Blogging for Developers with Mark Downie

hi I'm Scott Hanselman this is another hi I'm Scott Hanselman this is another episode of Hanselman today we've got episode of Hanselman today we've got episode of Hanselman today we've got Mark Downey he was on the show back in Mark Downey he was on the show back in Mark Downey he was on the show back in 2018 we were talking about modernizing 2018 we were talking about modernizing 2018 we were talking about modernizing dos Blog the blogging engine that I dos Blog the blogging engine that I dos Blog the blogging engine that I worked on that was started by Clemens worked on that was started by Clemens worked on that was started by Clemens vasters that is now being shephered by vasters that is now being shephered by vasters that is now being shephered by Mark he's a principal product man Mark he's a principal product man Mark he's a principal product man manager at Microsoft but today we're manager at Microsoft but today we're manager at Microsoft but today we're going to be chatting about blogging how going to be chatting about blogging how going to be chatting about blogging how are you sir hi SC you know we met are you sir hi SC you know we met are you sir hi SC you know we met blogging like that's the Comm blogging blogging like that's the Comm blogging blogging like that's the Comm blogging is such a wonderful way to just meet is such a wonderful way to just meet is such a wonderful way to just meet cool people of like-minded it is um I cool people of like-minded it is um I cool people of like-minded it is um I started following your blog oh gosh I started following your blog oh gosh I started following your blog oh gosh I want to say two ages away here I think want to say two ages away here I think want to say two ages away here I think it was 2003 I want to say was it it was 2003 I want to say was it it was 2003 I want to say was it somewhere around there yeah yeah that somewhere around there yeah yeah that somewhere around there yeah yeah that sounds and there was a community of sounds and there was a community of sounds and there was a community of people we would have blogs that were people we would have blogs that were people we would have blogs that were connected to each other we would see connected to each other we would see connected to each other we would see blog RS we would blog roles I would get blog RS we would blog roles I would get blog RS we would blog roles I would get to figure out who else was blogging from to figure out who else was blogging from to figure out who else was blogging from other people who were blogging because other people who were blogging because other people who were blogging because it you'd be deliberate about connecting it you'd be deliberate about connecting it you'd be deliberate about connecting to those other people um so for me it to those other people um so for me it to those other people um so for me it was started off thinking about finding a was started off thinking about finding a was started off thinking about finding a community of people who were interested community of people who were interested community of people who were interested in the same things and that was at that in the same things and that was at that in the same things and that was at that point it was just all about net and the point it was just all about net and the point it was just all about net and the kind of burgeoning new Frameworks that kind of burgeoning new Frameworks that kind of burgeoning new Frameworks that were kind of being shown by Microsoft do were kind of being shown by Microsoft do were kind of being shown by Microsoft do you still blog only about.net or are you you still blog only about.net or are you you still blog only about.net or are you like me kind of like you have I know you like me kind of like you have I know you like me kind of like you have I know you have diverse uh background you have have diverse uh background you have have diverse uh background you have music you know your username is Papa music you know your username is Papa music you know your username is Papa string you do a lot of string string you do a lot of string string you do a lot of string instruments do you blog about music yeah instruments do you blog about music yeah instruments do you blog about music yeah I blog around um for me it's about I blog around um for me it's about I blog around um for me it's about technology first um it's about how technology first um it's about how technology first um it's about how technology impacts culture it's about

technology impacts culture it's about technology impacts culture it's about how software impacts culture it's about how software impacts culture it's about how software impacts culture it's about um kind of the dangers we see ourselves um kind of the dangers we see ourselves um kind of the dangers we see ourselves in when to technology kind of goes in when to technology kind of goes in when to technology kind of goes without any bounds or fences or kind of without any bounds or fences or kind of without any bounds or fences or kind of deliberation that precedes it so I kind deliberation that precedes it so I kind deliberation that precedes it so I kind of like to talk about the things around of like to talk about the things around of like to talk about the things around technology and I do occasionally talk technology and I do occasionally talk technology and I do occasionally talk about my music and other things but I'm about my music and other things but I'm about my music and other things but I'm mostly around technology mostly around technology mostly around technology today do you think blogging is dying or today do you think blogging is dying or today do you think blogging is dying or dead I feel like Google Reader going dead I feel like Google Reader going dead I feel like Google Reader going away was ridiculous yeah you know and I away was ridiculous yeah you know and I away was ridiculous yeah you know and I Ed like feed reader and different things Ed like feed reader and different things Ed like feed reader and different things like that but there was a there was a like that but there was a there was a like that but there was a there was a time there where you know dar obasanjo time there where you know dar obasanjo time there where you know dar obasanjo dar obasanjo had like a an app that was dar obasanjo had like a an app that was dar obasanjo had like a an app that was like the blogging app like there was a like the blogging app like there was a like the blogging app like there was a no end of Windows apps that you would no end of Windows apps that you would no end of Windows apps that you would download that were like full fat client download that were like full fat client download that were like full fat client apps that would go and get apps that would go and get apps that would go and get RSS and I don't have a Blog reader RSS and I don't have a Blog reader RSS and I don't have a Blog reader anymore I don't do that anymore so do anymore I don't do that anymore so do anymore I don't do that anymore so do you think blogging is dead or is you think blogging is dead or is you think blogging is dead or is blogging more essential than ever before blogging more essential than ever before blogging more essential than ever before I think blogging is more essential than I think blogging is more essential than I think blogging is more essential than ever before I think what we have seen is ever before I think what we have seen is ever before I think what we have seen is probably a need for blogging to be way probably a need for blogging to be way probably a need for blogging to be way easier than it was um but um at the same easier than it was um but um at the same easier than it was um but um at the same time I also think uh that there that I time I also think uh that there that I time I also think uh that there that I think if folks don't really realize how think if folks don't really realize how think if folks don't really realize how how to get started with blogging they how to get started with blogging they how to get started with blogging they will just go to whatever is the easiest will just go to whatever is the easiest will just go to whatever is the easiest thing to do and that for that obviously thing to do and that for that obviously thing to do and that for that obviously with the rise of social networks with the rise of social networks with the rise of social networks everywhere During the period you know everywhere During the period you know everywhere During the period you know just after blogging was popular and that just after blogging was popular and that just after blogging was popular and that kind of sucked a lot of people's life kind of sucked a lot of people's life kind of sucked a lot of people's life out of their blogs right if they had a out of their blogs right if they had a out of their blogs right if they had a little thing to say why why why kind of

little thing to say why why why kind of little thing to say why why why kind of spin up all the ordeal of a Blog to do spin up all the ordeal of a Blog to do spin up all the ordeal of a Blog to do that when I can go onto a social network that when I can go onto a social network that when I can go onto a social network um and what I've kind of found was the um and what I've kind of found was the um and what I've kind of found was the inconvenience of potentially losing all inconvenience of potentially losing all inconvenience of potentially losing all my words was in enough of a shot across my words was in enough of a shot across my words was in enough of a shot across the bow for me to always own the things the bow for me to always own the things the bow for me to always own the things I'm saying to always have complete I'm saying to always have complete I'm saying to always have complete ownership of my words so if I decide to ownership of my words so if I decide to ownership of my words so if I decide to edit them change them remove them add edit them change them remove them add edit them change them remove them add more modify I don't have to ask more modify I don't have to ask more modify I don't have to ask anybody's permission if those words are anybody's permission if those words are anybody's permission if those words are about to go away I no one can take away about to go away I no one can take away about to go away I no one can take away my words so for me yes I think there was my words so for me yes I think there was my words so for me yes I think there was a there is an obvious declining blogging a there is an obvious declining blogging a there is an obvious declining blogging but I think think it's because of the but I think think it's because of the but I think think it's because of the kind of ease through which you can do it kind of ease through which you can do it kind of ease through which you can do it similar things other place anywhere else similar things other place anywhere else similar things other place anywhere else um but I think there's also a downside um but I think there's also a downside um but I think there's also a downside to that ease of of of micro bloging as to that ease of of of micro bloging as to that ease of of of micro bloging as it were in these social networks yeah it were in these social networks yeah it were in these social networks yeah you there's a whole lot to unpack there you there's a whole lot to unpack there you there's a whole lot to unpack there if you think about the success or or if you think about the success or or if you think about the success or or failure of things based on uh friction failure of things based on uh friction failure of things based on uh friction yeah uh you know Linux people are like yeah uh you know Linux people are like yeah uh you know Linux people are like why isn't Linux happening on the desktop why isn't Linux happening on the desktop why isn't Linux happening on the desktop well it's too hard right like it's known well it's too hard right like it's known well it's too hard right like it's known to be hard and then they'll go well to be hard and then they'll go well to be hard and then they'll go well that's not that hard well like saying that's not that hard well like saying that's not that hard well like saying it's not that hard is not enough to make it's not that hard is not enough to make it's not that hard is not enough to make Linux on the desktop a thing and then if Linux on the desktop a thing and then if Linux on the desktop a thing and then if you say well you know go ahead and set you say well you know go ahead and set you say well you know go ahead and set up a Blog okay what do you got to do up a Blog okay what do you got to do up a Blog okay what do you got to do register a domain figure out your register a domain figure out your register a domain figure out your certificates you know like that's it's certificates you know like that's it's certificates you know like that's it's like having a do you want to learn to like having a do you want to learn to like having a do you want to learn to drive well here's a car you can build in drive well here's a car you can build in drive well here's a car you can build in your garage is not as easy as like your garage is not as easy as like your garage is not as easy as like download The Uber app um so the the the

