Dropouts is a free collection of documentation and reference implementations for building real systems. It includes modules (concrete systems you can fork and build), patterns (architectural decisions that persist), stacks (opinionated toolchains), and failures (things that break and why). No courses, no certificates, no platform—just documentation you can read, fork, and adapt.
Dropouts is for builders who learn by wiring real systems, not by completing courses or collecting credentials. Everything here is opinionated, incomplete by design, and meant to be forked, broken, and adapted.
Want structured guidance? See Labs, Workshops, and Cohorts.
Definition: A module is a reference implementation that builds one concrete system with documented constraints, tradeoffs, and failure modes.
Modules are real systems you can fork and deploy. Each documents how it works, why choices were made, and what breaks. Examples: Data pipeline, document generator, API tracker.
Definition: A pattern is a reusable architectural decision that survives changing tools and frameworks.
Patterns persist when tools change. Examples: Request/retry logic, async workflows, event sourcing. Patterns matter more than stacks because they transfer across technologies.
Definition: A stack is an opinionated toolchain with clear reasoning for why each tool was chosen.
No "best" stacks, only justified choices. Each stack documents tradeoffs, alternatives considered, and when to use something else. Examples: Google Cloud + Apps Script, Node + Postgres.
Definition: Failure documentation explains things that break, why they break, and how to recognize symptoms early.
Real systems fail. Dropouts documents common failure modes: IAM misconfigurations, quota limits, rate limiting, timeout cascades. Learn what breaks before you deploy.
Turn any README.md into a themeable HTML slide presentation. Zero dependencies. Python stdlib only. One file does everything.
Tech: Python 3.6+ | Time: 5 minutes to first presentation
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| Aspect | Dropouts | Typical Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | $300-$15,000 |
| Format | Documentation + code | Video lectures + quizzes |
| Outcome | Working system you built | Certificate of completion |
| Learning Method | Fork, build, deploy | Watch, quiz, complete |
| Pacing | Self-paced, no deadlines | Fixed schedule or cohorts |
| Platform | No signup, just docs | Requires account, tracks progress |
When to use Dropouts: You want to learn by building, you're comfortable with documentation, you don't need a certificate.
When to use structured learning: You want live guidance, code reviews, and peer learning. See Labs, Workshops, and Cohorts.