I rebuilt the same project after 15 years – what changed in web dev

2 days ago

The author rebuilt a website called Bamwor after 15 years, originally launched in 2011, which provided searchable country and city data from sources like GeoNames and the CIA World Factbook.
Frontend design shifted from a flashy, feature-heavy style in 2011 (with dark backgrounds, gradients) to a minimalist, editorial-inspired approach in 2026 (using typography, whitespace, and a warm palette), focusing on content clarity over decoration.
Backend complexity increased dramatically: from a simple PHP/MySQL stack with shared hosting in 2011 to a 2026 stack with Next.js, PostgreSQL/PostGIS, Docker, AWS, APIs, caching, and monitoring tools, moving complexity behind the scenes.
Fundamental aspects remained unchanged: user demand for structured country data (e.g., population searches), the importance of accurate content over design, and distribution challenges like SEO, despite increased competition and noise.
Surprises included the shutdown of the CIA World Factbook during the rebuild, AI tools enabling faster solo development by reducing research and boilerplate time, and a continued gap in the market for modern geographic data APIs.

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