The Non-Technical Difficulties of Phlogging
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Sat Sep 24 11:41:57 PM EDT 2022
I've put in some effort over the years to make sure
that phlogging is as easy as possible from a technical
perspective. I mean... the phlog(1) script creates
a new file and updates my index, and a simple git-push
publishes it.. since files are served as plaintext,
even ed(1) is a WYSIWYG editor :)
So why is it hard to phlog regularly?
Obviously this phlog has been sporadic at best,
but I noticed that it's definitely a theme over at
SDF too (gopher.club)--so many newcomers have a
first post like "I'm so excited to be here" and then
"I hope to phlog daily" only to stop after a couple
posts.
I think the barriers to phlogging are non-technical.
At least for me (I completely understand that picking
up gopher requires a good bit of computer smarts).
When it comes down to it: why should I bother phlogging?
I generally write long-form entries for two reasons:
1. I need to think through my emotions
2. I have some tech/thought worth sharing
For (1), I'd much rather keep these to my pen and paper
journal. And for (2), the sad reality is that I want
them to be available over HTTP so that recruiters
and future employers see my work/hobbies. Unless it
explicitly involves gopher (and is therefore of most
interest to other burrowers), it's probably good material
for my weblog to prove I do technical things outside
of work (plz hire me!).
So why phlog? And _what_ to phlog? I phlog because I
think gopher is cool and I want to support the ecosystem
with fresh content. I suppose going forward I'll try to
phlog things I think would be of less interest to my
blog readers (read: few friends) but are still public
enough to feel comfortable sharing?
It's a fine line for sure between wanting readership
(publishing on a more accessible medium like HTTP) and
wanting the cozy community (gopher) and wanting
total privacy (journal).
I guess I at least share my weblog on my gopherhole
so it's not totally a one-or-the-other situation.
Anyways.. for any readers--why do you phlog instead
of blog? Do you ever wonder if your phlogging efforts
would be better spent on a blog?
--
For more context on the "hire me plz": I'm starting
to look around at jobs, and while the initial intention
of my blog was never to put it on my resume, I realize
that it's actually a great testament to my skillset
and interests.