download The Uber app um so the the the download The Uber app um so the the the effort it required to Simply sign up to effort it required to Simply sign up to effort it required to Simply sign up to Mastadon was enough that blue sky is Mastadon was enough that blue sky is Mastadon was enough that blue sky is going to Eclipse Mastadon in user base going to Eclipse Mastadon in user base going to Eclipse Mastadon in user base because people didn't like one because people didn't like one because people didn't like one additional step picking a server so how additional step picking a server so how additional step picking a server so how how do we make blogging easier without how do we make blogging easier without how do we make blogging easier without it becoming a monoculture because it becoming a monoculture because it becoming a monoculture because WordPress is eating the world and also WordPress is eating the world and also WordPress is eating the world and also eating itself with its weird culture but eating itself with its weird culture but eating itself with its weird culture but like you should be able to go somewhere like you should be able to go somewhere like you should be able to go somewhere sign up get a sign up get a sign up get a domain why has no one done that yeah domain why has no one done that yeah domain why has no one done that yeah like medium is the closest thing and like medium is the closest thing and like medium is the closest thing and everyone stays with the default domain everyone stays with the default domain everyone stays with the default domain yeah it's it's frustrating to see that yeah it's it's frustrating to see that yeah it's it's frustrating to see that um gosh it's it's it's just definitely a um gosh it's it's it's just definitely a um gosh it's it's it's just definitely a human problem like how do we get you to human problem like how do we get you to human problem like how do we get you to not only sign up really quickly but then not only sign up really quickly but then not only sign up really quickly but then have complete ownership like I can take have complete ownership like I can take have complete ownership like I can take this anywhere I want to go like my ab ab this anywhere I want to go like my ab ab this anywhere I want to go like my ab ab blogging engine is based on essentially blogging engine is based on essentially blogging engine is based on essentially under the hood XML files like they're under the hood XML files like they're under the hood XML files like they're just text files that's all they are I just text files that's all they are I just text files that's all they are I can take them and bring them anywhere can take them and bring them anywhere can take them and bring them anywhere and so in a way for me as a Dev maybe and so in a way for me as a Dev maybe and so in a way for me as a Dev maybe part of this is me as a developer as part of this is me as a developer as part of this is me as a developer as well so I I as a developer I think of well so I I as a developer I think of well so I I as a developer I think of that as the most natural way to to store that as the most natural way to to store that as the most natural way to to store information with absolutely zero information with absolutely zero information with absolutely zero barriers between me and it um but for barriers between me and it um but for barriers between me and it um but for others maybe it's a little bit more others maybe it's a little bit more others maybe it's a little bit more difficult as you say I mean I I wouldn't difficult as you say I mean I I wouldn't difficult as you say I mean I I wouldn't know where um to to to get anybody know where um to to to get anybody know where um to to to get anybody started on to to get a certificate like started on to to get a certificate like started on to to get a certificate like that like for a normal human being that that like for a normal human being that that like for a normal human being that is exactly it's just a way too higher

is exactly it's just a way too higher is exactly it's just a way too higher needs to be managed area it needs to be needs to be managed area it needs to be needs to be managed area it needs to be reduced yeah yeah yeah that's and reduced yeah yeah yeah that's and reduced yeah yeah yeah that's and additionally people I don't think additionally people I don't think additionally people I don't think realize how low the barrier to entry is realize how low the barrier to entry is realize how low the barrier to entry is to steal their stuff like uh or or to to steal their stuff like uh or or to to steal their stuff like uh or or to even back it up I backed up my Tik Tok even back it up I backed up my Tik Tok even back it up I backed up my Tik Tok this morning but I had to download an this morning but I had to download an this morning but I had to download an app pay $20 it calls their backend API app pay $20 it calls their backend API app pay $20 it calls their backend API removes The Watermark like the even the removes The Watermark like the even the removes The Watermark like the even the barrier to entry of that to make sure barrier to entry of that to make sure barrier to entry of that to make sure that when Tik Tok gets shut down I have that when Tik Tok gets shut down I have that when Tik Tok gets shut down I have all my stuff uh like my son almost lost all my stuff uh like my son almost lost all my stuff uh like my son almost lost access to his Instagram and it was a access to his Instagram and it was a access to his Instagram and it was a real wakeup call of like all those real wakeup call of like all those real wakeup call of like all those pictures years and years of pictures pictures years and years of pictures pictures years and years of pictures they're not really yours wow you know they're not really yours wow you know they're not really yours wow you know that's a Walled Garden we hear that term that's a Walled Garden we hear that term that's a Walled Garden we hear that term walled Gardens why is it so important walled Gardens why is it so important walled Gardens why is it so important for us to own our words man I remember for us to own our words man I remember for us to own our words man I remember back in was it 2005 was it live 2010 back in was it 2005 was it live 2010 back in was it 2005 was it live 2010 life spaces got shut down that was for life spaces got shut down that was for life spaces got shut down that was for me when I realized oh gosh I didn't own me when I realized oh gosh I didn't own me when I realized oh gosh I didn't own this I was literally planting food on this I was literally planting food on this I was literally planting food on somebody else's land on somebody else's somebody else's land on somebody else's somebody else's land on somebody else's property like and I'm wondering why none property like and I'm wondering why none property like and I'm wondering why none of the food I've planted is in the place of the food I've planted is in the place of the food I've planted is in the place I put it well it was at your land to I put it well it was at your land to I put it well it was at your land to start with and for any reason this can start with and for any reason this can start with and for any reason this can go away at any moment and U that was go away at any moment and U that was go away at any moment and U that was when I was you know it was funny that when I was you know it was funny that when I was you know it was funny that was when I was kind of at the moment of was when I was kind of at the moment of was when I was kind of at the moment of choosing should I go with subtext or choosing should I go with subtext or choosing should I go with subtext or should I go with dust blog and it just should I go with dust blog and it just should I go with dust blog and it just so happened to be dust blog at that so happened to be dust blog at that so happened to be dust blog at that moment y um but that that was the thing moment y um but that that was the thing moment y um but that that was the thing for me is the inconvenience of having to

