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diff --git a/content/post/pixels-summer-2021.md b/content/post/pixels-summer-2021.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bbb6a05 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/post/pixels-summer-2021.md @@ -0,0 +1,102 @@ +--- +title: "Python Discord Pixels: Summer 2021" +description: "Python Discord Pixels was our collaborative canvas event that we held between 25th May to the 14th June 2021 providing a beginner-friendly API to paint pixels on a virtual canvas." +author: Joe Banks, Chris Lovering +date: 2021-07-18 +featured_image: /post/pixels-summer-2021/cover.png +--- + +## What was Pixels? + +Python Discord Pixels was our collaborative canvas event that we held between +25th May to the 14th June 2021 providing a beginner-friendly API to paint +pixels on a virtual canvas. + +We built an API with FastAPI, Redis and PostgreSQL that would allow users to +paint a single pixel on a virtual canvas, with rate limits so they could only +do so a few times a minute. + +Painted pixels would then be returned to the API as well as posted every minute +into a channel in our Discord server so folks could keep up with the current +state of the canvas. + +The final state of the Pixels canvas: + + +## Project motives + +The main goal for this project was for it to be a learning tool for those that +may not have ever interacted with an API before. By adding in a fun twist, +where users could see their actions reflected in an image displayed on our +server, we found users of all backgrounds participated. + +By giving participants a space to discuss implementation within our server, we +found that many of the more experienced users mentored those who were having +difficulties getting started. + +Many times throughout the event users were overjoyed when their first ever API +project finally worked, and they could see their first pixel on our canvas! + +## Participation statistics + +Across the 20 days that the event ran we saw 2,395,667 total pixel placements +from 414 distinct users. + + + +## A look at the pixels + +You can see a timelapse [on our YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obC-l9JWx2M). + +## Colours + +Of the 2,395,667 placed pixels, there were 119,992 unique colours used, the +most popular being shown below: + + + +## Active Hours + +The most active hour for placing pixels was 16:00 UTC with 115,312 pixels being +placed between 16:00–17:00 across the event. + + + +## Users + +The top 10 users by pixel placement are as follows: + + + +## Pixels Data + +We've made available the whole pixels dataset, with the majority of placed +pixels (pixels from banned users were not included). + +You can download the data at [this +link](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/563594791770914816/858706547110838292/history.csv.gz?ref=blog.pythondiscord.com) +or [view it on +Kaggle](https://www.kaggle.com/joebanks/python-discord-pixels?ref=blog.pythondiscord.com). + + +## Source code + +We open sourced Pixels during the event so people could understand how the API +worked, we'll be writing a subsequent blog post to talk about the engineering +behind Pixels, and how we use tools such as PostgreSQL, Redis and more to +ensure reads and writes are as fast as they can be. + +You can find some of the documentation we used during the event +[here](https://pythondiscord.notion.site/Python-Discord-Pixels-99e3058855a94f6cab69853d6e2c355b?ref=blog.pythondiscord.com). +The repository can be found at +[python-discord/pixels](https://github.com/python-discord/pixels/?ref=blog.pythondiscord.com). + +## Future of Pixels + +Python Discord Pixels was a huge success, and outperformed our expectations in +terms of user participation. Due to the success we plan to bring back Pixels in +the future with different twists. Make sure to stay focused on our +#announcements channel in +[Discord](https://discord.gg/python?ref=blog.pythondiscord.com) and [our +Twitter](https://twitter.com/PythonDiscord?ref=blog.pythondiscord.com) to stay +up to date with future event announcements. |