Hey James - I appreciate your enthusiasm about this idea. I technically never stopped https://www.theninhotline.com, but after a few years, it was clear that social networks like Twitter and Facebook had taken over as our primary channel.
About two years ago, I decided to rebuild the site (partially to get some hands-on experience building a PWA) and have basically been doing a gut-job of the frontend. I removed tracking pixels, frameworks and other javascript cruft, and brought focus to the RSS feed again. I spent time building a library of website 'cover art' too, which I cycle in periodically - typically when I post a new update to the blog. There's a lot more cleaning to do, but I'm happy to be actively iterating on the ol' website again.
I'm based in Philadelphia, but I've got a lot going on IRL compared to when I launched this site 24 years ago, and I don't think I could do a regular meetup. But keep on fighting the good fight!
> it was clear that social networks like Twitter and Facebook had taken over as our primary channel
There are a lot of people in the IndieWeb who care about, and are working toward, building different ways to interact on the web. I follow blogs and people with Monocle (https://monocle.p3k.io), a social reader powered by Microsub (draft spec) and Micropub (https://indieweb.org/Micropub)
I can like posts on websites in my feed then the likes show up on my bookmarks site (https://jamesg.coffee). If a site supports Webmention (https://indieweb.org/Webmention), the author will be notified that I liked their post.
I am always happy to talk about social interactions on the web -- there is so much work we can do!
> I spent time building a library of website 'cover art' too, which I cycle in periodically - typically when I post a new update to the blog. There's a lot more cleaning to do, but I'm happy to be actively iterating on the ol' website again.
I _love_ this!
> I don't think I could do a regular meetup
We have a lot of people who stop by for a meetup every month or two online. All interested in the web are welcome to come on whatever cadence suits you; whether you come once a week, month, or year! There is also a community chat if you prefer text at https://indieweb.org/discuss
(Apologies for all the links. As it may be noted, I get excited easily!)
About two years ago, I decided to rebuild the site (partially to get some hands-on experience building a PWA) and have basically been doing a gut-job of the frontend. I removed tracking pixels, frameworks and other javascript cruft, and brought focus to the RSS feed again. I spent time building a library of website 'cover art' too, which I cycle in periodically - typically when I post a new update to the blog. There's a lot more cleaning to do, but I'm happy to be actively iterating on the ol' website again.
Oh, and my 'personal site' is https://www.bitrotten.com
I'm based in Philadelphia, but I've got a lot going on IRL compared to when I launched this site 24 years ago, and I don't think I could do a regular meetup. But keep on fighting the good fight!