In the life of every newspaper, there comes a moment when paper pages are no longer enough. For Halychyna, that moment arrived in July 2000. Back then, at the very turn of the century, I and the B.F.Design team helped the editorial office step into the "World Wide Web." It was something fundamentally new for the traditional information rhythm of Prykarpattia: the region's leading newspaper suddenly stopped being dependent on circulation numbers, printing schedules, or delivery logistics. From that point on, news from Frankivsk could be read in real-time from anywhere in the world.
The chief ideologue behind this breakthrough was Deputy Editor-in-Chief Petro Parypa. He was one of those rare media professionals who could sense "which way the wind was blowing" and wasn't afraid to shatter old standards. The intent to create an electronic version of the paper had been brewing in the newsroom for a while, but like many great ideas, it was waiting for the right moment and the right hands.
His vision was crystal clear: Halychyna must be accessible to anyone with an internet connection, regardless of where they are on the planet. We took over the entire technical "kitchen" to transform this intent into a finished product.
We understood that the online version shouldn't feel like a foreign object to an audience that had held paper issues in their hands for decades. Our task was to translate Halychyna’s recognizable style into digital form while adapting it to the logic of the web. Petro Parypa was incredibly meticulous about the site’s visual identity. His persistence was often a challenge for us as developers; we were constantly seeking a compromise between newspaper aesthetics and the technical constraints of the era's internet. It was a complex yet fascinating search for balance—making the site familiar to the reader while keeping it functional for the web.
During development, we adhered to several key principles:
Simplicity as a Necessity. In the days of slow internet, every kilobyte mattered. All focus was on making the site "lightweight" and user-friendly, blending a restrained design with fast loading speeds.
Experience Analysis. We didn't try to reinvent the wheel; instead, we carefully studied foreign and early Ukrainian online publications. This allowed us to learn from colleagues' mistakes and implement solutions that had already proven effective.
Custom CMS. While the editorial team prepared the content, we built the technical foundation. Long before the rise of popular systems like WordPress, we developed our own Content Management System from scratch. It allowed journalists to update news promptly without needing help from programmers or layout designers. It was this very architecture that turned Halychyna into a truly agile online media outlet.
For our team, this project became an example of an ideal partnership. We saw how a timely sense of change and the courage to implement it could completely transform a seemingly classical, conservative environment.
Thanks to this collaboration, Halychyna broke through physical borders. A regional newspaper became a global media outlet, accessible in any part of the world. It is a prime example of how technology, in the hands of visionaries, can elevate local projects to a global level.
As for me, as an entrepreneur, this case served as further proof: the success of a product depends not only on the quality of the code but on how timely and accurately you respond to the demands of the time.
Be what you are. This is the first step toward becoming better than you are.
Bohdan Futerko: programmer, engineer, entrepreneur, and manager. My worldview is shaped by technical expertise, systems thinking, and a passion for innovation. This is where I share my ideas, projects, and insights on technology, systems, and creativity.