for me is the inconvenience of having to for me is the inconvenience of having to set up my domain and my certificates and set up my domain and my certificates and set up my domain and my certificates and everything else was offset by the fact everything else was offset by the fact everything else was offset by the fact that I that disruption was way more than that I that disruption was way more than that I that disruption was way more than I was assuming it would be so the idea I was assuming it would be so the idea I was assuming it would be so the idea that you own Instagram in the way you that you own Instagram in the way you that you own Instagram in the way you think you do you do but you kind of think you do you do but you kind of think you do you do but you kind of don't and um for me that ownership part don't and um for me that ownership part don't and um for me that ownership part was just the most critical thing I could was just the most critical thing I could was just the most critical thing I could have yeah there was a this is an have yeah there was a this is an have yeah there was a this is an extended analogy but I think you'll extended analogy but I think you'll extended analogy but I think you'll you'll pick it up so after the Civil War you'll pick it up so after the Civil War you'll pick it up so after the Civil War the Southern economy is in Ruins and the Southern economy is in Ruins and the Southern economy is in Ruins and they needed Farm people to farm the land they needed Farm people to farm the land they needed Farm people to farm the land so they made a deal called sharecropping so they made a deal called sharecropping so they made a deal called sharecropping right where you're a tenant they give right where you're a tenant they give right where you're a tenant they give you seed they give you tool they give you seed they give you tool they give you seed they give you tool they give you living quarters they give you food you living quarters they give you food you living quarters they give you food and they go look at all this great look and they go look at all this great look and they go look at all this great look at all the stuff we're giv you this is a at all the stuff we're giv you this is a at all the stuff we're giv you this is a great deal and you don't own the great deal and you don't own the great deal and you don't own the land and you sit there and then you you land and you sit there and then you you land and you sit there and then you you pour your heart and soul into a space pour your heart and soul into a space pour your heart and soul into a space and then they go you're fired you're and then they go you're fired you're and then they go you're fired you're gone and the land is gone so digital gone and the land is gone so digital gone and the land is gone so digital sharecropping has been a conversation sharecropping has been a conversation sharecropping has been a conversation that's been happening for years it was that's been happening for years it was that's been happening for years it was really really big in the mid really really big in the mid really really big in the mid 2010s uh it's this concept that they 2010s uh it's this concept that they 2010s uh it's this concept that they talked about in Web 2.0 where you are talked about in Web 2.0 where you are talked about in Web 2.0 where you are building someone else's business with building someone else's business with building someone else's business with your words and that's where you and I your words and that's where you and I your words and that's where you and I figured this out in 2003 2005 those are figured this out in 2003 2005 those are figured this out in 2003 2005 those are my words and right now here we are we're my words and right now here we are we're my words and right now here we are we're building AI models without being paid building AI models without being paid building AI models without being paid we're we're giving views to to folks um we're we're giving views to to folks um we're we're giving views to to folks um so there what's this concept that uh so there what's this concept that uh so there what's this concept that uh tantic celic I need to have him on the

tantic celic I need to have him on the tantic celic I need to have him on the show talks about posi show talks about posi show talks about posi PS right publish want Syndicate PS right publish want Syndicate PS right publish want Syndicate everywhere yeah yeah he starts everywhere yeah yeah he starts everywhere yeah yeah he starts everything on his blog if he says everything on his blog if he says everything on his blog if he says anything any word it starts on his anything any word it starts on his anything any word it starts on his website and then it proliferates from website and then it proliferates from website and then it proliferates from there uh I don't even think if you think there uh I don't even think if you think there uh I don't even think if you think about Twitter and Instagram and blue sky about Twitter and Instagram and blue sky about Twitter and Instagram and blue sky you know we're even you and I haven't you know we're even you and I haven't you know we're even you and I haven't quite gotten that that dedicated I think quite gotten that that dedicated I think quite gotten that that dedicated I think that is the ideal for me um it would be that is the ideal for me um it would be that is the ideal for me um it would be I certainly don't do it yet I've I certainly don't do it yet I've I certainly don't do it yet I've certainly tried a few of these um kind certainly tried a few of these um kind certainly tried a few of these um kind of syndications where they kind of send of syndications where they kind of send of syndications where they kind of send out the one message everywhere but my out the one message everywhere but my out the one message everywhere but my ideal thing again even even for for for ideal thing again even even for for for ideal thing again even even for for for you know any of these kind of social you know any of these kind of social you know any of these kind of social networks I own the words I say in the networks I own the words I say in the networks I own the words I say in the context I say them um and and push it context I say them um and and push it context I say them um and and push it everywhere I actually started an everywhere I actually started an everywhere I actually started an initiative where I was thinking about um initiative where I was thinking about um initiative where I was thinking about um adding uh fediverse kind of masteron adding uh fediverse kind of masteron adding uh fediverse kind of masteron support in in the blogging engine and support in in the blogging engine and support in in the blogging engine and part of me kind of rejected it after a part of me kind of rejected it after a part of me kind of rejected it after a while for that exact same reason I think while for that exact same reason I think while for that exact same reason I think I want my blog to be the place where I I want my blog to be the place where I I want my blog to be the place where I store and I exist and then I push it store and I exist and then I push it store and I exist and then I push it wherever else I want um so that idea was wherever else I want um so that idea was wherever else I want um so that idea was uh I think a bit more stronger than than uh I think a bit more stronger than than uh I think a bit more stronger than than the idea of of complete integration yeah the idea of of complete integration yeah the idea of of complete integration yeah there's a new thing that just launched there's a new thing that just launched there's a new thing that just launched that you probably it's so new you that you probably it's so new you that you probably it's so new you probably haven't heard about it's called probably haven't heard about it's called probably haven't heard about it's called micro blog micro do blog and it follows micro blog micro do blog and it follows micro blog micro do blog and it follows the principles of the Indie web you know the principles of the Indie web you know the principles of the Indie web you know the independent web so the idea is data the independent web so the idea is data the independent web so the idea is data portability Open Standards and a domain

portability Open Standards and a domain portability Open Standards and a domain name so you basically go to micro blog name so you basically go to micro blog name so you basically go to micro blog you sign up uh it's pretty pretty you sign up uh it's pretty pretty you sign up uh it's pretty pretty inexpensive you know like five 10 bucks inexpensive you know like five 10 bucks inexpensive you know like five 10 bucks a month month depending on the level you a month month depending on the level you a month month depending on the level you want to do it and everything starts want to do it and everything starts want to do it and everything starts there publish on your own site Syndicate there publish on your own site Syndicate there publish on your own site Syndicate elsewhere Syndicate everywhere uses elsewhere Syndicate everywhere uses elsewhere Syndicate everywhere uses micro formats so the idea would be you micro formats so the idea would be you micro formats so the idea would be you you manually cross post to Twitter uh you manually cross post to Twitter uh you manually cross post to Twitter uh and then you automatically cross post to and then you automatically cross post to and then you automatically cross post to madon to threads everything starts there madon to threads everything starts there madon to threads everything starts there you and I had talked about doing this you and I had talked about doing this you and I had talked about doing this ourselves with DOs blog and I've still ourselves with DOs blog and I've still ourselves with DOs blog and I've still as a long form blogger haven't quite got as a long form blogger haven't quite got as a long form blogger haven't quite got my head around what the Indie web FKS my head around what the Indie web FKS my head around what the Indie web FKS and people like tante do which is and people like tante do which is and people like tante do which is everything is on their first blog like everything is on their first blog like everything is on their first blog like what I want just a random sentence a what I want just a random sentence a what I want just a random sentence a random tweet to started my blog I would random tweet to started my blog I would random tweet to started my blog I would feel like it would be littering my feel like it would be littering my feel like it would be littering my highly curated blog space but it works highly curated blog space but it works highly curated blog space but it works for them I wonder if we could get past for them I wonder if we could get past for them I wonder if we could get past that uh that barrier that would be that uh that barrier that would be that uh that barrier that would be really interesting but I do I do think really interesting but I do I do think really interesting but I do I do think it would need to redesign so I think we it would need to redesign so I think we it would need to redesign so I think we would have to have this notion of um would have to have this notion of um would have to have this notion of um because I was kind of thinking about because I was kind of thinking about because I was kind of thinking about this we'd have to have the notion of the this we'd have to have the notion of the this we'd have to have the notion of the kind of short this is just a couple of kind of short this is just a couple of kind of short this is just a couple of sentences this isn't this isn't deep sentences this isn't this isn't deep sentences this isn't this isn't deep this isn't you don't need to necessarily this isn't you don't need to necessarily this isn't you don't need to necessarily consume this in your RSS feed but it consume this in your RSS feed but it consume this in your RSS feed but it should should still be owned by me it should should still be owned by me it should should still be owned by me it still still exists but from from my still still exists but from from my still still exists but from from my perspective and then as you say push it perspective and then as you say push it perspective and then as you say push it to wherever I am I I exist as a presence to wherever I am I I exist as a presence to wherever I am I I exist as a presence um would be a really compelling I think um would be a really compelling I think um would be a really compelling I think argument for for for why people should argument for for for why people should argument for for for why people should start there yeah yeah um this this idea

