smallweb | Entries tagged with small web september

Now that Small Web September is all wrapped up for another year, I wanted to give everyone the opportunity to share some thoughts on the event - how you found it, and whether you have anything you'd like to change or add.

If you don't have any particular feedback, no problem! But I'm always keen to hear suggestions if there are any. Last year was the first time I'd run the event, and based on everyone's feedback I kept the format pretty consistent, just changing up the check-in themes slightly. (If it ain't broke...) However, I'd be curious to know how first-time participants found the event, and also whether any repeat participants would like to see something new.

Freeform thoughts are extremely welcome, but here are some points to respond to if you're stuck:

Have you taken part in this event before, or was it your first time participating?
What did you think of the event format? (Regular 'check-in' posts with engagement/replies in the comments)
What did you think of the check-in frequency? (Weekly posts/check-ins for a total of five during the event, including the kick-off post). Too many/too few/about right?
What did you think of the check-in themes (links, communities, troubleshooting, etc.)? Were they too specific, or too general? Do you prefer to have a theme, or would you rather stick to general progress updates for the check-ins?
Do you have any thoughts on the bonus discussion prompts? Are there any other topics that you think would make for an interesting discussion?
Is there anything else you'd like the event to feature in future?

Thank you very much in advance for sharing any feedback that you have!

Current Mood: contemplative

enchantedsleeper

As of today, we're officially in October, and that means that sadly, Small Web September is at an end!

(Sorry for the slightly later-than-promised check-in; yesterday was super busy 😅)

It's the last check-in, but that doesn't mean the small web fun has to come to an end - please do continue to share your progress on projects, questions, and cool resources that you've found by making posts to the comm (or in our chatter posts!)

For now, though, here are some questions and discussion prompts for the final check-in. Our theme this week is Resources!

What did you work on during Small Web September? Was it the same thing that you set out to work on at the start of the month?

Did you learn anything new or make any unexpected discoveries as you worked on your project(s)?

Have any resources or guides been particularly helpful for your small webbing - or are there any that you wish existed/want to make?

What are your plans for your project(s), or any other small web endeavours, beyond September?

As a reminder, this is the fourth of four ‘check-in’/comment points that will be published during the event. If you want to view all the past check-ins for Small Web September, you can use the Small Web September tag - there's no cut-off point for commenting, so feel free to continue adding replies and discussing things related to each check-in! For our previous check-in post, head to Small Web September Check-In 3: Communities!

Sometime in the next week, I'll also be putting up a feedback/retrospective post to get thoughts on how the challenge was run, what you liked, and anything you'd like to see more of.

Kudos and thank you to everyone who has taken part in SWS, worked on projects, left comments, and shown enthusiasm - the event wouldn't exist without you! I hope you had fun this month 😄

Current Mood: good

enchantedsleeper

Our third check-in point for Small Web September is at hand!

We're now on the home stretch - but there's still lots of time to play around with your small web project(s), so if you're just joining us, welcome! We hope you enjoy taking part and chatting with everyone in the comments.

The theme of this week's check-in is communities! There are lots of cool groups, forums, mailing lists, and social media movements for or adjacent to the small/indie web - I'm posting in one right now! These can be really excellent places to find like-minded hobbyists, share tips and resources, and take part in challenges and events (again, like this one :D).

So, in the comments, share how you're doing with your small web project(s) and also where you like to spend time talking about the small web, if anywhere! I'm not going to too-rigidly define what counts as a "community", so if you think it counts, mention it here.

As a bonus discussion prompt: what is something you would love to see/join a community for (this one doesn't have to be small web-related!) but you haven't yet found one? Have you ever thought of starting it yourself?

As a reminder, this is the third of four ‘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 them, so you can add something at any time – you also don’t need to comment on every one or do them in order! The themes are a loose guide and all discussion is welcome. For our previous check-in post, head on over to Small Web September Check-In 2: Halfway House/Troubleshooting!

There'll be a longer gap than usual between this and our next (and final!) check-in, which will be posted on Tuesday 30th September, the last day of the challenge - so look out for it then!

Current Mood: chipper

enchantedsleeper

Somehow, we’re already (nearly) halfway through the month of September 😱 Where has the time gone?!

How is everyone doing with their small webbing so far? The theme of this check-in is troubleshooting: if there’s any part of your Small Web September project that you aren’t sure how to accomplish, or maybe something that you worked on didn’t turn out quite right, come and ask about it here!

