Reddit: What is this platform and how to use it to get answers to any questions / ITech content

Contents:

• What is Reddit
• The History of Reddit
• How Reddit Works
• What Makes Reddit Powerful
• Registering for Reddit
• Cutbacks at Reddit
• The Big Moderators Strike
• Popular Subreddits
• Reddit for Programmers
• Reddit on Russian

Reddit is one of the most popular and influential online platforms, often referred to as the "front page of the internet". With over 130,000 active communities, Reddit attracts over 50 million users daily. The platform is the ninth most popular mobile app in the US and the tenth most visited website globally. Reddit provides a unique opportunity to communicate, exchange opinions, and gain information on a variety of topics, making it an essential resource for users worldwide.

Reddit is one of the largest social platforms where users can discuss a variety of topics, exchange information, and share content. The site consists of numerous communities, called subreddits, which cover virtually every interest—from science and technology to arts and entertainment. Each subreddit has its own rules and topics, allowing members to find like-minded people and stay up-to-date with relevant information.

To use Reddit effectively, it's important to understand how the voting and moderation system works. Users can upvote or downvote posts and comments, which affects their visibility. The more upvotes a post receives, the higher its chances of appearing on Reddit's front page.

It's also worth noting that Reddit actively uses algorithms to personalize content, allowing users to see the most relevant posts. To enhance your experience on the platform, it's recommended to subscribe to interesting subreddits and participate in discussions.

Furthermore, Reddit offers unique opportunities for promoting brands and products. Many companies use the platform to conduct surveys, solicit feedback, and launch advertising campaigns. This makes Reddit not only a place for communication, but also an effective marketing tool.

Taking all these aspects into account, Reddit is a powerful resource for information, communication, and promotion.

• What is this platform
• How it appeared
• How it works
• What are its strengths
• How to register on Reddit
• What layoffs will you encounter in your work
• The big moderators strike
• Popular subreddits
• Communities for programmers
• Reddit in Russian

What is Reddit

Reddit is a unique platform that combines elements of a forum and a social network. The name "Reddit" is a play on words, which can be interpreted as "read this on Reddit." On this site, users can get current news from around the world, ask questions on a variety of topics, and receive detailed answers. Reddit's core strength lies in its community—its Redditors, millions of users who actively create content by sharing text, links, videos, and images. Reddit provides an opportunity to exchange opinions and knowledge, making it a valuable resource for finding information and interacting with others.

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Many users have replaced Google with Reddit because it offers more accurate and high-quality answers to their questions. To find the information you need, simply enter your query and add "+ reddit." For example, if you want to choose a Linux distribution, Google will return many similar articles and reviews, while on Reddit you can find well-reasoned opinions based on users' personal experiences. You'll find both positive and negative reviews, and if you have any questions, you can always ask in the comments. Reddit is becoming a valuable resource for finding recommendations and advice, making it a great alternative to traditional search engines.

Reddit's mascot and logo is a smiling alien head named Snoo. This character symbolizes the friendliness and sociability inherent in the Reddit community. Snoo has become an integral part of the brand, reflecting its mission to create an open and friendly platform for users to communicate.

Reddit History

Reddit was founded in 2005 by University of Virginia students Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian. The idea for the platform came after they attended a lecture by renowned programmer and entrepreneur Paul Graham, who is the founder of the startup incubator Y Combinator. Paul Graham inspired the young entrepreneurs to apply for the incubator program, which was an important step in the development of Reddit and its transformation into one of the largest social platforms in the world.

The first idea for an app for ordering food via SMS was not successful. As a result, Huffman and Ohanian brainstormed and developed a new concept, dubbed "the front page of the internet" by Graham. In 2005, Reddit launched, initially written in Common Lisp but soon rewritten in Python. Reddit has become one of the most popular platforms for discussion and news exchange, providing users with the opportunity to share content and participate in discussions.

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Lisp, one of the oldest programming languages, attracts the attention of hackers and programmers due to its unique architecture and flexibility. With powerful concepts of abstraction and metaprogramming, this language allows developers to easily manipulate code as data, making it an ideal tool for solving complex problems.

Hackers value Lisp for its ability to speed up the process of developing and testing new ideas. With minimalist syntax and powerful tools such as interpreters and compilers, programmers can quickly implement and verify their concepts. This makes Lisp especially attractive to those who strive for innovation and experimentation in programming.

Furthermore, Lisp promotes intellectual growth and enlightenment. Its philosophy, based on functional programming, helps developers better understand algorithmic thinking and develop problem-solving skills. Learning Lisp can lead to a deeper understanding of programming in general, as well as more effective use of other languages.