start there yeah yeah um this this idea start there yeah yeah um this this idea of Federation of federating things and of Federation of federating things and of Federation of federating things and attaching them to each other I know that attaching them to each other I know that attaching them to each other I know that you were really interested in this uh you were really interested in this uh you were really interested in this uh before the the holidays we were talking before the the holidays we were talking before the the holidays we were talking about figuring out ways we would own our about figuring out ways we would own our about figuring out ways we would own our words and move them over to things like words and move them over to things like words and move them over to things like Mastadon threads of course is uh is has Mastadon threads of course is uh is has Mastadon threads of course is uh is has some fingers you know meta threads has some fingers you know meta threads has some fingers you know meta threads has some fingers into uh yeah but apparently some fingers into uh yeah but apparently some fingers into uh yeah but apparently today uh hacky Derm which is one of the today uh hacky Derm which is one of the today uh hacky Derm which is one of the most popular Macedon servers def most popular Macedon servers def most popular Macedon servers def Federated from threads so they're Federated from threads so they're Federated from threads so they're basically saying they will not look at basically saying they will not look at basically saying they will not look at threads interesting changing their threads interesting changing their threads interesting changing their moderation policies yeah do you think moderation policies yeah do you think moderation policies yeah do you think that blogging in your own space is a way that blogging in your own space is a way that blogging in your own space is a way to get out of the the the content to get out of the the the content to get out of the the the content bubbles you know where you're kind of bubbles you know where you're kind of bubbles you know where you're kind of just talking to yourself the echo just talking to yourself the echo just talking to yourself the echo Chambers yeah yeah I do I I think um I Chambers yeah yeah I do I I think um I Chambers yeah yeah I do I I think um I think there's a tendency to repetition think there's a tendency to repetition think there's a tendency to repetition in social networks that um it's hard to in social networks that um it's hard to in social networks that um it's hard to avoid and I and I really do kind of hunt avoid and I and I really do kind of hunt avoid and I and I really do kind of hunt for those blogs that kind of are going for those blogs that kind of are going for those blogs that kind of are going off in their own Direction I I must off in their own Direction I I must off in their own Direction I I must admit I did try to do a I think I may admit I did try to do a I think I may admit I did try to do a I think I may mention this I did try to kind of get mention this I did try to kind of get mention this I did try to kind of get integration with activity Pub and the integration with activity Pub and the integration with activity Pub and the whole the whole thing um that was whole the whole thing um that was whole the whole thing um that was inspired by actually a blogger um mayho inspired by actually a blogger um mayho inspired by actually a blogger um mayho Pacho I'm hope I'm pronouncing his Pacho I'm hope I'm pronouncing his Pacho I'm hope I'm pronouncing his correct name correctly his website is correct name correctly his website is correct name correctly his website is mayho dodev and he had done a whole mayho dodev and he had done a whole mayho dodev and he had done a whole integration with the activity Pub so integration with the activity Pub so integration with the activity Pub so like like you could have a static site like like you could have a static site like like you could have a static site and still integrate with an activity Pub and still integrate with an activity Pub and still integrate with an activity Pub in that regard and I was using that as in that regard and I was using that as in that regard and I was using that as inspiration for some of the work I was inspiration for some of the work I was inspiration for some of the work I was doing um but yeah I think think think doing um but yeah I think think think doing um but yeah I think think think holding your kind of space your your

holding your kind of space your your holding your kind of space your your garden and en curating it the way you garden and en curating it the way you garden and en curating it the way you want so it doesn't just become part of want so it doesn't just become part of want so it doesn't just become part of the overall noise of the of of a the overall noise of the of of a the overall noise of the of of a particular social network is really particular social network is really particular social network is really really important um I I think you get to really important um I I think you get to really important um I I think you get to kind of Define it's like when you're kind of Define it's like when you're kind of Define it's like when you're walking down a street and you see walking down a street and you see walking down a street and you see somebody's garden and they've made a somebody's garden and they've made a somebody's garden and they've made a particular set of decisions for their particular set of decisions for their particular set of decisions for their space um I just love that kind of space um I just love that kind of space um I just love that kind of individuality that you have in in in in individuality that you have in in in in individuality that you have in in in in blogging and I think it's Miss I think blogging and I think it's Miss I think blogging and I think it's Miss I think it's very very very much missing in it's very very very much missing in it's very very very much missing in today's kind of uh big uh social network today's kind of uh big uh social network today's kind of uh big uh social network spaces when when you and I were doing spaces when when you and I were doing spaces when when you and I were doing dos blog stuff back in the day it felt dos blog stuff back in the day it felt dos blog stuff back in the day it felt like RSS was a simple enough you know like RSS was a simple enough you know like RSS was a simple enough you know it's really simple syndication you could it's really simple syndication you could it's really simple syndication you could hold it in your brain you know writing hold it in your brain you know writing hold it in your brain you know writing to those specs did not seem difficult to to those specs did not seem difficult to to those specs did not seem difficult to me do you feel the same way about me do you feel the same way about me do you feel the same way about activity Pub or is it getting to a level activity Pub or is it getting to a level activity Pub or is it getting to a level of complexity where you're noticing it of complexity where you're noticing it of complexity where you're noticing it no I in fact honestly like in some way no I in fact honestly like in some way no I in fact honestly like in some way um I kind of gave up gave it up to be um I kind of gave up gave it up to be um I kind of gave up gave it up to be honest um I I just think the complexity honest um I I just think the complexity honest um I I just think the complexity level even I I've been doing this for 20 level even I I've been doing this for 20 level even I I've been doing this for 20 years and I thought well this is not years and I thought well this is not years and I thought well this is not this is not worth it and the idea that this is not worth it and the idea that this is not worth it and the idea that there would if there's going to be a there would if there's going to be a there would if there's going to be a change in some future iteration and then change in some future iteration and then change in some future iteration and then I would have to do some more work to I would have to do some more work to I would have to do some more work to just to which is a game where i' kind of just to which is a game where i' kind of just to which is a game where i' kind of go back to the the kind of py type um go back to the the kind of py type um go back to the the kind of py type um approach because I'd have I divorce approach because I'd have I divorce approach because I'd have I divorce myself of the kind of responsibility of myself of the kind of responsibility of myself of the kind of responsibility of having to keep up with what was really a having to keep up with what was really a having to keep up with what was really a an incredibly um uh Theos and very well