It doesn’t have to be specific to this month, either – maybe it’s a past project that you hit a wall on, or a future project you’d like to start. If you haven’t run into any issues yourself, feel free to offer suggestions to people in the comments who have!

Here are some question prompts for this check-in:

How is/are your Small Web September projects going? Are you working on the same things that you put down in your Goals (if you decided to set goals), or something else?
What do you plan to focus on for the second half of September?
What’s an element of your project that you found unexpectedly challenging? Did you manage to solve the problem, or not yet?

As a reminder, this is the second of four ‘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 them, so you can add something at any time – you also don’t need to comment on every one or do them in order! The themes are a loose guide; all discussion is welcome.

For our previous check-in post, head on over to Small Web September Check-In 1: Links!

Current Mood: mellow

enchantedsleeper

We’ve reached the first check-in point for Small Web September! How is everyone doing so far? Whether you’re just getting warmed up or are already ticking off goals (or maybe you just found this and want to join – welcome!), come and share your progress in the comments of this check-in.

The theme of this week’s check-in is links! Earlier this year, I came across Coy (

osteophage)’s link compilation in praise of links, which led me down a rabbit hole of reading various essays about the importance of hyperlinking and being a good steward of the web. This includes not making your own site into an effective dead end, but sending people on to interesting destinations via links that you’ve included there.

I’ve always been a lover of curating cool webpages and sites, but it struck me that I wasn’t actually doing much of this on my own little website – now, it’s a personal fanworks archive, so you could argue that linking out to random pages is a bit out of step with the purpose of it. However, it broadened my thinking about where I could start adding more links: from archiving rec lists to linking out to gifts that other fans had made for me over the years.

So, the discussion starter for this check-in is: how do you link, and to what? Do you have a link hub or set of interesting finds? Would you like to do more with links?

( Read more... )

Current Mood: thoughtful

enchantedsleeper

Our kick-off for Small Web September is already upon us, and that means it’s time to set some goals! What would you like to work on during the month?

These can be as vague or as granular as you like; a lot can change as you’re working on a project, so it’s completely fine to change them up as needed (or do away with them entirely xD), but it can still be nice to set some ~aspirations!

There’s no set format for this post (anything goes!), but for anyone who’d like to use it, here’s a little pre-formatted set of prompts you can fill in – just overwrite the placeholders with your own info:

Name: (Username, nickname, whatever you like to go by) Project(s): (Share a link to your project(s) if you’d like to, and/or describe what you’re making or would like to make!) What are you hoping to work on for SWS? (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’ or extra goals you’d like to get to if you have time!)

I normally include a ‘discussion starter’ or two at the end of each post as well for anyone who’d like to answer it, so here are a couple of questions you can answer if you fancy: What inspired you to make (or start making) your small web project(s), and what is it that appeals to you about the small web?

I look forward to learning about everyone’s goals and projects! 💜 Our next check-in point for the challenge will be Sunday, 7th September (you can check the full schedule and list of themes here!), but if you want to share something to the comm before then, feel free to make a post!

Reminder that we have these amazing banners for the challenge made by

javert that you can save to use on your site, your blog or anywhere you'd like to show you're taking part!

A cat lying on the keyboard of a laptop with code on the screen. Text overlaid on the banner reads, Small Web September, a month-long small web event on @ small web.

A cat lying on the keyboard of a laptop with code on the screen. Text overlaid on the banner reads, Small Web September, a month-long small web event on @ small web.

Photograph of a spider web with the words Small Web September superimposed on it. Below this, text reads, a month-long small web event on @ small web.

Current Mood: inspired

enchantedsleeper

Hi, everyone! Though I can't really believe it's almost September, we're fast approaching the month in question and that means it's nearly time for... Small Web September! \o/

I'm pleased to say that I'm bringing back SWS for another year and I hope you'll join me in doing small web stuff for the month of September! If you aren't familiar with Small Web September or can't remember exactly how it works, that's okay: all the information you need will be in this post!

What is Small Web September?

Small Web September is a month-long event run right here on

smallweb, and it's designed to be a chill, friendly and accessible event for anyone to make progress on a small web project. This can be anything from a personal site/indie archive to a shrine or directory, or maybe it's a list of resources you've always wanted to put together, or a set of graphics for small web projects! Whatever you'd like to work on, as long as it's small web-related (by the helpful definition in our comm intro post), it belongs in the event and we'd love you to bring it to Small Web September.

How does the challenge work?

