The move from WordPress to Micro.blog is now complete…
- Content I wanted to keep has been imported.
- Backup of assets from VPS taken and archived.
- DNS records updated.
- VPS decommissioned and deleted.
- Domain forwarding for .dev to .org TLD confirmed.
I got the core features of a new Micro.blog masonry style layout photos page plugin worked up this morning. I still need to add the ability to set preferences for number of columns and image gaps, but I’m liking the results. Check out my photos page to see the results so far.
Jimmy Vaughan was the opening act for Eric Clapton tonight. So great to hear some good Texas Blues. It’s also great to see guys who are pushing 80 years old still out there doing their thing.
📷 At the Hollywood Bowl to see Eric Clapton.
A huge shout out to Aaron Vegh for the quick turnaround on a solution to a Croissant issue (not a bug) I reported after “wedging” my Threads account into a state of inability to delete. Super friendly and quick support responses as well. That’s what I dig about the indie dev community.
I tried using Arc as my default browser for the day yesterday. I don’t think I’m quite ready for it, so I’m returning to Safari. I’ll keep playing with Arc here and there so maybe one day it feels more natural and I’ll make the move permanently.
Well, my monthly call with my mentor got canceled last minute, so I think that’s my cue to go outside and get some fresh air with a walk.
A Useful BBEdit AppleScript
Soft-Wrap Text in BBEdit - Uncorrected
An oldie but goodie from John Gruber that I just discovered while looking for ways to soft-wrap text in BBEdit:
This is a handy AppleScript. I don’t like to soft wrap my text in BBEdit by default, but always seem to end up wrapping it anyway. I launch this using Fastscripts by Daniel Jalkut with just a keystroke.
tell application "BBEdit"
tell window 1
if not (soft wrap text) then
set soft wrap text to true
set soft wrap mode to page guide
set show page guide to true
else if (soft wrap mode is page guide) then
set soft wrap mode to window width
set show page guide to false
else
set soft wrap text to false
end if
end tell
end tell
And just like that, I’m back on Micro.blog… 👋
I think the people who produce TV shows have come to realize that, while sex still sells, conflict sells even better. Every cable TV show I flip past seems to have nothing but conflict as a plot line. It’s both distressing and sad at the same time.
Social Media Hasn't Killed the Personal Blog Yet
Remember the late 90s and early 2000s when personal blogs were the thing? Everybody had one and they were like online journals; authentic, raw, and an outlet for personal thoughts, ideas, and sometimes questionable opinions.
It kind of feels like those days are behind us, buried under the avalanche of social media. But are they really?
Social Media and the Decline of the Blog
It didn’t happen overnight. Personal blogs didn’t just disappear in one big poof. It was more like a slow fade. As Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter took off, people – me included – found it easier to share bite-sized pieces of life. Why write a long, reflective post to publish on your personal site when you could sum it up in a quick status update that some “friend” you don’t really even know could give you a mindless like?
Therein lies the rub. Social media is all about convenience – fast, visual, and designed for quick consumption – like fast food for the mind. Scroll, like, move on. Blogs, on the other hand, ask for your time and thought. They’re like the home-cooked meals we don’t have time for anymore.
Loss of Depth
Blogs were once a place for people to dive deep into ideas, emotions, and experiences. It wasn’t about only broadcasting the best parts of your life, but reflecting on the messiness, struggles, and painful lessons. You could get to know someone through their writing – see how they think, feel, and evolve over time.
Social media, on the other hand, with its character limits and algorithms pushing sensational, click-worthy content, doesn’t offer the same depth. Everything is a sizzle reel. You can still share long posts or threads, but how often do people really read them? We’ve learned to skim content, always hungry for the next hit of dopamine from a new notification or like.