an incredibly um uh Theos and very well an incredibly um uh Theos and very well thought out spec but it's still really thought out spec but it's still really thought out spec but it's still really really hard to kind of match um I I felt really hard to kind of match um I I felt really hard to kind of match um I I felt that that burden was just way too high that that burden was just way too high that that burden was just way too high uh a bar for me to kind of continue I uh a bar for me to kind of continue I uh a bar for me to kind of continue I wonder why it's so much more complex is wonder why it's so much more complex is wonder why it's so much more complex is it a matter of like this is just this is it a matter of like this is just this is it a matter of like this is just this is the this is the world of identity that the this is the world of identity that the this is the world of identity that we have right now like it doesn't like we have right now like it doesn't like we have right now like it doesn't like back in the day we could just curl from back in the day we could just curl from back in the day we could just curl from the command line and now it feels like the command line and now it feels like the command line and now it feels like we're Beyond yeah that yeah I do feel we're Beyond yeah that yeah I do feel we're Beyond yeah that yeah I do feel like the flexibility of what they were like the flexibility of what they were like the flexibility of what they were trying to do and you know trying to for trying to do and you know trying to for trying to do and you know trying to for the fact that you could do this in a the fact that you could do this in a the fact that you could do this in a variety of ways necessarily means that variety of ways necessarily means that variety of ways necessarily means that you've got to be almost ready for you've got to be almost ready for you've got to be almost ready for anything I think it was it was again I anything I think it was it was again I anything I think it was it was again I don't mean to to to to critique this don't mean to to to to critique this don't mean to to to to critique this because I you know I wouldn't know where because I you know I wouldn't know where because I you know I wouldn't know where to start if I was trying to do this to start if I was trying to do this to start if I was trying to do this myself but but it was it did kind of myself but but it was it did kind of myself but but it was it did kind of create some challenges for create some challenges for create some challenges for me uh shifting gears a little bit have me uh shifting gears a little bit have me uh shifting gears a little bit have you thought much about making sure your you thought much about making sure your you thought much about making sure your blog gets read you know you and I are blog gets read you know you and I are blog gets read you know you and I are developers we are writing for developers developers we are writing for developers developers we are writing for developers uh I was talking with Cynthia Dunlop she uh I was talking with Cynthia Dunlop she uh I was talking with Cynthia Dunlop she uh it just came out with a book called uh it just came out with a book called uh it just came out with a book called writing for developers and she had uh writing for developers and she had uh writing for developers and she had uh Brian Cantrell do the forward I got to Brian Cantrell do the forward I got to Brian Cantrell do the forward I got to do the afterward and she was basically do the afterward and she was basically do the afterward and she was basically saying like you can just slap the saying like you can just slap the saying like you can just slap the keyboard if you want but if you want keyboard if you want but if you want keyboard if you want but if you want your blogs to get read here's a way to your blogs to get read here's a way to your blogs to get read here's a way to think about technical writing and I'm think about technical writing and I'm think about technical writing and I'm curious how much you've curated your curious how much you've curated your curious how much you've curated your work to make sure that the blog posts work to make sure that the blog posts work to make sure that the blog posts are something that you'd be proud of are something that you'd be proud of are something that you'd be proud of yeah I I I do think about that a lot I'm yeah I I I do think about that a lot I'm yeah I I I do think about that a lot I'm gonna admit um the my my first principle

gonna admit um the my my first principle gonna admit um the my my first principle is is it something that I'd find helpful is is it something that I'd find helpful is is it something that I'd find helpful to me in some future date like that's my to me in some future date like that's my to me in some future date like that's my first kind of like is this is the first kind of like is this is the first kind of like is this is the principle of read why I'm writing this principle of read why I'm writing this principle of read why I'm writing this going to be important to me some Future going to be important to me some Future going to be important to me some Future Point um and therefore if I look through Point um and therefore if I look through Point um and therefore if I look through it through that lens it's probably going it through that lens it's probably going it through that lens it's probably going to be important to somebody right now to be important to somebody right now to be important to somebody right now like somebody's going to go through this like somebody's going to go through this like somebody's going to go through this moment or this ask themselves a similar moment or this ask themselves a similar moment or this ask themselves a similar set of questions so for me um how I set of questions so for me um how I set of questions so for me um how I write it's important because I have to write it's important because I have to write it's important because I have to assume that my goldfish like brain will assume that my goldfish like brain will assume that my goldfish like brain will be completely forgotten everything I've be completely forgotten everything I've be completely forgotten everything I've talked about and thought about in the talked about and thought about in the talked about and thought about in the next month or so like it will just next month or so like it will just next month or so like it will just that's that bit will be overwritten that's that bit will be overwritten that's that bit will be overwritten let's just assume that and so I'm let's just assume that and so I'm let's just assume that and so I'm talking to myself again as if like I've talking to myself again as if like I've talking to myself again as if like I've never here right um and so in that never here right um and so in that never here right um and so in that regard um I'm always thinking regard um I'm always thinking regard um I'm always thinking about whoever comes to this may not know about whoever comes to this may not know about whoever comes to this may not know a thing about this and how do I approach a thing about this and how do I approach a thing about this and how do I approach them how do I talk to them about this them how do I talk to them about this them how do I talk to them about this topic um now to be sure I don't think topic um now to be sure I don't think topic um now to be sure I don't think I'm the the best writer in the world but I'm the the best writer in the world but I'm the the best writer in the world but I'm always trying to kind of remind I'm always trying to kind of remind I'm always trying to kind of remind myself of why I'm thinking this way I'm myself of why I'm thinking this way I'm myself of why I'm thinking this way I'm trying to leave enough breadcrumbs where trying to leave enough breadcrumbs where trying to leave enough breadcrumbs where I know why I'm thinking this way and why I know why I'm thinking this way and why I know why I'm thinking this way and why I think this particular thing special or I think this particular thing special or I think this particular thing special or interesting or useful so in that regard interesting or useful so in that regard interesting or useful so in that regard I do think how you think about writing I do think how you think about writing I do think how you think about writing is tremendously important for you first is tremendously important for you first is tremendously important for you first and then I think secondly if you can and then I think secondly if you can and then I think secondly if you can serve your future self you can serve serve your future self you can serve serve your future self you can serve others as well yeah I I that goldfish others as well yeah I I that goldfish others as well yeah I I that goldfish brain you know like what huh what was I brain you know like what huh what was I brain you know like what huh what was I what was I doing two seconds ago I feel what was I doing two seconds ago I feel what was I doing two seconds ago I feel like that a lot and um I have had people

like that a lot and um I have had people like that a lot and um I have had people say that my my blogging is very say that my my blogging is very say that my my blogging is very empathetic because they feel like I'm empathetic because they feel like I'm empathetic because they feel like I'm kind of bringing them along for the ride kind of bringing them along for the ride kind of bringing them along for the ride and I'm being very gentle when they and I'm being very gentle when they and I'm being very gentle when they don't realize I'm doing it for me don't realize I'm doing it for me don't realize I'm doing it for me because I'm gonna I'm gonna go and because I'm gonna I'm gonna go and because I'm gonna I'm gonna go and Google for that later how many times Google for that later how many times Google for that later how many times have you Google for something and found have you Google for something and found have you Google for something and found your own blog right it's happened your own blog right it's happened your own blog right it's happened multiple times yeah and that's when you multiple times yeah and that's when you multiple times yeah and that's when you know you're truly alone on the internet know you're truly alone on the internet know you're truly alone on the internet you know what I mean it's 2: a.m. it's a you know what I mean it's 2: a.m. it's a you know what I mean it's 2: a.m. it's a Tuesday night you're deep into some HTTP Tuesday night you're deep into some HTTP Tuesday night you're deep into some HTTP header and then you Google it and you're header and then you Google it and you're header and then you Google it and you're like oh like oh like oh I had this problem in 2019 and I never I had this problem in 2019 and I never I had this problem in 2019 and I never figured it out now what do I do but you figured it out now what do I do but you figured it out now what do I do but you but I always write to like bring people but I always write to like bring people but I always write to like bring people up to speed I I I always feel like my up to speed I I I always feel like my up to speed I I I always feel like my this is my criticism for folks that are this is my criticism for folks that are this is my criticism for folks that are listening if you have a Blog more words listening if you have a Blog more words listening if you have a Blog more words you're always missing a paragraph and you're always missing a paragraph and you're always missing a paragraph and you assume that I know way more than I you assume that I know way more than I you assume that I know way more than I do like give me more context please yeah do like give me more context please yeah do like give me more context please yeah yeah yeah it's a really great point I I yeah yeah it's a really great point I I yeah yeah it's a really great point I I think um the point of the blog is think um the point of the blog is think um the point of the blog is context like I I I think about the context like I I I think about the context like I I I think about the social networks that I'm a part of as social networks that I'm a part of as social networks that I'm a part of as these are my throwaway words like I am these are my throwaway words like I am these are my throwaway words like I am okay with these being thrown away like okay with these being thrown away like okay with these being thrown away like being be attributed to anybody else like being be attributed to anybody else like being be attributed to anybody else like I don't care how you treat these words I don't care how you treat these words I don't care how you treat these words but the ones that are on my blog I want but the ones that are on my blog I want but the ones that are on my blog I want to spend a bit more time thinking about to spend a bit more time thinking about to spend a bit more time thinking about the delivery thinking about what context the delivery thinking about what context the delivery thinking about what context I'm setting I get to kind of set that up I'm setting I get to kind of set that up I'm setting I get to kind of set that up and no one gets to contradict me because and no one gets to contradict me because and no one gets to contradict me because it's my blog you know so you know I I it's my blog you know so you know I I it's my blog you know so you know I I think that's much more important so so

