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My name is Maksim Zhirnov. I’m a Growth Marketing Expert & MarTech Engineer. I help tech companies scale through data-driven marketing strategies, powered by my engineering background. I love building marketing systems that drive growth and sharing insights on the intersection of technology and customer acquisition.
The Case Against ‘Passion’ in Job Descriptions for Developers

The Case Against ‘Passion’ in Job Descriptions for Developers

The Case Against ‘Passion’ in Job Descriptions for Developers In the world of tech recruitment, the word “passion” has become a buzzword that often appears in job descriptions targeting developers. It’s used to describe the level of dedication and enthusiasm expected from candidates. However, I argue that this term is not only misleading but also potentially harmful to the hiring process and the developer community as a whole. Why “Passion” Can Be Problematic It’s Subjective and Vague: What one person considers passionate, another might view as merely competent....

June 1, 2026 · 4 min · 659 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Consumer-driven contract testing for distributed systems

Consumer-driven contract testing for distributed systems

Introduction In the realm of distributed systems, ensuring that services interact seamlessly is akin to conducting a symphony where each instrument must play in harmony. One powerful approach to achieving this harmony is through consumer-driven contract (CDC) testing. This method helps maintain the contractual obligations between services, ensuring they communicate effectively without stepping on each other’s toes. What is Consumer-Driven Contract Testing? Consumer-driven contract testing is a method where the consumer (the service using an API) defines the contract, specifying what it expects from the provider (the service offering the API)....

May 29, 2026 · 3 min · 620 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Inline Comments as a Sign of Design Failure—or of Caring About Future You?

Inline Comments as a Sign of Design Failure—or of Caring About Future You?

The Dilemma of Inline Comments Inline comments in code are a topic of much debate among developers. Some see them as a necessary evil, a way to explain the unexplainable, while others view them as a sign of design failure—a crutch for poorly written code. In this article, we’ll explore both sides of the argument and try to find a middle ground. Why Inline Comments? Inline comments are often added to code to provide additional context or explanations....

May 25, 2026 · 3 min · 567 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Hardening a Linux Server for Pet Projects and Indie SaaS

Hardening a Linux Server for Pet Projects and Indie SaaS

Introduction Welcome, fellow developers and indie creators! If you’re here, you’re probably passionate about your pet projects and indie SaaS ventures, and you want to make sure they’re as secure as possible. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the world of Linux server hardening, providing you with step-by-step instructions, code examples, and even a couple of diagrams to keep things interesting. So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let’s get started!...

May 22, 2026 · 5 min · 872 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Incident Channels as Entertainment: Are We Addicted to Production Fires?

Incident Channels as Entertainment: Are We Addicted to Production Fires?

In the world of software development, there’s an unspoken truth that often goes unnoticed: incident channels have become a form of entertainment for some developers. It’s not uncommon to hear phrases like “the show must go on” or “let’s watch the fireworks” when a production issue arises. But is this culture healthy, or are we developing an unhealthy addiction to production fires? The Allure of Incident Channels At first glance, the idea of an incident channel being entertaining might seem absurd....

May 18, 2026 · 4 min · 669 words · Maxim Zhirnov