Thus, the Lisp programming language not only serves as a powerful tool for hackers, but also opens new horizons for intellectual development and achieving enlightenment in the field of programming.

From 2008 to 2017, Reddit operated as an open-source project, providing access to all of its code and libraries on GitHub. However, it soon became apparent that this openness was leading users to learn about upcoming changes and innovations earlier than the company intended. As a result, Reddit decided to close its public repositories in order to control the dissemination of information about new features and updates.

When the site first launched, it was unattractive and unpopular. To create the illusion of activity on the platform, Huffman and Ohanian created hundreds of fake accounts and posts. This allowed them to temporarily increase the site's visibility and attract the attention of real users, which was the first step to its further development.

The first day when we no longer had to publish content ourselves left an unforgettable impression. It was an amazing feeling, which symbolized that all processes had finally begun to automate and function without extra effort on our part. We were able to focus on strategic development and improving the quality of content, which brought additional benefits to our audience and the business as a whole.

Steve Huffman: 6 interesting facts about Reddit

Reddit is one of the most popular platforms for discussion and content sharing on the internet. Founder Steve Huffman made a significant contribution to the development of this social network. Here are six key points that will help you better understand what Reddit is and why it is so important in today's digital world.

Reddit is a unique platform that unites users from all over the world. Here you can find discussions on any topic - from science and technology to art and entertainment. This diverse ecosystem promotes the exchange of knowledge and opinions.

The Reddit voting system allows users to determine which content is most relevant and interesting. Every post and comment can be rated, which helps create high-quality and useful content.

Subreddit subscriptions are another feature that makes Reddit unique. Users can choose topics that interest them and subscribe to the corresponding subreddits. This allows each user to shape their news feed according to personal preferences.

The Reddit community actively participates in content moderation. Each subreddit has its own moderators who ensure compliance with the rules and maintain high-quality discussion. This ensures order and helps avoid negative content.

Reddit is also a source of news and information. Many journalists and experts use the platform to obtain up-to-date data and public opinion on various issues. This makes Reddit an important tool for tracking trends and events.

Finally, Reddit has become a platform for viral content. Many memes, videos, and other content formats begin their distribution here. This makes the platform an important part of internet culture.

Knowing these aspects of Reddit will help you better navigate the platform and use its capabilities for communication and information.

Initially, Reddit lacked a key feature: the ability to leave comments. This option was added only six months after the platform's launch, and not all users greeted the innovation with enthusiasm. In 2006, Reddit was acquired by Condé Nast, with the deal estimated at between $10 and $20 million. This move became an important milestone in the development of the platform, which contributed to its further growth and popularity among users.

How Reddit Works

Reddit is a platform consisting of many subreddits, which are thematic communities. Each subreddit includes a sidebar with important information, including rules, participation guidelines, and a list of moderators. This creates an organized space for discussion and exchange of opinions among users.

Users can vote on posts using the upvote and downvote arrows. The number of likes a post receives directly affects its visibility in the subreddit: the more likes, the higher it rises in the list. The most popular posts can be featured on the front page, which significantly increases their reach and attracts more attention from the community.

Users' posts and comments determine their karma—their status within the Reddit community. If your post or comment is particularly well-received by members, they may award you a medal. Reddit awards are purchased with Reddit Coins—virtual coins used on the platform. Additionally, there is the option to subscribe to a monthly Reddit Premium subscription, which removes ads and provides 700 Reddit Coins. Thus, active participation in discussions not only increases your karma but also opens access to unique opportunities and rewards.

Moderators play a key role in maintaining order in the community, being the creators of the subreddit or members appointed by them. Unlike moderators, administrators are official Reddit employees responsible for the overall operation of the platform and compliance with the rules.

Content on the main page is organized into four key groups. These groups structure the information, making it more accessible to users and promoting search engine optimization. Each group focuses on specific aspects, allowing users to quickly find the information they need and improving the user experience.

• Best is what logged-in users see by default. Posts in this feed are formed based on the ratio of likes and dislikes and taking into account the specific subreddits to which the user is subscribed.
• Hot — a selection of recent posts that have received a lot of likes and comments. Authorized users see more posts from the subreddits they are subscribed to. There is also an additional filter by country.
• New — messages sorted by time. Again, authorized users see new posts from their subreddits; everyone else sees simply popular posts.
• Top — messages with the most likes. You can sort by time: the most popular posts at the moment, for the day, for the week, for the month, for the year, and for all time.

