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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.
Kubernetes for Side Projects: Overkill or the Best Learning Investment?

Kubernetes for Side Projects: Overkill or the Best Learning Investment?

Introduction Kubernetes—the very word might make some developers shudder, conjuring images of complex cluster management and endless YAML files. But is it really that scary, or are we just letting our fear of the unknown hold us back? In this article, we’ll dive deep into whether Kubernetes is worth the investment for side projects. We’ll explore its benefits, challenges, and provide step-by-step instructions to get you started. Why Consider Kubernetes? Kubernetes, often abbreviated as K8s, is an open-source system for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications....

September 7, 2026 · 3 min · 551 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Designing Modular Architectures in Node.js/TypeScript for Large Backends

Designing Modular Architectures in Node.js/TypeScript for Large Backends

Introduction Building a large backend system can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to designing its architecture. One of the key principles that can make your life easier is modularity. In this article, we’ll explore how to design modular architectures in Node.js and TypeScript, providing you with a solid foundation for building scalable and maintainable applications. Why Modularity Matters Modularity is not just a buzzword; it’s a fundamental principle that can significantly improve the maintainability, scalability, and testability of your codebase....

September 4, 2026 · 4 min · 685 words · Maxim Zhirnov
The Case for Writing Fewer Comments and More Obvious Code

The Case for Writing Fewer Comments and More Obvious Code

Introduction In the realm of software development, the debate between commenting code extensively and writing self-explanatory code is a perennial one. On one side, you have developers who believe that comments are essential for understanding complex logic and maintaining code. On the other side, there are those who argue that well-written code should be self-documenting, making comments unnecessary. I’ve been on both sides of this fence, and I’ve learned that there’s a middle ground—a place where comments are sparingly used, and code speaks for itself....

August 31, 2026 · 3 min · 594 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Modern Python in 2026: typing, async, packaging, and what actually matters

Modern Python in 2026: typing, async, packaging, and what actually matters

Introduction Welcome to the future of Python programming! As we step into 2026, Python continues to evolve, bringing us new features and enhancements that make our lives as developers easier and more enjoyable. In this article, we’ll explore some of the key aspects of modern Python, including typing, asynchronous programming, packaging, and what really matters in the ever-changing landscape of software development. Typing in Python One of the most significant developments in Python over the past few years has been the adoption of type hinting and static type checking....

August 28, 2026 · 4 min · 652 words · Maxim Zhirnov
The Ethics of Copy-Pasting GPL Code into Proprietary Systems

The Ethics of Copy-Pasting GPL Code into Proprietary Systems

The Ethics of Copy-Pasting GPL Code into Proprietary Systems In the world of software development, the debate over the ethics of using GPL (GNU General Public License) code in proprietary systems is as heated as a summer coding sprint. On one side, you have the open-source advocates, waving their flags of freedom and collaboration. On the other, the proprietary software developers, guarding their intellectual property like a dragon hoarding gold. Let’s dive into this tangled web of licenses, ethics, and code....

August 24, 2026 · 4 min · 665 words · Maxim Zhirnov