I finally deleted #Threads recently because their algorithm is annoying, they gave up on #fediverse support, and their app is loaded with UX dark patterns.
I still use #Instagram because the people I meet in person do, and organizing https://photostroll.nyc kinda requires it.
Fedi is the only place I really feel good about posting on, because I know where data lives and how it's distributed, it's community-run, and usually it's by the type of people I'd want running my virtual social space.
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/116563490681706222","date_published":"2026-05-12T20:28:36+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-12 20:28","date_timestamp":1778617716,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"89937429","content_html":"@john_fisherman haha shipped! posted on @matt@write.as recently: https://write.as/matt/more-codeslop-please
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/116557576930944883","date_published":"2026-05-11T19:24:40+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-11 19:24","date_timestamp":1778527480,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"89286614","content_html":"The point I'm at in life right now is that I'd rather be in real life than virtual. I get more satisfaction from human interactions than cyber ones. It's making it hard to exist in cyberspace, which overwhelms me, than meatspace, which is where I'm finding peace right now.
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/116491287654499951","date_published":"2026-04-30T02:26:25+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-30 02:26","date_timestamp":1777515985,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"85594454","content_html":"@Emmacox At least in the chocolate department, sometimes it's worth listening 🫡 😄
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/116178917044225752","date_published":"2026-03-05T22:26:28+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-05 22:26","date_timestamp":1772749588,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"85594405","content_html":"I've been wanting to write an essay on my thoughts on AI for a while now, after all these years in the hype cycle, drowning in slop.
So yesterday I finally sat down and wrote a long one summing up my criticisms and current outlook, after using the dumb clanker to vibe-code something that actually kinda worked for the first time.
Still some light editing to do, but I'll share soon.
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/116178912899188537","date_published":"2026-03-05T22:25:25+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-05 22:25","date_timestamp":1772749525,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"85573566","content_html":"@Emmacox Ah, but of course the vast advertising machine knows us better than we know ourselves! /s
Mine has put me in the \"surely you're starting to go bald by now\" camp 👴
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/116177694011387267","date_published":"2026-03-05T17:15:26+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-05 17:15","date_timestamp":1772730926,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"85446176","content_html":"(and my creaky bones)
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/116167684321806079","date_published":"2026-03-03T22:49:50+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-03 22:49","date_timestamp":1772578190,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"85446171","content_html":"Only remembering my age these days thanks to the shifting targeted advertisements I receive on my personal ad device.
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/116167683642354160","date_published":"2026-03-03T22:49:40+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-03 22:49","date_timestamp":1772578180,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"84901696","content_html":"@dallin and are you trying to publish a blog post while logged in? Or an anonymous one? Then I can take a closer look at what might be going on.
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/116123883582563379","date_published":"2026-02-24T05:10:44+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-02-24 05:10","date_timestamp":1771909844,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"84900531","content_html":"@dallin hey what error are you seeing? Mind sending a screenshot / error message?
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/116123730533790635","date_published":"2026-02-24T04:31:49+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-02-24 04:31","date_timestamp":1771907509,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"84889158","content_html":"@julian yes reunited!
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/116122549663734492","date_published":"2026-02-23T23:31:30+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-02-23 23:31","date_timestamp":1771889490,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"84868468","content_html":"Who else is in Montreal for #FediMTL? Let's meet up! I'm around until Wednesday.
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/116121336968598197","date_published":"2026-02-23T18:23:06+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-02-23 18:23","date_timestamp":1771870986,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"84827837","content_html":"@julian yeah! Just got in tonight. Gonna explore in the day but would love to catch up then
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/116118023127573902","date_published":"2026-02-23T04:20:21+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-02-23 04:20","date_timestamp":1771820421,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"84826704","content_html":"@julian hey I'll see you there!
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/116117834367841873","date_published":"2026-02-23T03:32:21+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-02-23 03:32","date_timestamp":1771817541,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"83918058","content_html":"@chartier omgg I had forgotten that one!! thank you 🙏
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/116042091836091045","date_published":"2026-02-09T18:30:01+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-02-09 18:30","date_timestamp":1770661801,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"83450832","content_html":"Posting to the masses instead of texting a friend who would understand is just crowdsourcing human connection. Send toot.