A custom feed on Reddit is a handy tool that allows you to group communities with similar topics into a single, personalized feed. If you subscribe to several subreddits, you can create a custom feed that will contain only the content you are interested in. You can also choose whether your feed is private or accessible to other Reddit users. Please note that the feed creation algorithm may differ slightly on the website and in the mobile apps. A custom feed helps you navigate information more easily and receive only the updates that are truly important to you.

On reddit.com, to add a subreddit to your feed, go to the page of the community you are interested in. Click the three dots (…) in the upper right corner under the heading «About Community» and select the option «Add To Custom Feed». Then click «Create A Custom Feed». Enter a name for your new feed and click the "Create" button. This way, you can easily organize content by interest and follow updates in your favorite subreddits.

In the iOS and Android mobile apps, open the menu by clicking the icon in the upper left corner of the main screen. Scroll down and select the "Custom Feeds" option. Enter a name for your new feed and create it. Then, add the necessary subreddits to it. This way, you can personalize your content and stay informed on the topics you are interested in.

Reddit has an official mobile app, but it is inferior to third-party clients in terms of functionality. Let's consider the most popular alternatives.

• Apollo. An iOS app with a beautiful design, filters for subreddits, a Markdown editor, and optimization for iPad.
• Boost. An Android client with improved search and the ability to download videos.
• Troddit. A website where you can set up multiple feeds on one screen.
• RedditSave. A website where you can download videos from Reddit. Just enter the link and choose the quality.

This English-language article presents other Reddit mobile clients available for iOS and Android. You can familiarize yourself with their features and capabilities to choose the most suitable option for your device.

According to statistics, the optimal time to post on Reddit is in the morning, especially on weekends and Mondays. This time is considered the most effective for attracting user attention and increasing interaction with content.

• Headlines of 60–80 characters receive more likes.
• Headlines in the form of a question collect twice as many comments as a statement.
• Popular posts containing links can receive 16,000 likes more than posts with text. At the same time, links to videos receive more likes than others.

What is the power of Reddit

With a significant audience, Reddit plays a key role in shaping modern internet culture. Many famous memes originated on this platform. In addition, Reddit has been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records three times for organizing the largest exchange of New Year's gifts, known as "Secret Santa". This unique practice not only brings users together, but also fosters a community where creativity and holiday spirit are shared.

In 2009, a user named kickme444 created the RedditGifts website, which allowed people to register, state their wishes, and randomly find a partner to exchange gifts. In 2011, Reddit acquired this project and significantly improved its functionality. By 2014, over 200,000 people, including Bill Gates, had joined the initiative. RedditGifts became a popular gift-exchange platform, fostering a community based on kindness and mutual assistance.

In 2021, the r/wallstreetbets subreddit became known for its impact on the stock market. Users of this community discovered that GameStop shares were undervalued and began buying them aggressively. As a result, GameStop's stock price increased 600% in just four days, leading to significant losses for major Wall Street investors who had bet on a price decline. This event became a symbol of the power of retail investors and changed the perception of traditional investment strategies.

Registering on Reddit

Registering on the platform is useful even if you don't actively post or comment. This will allow you to subscribe to interesting subreddits and receive updates in your feed, significantly improving your user experience. Additionally, registered users can comment and rate content, as well as create their own subreddits, opening up additional opportunities for community interaction.

Registering an account on Reddit is free. To do this, go to reddit.com, click the "Sign Up" button in the upper right corner of the screen and choose one of the proposed registration methods.

• Sign in with a Google or Apple account. In this case, you will be given a random nickname, which you can change within 30 days.
• Register by email - then you will be asked to create a username and password.

To complete the registration process on Reddit, you will need to verify your identity. This can be done by passing a captcha test. After successfully passing the captcha, click the "Submit" button, and you will become a full-fledged Reddit user.

To find communities on topics you're interested in, use the search on the platform. You can also ask other members a question in the r/findareddit section. Keep in mind that subreddits usually display a list of similar communities, which will help you easily navigate and find interesting groups.

Abbreviations on Reddit

When you first start using the Reddit platform, you may have difficulty understanding some terms and expressions, even if your level of English is quite high. This is due to the fact that Reddit users often use various abbreviations and specific slang. In this text, we will look at the most common abbreviations that will help you better navigate posts and comments on the platform.