Why Blogs Mattered… And Still Do
There’s something about the personal blog that social media can’t replace. It’s not just about the writing. It’s about ownership. On a blog, you control the narrative. There’s no algorithm deciding whether a post will be seen or buried. Your thoughts are out there for whoever chooses to engage with them, free from the noise of sponsored or promoted posts and trending hashtags.
While social media offers instant gratification – likes, short comments, shares – a blog provides something deeper: connection. Real connection, with people who take the time to engage with your words because they want to, not because a platform nudged them into it.
The Shift to Niche and Professional Blogging
Blogs were never really dead, but they’ve changed a lot since the early days. A good personal blog is hard to find now. Instead, we see more niche or professional blogs, where people share expert advice, reviews, or tutorials. These are useful, but often lack a personal touch that made blogging feel intimate back in the day.
Many of those people have turned their personal blogs into a business, focusing on SEO and monetization rather than genuine self-expression. While there’s nothing wrong with making money, it’s a far cry from the humble beginnings of blogging as a space for pure, unfiltered thoughts.
To be clear; you will never see an ad on my blog. This space is purely for my rumination – be it good or bad – and interactions with those who read.
Can Personal Blogging Make a Comeback?
Maybe. There’s a growing disdain against the superficiality of social media. People are beginning to tire of the endless scrolling, filtered versions of someone else’s perfect life, and the pressure to perform. People are coming back around to authenticity and real conversations. There’s no better place for that than a personal blog.
For those of us who still love the art of long-form writing, and who crave meaningful connections over mindless scrolling, personal blogs offer a haven. My site may not get the instant attention or the engagement of a social post, but that’s the point – it’s meant for something deeper.
Is social media the death of the personal blog? Not quite. It may have nearly killed it, yes. But for those of us willing to carve out our own space in the digital landscape, personal blogs still have a heartbeat. It just takes more effort to keep it alive.
What do you think? Is blogging a lost art, or is there hope for a revival? Start (or join) the conversation in the comments below. Or write about it on your own blog if you still have one and link back to this post. My site will automatically link back to yours – just like in the old days.
It’s time to get meaningful conversations happening again. Personal blogs are the perfect place for it.
Hate to say it, but the pre-recorded Apple events just don’t have the magic of the Jobs era. Whereas we once hung on every word that came from Steve’s mouth, the super-polished sizzle reels Apple tries to pass off as an “event” have become boring and predictable. I stopped watching after 15 minutes.
I feel so empowered when I decline a bunch of meetings because I’ll be on PTO later in the week. It’s my favorite way to start a Monday. 💪🏻
Trying something new for dinner… Broke out the smoker for the first time this year to infuse a little smoke to some chicken breasts before I finish them up on the grill. Pairing it up with grilled corn on the cob.
I picked up an Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID today (not the extended model). I’ve been using an Apple extended Bluetooth keyboard forever, so the hand placement feels a little different. I do like the new smaller size under my hands, and thoroughly like the touch sensor being “right here.”
I’ve been weighing the options of sticking with Micro.blog, running my own WordPress server, or going the 100% free route of a Hugo site published on GitHub pages. Cost and effort wise, Micro.blog is the front runner, plus (I’ve said it before) there’s the community. Con is I’m not 100% in control.
Something I do like about the new version of Reeder… When opening a toot from the feed, it gives the full Mastodon thread in context.
I’m going to throw some knee-jerk observations about Reeder out as I evaluate it… A big thing I’m seeing: If you follow someone/something in multiple places (Micro.blog, Mastodon, RSS), you’re going to see the same post multiple times. That makes for a lot of duplicated noise in your home feed.
I’m giving Raycast Pro a spin to see if it’s worth what they’re charging. ~$100/year seems a tad steep for the pro features, so we’ll see in a couple of weeks if my mind has been changed. I do like the custom window management feature however…
Okay… So I may roll back what I said about Reeder the other day. The new release looks intriguing. I’m going to subscribe for a month or two just to see what it can do. I’m still not 100% sure I want to consume all my content in one place though. 🤔