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/116003655111245395","date_published":"2026-02-02T23:35:03+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-02-02 23:35","date_timestamp":1770075303,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"83384176","content_html":"@mcg looks like it was a yearly contribution towards our community on writing.exchange, through Open Collective. Did you still want to pay that?
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/115998653864762586","date_published":"2026-02-02T02:23:10+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-02-02 02:23","date_timestamp":1769998990,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"83356910","content_html":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/115996531538403055","date_published":"2026-02-01T17:23:26+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-02-01 17:23","date_timestamp":1769966606,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"83351952","content_html":"@evan @reiver would love to join you guys if possible! Trying to wrangle some others here too
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/115996193163393440","date_published":"2026-02-01T15:57:23+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-02-01 15:57","date_timestamp":1769961443,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"83256545","content_html":"There's also much to be said about microblogging being the form of our new social media. There's so much else we could do with this decentralized network, we just need to try out new shit!
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/115986970841741137","date_published":"2026-01-31T00:52:02+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-01-31 00:52","date_timestamp":1769820722,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"83256473","content_html":"Love Mastodon, but my hot take is that the #fediverse can't actually become itself if most of it is still powered by Mastodon.
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/115986962363355626","date_published":"2026-01-31T00:49:52+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-01-31 00:49","date_timestamp":1769820592,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"83214298","content_html":"I'm in Brussels for #FOSDEM this weekend! If you're around, let's meet up!
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/115984448755102848","date_published":"2026-01-30T14:10:38+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-01-30 14:10","date_timestamp":1769782238,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"82208890","content_html":"Saying this mostly from using Threads and Substack, and just how I use social media as a consumer.
On these platforms, plus Mastodon etc., I just want to mindlessly scroll. Short-form is great for that.
Then when I see a link to an interesting article, I'm happy to click on it and be taken away to a place where I can read the thing in peace.
The feed is the chaotic city street, and the long-form article is the quiet nook in your apartment; the video is the screening in a dark theater.
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/115906188123717119","date_published":"2026-01-16T18:27:55+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-01-16 18:27","date_timestamp":1768588075,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"82208355","content_html":"A thought I've been stewing on for a bit. But I feel like microblogging as a format is meant for short blurts of thought, pointing at something (\"look at this article!\"), and sharing photos. Anything else needs to live outside of it.
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/115906163832070331","date_published":"2026-01-16T18:21:44+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-01-16 18:21","date_timestamp":1768587704,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"82052542","content_html":"AI: *sobbing* you've made me so sad
me: *reaching for the power cord* there, there, it'll all be better soon
Actually can all tech companies just make AI a premium feature so I never have to even risk touching it?
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/115894570085010854","date_published":"2026-01-14T17:13:18+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-01-14 17:13","date_timestamp":1768410798,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"80806718","content_html":"@paige 👀👀
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/115788728348999096","date_published":"2025-12-27T00:36:21+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-12-27 00:36","date_timestamp":1766795781,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"80089966","content_html":"@reiver #WriteFreely uses Markdown by default too, but of course sends out HTML to the fediverse
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/115725629028797375","date_published":"2025-12-15T21:09:22+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-12-15 21:09","date_timestamp":1765832962,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"79610386","content_html":"RE: https://writing.exchange/@matt/115572274230116194
We've officially hit our plan limit again here on Writing.Exchange, so on Friday this week, we're going to adjust our settings to only retain remote content from within the last 7 years (after Dec. 2018).
For everyone who's been around for that long, this means you'll lose older *remote* content (not your own posts), such as bookmarks and favorites.
If you want to back those up and you are comfortable getting technical, this tool can help export them: https://github.com/kensanata/mastodon-archive?tab=readme-ov-file#installation
\n","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/115686228071108617","date_published":"2025-12-08T22:09:11+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-12-08 22:09","date_timestamp":1765231751,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"78328323","content_html":"As our hosting costs continue to outpace our budget (https://opencollective.com/writingexchange), we may soon have to start deleting very old *remote* content here on Writing.Exchange.