( Read more... )

Current Mood: excited

enchantedsleeper

As I mentioned in the Wrap-Up Post for Small Web September, now that the event is all done and dusted, I'd love to know if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions to share! (It's totally okay if you don't, of course!)

This is the first time that the event has been run, and I'd be excited to run it again next year if there's interest. But I'd also love to know if there's anything that people would like to change, add, or do differently. Freeform thoughts are incredibly welcome, but I've also come up with some prompts/questions if you're not sure what aspects of the event to feed back on:

What did you think of the event format? (Regular 'check-in' posts with engagement/replies in the comments)
What did you think of the check-in frequency? (Weekly check-ins for a total of 5 during the month). Too many/too few/about right?
What did you think of the themes (goal-setting, troubleshooting, recs, etc.) - are there any others you'd like to see?
What did you think of the timing and duration? (I like the name "Small Web September", but I'd still be open to feedback about how September works for everyone, timing-wise! And who knows, maybe there'll be ideas for events at other times of the year... 🗓️)
Do you have any other thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks in advance for anything you'd like to offer! 😊

Current Mood: curious

enchantedsleeper

And now, the end is near... And so I face the final check-in... 🎶

It's already time for our very last check-in for Small Web September!

If you can believe it, we're already on the last day of Small Web September. How is everyone doing? Maybe you feel super organised and productive and have hit every single one of your goals - or maybe you feel like there simply hasn't been enough time in the month to do what you wanted to do. (I feel you 100%). Maybe it's somewhere in the middle!

Whatever your status, congrats on getting to this point and for taking part in the challenge! Even if you feel like you didn't hit enough of your goals, setting out to do something new with your small web project(s) is awesome on its own. Taking part in the comments and community around SWS is excellent! (I'm totally unbiased with this one, of course :D) Or maybe you're making plans for what you can accomplish when your schedule lets up a bit.

Here are some questions to use for this check-in:

What did you work on during Small Web September?
What's next for your small web plans? Where will you go from here?

This is the fifth of five ‘check-in’/comment points that will be published during the event, but there’s no cut-off point for leaving comments on these. You can add something at any time, and you don’t need to comment on every one or do them in order! The themes are a loose guide, but all discussion is welcome.

In a few days, I'll also post a feedback post where people can share how they found the challenge and maybe give some thoughts on the next iteration (which, all being well, I'd love to run again!). Thank you all for taking part and making this a fantastic challenge! I hope you've enjoyed it <3

For our previous check-in around troubleshooting and problem-solving, go here: Small Web September Check-In 4: Troubleshooting

Current Mood: cheerful

enchantedsleeper

It's time for Small Web September Check-In 4!

The loose theme of this check-in is troubleshooting! Have you run into any unexpected problems accomplishing something that you'd like to do with your project? Maybe you have a feature that you want to implement, but have no idea what you'd need to look up in order to do that. Or are there any questions that you have about the small web (maybe terms you find confusing) that you'd like to ask?

Whatever it is, add it to the comments! There's no obligation to take part in the theme, of course - you can just add a progress update for your SWS project, or share anything you want to discuss. The sky's the limit \o/

A bonus discussion-starter (optional, so no pressure to include this!): What was something you didn't know how to do when you started out on your small web project(s) that you've since learned?

(This doesn't have to be during the challenge - it can be anything you've learned while doing small web stuff).

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

Also, a heads up that the date of our next check-in will be the 30th September (the last day of the challenge) - so whereas these normally go up on a Sunday/later on Saturday depending on your timezone, the last check-in will go up on Monday or late Sunday. So don't be alarmed if it hasn't arrived at the normal time!

For our last check-in with 'halfway point' goals and discussions, go here: Small Web September Check-In 3: Halfway Point

Current Mood: pensive

enchantedsleeper

Wooooah, we’re halfway there,
Wooo-ooah! (Lemon on a pe-ear!)

*ahem* We’re at the halfway point for Small Web September already!

If you’re wondering where the heck last two weeks went, you’re not alone – but don’t despair. There’s still loads of time for small webbing!

This is our ‘How’s it going?’ halfway point check-in, where you can share your SWS progress if you’d like to and compare notes with your goals at the beginning of the challenge. Has anything unexpected come up as you’ve worked on your small web project(s)? Are you focusing on the things you thought you would, or have you found some new side quests to go on?

