Journey back to Bloggin’ with Quarto

Author

Jitin Kapila

Published

January 23, 2025

Journey that challenges you are the best! Image by Devraj Bajgain

Journey that challenges you are the best! Image by Devraj Bajgain

My Blogging Evolution: From Jekyll’s Depths to Quarto’s Data Science Peak

The realm of blogging platforms is expansive and constantly evolving, offering solutions for every niche. As a data science architect, my journey through this landscape has been a search for the ideal tool—one that integrates with my workflow, supports my use of R and Python, and enables me to share insights efficiently. This quest has led me from Jekyll to Hugo, and finally, to the data science-focused environment of Quarto. Let me recount this evolution.

The Beginning: Jekyll’s Promise and Problems

Around 2015, Jekyll was a leading choice for static site generation. It promised a simple, static blog, but the reality had its challenges. The setup was relatively straightforward, but as a data scientist, I encountered significant drawbacks. My workflow involved R and Python code, and integrating these into blog posts was cumbersome. I spent more time tweaking Ruby and HTMLthan writing, which wasn’t ideal.

It was an inefficient process that stifled creativity. I needed a platform that understood the needs of data scientists, allowing seamless integration of code, narrative, and visuals. Despite its initial appeal, Jekyll proved more of a hindrance 😥

A Glimmer of Hope: Hugo and Blogdown

Next, I discovered Hugo, along with the blogdown package in R. This combination allowed me to write blog posts directly in R Markdown, which was revolutionary. I created shortcodes that suited my style, and writing in R Markdown was a game-changer.

However, my enthusiasm was short-lived. As I shifted more towards Python for development, I faced the same old problem: juggling between environments. The dream of a unified workflow remained out of reach.

The Ideal: Quarto

Then came Quarto. This has been transformative. Quarto is designed for researchers and data scientists, supporting both R and Python seamlessly. I started migrating my site in early 2022, and the transition was smooth. I built my site, deployed it on Netlify, and finally had a natural and intuitive workflow.

Quarto allowed me to focus on content. I could write, code, and visualize without leaving my data science environment. Its support for multiple output formats made adapting content for different channels easy.

The Hiatus and the Return

Life intervened, and blogging took a backseat during 2023 and early 2024.

Now, I’m back. The goal is to blog better, creating content that sparks conversations and pushes data science communication. I aim to leverage Quarto’s full capabilities, building an engaging and informative blog, dashboards and whatever is possible. The plan is to distribute content across multiple channels and build a community. Fingers crossed, I won’t stop this time. ✌️

Lessons Learned and Resources

My blogging journey has taught me valuable lessons:

  1. Choose the Right Tool: The platform impacts your productivity. Select one that aligns with your workflow.
  2. Embrace Simplicity: Focus on creating content and let the platform handle the rest.
  3. Stay Consistent: Consistency is key. Maintain a realistic schedule.
  4. Engage with Your Audience: Interact with readers and build a community.

My recent inspiration is from :

To enhance my blog, I’m referring to these resources:

Here’s to the next phase of my blogging evolution. May it be filled with insights and innovation!