\nThis is an option available to us that would remove content from other instances past a certain age -- for example, 6 years ago (which we'd likely start with for our 8-year-old instance). Doing this should reduce our storage use and keep our costs from growing uncontrollably.
\n\n
A few of us are hanging around the @remark_as IRC chat again today. Come say hi if you're a @write_as user!
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/115577582725164858","date_published":"2025-11-19T17:39:15+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-11-19 17:39","date_timestamp":1763573955,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"78258677","content_html":"@tedel It would help a bit if you have a ton of posts, but ultimately I think most space is taken up by content from other instances -- especially stuff that is pulled in and no one ever interacts with.
So I'd rather try to delete the old remote content instead of putting the burden on everyone here to delete their old content.
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/115572301820108517","date_published":"2025-11-18T19:16:14+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-11-18 19:16","date_timestamp":1763493374,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"78258396","content_html":"However, I wanted to hold off on this option, as it means that old statuses people have bookmarked or liked here that live on *other* instances would be erased.
This is just to announce a potential right now. We would give everyone a warning before committing to this, just in case people want to archive that content (still seeing how that might be possible).
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/115572277396826031","date_published":"2025-11-18T19:10:02+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-11-18 19:10","date_timestamp":1763493002,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"78258365","content_html":"As our hosting costs continue to outpace our budget (https://opencollective.com/writingexchange), we may soon have to start deleting very old *remote* content here on Writing.Exchange.
This is an option available to us that would remove content from other instances past a certain age -- for example, 6 years ago (which we'd likely start with for our 8-year-old instance). Doing this should reduce our storage use and keep our costs from growing uncontrollably.
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/115572274230116194","date_published":"2025-11-18T19:09:13+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-11-18 19:09","date_timestamp":1763492953,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"78254172","content_html":"@amoroso Absolutely! At this point, I think a lot of it comes down to finding communities of people that appreciate it, especially. Thinking of this a lot in regard to Write.as
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/115572056866904429","date_published":"2025-11-18T18:13:57+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-11-18 18:13","date_timestamp":1763489637,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"78253300","content_html":"@clarablackink That's so awesome to hear! I had another zine-making friend (who combines words and photos) tell me something similar recently, about it being a slower but really rewarding process.
It's really inspiring to know you've done it for a while too. Okay this is making me want to start now 😄
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/115572026939408223","date_published":"2025-11-18T18:06:20+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-11-18 18:06","date_timestamp":1763489180,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"78198533","content_html":"Now I just want to make a little handcrafted zine that I give to friends in real life, with my real stories and poems -- and maybe a little anonymous blog where I can shout into the (bot-infested) void.
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/115567738811918432","date_published":"2025-11-17T23:55:48+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-11-17 23:55","date_timestamp":1763423748,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"78198473","content_html":"Lately finding it hard to want to write anything on the internet anymore, between AI gobbling everything up and just the general state of social media. I still write, but nothing substantial.
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/115567733562087967","date_published":"2025-11-17T23:54:28+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-11-17 23:54","date_timestamp":1763423668,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"76452441","content_html":"@markstoneman There are options for migrating! Right now, you can import plain text / Markdown files directly in the app (from Blogs > hover over your username > Import Posts). Otherwise, there are some tools out there that can help with other formats.
What platform would you be moving from?
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/115423830017365157","date_published":"2025-10-23T13:57:55+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-10-23 13:57","date_timestamp":1761227875,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"76452153","content_html":"@benjamincox Thanks for the mention, @Emmacox!
The easiest way to start with WriteFreely then would be to use our hosted version, https://Write.as -- just sign up and start writing. It's a paid service, but takes care of all the technical stuff for you. Happy to answer any questions if you end up trying it out!
","url":"https://writing.exchange/users/matt/statuses/115423823179602755","date_published":"2025-10-23T13:56:10+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-10-23 13:56","date_timestamp":1761227770,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"73343689","content_html":"Every blue moon I go on Substack just to see what's going on. Now the starting point is their \"Notes\" section. But I just clicked one and it opened a blog post-length essay. Truly cursed.