Here are a couple of question prompts you can use for this check-in:

• What have you been working on so far for SWS?
• Are you focused on the same things you outlined in your goals, or have you found yourself doing something different?
• What are you looking to work on next?

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

To find our last check-in post and browse through all of the awesome resources and recs, go here: Small Web September Check-In 2: Recs and Resources

Current Mood: thoughtful

enchantedsleeper

Our second Small Web September check-in point is here!

How is everyone getting on so far with their SWS-ing (hat tip to

lovesgaze for making SWS into a verb 😂). Is the code (or blogging, modding, documentation, etc.) behaving as it should? Have you discovered any cool new tricks or come across any great sites you’d like to share?

The theme of this check-in is recs and resources! There are lots of great guides, tutorials and examples out there to help with our small webbing. So, I thought we could share some of our favourites in the comments - along with what you’ve been up to since our last check-in, if you feel like sharing it!

Here’s some examples of things you could share:

‘How to code X feature/design element’ tutorials
Cool templates or layouts
Gif, blinkie, button or banner-maker tools or websites
Directories, webrings or blogrolls for anything small web-related
Communities (like this one! – but they can be anywhere, not just on Dreamwidth) for small web support, resources or discussion
Inspiring examples of sites, blogs, or other small web projects that you’ve come across
Any round-ups of links like these or anything else you’ve found helpful!

A bonus discussion-starter (optional, so no pressure to answer this!): What has been the most useful small web resource you’ve found so far? Or, is there a resource that you really wish existed, but doesn’t?

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

For the previous check-in/goals post, check out: Small Web September Kick-Off/Check-In 1: Goals

Current Mood: productive

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):

Name: (Username, nickname, whatever you like to go by) Project(s): (Share a link to your project(s) if you’d like to, and/or describe what you’re making or would like to make!) What are you hoping to work on for SWS? (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?

Current Mood: energetic

enchantedsleeper

Note: Small Web September is back for 2025! Go here for the 2025 kick-off post!

Hi, everyone! Here's hoping I don't fluff up my first post to this comm :D

kalloway and I have been discussing the idea of an event/challenge that people can join to work on and discuss small web projects, and to that end, I'm pleased to introduce Small Web September! This is an event that will be running throughout the month of September, right here on smallweb (thank you very much, kalloway, for offering to host and inspiring this event! ^^)

What is Small Web September?

Small Web September (is it too early for an abbreviation? Feel free to use SWS for short xD) is a chill, friendly and open event for anyone who'd like to make progress on their small web project(s) to join and share ideas, trade tips, and post progress. A small web project can be anything from a personal site/indie archive or shrine to a webring or directory, a list of resources you wanted to create, a coding how-to, maybe a set of icons or badges - the sky's the limit! As long as it's small web-related (by the definition helpfully offered in our comm intro post), it's suitable and we'd love you to join and work on it during SWS.

How does the challenge work?

When it ticks over to 1st September, I'll publish a post on which anyone who wants to join can comment, share what they're planning to work on, and set some goals and plans for the month of September. These aren't set in stone (we're not marking anyone on them xD), but it's nice to plot out what you'd like to do!

Then, at regular intervals during the month, I'll publish other "check-in points" where everyone can comment and share their progress, successes, challenges, anything at all. Some of them will have themes, like recs or troubleshooting, but any discussion is relevant!

Note: you can join in at any stage, and it doesn't have to be by commenting on the kick-off post - just come along and take part! It's totally open to anyone who wants to join partway through or even on the last day of September. ^^ The more, the merrier!

What's the schedule?

I'm so glad you asked! Here it is:

1st September: Kick-off and goal-setting! What's your project, and what would you like to do with it during the month?
8th September: Rec some resources! Found a tutorial that was really helpful? Or a site whose style you really like? This will be an opportunity to share cool and useful things!
15th September: Halfway point! How's it going? Share your progress!
22nd September: Troubleshooting time! This will be a dedicated point for people to share challenges they've run into and offer help. Of course, you're welcome to do that at other points during the event, too ;D
30th September: The wrap-up! A chance for everyone to share what they managed to do, and what they're planning next.

I have a question that's not answered here!

Exciting! Maybe I'll make an FAQ. Please comment with any questions or thoughts that you have - this is a new event, so I'm happy to take on points that I might not have considered, as long as they're respectfully phrased, of course. For the most part, the event is down to me and so I'll answer for anything that seems unevenly thought-out xD but kalloway is of course the mod of the comm and has the ultimate say over all things comm-related.

'See' you in September!