zlacker

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+(OP)
FYI, clicking the "Try the Demo" button doesn't do anything for me in Chrome or Firefox.

>>gamesh+6j
Well that's awkward. Thanks for the tip--fixed now.

>>mawise+(OP)
Most of these platforms will never reach "popular" scale.

You need to think about the killer article or feature.

>>mawise+(OP)
maybe there is a fitting product to be found. first thing that pops to mind is hardware. Something like a tiny home server that works out of the box. Could go the piratebox route (a single website wifi hotspot) could have it do something mesh networking. perhaps stick a webcam on it.

>>ilrwbw+8w
> You need to think about the killer article or feature.

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

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

>>ilrwbw+iZ
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.

>>mawise+(OP)
it is an interesting idea. Setup and migration should be very simple (install and done). Otherwise not many people will go that route. With other federated services, it is usually almost the same as with a private platform. Most of the users will be on a single server.

>>mawise+(OP)
I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS FOR YEARS

It's over a week since this article hit the HN front page so you may never see this comment, but thank you for this.

>>Andrex+lCk
You're welcome! Feel free to drop me a note on the contact form at havenweb.org--I'd love to hear more about what had you looking for something like this and (if you try it out) how you like it!