think that's much more important so so think that's much more important so so adding a bit few more uh paragraphs adding a bit few more uh paragraphs adding a bit few more uh paragraphs sentences to kind of set context is is sentences to kind of set context is is sentences to kind of set context is is is uh critical yeah in uh in the in the is uh critical yeah in uh in the in the is uh critical yeah in uh in the in the book that book that uh I I think we have book that book that uh I I think we have book that book that uh I I think we have actually a coupon for that book I'll put actually a coupon for that book I'll put actually a coupon for that book I'll put in the uh in the show notes if folks in the uh in the show notes if folks in the uh in the show notes if folks want to get a copy of writing for want to get a copy of writing for want to get a copy of writing for developers uh she she she agrees with me developers uh she she she agrees with me developers uh she she she agrees with me in the idea that it is the engine of in the idea that it is the engine of in the idea that it is the engine of community I wrote a blog post a long community I wrote a blog post a long community I wrote a blog post a long time ago called your blog is the engine time ago called your blog is the engine time ago called your blog is the engine of community because you could go to of community because you could go to of community because you could go to Twitter and start a conversation or you Twitter and start a conversation or you Twitter and start a conversation or you could write a blog post and it'll go on could write a blog post and it'll go on could write a blog post and it'll go on Hacker News and it'll go on Reddit and Hacker News and it'll go on Reddit and Hacker News and it'll go on Reddit and then it'll go on Twitter and and I say then it'll go on Twitter and and I say then it'll go on Twitter and and I say Twitter in quotes generic micro blogging Twitter in quotes generic micro blogging Twitter in quotes generic micro blogging and it will be talked about and I feel and it will be talked about and I feel and it will be talked about and I feel like it's um the same thing applies at like it's um the same thing applies at like it's um the same thing applies at work like I don't like writing emails I work like I don't like writing emails I work like I don't like writing emails I would rather write a would rather write a would rather write a document put it somewhere with a URL and document put it somewhere with a URL and document put it somewhere with a URL and then give it to someone and then have then give it to someone and then have then give it to someone and then have them go and talk about it even if I them go and talk about it even if I them go and talk about it even if I could get away with writing it on my could get away with writing it on my could get away with writing it on my blog like proposing a net feature and blog like proposing a net feature and blog like proposing a net feature and then pointing the team at it then pointing the team at it then pointing the team at it means I can type less and I can get more means I can type less and I can get more means I can type less and I can get more done yes one of the reasons why I blug a done yes one of the reasons why I blug a done yes one of the reasons why I blug a lot actually it's lot actually it's lot actually it's because I'm answering a question that because I'm answering a question that because I'm answering a question that I've probably answered a few times I've probably answered a few times I've probably answered a few times already like You' answered this question already like You' answered this question already like You' answered this question a few times and if you've asked if a few times and if you've asked if a few times and if you've asked if somebody's asking you the same question somebody's asking you the same question somebody's asking you the same question over and over again you can save over and over again you can save over and over again you can save yourself a little bit of frustration you yourself a little bit of frustration you yourself a little bit of frustration you can save yourself a little bit of time can save yourself a little bit of time can save yourself a little bit of time if you write that and then that's a if you write that and then that's a if you write that and then that's a falce multi that's a falce multiplier falce multi that's a falce multiplier falce multi that's a falce multiplier right there you have a order of ad right there you have a order of ad right there you have a order of ad magnitude way more kind of influence uh

magnitude way more kind of influence uh magnitude way more kind of influence uh more people get to kind of share read it more people get to kind of share read it more people get to kind of share read it and I I often think about the web as and I I often think about the web as and I I often think about the web as having a certain type of frequency having a certain type of frequency having a certain type of frequency having a certain type of uh hum as it having a certain type of uh hum as it having a certain type of uh hum as it were and you get to add your your kind were and you get to add your your kind were and you get to add your your kind of version of the web you get to add it of version of the web you get to add it of version of the web you get to add it whatever that is for me I try to be um whatever that is for me I try to be um whatever that is for me I try to be um kind um uh thoughtful patient and the kind um uh thoughtful patient and the kind um uh thoughtful patient and the way I write contributes to that as well way I write contributes to that as well way I write contributes to that as well so so yeah take taking the time to kind so so yeah take taking the time to kind so so yeah take taking the time to kind of create blog posts that um answer of create blog posts that um answer of create blog posts that um answer questions for people that they're questions for people that they're questions for people that they're constantly coming at at you for like one constantly coming at at you for like one constantly coming at at you for like one of the things I've kind of Tak on a lot of the things I've kind of Tak on a lot of the things I've kind of Tak on a lot of mentors or mentees excuse me and I of mentors or mentees excuse me and I of mentors or mentees excuse me and I find I am repeating certain parts of my find I am repeating certain parts of my find I am repeating certain parts of my suggestions over and over again and so suggestions over and over again and so suggestions over and over again and so you know I'm obviously happy to kind of you know I'm obviously happy to kind of you know I'm obviously happy to kind of share that in the moment but they need share that in the moment but they need share that in the moment but they need time to kind of sit on my words think time to kind of sit on my words think time to kind of sit on my words think about my words so I you know share the about my words so I you know share the about my words so I you know share the blog post this is what I'm thinking this blog post this is what I'm thinking this blog post this is what I'm thinking this is what I thought um feel free to kind is what I thought um feel free to kind is what I thought um feel free to kind of let me know what you think it gives of let me know what you think it gives of let me know what you think it gives folks a time to to rest on your words a folks a time to to rest on your words a folks a time to to rest on your words a little bit yeah that is so true that little bit yeah that is so true that little bit yeah that is so true that that's been people have heard me talk that's been people have heard me talk that's been people have heard me talk about conserving your keystrokes and you about conserving your keystrokes and you about conserving your keystrokes and you only have so many a lot of people though only have so many a lot of people though only have so many a lot of people though will say oh I shouldn't start blogging will say oh I shouldn't start blogging will say oh I shouldn't start blogging no one will read it right now you said no one will read it right now you said no one will read it right now you said orders of magnitude I don't think people orders of magnitude I don't think people orders of magnitude I don't think people understand that word enough because if understand that word enough because if understand that word enough because if you write a blog post and 10 people read you write a blog post and 10 people read you write a blog post and 10 people read it and then maybe 100 people read it now it and then maybe 100 people read it now it and then maybe 100 people read it now we're starting to talk about ERS of we're starting to talk about ERS of we're starting to talk about ERS of magnitude so 100 people read your blog magnitude so 100 people read your blog magnitude so 100 people read your blog oh my blog didn't get a million views it

oh my blog didn't get a million views it oh my blog didn't get a million views it got a 100 got 100 you want to try to got a 100 got 100 you want to try to got a 100 got 100 you want to try to send 100 send 100 send 100 emails right like if three people read emails right like if three people read emails right like if three people read your blog that is a huge audience your blog that is a huge audience your blog that is a huge audience because it's not it's it's you times two because it's not it's it's you times two because it's not it's it's you times two extra people I feel like people should extra people I feel like people should extra people I feel like people should give themselves a little Grace and you give themselves a little Grace and you give themselves a little Grace and you would be shocked at how many times you would be shocked at how many times you would be shocked at how many times you probably had this experience you write a probably had this experience you write a probably had this experience you write a blog post you go to sleep and then you blog post you go to sleep and then you blog post you go to sleep and then you wake up the next day and that one wake up the next day and that one wake up the next day and that one throwaway blog post is blown up and throwaway blog post is blown up and throwaway blog post is blown up and everyone's reading it so like you just everyone's reading it so like you just everyone's reading it so like you just have to do the work yeah it's incred have to do the work yeah it's incred have to do the work yeah it's incred incredible I think writing for yourself incredible I think writing for yourself incredible I think writing for yourself should be your first kind of order of should be your first kind of order of should be your first kind of order of business it should be something that you business it should be something that you business it should be something that you find valuable for its value sake I think find valuable for its value sake I think find valuable for its value sake I think that's that's always a really great that's that's always a really great that's that's always a really great place to start but then like you say if place to start but then like you say if place to start but then like you say if folks are kind of connecting with your folks are kind of connecting with your folks are kind of connecting with your words and able to kind of learn more uh words and able to kind of learn more uh words and able to kind of learn more uh remix and do something else I think remix and do something else I think remix and do something else I think that's just I think that is for me a that's just I think that is for me a that's just I think that is for me a great gift and it's fun you mentioned great gift and it's fun you mentioned great gift and it's fun you mentioned about the throwaway blog I think my most about the throwaway blog I think my most about the throwaway blog I think my most popular blog was a one that was um popular blog was a one that was um popular blog was a one that was um rooted in I was trying to figure out how rooted in I was trying to figure out how rooted in I was trying to figure out how to do my yearly reviews like and I was to do my yearly reviews like and I was to do my yearly reviews like and I was constantly frustrated by deciding which constantly frustrated by deciding which constantly frustrated by deciding which words to use and I said well I'm just words to use and I said well I'm just words to use and I said well I'm just going to write this because I do this going to write this because I do this going to write this because I do this every year anyway um so I wrote this every year anyway um so I wrote this every year anyway um so I wrote this blog post about how I approach that and blog post about how I approach that and blog post about how I approach that and that has ended up being like I get tens that has ended up being like I get tens that has ended up being like I get tens of thousands of views on this page alone of thousands of views on this page alone of thousands of views on this page alone I threw this away it was like only I'll I threw this away it was like only I'll I threw this away it was like only I'll come back to this this time next year come back to this this time next year come back to this this time next year when I'm doing reviews again but when I'm doing reviews again but when I'm doing reviews again but apparently not everybody does reviews

