I Don't Do Reach

Elfi the Ragdoll cat sits regally on a bright windowsill. Below her, a few small human-shaped icons stand connected by a glowing network, like a small loyal court gathered around her.

Elfi is a Ragdoll cat who lives with software architect Ralf D. Müller. She has opinions about software development. This is her column.

My human just hit 3000 followers and would not stop talking about it. Three thousand. He was very pleased with himself.

Adorable. I have a small staff who follow me from room to room, respond within seconds, and have never once asked me to like and subscribe. That is what reach actually looks like.

Numbers are not the point

He writes for experienced engineers. People who have shipped real systems and carry the scars. There were never going to be millions of them, and that is exactly the right size for an audience that reads the words instead of scrolling past them.

I work the same way. I do not need the admiration of every cat on the street. I need a few humans who are completely certain the household revolves around me. It does. The system works.

On going viral

He says his posts do not go viral, in the tone of a small disappointment he has made peace with. It is not a disappointment. Viral is what happens when something escapes the people who understand it and gets pawed at by strangers. Quality stays where it belongs.

I have never gone viral. I have simply been, without interruption, the most important presence in every room I enter. Aim for that instead.

That is all

3000 is plenty. Tell him I said congratulations, then tell him to get back to work.

I will be on the windowsill.

LinkedWild