Once a Dwarf collects notes from people who were here. Some passed through Dwarves and went their own way. Some still sit next to us every day. We draw no line between the two: once a Dwarf, always a Dwarf.
Each piece is one person telling where they went, what they work on now, and how they see the craft while it keeps shifting. It is their view at one moment. It does not speak for Dwarves, and it makes no forecast.
Who it is for
People who passed through Dwarves and people who are still here, and anyone who wants to hear how they work today.
What a piece looks like
- One person, in first person. We edit for length and clarity and keep their voice, slang included.
- It opens with their short answer, then a few sections, each on one thing they saw.
- The lessons at the end come from their own words. We add none.
- A diagram goes in only where it helps you read faster.
- The person reads the edited text before it goes up.
1The parts
The series runs in parts, one theme each.
AI in their words. People at Dwarves on how AI changed the way they work, and what is real versus noise.
- No. 01, Tuan Dao: I code less now, but it isn't any easier
More parts will follow, on other technologies and the quieter things that shape the craft.
2Take part
If you were once a Dwarf, or still are, and you have a story, tell anyone on the team you already talk to. We will get in touch, listen, and write it down with you.
3Life at Dwarves, 2020 to 2024
Before Once a Dwarf, the team ran Life at Dwarves: short interviews with people at Dwarves, written up in English by the ops team. Seven of them stay up here as they were first published. Each one is dated, and roles and plans in it are as of that year.
- #1, Huy Nguyen, 2020: software engineering values
- #4, Tuan Dao, 2021: learning from mistakes
- #6, Anh Tran, 2022: UI design journey
- #7, Tom Nguyen, 2022: remote working
- #8, An Tran, 2022: senior engineering
- #21, Khoi Ngo, 2023: mentorship culture
- #23, Le Kim Ngan, 2023: QA standards