Small Web September Kick-Off/Check-In 1: Goals!

[enchantedsleeper]

Somehow it's September already and the kick-off point for Small Web September has arrived! \o/

As a reminder, this is the first of five ‘check-in’/comment points that will be published during the event – you can check out the schedule and dates of these posts over on the event intro. There’s no cut-off point for commenting on these, so you can add something at any time – you also don’t need to comment on them all or do them in order! The themes are a loose guide, but all discussion is welcome.

This first post will be for introducing yourself and your project(s) and talking about what you’re planning to do during the month. Of course, there’s no obligation to stick to what you’ve set down and no-one will be checking up xD But it can be a nice thought exercise! You’re free to make the goal(s) as broad or as specific as you like – it’s totally up to you.

There’s no set format for this check-in, but here’s one you can use if you’d like (just copy-paste and replace the placeholders with your own answers in the comments):

<strong>Name:</strong> (Username, nickname, whatever you like to go by)
<strong>Project(s):</strong> (Share a link to your project(s) if you’d like to, and/or describe what you’re making or would like to make!)
<strong>What are you hoping to work on for SWS?</strong> (This can be as general as “add to my site”, or as specific as “archive X fanworks” or “implement a responsive layout”. You could even include ‘bonus goals’ – more ambitious things you’d like to get to if you have time!)

Also, if anyone would like to answer it, here’s a discussion starter: What interests you about the small/indie web, and how did you learn about or get into it?

Comments

[nepenthee]

Name: Lethe

Project(s): progress on the revamp of oubliette.nu

What are you hoping to work on for SWS?
oubliette.nu is my home on the web and the hub of my entire site network (which is mostly comprised of shrines); ideally, it should be representative of the things I create, concern myself with and wish to express. Alas, the current layout and content have been up since... 2016, and a revamp has been long overdue. I nearly finished writing all the new text a while ago, and have been playing around with the layout for a week or so.

I won't have enough free time in September (will be absent for the last third of the month too) to come close to finishing the revamp, so I don't know if I'll have anything to show by the end of the month, but I am very fired up to continue work on the layout draft, and hope to make significant progress during the challenge! :D

What interests you about the small/indie web, and how did you learn about or get into it?
I've been making websites since around 2002, i.e. when everyone was getting into site-making and when there still was a wealth of fansites (shrines or otherwise) and personal sites. After running a few personal sites and smaller fansites for a few years, I didn't make sites with the purpose of creative expression for a longer period. Maintaining a personal trade post for my online TCG activities, however, kept my interest in personal sites and webdesign alive.

Shrines, a type of fanwork in the format of fan websites, and especially Sailor Moon and Final Fantasy shrines, were one of my first loves in the world wide web, and my heart has been beating for them since childhood. I love that they are personal archives of very specific nerdy subject matters, that they are informative in a way that, say, Wikis aren't, and that they are so versatile when it comes to creative expression (I love looking at layouts! seeing the thoughts behind a site name! browsing navigations! reading essays and meta! perusing personally curated galleries! seeing personal associations with other media! checking out link lists!).

I bought my first domain in 2011, and truly started making the shrines I so admired around 2015, and have since been chasing my dream of making all the shrines I want to create. Through every step of this, community – be it fandom, fellow budding webmasters, graphic sites of old or the shrine community – has always been an immense help, inspiration and joy. Browsing other people's projects and seeing all the creative energy is such a big source of happiness and motivation.

It's lovely to see a community challenge and all the different projects and aspirations. Thank you for hosting it, enchantedsleeper!

[cennydd]

Your site is lovely. I have a feeling I'm going to spend way too much time looking though all the shrines. :)

[enchantedsleeper]

*waves* It's great to see you here :D <3 And, thank you so much for the kind words about the challenge! I'm excited to be hosting it and I also love everyone's projects, thoughts, and goals.

Any progress you can make this month is great progress ^^ A whole-site revamp is a big project, so, I hope you have been able to find ways to break things down and make them more manageable. Wishing you luck and inspiration!

I love that they are personal archives of very specific nerdy subject matters, that they are informative in a way that, say, Wikis aren't, and that they are so versatile when it comes to creative expression (I love looking at layouts! seeing the thoughts behind a site name! browsing navigations! reading essays and meta! perusing personally curated galleries! seeing personal associations with other media! checking out link lists!).

This is such a great summation of why shrines are amazing! I totally agree :D The way they marry together information, creativity, and personal thoughts on a character, fandom, or other subject is brilliant. And yes, they are so versatile ^^ One day maybe I'll create one (or more!) of my own, but I get lots of enjoyment as it is out of seeing other people work on their shrines and share why they love them <3