugging unfamiliar tools
   • More confidence in your solutions

3. Higher Chance of Shipping

   • Fewer unexpected roadblocks
   • Clear path to deployment
   • Known scaling patterns

Real-World Example: This Blog

Look at this very blog you're reading right now. It's built with:

• Plain Node.js and Express
• EJS templates
• Simple markdown files
• CDN-hosted Tailwind CSS

No fancy static site generators. No complex build systems. No bleeding-edge frameworks. Just simple, proven technologies that get the job done.

When to Learn New Tools

This doesn't mean you should never learn new technologies. But be strategic about it:

• Learn on side projects, not critical applications
• Pick technologies that solve real problems you have
• Focus on fundamentals that transfer across tools

The Scrappy Developer's Manifesto

1. Ship First, Optimize Later

   • A working solution today beats a perfect solution tomorrow
   • Users don't care about your tech stack
   • You can always refactor when needed

2. Embrace "Boring" Technology

   • Proven tools have proven patterns
   • Documentation and solutions exist for common problems
   • Easier to find help when stuck

3. Focus on Value

   • What matters is solving the user's problem
   • Technical elegance is secondary to usefulness
   • Speed to market often beats technical perfection

Getting Started Today

Here's how to apply this mindset to your next project:

1. List Your Known Tools

   • What languages are you comfortable with?
   • Which frameworks do you know well?
   • What hosting solutions have you used before?

2. Start Building

   • Don't spend weeks researching alternatives
   • Use your existing knowledge
   • Focus on delivering features

3. Ship Early, Ship Often

   • Get feedback from real users
   • Iterate based on actual needs
   • Let requirements drive technology choices

Conclusion

Remember: The most successful projects aren't built with the fanciest tools—they're built by developers who focus on shipping. Use what you know, build with confidence, and get your project out into the world.

The best tech stack is the one that lets you ship.