Josh

Have you thought about the future of your digital assets and online presence? Share approaches to preserving your creative legacy.

As with everything in life, the older models and code have to be given an end of life in order for the more modern bits to take over and continue on. Discourse is doing that with their next version of their forum software. Of course, there will be some that will feel the effects of this change as the browsers they might be using will be depreciated. Discourse MetaDropping iOS 15 & other old browsers in July 2025Following the next stable release in July 2025, Discourse will start using some modern browser features which are unavailable on iOS 15, and some other old browsers. Discourse’s minimum supported...

I'm going to try my best in keeping this thread up to date with information for the different beta stages of Invision Community v5. 5.0.7 Beta 3 Invision Community5.0.7 Beta 3 ReleasedFire up your upgraders, because 5.0.7 Beta 1 is on its way.We've got a fresh new beta lined up for you today. The full list of fixes is in the release notes.Of special note is the updated permissio...

Discuss the ethical boundaries in your creative work, from content decisions to which platforms and sponsors you'll work with.

Is it financial freedom, creative satisfaction, audience impact, or something else entirely? Let's discuss our varied definitions of success.

Was there a specific moment that pushed you to pursue independent creation? Share your journey and what keeps you going.

Share the one piece of equipment, software, or resource that had the biggest impact on your work.

With potential increases in hardware costs and subscription services, how might independent creators need to adjust their business plans and pricing strategies?

Last week, something happened that's been gnawing at me. A friend—let's call her Sarah—tried installing Linux for the first time. Sarah isn't a programmer, but she's tech-savvy enough to manage her small business website and was interested in greater privacy and control over her computing. Three days later, she was back on Windows. Not because Linux failed her technically, but because the community did. "I felt like I walked into a club where everyone already knew the secret handshake," she told me. "When I asked for help, people acted like I was wasting their time." This isn't just Sarah's story. It's playing out thousands of times daily across forums, Discord servers, and subreddits dedicated to open source projects. And it's costing us dearly. The Open Source ParadoxThere's a strange contradiction at the heart of open source: software designed to be free and accessible to all is often guarded by communities that are anything but accessible. We've created digital speakeasies where knowing the right jargon is the price of entry. Consider these common responses to newcomer questions: "This is covered in the documentation" (without linking to the specific section) "Use the search function" (for a question the newcomer doesn't have the vocabulary to search for) "That's trivial" (when it's only trivial if you already understand it) Each response sends the same message: "You don't belong here until you already know everything." The Business Cost of ElitismThis gatekeeping isn't just unfriendly—it's economically self-destructive. Linux desktop adoption has been stuck around 2-3% for decades despite technical improvements. Companies hesitate to develop software for Linux because of the small market share, creating a chicken-and-egg problem we can't seem to escape. Meanwhile, proprietary ecosystems thrive partly because they understand that user experience includes community experience. Apple's "Genius Bar" doesn't respond with "RTFM" when you ask a basic question. For every enterprise that embraces open source, countless others stick with proprietary solutions because the perceived support ecosystem feels safer. They're paying thousands in licensing fees to avoid the social cost of engaging with communities that treat beginners as burdens. The Root of the ProblemWhy do technically brilliant communities often struggle with basic empathy? I've observed several patterns: 1. Knowledge as Identity: When your self-worth is tied to technical knowledge, beginners' questions can feel like a personal threat. If "anyone" can do this, what makes you special? 2. Amnesia of Learning: Many experts have forgotten how confusing their field was when they started. They see clarity where newcomers see chaos. 3. Invisible Barriers: Technical communities develop specialized vocabulary and assume background knowledge that creates invisible barriers to entry. 4. Misalignment of Goals: Some community members genuinely don't want mass adoption. They prefer the intimacy and technical purity of smaller communities. Breaking Down the WallsNot all is lost. Some projects have figured out how to maintain technical excellence while creating on-ramps for newcomers: Python has built a reputation for being beginner-friendly while powering some of the most sophisticated systems in the world Mozilla creates comprehensive documentation with both quick starts and deep dives Ubuntu forums often model how technical help can be delivered respectfully VSCode has built an ecosystem that works for both beginners and power users What these successful communities share is a recognition that teaching is not the same as doing the work for someone. It's providing context, roadmaps, and yes, sometimes answering the same questions multiple times. The Path ForwardIf we want open source to fulfill its promise—to be a genuine alternative to corporate-controlled technology—we need to rethink what "open" really means. It's not just about open code. It's about open communities. Open to newcomers, open to questions, open to people who don't fit our preconceived notion of what a "proper" user looks like. This doesn't mean abandoning standards or technical rigor. It means recognizing that how we communicate is as important as what we build. Next time you see a question that seems obvious to you, remember: everyone starts somewhere. Your response could be the difference between welcoming a future contributor and sending them back to the proprietary world we're trying to change. For a deeper dive into this issue and my personal experiences with open source elitism, check out my full blog post: https://indiecreatorhub.com/the-open-source-paradox-when-free-communities-build-invisible-walls/ The future of open source isn't just about better code—it's about better communities. And that transformation starts with each of us, one interaction at a time.

