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This is the first I've heard the term "dark matter developer", but this type of developer definitely exists. There's probably equal numbers of those who are hap

This is the first I've heard the term "dark matter developer", but this type of developer definitely exists. There's probably equal numbers of those who are happy with their jobs as aren't, and who are brilliant as are mediocre. I imagine that the typical dark matter developer is more risk-averse than an "outgoing" developer (intentionally not using the term "regular" because outgoing developers are a vocal minority according to this hypothesis), simply by virtue of the tendency of developers in the startup scene to downplay risk. I used to be one of these. I never aspired to move to the Valley, or to found a company. I eventually had an opportunity to try it and have never looked back, but the idea simply would never have occurred to me had I not been approached.

mey 13y ago
I am also a "dark matter developer". I go to some larger conferences as an attendee, read up on the tech, learn new things, but primarily watch from the sideline. I respect open source developers and companies cutting the bleeding edge by my risk tolerance is too low to currently deploy node.js in production for example. I used to be more active in the niche development fields I got started in, work in a lot more startups but as I've gotten older I've simply directed my free time and energy elsewhere. Edit: This is also the first time I've heard that term.
ben0x539 13y ago
The obvious term is "baryonic" developers, but somehow I don't think that will catch on.
aethr 13y ago
I also hadn't heard the term, but after reading this I realised I was a dark matter developer. I've given talks at a couple of conferences, but I've only ever contributed back to open source projects by opening issues and writing a couple patches. I've tried to convince my employer to invest time in contributing back, but I've never made it a priority in my personal life. I wouldn't say that I'm more risk averse than other developers, but I have a healthy does of perfectionism that tends to get in the way of ever releasing anything. On some level I feel like I'll be judged for anything I put in the public eye if it isn't 100% perfect. I recently went to my first meetup though, and everyone there was super friendly, so maybe I'll come into the light. :)

mey 13y ago

I am also a "dark matter developer". I go to some larger conferences as an attendee, read up on the tech, learn new things, but primarily watch from the sideline. I respect open source developers and companies cutting the bleeding edge by my risk tolerance is too low to currently deploy node.js in production for example. I used to be more active in the niche development fields I got started in, work in a lot more startups but as I've gotten older I've simply directed my free time and energy elsewhere. Edit: This is also the first time I've heard that term.

ben0x539 13y ago

The obvious term is "baryonic" developers, but somehow I don't think that will catch on.

aethr 13y ago

I also hadn't heard the term, but after reading this I realised I was a dark matter developer. I've given talks at a couple of conferences, but I've only ever contributed back to open source projects by opening issues and writing a couple patches. I've tried to convince my employer to invest time in contributing back, but I've never made it a priority in my personal life. I wouldn't say that I'm more risk averse than other developers, but I have a healthy does of perfectionism that tends to get in the way of ever releasing anything. On some level I feel like I'll be judged for anything I put in the public eye if it isn't 100% perfect. I recently went to my first meetup though, and everyone there was super friendly, so maybe I'll come into the light. :)