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David Herbert
Changing the world, one line of code at a time
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The Ethical Implications of Feature Flags in Software Development

· 8 min read
David Herbert
Changing the world, one line of code at a time

The conversation about ethics in technology has become increasingly vital as software continues to advance and intertwines deeply with our daily lives. Among the various pivotal tools at a developer's disposal, feature flags stand out due to their profound impact on user experience and business outcomes. They allow for the selective enabling and disabling of features without deploying new code, fundamentally transforming how features are rolled out, tested, and managed. This flexibility is revolutionary, facilitating dynamic changes to the software environment that can be tailored to diverse user groups and providing a robust platform for experimentation.

illustration of developer implementing feature flags

Improving User Engagement with Feature Flags

· 8 min read
David Herbert
Changing the world, one line of code at a time

It's no secret that a higher user engagement rate translates to increased customer loyalty and, subsequently, a higher ROI. However, keeping users engaged in an increasingly competitive market is akin to striking gold in your software product. The journey towards amplifying user engagement often feels like navigating through a dense, enigmatic forest with no clear path in sight.

Engaging users isn't just about having an aesthetically pleasing interface or a groundbreaking product; it's about continuously optimizing the user experience and adapting to user feedback in real time. So, how do seasoned developers and product managers maneuver through this forest and emerge triumphant? One powerful torchlight in this scenario is the use of feature flags.

illustration of users engaging with features

The Psychology Behind Feature Management - Understanding User Behavior

· 6 min read
David Herbert
Changing the world, one line of code at a time

The success of a software product often hinges on how well its features resonate with users. However, the path of innovation is often laden with unpredictability and unforeseen user reactions, making feature management a dance between meeting expectations and introducing novelty. As users continue to raise the bar of expectations, understanding the psychology that drives their interactions with new features becomes a cornerstone for delivering superior user experiences.

The realm of feature management is where this understanding transforms into actionable insights, opening a rich avenue for exploring how users engage with applications. This leads to a more intuitive, user-centric approach to feature delivery by using those experiences to iterate and shape how features are optimized. Here, we explore how understanding the psychology behind feature management can lead to more effective feature rollout strategies.

illustration of new feature released and user reactions

Feature Flagging for Security - Best Practices and Use Cases

· 9 min read
David Herbert
Changing the world, one line of code at a time

The rapid pace of software development and the need to continuously deliver new features to stay competitive in today's market has introduced a unique set of challenges, one of which is security. With more and more software applications coming to play a pivotal role in user's daily lives, ensuring the security of these applications is paramount.

Security has become increasingly important for businesses and organizations of all sizes, especially in today's ever-evolving landscape, where cyber threats constantly loom around the corners like shadowy specters. As software systems become increasingly complex and cyberattacks become more prevalent, organizations need effective strategies and tools to bolster their security posture.

The question arising then is: How can they strike a harmonious balance between ensuring the security of their applications and meeting the relentless demand for innovation? One such tool that has gained prominence is feature flagging, and in this blog post, we'll examine how we can utilize it to enhance security while following best practices.

Feature Flagging for Security Cover Image

Feature Management in the IoT World - Challenges and Solutions

· 8 min read
David Herbert
Changing the world, one line of code at a time

The Internet of Things (known as IoT) is a rapidly growing field that refers to the interconnection of everyday objects, devices, and systems through the internet. This allows them to collect, exchange, and process data without requiring human intervention. IoT is changing how we live, work, and interact with our environment. It affects smart homes, wearable health devices, industrial automation, and smart cities.

This interconnectedness comes with a new set of challenges for developers. How do you manage this complex ecosystem's ever-growing number of features and updates? How do you ensure your devices are always up-to-date, secure, and functioning optimally? This article explores feature management in the IoT world and some of the challenges and solutions.

illustration of the IoT world

ConfigCat's New Pricing Policy

· 5 min read
David Herbert
Changing the world, one line of code at a time

Change, while sometimes challenging, often paves the way for growth and improvement. In light of this, and with our ongoing commitment to providing our users with the best possible experience, we are writing to announce an important shift in our pricing policy.

Our goal at ConfigCat has always been to balance quality service with sustainable pricing. In light of recent developments, we have had to make some adjustments to our pricing policy to accommodate the current market conditions and ensure that we continue to offer competitive and transparent pricing to our users.

pricing policy cover image

User Segments and Their Role in Business

· 9 min read
David Herbert
Changing the world, one line of code at a time

In a world where customers are diverse and ever-changing, user segmentation provides the roadmap for businesses to navigate the intricacies of their target audience. Clearly understanding your target audience is crucial for success, especially in today's global business landscape and often broad user base. User segmentation isn't just a fancy term; it's a game-changer for business and marketing. When you really get what makes each user group tick, you can make marketing magic happen, keep customers happy, and watch your business grow.

The Impact of Feature Flags on Software Testing

· 10 min read
David Herbert
Changing the world, one line of code at a time

Software testing is crucial in software development as it ensures that a piece of software is bug-free and performs as expected, guaranteeing the quality and reliability of the final product. This is especially true in the current fast-paced market climate, where delivering a high-quality, bug-free software experience that meets user expectations is paramount to success.

impact of feature flags

Production Testing Memes - Turning Mishaps into Laughter

· 5 min read
David Herbert
Changing the world, one line of code at a time

Tests! They've been haunting us since our school days when even the mere mention of the word would send shivers down our spines and make us dream of a world without pop quizzes.

Well, guess what? The world of software development didn't get the memo! In fact, they've gone and upped the ante with a little something called "testing in production." Oh, the nightmare! It's like a horror movie where the monster lurking around the corner is a bug that slipped through QA!

no other option but to test in production

Developer Advocates in the Tech Industry

· 6 min read
David Herbert
Changing the world, one line of code at a time

The role of a "developer advocate" has gained significant traction in recent years, thanks to leading tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, Twitter, and Google. This role is particularly prevalent in technology companies that cater to developers. But what exactly does it entail? Who can become a developer advocate, and what qualities are essential to succeed in this role?

Who is a developer advocate