The Conversation, a widely renowned online publication, recently shared some surprising information about its technology platform. The platform, which was designed and built in Australia, not only powers The Conversation&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPW5PazFTZEF2WGh3QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrTDBaV0wyMWpiWFp5UWtzcmVYWmxXa0ZXY0U1R1VUMDk-8217;s original edition but also supports its eight international editions across different regions. These editions include Australia &https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPW5PazFTZEF2WGh3QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrTDBaV0wyMWpiWFp5UWtzcmVYWmxXa0ZXY0U1R1VUMDk-038; New Zealand, UK, US, Africa, France, Canada, Indonesia, and Spain.
The Conversation&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPW5PazFTZEF2WGh3QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrTDBaV0wyMWpiWFp5UWtzcmVYWmxXa0ZXY0U1R1VUMDk-8217;s technology platform plays a pivotal role in providing support for four languages, over 500 university members, more than 90,000 academics, and a global staff of 300. With such a vast user base, it&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPW5PazFTZEF2WGh3QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrTDBaV0wyMWpiWFp5UWtzcmVYWmxXa0ZXY0U1R1VUMDk-8217;s no wonder that the platform needs to be well-maintained and secure. To achieve this, a small team of fewer than ten dedicated software engineers works tirelessly to ensure that the platform remains stable and free of any issues.
The platform not only manages the vast amount of content produced by The Conversation but also handles the online presentation of articles. Every quarter, the platform facilitates the publishing of around 5,000 articles, enabling academics and experts to share their knowledge and insights with the wider public.
In terms of user engagement, the numbers are staggering. In May alone, The Conversation attracted a staggering 4.5 million users from Australia and New Zealand. Moreover, these users generated a remarkable 42 million pageviews across The Conversation&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPW5PazFTZEF2WGh3QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrTDBaV0wyMWpiWFp5UWtzcmVYWmxXa0ZXY0U1R1VUMDk-8217;s digital platforms.
Despite the impressive achievements of The Conversation&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPW5PazFTZEF2WGh3QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrTDBaV0wyMWpiWFp5UWtzcmVYWmxXa0ZXY0U1R1VUMDk-8217;s technology platform, it is essential to acknowledge the hard work behind the scenes. With a ratio of 1 software engineer to every 30 staff members, the team faces numerous challenges in maintaining the platform&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPW5PazFTZEF2WGh3QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrTDBaV0wyMWpiWFp5UWtzcmVYWmxXa0ZXY0U1R1VUMDk-8217;s security and optimizing its performance.
Moreover, the investment required to sustain the platform is significant. The annual cost for all the technology, hosting, data, design, and security components of the platform exceeds $2 million. This figure showcases the dedicated effort put into ensuring that The Conversation runs smoothly and delivers high-quality content to its readers.
In the past year, The Conversation invested heavily in improving the platform&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPW5PazFTZEF2WGh3QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrTDBaV0wyMWpiWFp5UWtzcmVYWmxXa0ZXY0U1R1VUMDk-8217;s infrastructure. This included decommissioning its own data warehouse and migrating all its applications to Google Cloud. Additionally, accessibility has been a key focus for the team, resulting in a substantial improvement in the Google lighthouse score from 72% to an impressive 98%.
Another significant area of investment for The Conversation has been cybersecurity. Given the growing prevalence of cyber threats, the organization has taken steps to enhance its security measures and safeguard its users&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPW5PazFTZEF2WGh3QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrTDBaV0wyMWpiWFp5UWtzcmVYWmxXa0ZXY0U1R1VUMDk-8217; data.
Looking ahead, The Conversation has plans to launch an updated website in the next six months. This updated platform will provide a more adaptable and user-friendly experience for readers across its various editions. Given the limited resources available to the organization, this development has been a long-term project.
However, The Conversation recognizes that it can reach even more people and enhance its impact with additional support. The majority of its funding currently goes towards sustaining the team that ensures the publication of timely and freely accessible articles. Yet, there is little left to invest in the digital innovations that could further improve coverage and increase the reach and shareability of the work produced.
Securing philanthropic support for technology can be challenging, but it is crucial for The Conversation&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPW5PazFTZEF2WGh3QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrTDBaV0wyMWpiWFp5UWtzcmVYWmxXa0ZXY0U1R1VUMDk-8217;s future. Without a fast, secure, well-run, and engaging platform, the publication&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPW5PazFTZEF2WGh3QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrTDBaV0wyMWpiWFp5UWtzcmVYWmxXa0ZXY0U1R1VUMDk-8217;s valuable explanatory journalism could be at risk of being overlooked and left unread in the vast digital abyss.
Hence, The Conversation is reaching out to its readers and supporters, asking them to consider making a tax-deductible donation to help cover the annual technology costs. By doing so, donors can play a vital role in ensuring the continued availability of evidence-based journalism that is freely accessible to all.
In conclusion, The Conversation&https://adarima.org/?aHR0cHM6Ly9tY3J5cHRvLmNsdWIvY2F0ZWdvcnJ5Lz93cHNhZmVsaW5rPW5PazFTZEF2WGh3QXBic0NhZGZFZUZsZ2lIbmlrTDBaV0wyMWpiWFp5UWtzcmVYWmxXa0ZXY0U1R1VUMDk-8217;s technology platform serves as the backbone of its international editions, connecting academics, experts, and readers from all over the world. While it has accomplished remarkable achievements, sustaining and advancing this platform is an ongoing challenge. Through support from the public, The Conversation can continue to thrive, providing critical insights and promoting evidence-based journalism to foster a more informed society.
