2024-09-19 // IRC; Small web; and the corporate sloppifying of everything

Hello, blog.

Firstly- check out my themes included in the documentation for the new version of Halloy (an open-source IRC client for linux, windows, mac, built in Rust)

Macaw Light

Macaw Dark

These themes fit well in the default light/dark UI styling of macOS, or your similarly themed OS

 I'm not sure if it's just me; this stage in adulthood; or something else. But, it seems that lately people are giving up open corporate slop services.
 The services/apps/platforms that were maybe once a half-viable product that over time became awful to use, barely functioning, over-encumbered with slop; while simultaneously becoming the standard within their market.

Too many discord servers...
Why does it take so long to start...?
How many updates could they even push in a day...?

 Recently, I've found it so hard and exhausting to even use these monocultured platforms. Are the same tactics big corporate is using to try to make people stay on their platforms longer, and more often, the same tactics driving people away? For me; yes. So many of these platforms are borderline impossible to use without the repercussion of a thick layer of brain fog as a result.

 So I looked into IRC, found a great client, spun up a ZNC server, and didn't look back.

IRC is a text-based chat system for instant messaging. IRC is designed for group communication in discussion forums, called channels, but also allows one-on-one communication via private messages as well as chat and data transfer, including file sharing.(1)

 It was created in 1988, 36 years ago, and is still alive & kicking. Though obviously past its heyday, IRC is seeing a modest resurgence in popularity. Maybe because of the aforementioned corporate sloppification of everything...

 IRC is simple; and the people you will meet there probably have a similar set of interests as you. I've never had access to channels dedicated to open-source tech where I can just drop in, ask a question, get a reply, and get on with it; until now. And I'm sad I didn't seriously use IRC until now.

 IRC is just one piece of the 'small web': ...a generalized term for websites outside of Big Tech Social Media, and which operate outside of or deliberately in opposition to common Social Media standards (2)

 This website, for example, is another piece of the small web. My deliberate opposition to corporate social media standards&control. You may remember a time when using the internet felt like exploring; it was exciting; seeing things people made just for the sake of making things; things breaking; people's personalities on full display with customization of everything. We could bring this pre-2005 internet back.

I recommend joining the #indieweb channel in the libera.chat server and talking with some people- seeing what's going on.

Recommended reading: We Need To Rewild The Internet by Maria Farrell and Robin Berjon

Please carve out your own webspace outside of the corporate shitnet