zlacker

>>waxpan+(OP)
I started building an open source private blogging system[1] when my first kid was born, and it eventually evolved into the skeleton of a social network--but fully decentralized using RSS and self- (or paid-) hosting. I concluded the only way for a network to actually avoid selling out was for there to be nothing to sell. If I give away the software, and don't control the network then there is no need for users to trust me. It continues to be an interesting journey as a side-project (not raising money means I'm still working a day-job).

[1]: https://havenweb.org

>>mawise+oI
Most of these platforms will never reach "popular" scale.

You need to think about the killer article or feature.

>>ilrwbw+we1
> You need to think about the killer article or feature.

Well, no. I think the point is kind of that they don’t.

>>Aeolun+PF1
Then they will never get popular.

>>ilrwbw+GH1
They avoid it getting so popular such that the audience does not grow faster than the ability to cater to the expectations from new users. Finding niches works out pretty well where they do and for longer periods of time with a lot less friction.