Have you collaborated with other creators to share resources, cross-promote, or build joint ventures? Let's discuss the potential of creator cooperatives for greater independence.

From direct support models to merchandise and licensing, what alternative monetization strategies have proven sustainable for your creative business?

Discuss the benefits and challenges of owning your distribution channels compared to relying on mainstream platforms. What self-hosted services have worked for you?

It's been so long since there was any updates that was noteworthy for Guilded in posting up a blog post going over changes to the platform. When you visit their blog, it's been about six months. So lets get into what's coming up and the changes found within. This change is a welcomed one and should have been added many moons ago, since as a main focus of the platform is users and their chats found within. I guess this should've been seen from a mile away as Roblox and the Guilded team have been refocused on adding Roblox centric features. I am wondering though is for those that do run Roblox gaming communities, is this something you've been actively looking for? Another new feature for the Roblox crowd as you can now display your status of what Roblox experience you're in. It's always a good thing to see with improved reporting features. Even more so if Guilded will be more proactive on said reports, wondering if you'll receive emails or notifications if your reports are actioned upon. For these new Role Permissions its a good start and improves upon on the permissions found within Guilded itself. Tournaments was something that was there from way back when and truthfully I didn't see much promotion of this feature. At least Guilded is going through their platform and cutting features that haven't been seeing use. Perhaps they should take a look at the server discovery section as that place is truly a scary dungeon of rot. Let alone it's been an oft requested change that people have been constantly asking for, for years now. So, that's it for updates. Guilded is still around and moving more so towards those that use Roblox than everyone else. Do you still use Guilded? I'm truly wondering about the communities that are not Roblox adjacent and still are running on the platform, how has your experience been the past several months?

Bluesky just announced that they will be releasing another form of verification of user accounts. This is on top of what you can currently do by using your domain name as your account name as one method of verification. This method has been in effect pretty much since the beginning of Bluesky when they opened up user accounts to the general public. This move along with the Trusted Verifiers would help make Bluesky more in line with allowing outside sources to verify those that work within their organization to be verified. This is unlike how many other verification systems work currently as the platform itself is the sole place for user verification.

With the return of longer podcasts, essays, and videos, how are you adapting your content strategy to embrace depth over brevity? Are you trying out any new methods?

I've added the ability to use GIF's by GIPHY into the forum. You'll be able to add all of the GIF's your hearts desire into threads and posts. As usual, let me know if you come across anything that appears off or bugs encountered.

How do you stay true to your creative vision while also building an audience? Share strategies for maintaining authenticity while remaining discoverable.

Do you find inspiration in music for your writing, or in paintings for your photography? Let's discuss how different art forms cross-pollinate our creative processes.

I just recently became aware of ButterDocs and from first glance and how it functions, it seems to be a more modern and better workflow than what has been available from Scrivner. It's been a while since I last used Scrivner when I was actively writing (should make more of an effort to get back into it) and it had that Skeuomorph feeling design with the post it notes and such. ButterDocs is more streamlined and allows you, as the writer, to be more focused on things as you write. I remember that Scrivner did have a focus mode that essentially did the same thing. What are your takes on ButterDocs and have you been using it?

How did you develop your unique style or perspective? Share the journey of artistic self-discovery and how it's evolved over time.