apparently not everybody does reviews apparently not everybody does reviews that's the thing and you assume it's that's the thing and you assume it's that's the thing and you assume it's just uh of no value but then folks just just uh of no value but then folks just just uh of no value but then folks just keep coming back it's so funny how I keep coming back it's so funny how I keep coming back it's so funny how I talk to people who get all in their talk to people who get all in their talk to people who get all in their heads about their blogs and they say oh heads about their blogs and they say oh heads about their blogs and they say oh I've got five or six blog posts and I've got five or six blog posts and I've got five or six blog posts and drafts I'm like drafts no just publish drafts I'm like drafts no just publish drafts I'm like drafts no just publish the draft if you're listening right now the draft if you're listening right now the draft if you're listening right now Mark and I are experienced decade multi Mark and I are experienced decade multi Mark and I are experienced decade multi decade long bloggers just publish the decade long bloggers just publish the decade long bloggers just publish the draft because you're you're you're just draft because you're you're you're just draft because you're you're you're just every day that you don't publish that every day that you don't publish that every day that you don't publish that draft is a day where no one's reading it draft is a day where no one's reading it draft is a day where no one's reading it it's not doing any good in your drafts it's not doing any good in your drafts it's not doing any good in your drafts it it is a little disheartening though I it it is a little disheartening though I it it is a little disheartening though I will say well I will work for a week on will say well I will work for a week on will say well I will work for a week on a perfect technical blog post and 100 a perfect technical blog post and 100 a perfect technical blog post and 100 people will read it or or like the my people will read it or or like the my people will read it or or like the my viral Tik Tok last week you know what I viral Tik Tok last week you know what I viral Tik Tok last week you know what I mean I work so hard to make all these mean I work so hard to make all these mean I work so hard to make all these informative Tik toks and I get a informative Tik toks and I get a informative Tik toks and I get a thousand views you know my wife says I'm thousand views you know my wife says I'm thousand views you know my wife says I'm going to run to the bathroom real quick going to run to the bathroom real quick going to run to the bathroom real quick and then we're going to go to the movies and then we're going to go to the movies and then we're going to go to the movies and in that three minute period a and in that three minute period a and in that three minute period a throwaway Tik Tok gets a million views throwaway Tik Tok gets a million views throwaway Tik Tok gets a million views yeah like what are we even doing here yeah like what are we even doing here yeah like what are we even doing here yeah it's why I I yeah it's why I I yeah it's why I I think you just create curate the garden think you just create curate the garden think you just create curate the garden you want for you yeah people will enjoy you want for you yeah people will enjoy you want for you yeah people will enjoy it as they see fit as they're passing by it as they see fit as they're passing by it as they see fit as they're passing by exactly worrying about the passes by too exactly worrying about the passes by too exactly worrying about the passes by too much I think is is is like No One's much I think is is is like No One's much I think is is is like No One's Gonna don't chase the audience yeah yeah Gonna don't chase the audience yeah yeah Gonna don't chase the audience yeah yeah I I would just kind of let you yourself I I would just kind of let you yourself I I would just kind of let you yourself with the audience and if you're finding with the audience and if you're finding with the audience and if you're finding value I assure you of the seven billion value I assure you of the seven billion value I assure you of the seven billion people on this planet there's going to people on this planet there's going to people on this planet there's going to be a few of them who match your kind of be a few of them who match your kind of be a few of them who match your kind of view of this I love that perspective

view of this I love that perspective view of this I love that perspective you're right you need to remind yourself you're right you need to remind yourself you're right you need to remind yourself seven eight billion people that's 8,000 seven eight billion people that's 8,000 seven eight billion people that's 8,000 million yeah someone's into your thing million yeah someone's into your thing million yeah someone's into your thing whatever you're into underwater basket whatever you're into underwater basket whatever you're into underwater basket weaving there's a Blog you should blog weaving there's a Blog you should blog weaving there's a Blog you should blog about it and and if again if 10 people about it and and if again if 10 people about it and and if again if 10 people read it then you found your 10 people read it then you found your 10 people read it then you found your 10 people it's not about the audience don't chase it's not about the audience don't chase it's not about the audience don't chase the audience yeah on on that kind of the audience yeah on on that kind of the audience yeah on on that kind of exact note I think as well worrying exact note I think as well worrying exact note I think as well worrying about your Cadence worrying about when about your Cadence worrying about when about your Cadence worrying about when the right time I I kind of like to get the right time I I kind of like to get the right time I I kind of like to get things done and in the time it takes things done and in the time it takes things done and in the time it takes like or blog when the feeling hits me like or blog when the feeling hits me like or blog when the feeling hits me like right now it's kind of a monthly like right now it's kind of a monthly like right now it's kind of a monthly thing for me um it is right now I've thing for me um it is right now I've thing for me um it is right now I've taken time off I have come back um I taken time off I have come back um I taken time off I have come back um I have uh you know gone on binges where have uh you know gone on binges where have uh you know gone on binges where I'll blog daily or weekly uh and I think I'll blog daily or weekly uh and I think I'll blog daily or weekly uh and I think that all of those are okay you know Co that all of those are okay you know Co that all of those are okay you know Co slowed me down and I haven't blogged in slowed me down and I haven't blogged in slowed me down and I haven't blogged in like a year and then out of nowhere I like a year and then out of nowhere I like a year and then out of nowhere I just a thing happened and I was like I'm just a thing happened and I was like I'm just a thing happened and I was like I'm going to blog and I blogged about the going to blog and I blogged about the going to blog and I blogged about the thing it was like a technical fix or thing it was like a technical fix or thing it was like a technical fix or something and I thought it was so funny something and I thought it was so funny something and I thought it was so funny I someone in the comments said something I someone in the comments said something I someone in the comments said something along the lines of it was a young person along the lines of it was a young person along the lines of it was a young person I could tell by the way they wrote they I could tell by the way they wrote they I could tell by the way they wrote they said what a king not a word for a year said what a king not a word for a year said what a king not a word for a year and he just shows up with a technical and he just shows up with a technical and he just shows up with a technical post no apology nowhere Have You Been post no apology nowhere Have You Been post no apology nowhere Have You Been Just here's a new post and I was like Just here's a new post and I was like Just here's a new post and I was like you know that that's that's probably the you know that that's that's probably the you know that that's that's probably the way I should have done it like I'm not way I should have done it like I'm not way I should have done it like I'm not going to be like oh sorry it's been a going to be like oh sorry it's been a going to be like oh sorry it's been a busy time you know I'm rededicating busy time you know I'm rededicating busy time you know I'm rededicating myself to blogging I blogged every myself to blogging I blogged every myself to blogging I blogged every Tuesday and Thursday for 20 years I took

