ReadWriteWeb represented a powerful voice tracking web technology’s evolution through the 2000s. Yet founding editor Richard MacManus provided more than just industry analysis. He nurtured community amongst those propelling software innovation or seeking to participate themselves. One pioneering effort on that front came through JobWire, a portal MacManus launched in 2006 connecting technical talent with promising startup opportunities.
MacManus observed enthusiastic developers self-organizing through collaborative tools and open source projects online. However, visibility into career options at hot new companies often proved limited despite skill demand rapidly rising.
Large hiring platforms like Monster.com remained geared towards business analysts and marketers. Few optimized matching between specialized engineering abilities burgeoning around media, infrastructure and applications against the explosion of tech startups desperate for those exact competencies.
Introducing the JobWire Job Board
Never one to watch disconnects persist, MacManus devised ReadWriteWeb’s JobWire as an exclusive jobs portal tailored specifically for software developers and architects. The site section organized listings by sector so engineering talent could target roles aligned with their open source contributions or startup passions:
• Internet Infrastructure
• Browsers and Online Office Tools
• Communications and Messaging
• Online Media Production
• Games and Virtual Worlds
For startup recruiters, JobWire provided direct pipelines into Java virtuosos building distributed frameworks, Flash animators pushing web video boundaries or systems programmers devoted to open web protocols. Startups posted roles unavailable through traditional recruiting channels.
The Move Signaled Community Commitment
While generating no revenue itself, JobWire strengthened ReadWriteWeb’s brand as a community steward. MacManus himself described it as embracing an obligation to nurture the very ecosystem his publication covered, not just analyze it from afar.
Many niche developer skills first publicized at ReadWriteWeb remained in high demand at innovative companies. JobWire simply connected those dots - no different than the site detailing API mashups or rising platforms.
Its specialty focus found instant traction. JobWire facilitated hundreds of matches yearly between talented builders and promising startups during Web 2.0’s steep hockey stick growth years. Mozilla and Six Apart hired product leads off JobWire while Mobile Commons and Powerset sourced early engineers.
By 2007, ReadWriteWeb drew 70,000+ daily visitors as a leading engineering watering hole. Google eventually acquired the site for $5 million in 2010 thanks partially to community services exemplified by JobWire matching opportunity with ability when both exploded simultaneously across tech.