Discuss affordable microphones, interfaces, and acoustics treatments that deliver high-quality results for podcasters and video creators. Is there something you found that be equal to another piece of equipment that was on a higher pricing tier?

When I first saw this article, I could only sigh as it seemed to be one of the countless prequels or reboots of series and movies that have been plaguing everywhere. Whil I was about to move on to the next, I quickly saw the bit about how Legendary (who produced the original film) are going to be using the same strategy employed with the Netflix series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Which was a series I found to be quite enjoyable, we'll see how they work this out and in my hopes, are successful. https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-pacific-rim-prequel-series-has-reportedly-found-a-home-at-amazon-213245776.html?src=rss

So I just finished posting EP.028 of Independent Creator Podcast, and I'm honestly conflicted about what I found out. The numbers are pretty clear – Spotify now owns more than half of Gen Z's podcast listening attention. YouTube's gaining ground at 21%, and Apple's been pushed down to a surprising 10%. But what does this actually mean for those of us who create and love podcasts? Remember when podcasting was this wild west of independent media? Anyone with a microphone and something to say could publish an RSS feed and be available everywhere. No gatekeepers. No algorithms to please. Your success depended entirely on your content and your ability to connect with listeners. Those days are rapidly fading, and I'm not sure how to feel about it. On one hand, Spotify's investment has undeniably brought podcasting to mainstream attention. Their recommendation engine has introduced countless listeners to shows they might never have discovered otherwise. The platform's user experience for podcast consumption is slick and accessible. And let's be honest – having a centralized place to find and follow podcasts has eliminated some of the technical friction that kept casual listeners away. But at what cost? Spotify's moves toward exclusivity with major shows have fractured the open ecosystem. Their acquisitions of production companies and hosting platforms have given them unprecedented control over both creation and distribution. They're gradually transforming podcasting from an open standard to a walled garden – and that transformation seems to be working especially well with younger listeners who don't remember or care about RSS. The YouTube element adds another interesting layer. Their 21% share among Gen Z suggests video podcasting isn't just a gimmick but a legitimate evolution of the medium. Those stats about YouTube users being more likely to actually watch the content (52% reporting they watch the video component) challenge the notion that podcasting is exclusively an audio medium. So where does this leave creators making strategic decisions today? If you're chasing growth and audience, can you afford to ignore Spotify optimization? Probably not. Should you be adding video components even if that wasn't part of your original vision? The numbers suggest yes. But does playing by these platform rules fundamentally change what made podcasting special in the first place? I think it might. I'm especially concerned about what happens to niche content in this new landscape. When algorithms increasingly determine what gets heard, will thoughtful shows on specialized topics get the same chance they once did? Or will we see the same kind of homogenization that happened with radio – where everything starts sounding the same because that's what the data says works? For established creators, these shifts present tough choices. Do you maintain your independence at the potential cost of growth? Do you pursue exclusive deals that might pay well today but limit your audience reach tomorrow? Do you invest in video production when your strength has always been audio storytelling? For new creators, the calculus might be different. Building on platforms where the audience already exists makes sense. But building exclusively on someone else's land has always been risky – just ask anyone who built their business on Facebook only to see organic reach disappear overnight. I keep coming back to this question: Is podcasting as we knew it dying? Or is it simply evolving into something different – perhaps something with higher production values and better discovery, but less diversity and independence? The optimist in me sees potential for multiple paths forward. Perhaps Spotify's dominance will spark a counter-movement of passionate listeners who value open standards. Maybe YouTube's entry creates healthy competition that prevents any single platform from dictating terms. There might even be room for new players who combine the best of algorithmic discovery with the openness of traditional podcasting. But the realist in me sees powerful economic incentives pushing toward further consolidation and control. I worry that five years from now, we'll look back on 2023-2025 as the period when podcasting ceased being an open medium and became just another form of platform-controlled content. What do you all think? If you're a creator, how are you navigating these platform decisions? Are you all-in on Spotify, doubling down on independence, or trying to find some middle path? And as listeners, does it matter to you whether you access shows through an open RSS feed or a proprietary platform? https://indiecreatorhub.com/is-spotify-eating-the-podcast-world-what-gen-zs-listening-habits-tell-us-about-the-future/