Add LLVM.org website redesign project introduction blog post

_posts/2024-05-11-llvm-org-website-redesign-project.md

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+---
+title: "LLVM.org Website Redesign Project Introduction"
+layout: post
+excerpt: "The LLVM.org website redesign project, part of Google Summer of Code
+2024, aims to modernize and enhance usability for its community of developers.
+This initiative will streamline navigation, improve accessibility, and update
+content, transforming LLVM.org into a more user-friendly resource."
+sitemap: false
+author: Chaitanya Shahare
+permalink: blogs/gsoc24_chaitanya_shahare_introduction_blog/
+date: 2024-05-11
+---
+
+### Introduction
+
+I’m Chaitanya Shahare, a passionate full-stack web developer and a pre-final-year
+Mechanical Engineering student at the National Institute of Technology
+Srinagar, India. This summer, I'm delighted to embark on an exciting journey with LLVM as 
+Google Summer of Code 2024 contributor, where I'll be contributing to the LLVM project by
+improving the look and feel of its central hub, the LLVM.org website.
+
+**Mentors**: Tanya Lattner and Vassil Vassilev
+
+### Why I Chose LLVM.org
+
+My fascination with coding and web development is about
+making a real impact. LLVM.org is not just a website; it's a vital resource for
+developers, researchers, and enthusiasts involved in the LLVM project. The site
+provides crucial information, updates, and tools needed by the LLVM community
+to thrive. Over time, the website has grown organically, which now calls for a
+systematic redesign to enhance its functionality and aesthetic appeal. My
+project focuses on making LLVM.org more modern, navigable, and user-friendly,
+ensuring it continues to serve as a robust platform supporting innovation in
+compiler technology.
+
+### My Personal Drive
+
+My journey in technology has always been driven by a simple principle: use what
+you learn to make things better for others. Working on LLVM.org allows me to
+apply everything I've learned about web development to improve a tool that
+thousands of people rely on. My previous internships and personal projects
+involving website management have prepared me well for this task, and I'm eager
+to see how much of a difference I can make.
+
+### A Closer Look at the Project
+
+Starting this journey to revamp the LLVM.org website, my mission is to
+transform it into a hub that not only serves its purpose efficiently but also
+delights its users with its simplicity and elegance. Here’s a step-by-step
+breakdown of how I plan to achieve this:
+
+1. **Comprehensive Content Audit**: The first order of business is to dive deep
+   into the current content of the LLVM.org website. This involves evaluating
+   each page to determine its relevance and usefulness. A significant focus
+   will be on enhancing the site's navigation to ensure that it is intuitive
+   and user-friendly. This audit will help us identify any outdated
+   information, redundant pages, or missing pieces that are crucial for users.
+   This step will involve working closely with the LLVM community through
+   feedback, surveys, and discussions.
+
+2. **Selecting the Right Building Blocks**: For the technical platform, I’ll be
+   using Hugo, a powerful tool known for building fast and reliable websites.
+   Hugo is not only quick but also makes managing content straightforward,
+   which is essential for a website like LLVM.org that is frequently updated
+   with new information. This choice ensures that the website can be easily
+   maintained and updated by the community, long after the project's
+   completion also ensuring that this project is reusable for other sub-projects 
+   websites in the LLVM ecosystem.
+
+3. **Interactive Design Process**: Designing an engaging and user-friendly
+   website is not a solo task. I plan to create several design prototypes, each
+   offering a different look and feel. These prototypes will be shared with the
+   LLVM community through surveys and discussion forums to gather feedback.
+   It's crucial that the community's voice is heard in this process, as they
+   are the primary users of the site. This collaborative approach ensures that
+   the final design is not only visually appealing but also functionally
+   tailored to the needs of its users.
+
+4. **Building the Site**: With a design selected and technology ready, the next
+   phase is the actual site development. This involves coding the website,
+   setting up the structure for content, and integrating all the visual
+   elements. During this phase, I’ll ensure that the site is responsive,
+   meaning it’ll work seamlessly on both desktops and mobile devices, and
+   accessible, ensuring that users with disabilities can also use it
+   comfortably.
+
+5. **Rigorous Testing and Feedback Loop**: Before the new site goes live,
+   extensive testing is essential. This will include checking that all links
+   work, the site loads quickly on different devices, and there are no
+   accessibility barriers. Feedback from the community will be crucial during
+   this phase to catch any issues and ensure that the site meets everyone’s
+   needs.
+
+Through detailed planning, collaborative design, and careful execution, this
+project aims to not only revamp the LLVM.org website but also enhance how the
+LLVM community interacts with it. 
+
+### Conclusion
+
+As we start this journey to improve the LLVM.org website, I am excited and
+ready for the challenges ahead. I'm confident we can create a website that
+everyone will find easy to use and helpful. 
+
+### Related Links
+
+- [LLVM.org Website](https://llvm.org/)
+- [Project description](https://discourse.llvm.org/t/improve-the-llvm-org-website-look-and-feel/76864)
+- [GSoC Project Proposal](/assets/docs/Chaitanya_Shahare_Proposal_2024.pdf)
+- [My GitHub Profile](https://github.com/Chaitanya-Shahare)