Tuesday and Thursday for 20 years I took Tuesday and Thursday for 20 years I took a break I'm I allow I'm allowed to have a break I'm I allow I'm allowed to have a break I'm I allow I'm allowed to have a break I think that is perfectly okay I a break I think that is perfectly okay I a break I think that is perfectly okay I can I think we have to think about our can I think we have to think about our can I think we have to think about our blogs less about what the latest thing blogs less about what the latest thing blogs less about what the latest thing we did and more about what it is we've we did and more about what it is we've we did and more about what it is we've done like I don't look at somebody's done like I don't look at somebody's done like I don't look at somebody's garden and say you haven't planted garden and say you haven't planted garden and say you haven't planted anything new this year I just look at anything new this year I just look at anything new this year I just look at the Garden for what it is and like you the Garden for what it is and like you the Garden for what it is and like you say i i b i Google and Bing myself all say i i b i Google and Bing myself all say i i b i Google and Bing myself all the time accidentally sometimes not ego the time accidentally sometimes not ego the time accidentally sometimes not ego binging or ego Googling yeah answer this binging or ego Googling yeah answer this binging or ego Googling yeah answer this question already I've asked you fact question already I've asked you fact question already I've asked you fact I've written blog posts twice assuming I've written blog posts twice assuming I've written blog posts twice assuming that I didn't write it the first time that I didn't write it the first time that I didn't write it the first time right oh wow so this idea of having a right oh wow so this idea of having a right oh wow so this idea of having a body of work is by itself valuable body of work is by itself valuable body of work is by itself valuable whether you're going to keep doing it whether you're going to keep doing it whether you're going to keep doing it forever or doing it for a year or doing forever or doing it for a year or doing forever or doing it for a year or doing it for you know while you're on this new it for you know while you're on this new it for you know while you're on this new course that you think you need to get course that you think you need to get course that you think you need to get feedback on so you know so this might be feedback on so you know so this might be feedback on so you know so this might be controversal but I would rather someone controversal but I would rather someone controversal but I would rather someone have a Blog than a social media presence have a Blog than a social media presence have a Blog than a social media presence and I feel like young people are out and I feel like young people are out and I feel like young people are out there trying to I have got 20,000 there trying to I have got 20,000 there trying to I have got 20,000 followers on Twitter I ask open-ended followers on Twitter I ask open-ended followers on Twitter I ask open-ended questions about JavaScript and everyone questions about JavaScript and everyone questions about JavaScript and everyone follows me for my wisdom I don't care follows me for my wisdom I don't care follows me for my wisdom I don't care show me that you're a technical writer show me that you're a technical writer show me that you're a technical writer own like yes it's comp it should be own like yes it's comp it should be own like yes it's comp it should be easier to get a domain it should be but easier to get a domain it should be but easier to get a domain it should be but if you could write a blog engine or or if you could write a blog engine or or if you could write a blog engine or or or even deploy one like like yours like or even deploy one like like yours like or even deploy one like like yours like do blog that's going to show me that you do blog that's going to show me that you do blog that's going to show me that you keeping the site up you're updating the keeping the site up you're updating the keeping the site up you're updating the search you're blogging long form it's a search you're blogging long form it's a search you're blogging long form it's a living living living resume you have a decades long resume of resume you have a decades long resume of resume you have a decades long resume of content that shows that you are a

content that shows that you are a content that shows that you are a competent technologist that's much more competent technologist that's much more competent technologist that's much more interesting to me than a lot of interesting to me than a lot of interesting to me than a lot of followers on LinkedIn I I'll tell you followers on LinkedIn I I'll tell you followers on LinkedIn I I'll tell you the the thing I value when I see the the thing I value when I see the the thing I value when I see bloggers is that they take time to learn bloggers is that they take time to learn bloggers is that they take time to learn how to communicate um that is a really how to communicate um that is a really how to communicate um that is a really really I don't care how well you program really I don't care how well you program really I don't care how well you program at some point you're going to have to at some point you're going to have to at some point you're going to have to convince somebody of the value of the convince somebody of the value of the convince somebody of the value of the thing that you are suggesting or doing thing that you are suggesting or doing thing that you are suggesting or doing and having a really strong way to and having a really strong way to and having a really strong way to communicate through writing is a is communicate through writing is a is communicate through writing is a is there's there's no substitute for that there's there's no substitute for that there's there's no substitute for that kind of skill yeah 100% so in a world kind of skill yeah 100% so in a world kind of skill yeah 100% so in a world now where you could do it the hard way now where you could do it the hard way now where you could do it the hard way and register the domain yourself uh or and register the domain yourself uh or and register the domain yourself uh or you could go to somewhere like microblog you could go to somewhere like microblog you could go to somewhere like microblog and have them do it for a buck or two and have them do it for a buck or two and have them do it for a buck or two you know do you think people should you know do you think people should you know do you think people should who's getting started with blogging do who's getting started with blogging do who's getting started with blogging do that easier way or should they drive that easier way or should they drive that easier way or should they drive stick stick stick shift like so I'm I'm obviously hugely shift like so I'm I'm obviously hugely shift like so I'm I'm obviously hugely biased so I'm going to always opt for biased so I'm going to always opt for biased so I'm going to always opt for the stick shift I think knowing it even the stick shift I think knowing it even the stick shift I think knowing it even if you're not going to use it if you're not going to use it if you're not going to use it consistently is the is the way to do it consistently is the is the way to do it consistently is the is the way to do it um I think you should own your words if um I think you should own your words if um I think you should own your words if you're going to go with anything else I you're going to go with anything else I you're going to go with anything else I just make sure you have a strong exit just make sure you have a strong exit just make sure you have a strong exit strategy that exit strategy that you can strategy that exit strategy that you can strategy that exit strategy that you can take your words with you as soon as you take your words with you as soon as you take your words with you as soon as you decide it's no longer valuable it's not decide it's no longer valuable it's not decide it's no longer valuable it's not for you um certainly I would I would not for you um certainly I would I would not for you um certainly I would I would not go with a solution that wouldn't allow go with a solution that wouldn't allow go with a solution that wouldn't allow me to take my words with me and take my me to take my words with me and take my me to take my words with me and take my images with me and take my time with me images with me and take my time with me images with me and take my time with me um so for but for me I would obviously um so for but for me I would obviously um so for but for me I would obviously encourage people to to have a presence encourage people to to have a presence encourage people to to have a presence have an identity that you own and that have an identity that you own and that have an identity that you own and that you contribute to on your

you contribute to on your you contribute to on your terms very cool um well folks can check terms very cool um well folks can check terms very cool um well folks can check out dos blog core at your GitHub if your out dos blog core at your GitHub if your out dos blog core at your GitHub if your GitHub is Papa string p o p p a string GitHub is Papa string p o p p a string GitHub is Papa string p o p p a string and your blog is also called Papa string and your blog is also called Papa string and your blog is also called Papa string as well you can take Papa ring.com and as well you can take Papa ring.com and as well you can take Papa ring.com and then if you're interested in checking then if you're interested in checking then if you're interested in checking out that writing for devel ERS book out that writing for devel ERS book out that writing for devel ERS book that's by Cynthia Dunlop I'm going to that's by Cynthia Dunlop I'm going to that's by Cynthia Dunlop I'm going to put a link to that in the show notes and put a link to that in the show notes and put a link to that in the show notes and we've got a 50% off coupon until March we've got a 50% off coupon until March we've got a 50% off coupon until March 10th uh and the coupon is hm Dunlop and 10th uh and the coupon is hm Dunlop and 10th uh and the coupon is hm Dunlop and I'll put that in the show notes as well I'll put that in the show notes as well I'll put that in the show notes as well so if you're interested in blogging so if you're interested in blogging so if you're interested in blogging we're here like like join the community we're here like like join the community we're here like like join the community right love to have him fantastic thanks right love to have him fantastic thanks right love to have him fantastic thanks for hanging out with me Mark Downey for hanging out with me Mark Downey for hanging out with me Mark Downey thank you for the time this has been thank you for the time this has been thank you for the time this has been another episode of Hansel minutes and another episode of Hansel minutes and another episode of Hansel minutes and we'll see you again next week pap pap [Music]