• OP (original poster) - the author of the original post.
• AMA (ask me anything) - "Ask me anything". This is often used to mark Q&A sessions with celebrities and regular users.
• TIL (today I learned) — "Today I learned that..."
• TL;DR (too long; didn't read) — "Too long, didn't read."
• NSFW (not safe for work) — "Not safe for viewing at work." This is used to mark photos and videos with explicit content.
• NSFL (not safe for life) — "Not safe for life." Posts with violent and disgusting content.
• CMV (change my view) — "Change my point of view."
• ELI5 (explain like I'm 5) — "Explain like I'm 5."
• IANAD (I am not a doctor) — "I am not a doctor."
• IANAL (I am not a lawyer) — "I am not a lawyer."
• IIRC (if I recall correctly) — "If my memory serves me right."
• IMO/IMHO (in my opinion / in my humble opinion) — "In my (humble) opinion."
• MRW/MFW (my reaction when / my face when) — "My reaction when" / "My face when"
• Serious — "Seriously." Serious answers only.
• YSK (you should know) — "You need to know this."

The sooner you start using them in your messages, the sooner you will be accepted into the circle of like-minded people. Using these elements will help you adapt faster and establish communication with others.

The Big Moderators' Strike

On June 12, more than 9,000 subreddits went on strike in protest against the Reddit administration. Communities stopped publishing content and moved their pages to private mode. The main reason for this mass action was the decision of Reddit management to start charging for API use, which caused discontent among users and moderators. The strike highlights the importance of data access for the community and calls into question the platform's monetization policies.

Third-party app owners using Reddit's API will face high costs. The creator of the Apollo app announced that it will cease operations on June 30th. This decision affects many users who relied on Apollo to interact with Reddit. The closure of the app raises questions about the future of third-party services and their ability to remain competitive in the face of new financial requirements.

The price they announced is $0.24 per 1,000 API requests. After doing a quick calculation, I realized that this cost would amount to almost $2 million per month, which is equivalent to over $20 million per year.

iamthatis is the creator of Apollo, an innovative app that significantly simplifies the process of user interaction with information. Apollo provides convenient access to data and allows for effective content management. The creator of the project, iamthatis, strives to improve the user experience by offering solutions that meet modern requirements and expectations. Apollo focuses on ease of use and high functionality, making it an ideal tool for people looking to streamline their workflows.

Moderators of major subreddits have come out in defense of third-party apps and announced a protest. As of today, June 27, 2023, it is unclear when exactly it will end. As a result, many of the communities mentioned are currently closed.

Popular Subreddits

There are over a million communities on the Reddit platform, covering both popular and unusual topics. For example, the r/wolveswithwatermelons community is dedicated to wolves interacting with watermelons, and r/picturesofiansleeping has been posting photos of a man named Ian sleeping since 2011. It's also worth noting that if a subreddit has the word "porn" in its name, it doesn't always mean explicit content. For example, r/MapPorn brings together map lovers, offering interesting and unusual visualizations. Reddit offers a unique opportunity to explore the diverse passions and interests of users around the world.

• r/askscience — Ask a scientific question, get a scientific answer. For example: "Are giraffes struck by lightning more often than other animals? Why do we have to fall asleep instead of just deciding to? Why are primates incapable of human speech, while lower animals like parrots can imitate it?"
• r/todayilearned — "Today I learned that..." and then people share what interesting thing they discovered. For example, the FBI didn't want to hire hackers because the organization's rules required employees not to use marijuana for three years prior to hiring. And Dennis Ritchie, the author of the C language and one of the creators of Unix, died a week after Steve Jobs, so his death was largely ignored.
• r/AskReddit - A place to ask and answer interesting questions.
• r/IAmA - "Ask Me Anything." A place to ask a question of a celebrity like Bill Gates or Barack Obama and get an answer.
• r/InternetIsBeautiful - Members of this sub share links to little-known but useful sites and web tools. For example, musclewiki.com, Absurd Trolley Problems.
• r/GetMotivated is a great place to boost motivation.
• r/dataisbeautiful is information visualization in all its glory.

The complete list of subreddits represents a vast directory of communities on the Reddit platform, covering a variety of topics and interests. Each subreddit, or r/, serves as a unique space for discussion, exchange, and interaction among users united by shared interests. In this list, you'll find both popular and niche subreddits, making it easy to find content that matches your interests. Explore the diversity of subreddits to discover new topics, connect with like-minded people, and gain fresh ideas. The complete list of subreddits will be your reliable guide to the vastness of Reddit.

Reddit for Programmers

Reddit isn't just a platform for discussing memes and jokes, it's also a valuable repository of useful information. The site features a variety of professional communities, with a particular focus on the IT field. Users can find tips, recommendations, and relevant resources to help them solve various problems and advance their careers in information technology. Reddit is becoming an important tool for sharing experiences and finding like-minded people in the IT community.

