Blogging: Weekly Summary (June 30 - July 06, 2025)

A Quiet Start and Technical Musings

So, let's dive into the world of blogging from the past week. It all kicked off with Jack Baty reflecting on a rather quiet day in the blogging universe. He wasn't too thrilled with the Ghost editor, especially when compared to his trusty Emacs. It's like preferring a classic typewriter over a modern keyboard, you know? Jack's pondering a new approach, thinking of writing in Emacs and using Hugo for rendering before publishing in Ghost. It's a bit like trying to find the perfect recipe for your favorite dish, tweaking ingredients until it's just right.

The Power of Recommendations

Then there's thezvi.wordpress.com, who shared some thoughts on Substack and the magic of recommendations. It's like when a friend tells you about a hidden gem of a restaurant, and suddenly, it's your new favorite spot. They talked about how recommendations have been a game-changer for growing their blog's audience. It's a reminder of the power of word-of-mouth, even in the digital age. They also shared a list of 16 recommended Substack blogs, each with its own unique flavor. If you're curious, you might want to check those out.

Technical Tidbits and Blogging Platforms

Meanwhile, Tracy Durnell was deep in the weeds of self-webmentions and self-pingbacks on their WordPress site. It's a bit like trying to choose between two similar but slightly different tools in your toolbox. Tracy prefers self-pingbacks for their display but ran into a snag with only one self-pingback per post update. It's a classic case of "the grass is always greener," isn't it?

And then there's Mari Luukkainen, who shared a method for building a multilingual blog system. It's like constructing a multilingual library without relying on a CMS or markdown. They emphasized the benefits of using JSX for full control over content. It's a bit technical, but if you're into that sort of thing, it's worth a look.

Personal Reflections and Transitions

Joelchrono took a more personal approach, sharing weeknotes from June 24 to 30, 2025. It's a mix of personal experiences, gaming, and media consumption. They paid tribute to Annie Sturdivant and shared updates on their gaming activities. It's like flipping through a diary, getting a glimpse into someone's life.

Robert Birming reflected on transitioning to a new blogging platform, Micro.one, from Bear Blog. It's like moving to a new city, exciting but a bit overwhelming. Robert plans to focus on writing and organizing older content while considering how to manage multiple blog sites. It's a reminder that change, while daunting, can also be invigorating.

Engaging with the Blogging Community

Annie Mueller expressed a desire to engage more with blogging by posting frequently and completing small web projects. It's like setting a New Year's resolution to be more active and engaged. Annie aims to reduce time spent on their phone and focus on physical health goals. It's a holistic approach to life and blogging.

Manu shared a mid-year update on various personal and professional projects. They talked about the growth of their blogroll, newsletters, and a new portfolio. It's like taking stock of your garden mid-season, seeing what's thriving and what needs a little more attention.

Blogging and Social Media

Jason delved into the relationship between blogs and social media, particularly focusing on Mastodon. It's like comparing apples and oranges, each with its own unique appeal. Jason emphasized the importance of understanding the purpose behind posting online. It's a thoughtful reflection on why we share what we share.

Unexpected Challenges and Lessons Learned

The Cynical Developer recounted an unexpected surge in traffic to their blog post about ticket-driven development. It's like suddenly finding your small bakery swamped with customers after a rave review. They faced challenges due to large image sizes and lack of caching, leading to significant bandwidth usage. It's a lesson in being prepared for success.

Shifts in Blogging Habits

Jack Baty also reflected on a recent power outage that allowed them to complete chores and read a book. It's like finding a silver lining in a cloudy day. They mentioned a shift in their blogging habits towards using a wiki for daily notes. It's a reminder that sometimes, a change in routine can lead to unexpected productivity.

The Challenges of Consistency

Colin Devroe shared a post about Florian Ziegler discontinuing his monthly posts. It's like deciding to stop a long-running TV series because it's become more of a chore than a joy. Colin resonated with Ziegler's decision, sharing his own struggle with maintaining a similar blogging project. It's a reminder that sometimes, it's okay to let go.

Celebrating Milestones

Airminded celebrated its 20th anniversary, reflecting on its evolution from a platform for research discussions to a space for a now non-academic writer. It's like looking back at old photo albums, seeing how far you've come. Despite reduced posting frequency, Airminded remains a significant part of the author's identity.

Managing Content and Creativity

Jack Baty discussed their process of managing blog posts and photos, highlighting the duplication of content across different platforms and tools. It's like trying to organize a sprawling collection of books, each with its own place. Jack also reflected on their journaling practices, using Org-journal and Day One.

Personal Journeys and Blogging

In the 97th edition of People and Blogs, Manu featured Nick Simson, a graphic/interaction designer and blogger. Nick shared his journey from a creative kid in Upstate New York to a professional designer in Albuquerque. It's like following a winding path through a forest, each turn revealing something new.

The Indie Web Movement

chronosaur.us recounted an interesting Lyft ride where they conversed with the driver about their shared experiences with blogging and the indie web movement. It's like finding a kindred spirit in an unexpected place. They reflected on the nostalgia for earlier forms of online communication.

Styling and Future Goals

Robert Birming shared their experience of styling their blog, describing it as a meditative process. It's like painting a room, each brushstroke bringing a new sense of calm. Robert expressed the ongoing nature of blogging and listed future goals, including creating a personal color palette.

Technical Updates and Future Features

Finally, Manton Reece announced the update of Micro.blog for macOS to version 3.5.8. It's like getting a software update on your phone, bringing new features and improvements. Manton shared his perspective on versioning and hinted at upcoming features for the next version.

And there you have it, a week in the world of blogging. Each post, a snapshot of thoughts, experiences, and reflections. If any of these stories piqued your interest, I'd say it's worth diving deeper into the authors' pages to get the full scoop.