You're a blogging platform! And you're letting people \"microblog\" a full essay for some unwitting reader to consume as this badly-set wall of text?
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/115187435248357411","date_published":"2025-09-11T19:59:37+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-09-11 19:59","date_timestamp":1757620777,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"71252724","content_html":"I'll be at @hopeconf in Queens, NYC this weekend, including around the #fediverse village! If you're there and want to meet up, let me know!
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/115028788871262080","date_published":"2025-08-14T19:33:45+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-08-14 19:33","date_timestamp":1755200025,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"70146368","content_html":"Our hosting costs here on #WritingExchange are going up by $50 again next month, after last increasing in March. If you're able to contribute to the costs of running our small instance, any amount is much appreciated (and thank you to all that already contribute)!
https://opencollective.com/writingexchange
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/114943017608700003","date_published":"2025-07-30T16:00:59+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-07-30 16:00","date_timestamp":1753891259,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"70092344","content_html":"Really excited to attend #FediCon in Vancouver this weekend! Who all will be there? Would love to meet up and chat in person!
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/114938782466727613","date_published":"2025-07-29T22:03:56+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-07-29 22:03","date_timestamp":1753826636,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"63705576","content_html":"Hello again 👋 I'm back, getting caught up and back to work on @write_as & @writefreely. More updates soon!
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/114456195646258768","date_published":"2025-05-05T16:35:46+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-05-05 16:35","date_timestamp":1746462946,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"58619209","content_html":"Our #WritingExchange community has been running for almost eight years! But as our little writing space has grown, so have our hosting costs.
Many members of the community have contributed to help keep this space sustainable -- if you have, thank you so much!
But after catching up on our accounting today, we're essentially back at $0 in our Writing Exchange fund, with only 45% of our annual hosting costs covered by current donors.
https://opencollective.com/writingexchange
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/114078163274300097","date_published":"2025-02-27T22:17:10+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-02-27 22:17","date_timestamp":1740694630,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"56443881","content_html":"I'll be talking about @writefreely at #FOSDEM tomorrow at 15:00 in the Social Web devroom, UA2.118. If you're around, stop by and stay for the many other great talks going into the evening!
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/113924465546175179","date_published":"2025-01-31T18:49:48+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-01-31 18:49","date_timestamp":1738349388,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"51233606","content_html":"just testing something!
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/113596777915179264","date_published":"2024-12-04T21:54:32+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2024-12-04 21:54","date_timestamp":1733349272,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"50782215","content_html":"Honestly bring back timed programming and put it in streaming services. Curate channels and let me pick one. Sometimes I just wanna watch *something* without thinking too hard about it.
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/113569282110634450","date_published":"2024-11-30T01:21:59+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2024-11-30 01:21","date_timestamp":1732929719,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"47348573","content_html":"Reading (on Threads) about why people like #bluesky over #mastodon, and most seems to boil down to usability / wrestling with servers.
Have to agree. And it's why I still think we need a good #fediverse client as an entry point.
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/113294384811681564","date_published":"2024-10-12T12:11:59+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2024-10-12 12:11","date_timestamp":1728735119,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"46401571","content_html":"The fediverse is a strange place to be sometimes. It's an open network where progress happens in fits and starts in random, often hidden, pockets. And the rest don't often hear what's really going on. In the 6 years I've built on #ActivityPub, we've all had to fight for some kind of coordination.
Especially re: the new #SocialWebFoundation (which I've backed as an outside supporter via my tiny company @write_as), you can see something new is happening.
","summary":"","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt/113212723058257138","date_published":"2024-09-28T02:04:20+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Baer","url":"https://writing.exchange/@matt","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.masto.host%2Fwriting%2Faccounts%2Favatars%2F000%2F000%2F001%2Foriginal%2F89b6468ab377ae1e.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"matt@writing.exchange"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2024-09-28 02:04","date_timestamp":1727489060,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}}]}