• r/compsci — computer science theory and its applications.
• r/computerscience — also computer science.
• r/programming — programming in all aspects.
• r/AskProgramming — questions about programming.
• r/ProgrammingLanguages ​​— everything about the theory, development, and implementation of programming languages.
• r/learnprogramming — discussion of all issues related to programming.
• r/coding — discussion of news from the world of development, questions and answers.
• r/badcode — examples of the worst code in different languages.
• r/CodingHelp — problem with your code? Get your answer here.
• r/cscareerquestions — all about careers in computer science.
• r/dailyprogrammer — three challenges a week for programmers of all skill levels. Solutions are peer-reviewed, and participants can receive feedback.
• r/codetogether — find people to collaborate on a project here.
• r/progether — find a team to collaborate on projects.
• r/programmingtools — useful tools for programmers.
• r/tinycode — a subreddit dedicated to minimalist, but not always simple, software solutions.
• r/reviewmycode — get code reviews here.
• r/WatchPeopleCode — videos of people writing code.
• r/functionalprogramming — all about functional programming.
• r/softwaredevelopment — software development methodologies, techniques, and tools. Agile, RUP, Waterfall, Crystal, Extreme Programming, Scrum, Lean, Kanban and others.

• r/webdev — all about web programming.
• r/Web_Development — news and articles about web development.
• r/Frontend — a community for front-end developers or those who want to become one.
• r/html5 — the name speaks for itself.
• r/css — CSS and design principles.
• r/learnwebdesign — discussion of materials for studying web design.
• r/reactjs — all about React.
• r/Angular2 — news about Angular2, its development and answers to questions.
• r/vuejs — all about Vue.

• r/PHP — the latest news about the PHP ecosystem.
• r/learnphp — Are you learning PHP? This is the place for you.
• r/laravel — All about Laravel.
• r/learnlaravel — Tutorials and resources for learning Laravel.

• r/javascript — Over a million members discuss JS and share knowledge.
• r/learnjavascript — Everything for learning JavaScript.
• r/node — Node.js.

• r/Python — News about Python.
• r/learnpython — Everything for learning Python.
• r/pythoncoding — A subreddit for advanced Python content.
• r/django — News and resources for Django developers.
• r/djangolearning — A community for learning Django.
• r/flask — Everything about Flask.

• r/MachineLearning — Everything about Machine learning.

• r/java — discussions and questions about Java.
• r/Kotlin — everything about Kotlin.

• r/netsec — content aggregator on information security.

• r/bash — have questions about scripts? Here's some help.
• r/commandline — the full command line.
• r/unixporn — members share desktop screensavers decorated with terminals and tell how to do it.

• r/shell — news, articles and other materials on the command line.
• r/linux4noobs — Linux for beginners, tips and tutorials.
• r/linuxquestions — if If you don't understand something about Linux, you can ask here.

• r/Database — everything about databases.
• r/DatabaseHelp — questions about databases.

• r/itsaunixsystem — screenshots of bloopers.

• r/linuxmemes — Linux in memes.
• r/ProgrammerHumor — programmers joke.

Reddit in Russian

The main content on Reddit is presented in English, which can be a problem for users who do not speak the language. Unlike other social networks, Reddit does not automatically translate posts or comments with a click of a mouse. Although the platform offers a wealth of audiovisual material that can be understood without translation, users with limited English skills should consider Russian-language communities. These communities can help you master content and interact with the global Reddit community.

We are mainly talking about subreddits of popular Russian-language resources, such as Pikabu and similar platforms. These communities actively discuss various topics, attracting the attention of users and creating unique content that is interesting to a wide audience. Subreddits serve as a place for the exchange of opinions, news, and creative ideas, which promotes the development of cultural exchange among Russian-speaking Internet users.

• r/Pikabu - Russian-language news, stories, discussions, and memes.
• r/Pikabushort - only positive news, links, and memes.
• r/Popular_Science_Ru - popular science publications in Russian. Space exploration, IT, technology, physics, biology, medicine, robotics, history, archeology, paleontology.
• r/hampan - they talk about everything, but mostly about books. You can find out what breed Puss in Boots was.
• "r/retranslator" is a Russian-language Telegram channel. It mainly features videos and memes from Reddit.
• Reddit is another Telegram channel with videos from Reddit.
• "Upvote" is a YouTube channel with translations of the best Reddit threads.

The Russian-language Reddit lags significantly behind the original version. To get the most out of Reddit, it is recommended to learn English. This can be done effectively through various communities on the platform, such as r/EnglishLearning, r/vocabulary, r/language_exchange, and r/LearningEnglish. These resources will help you improve your language skills and unlock richer content.

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