All Things Small Web

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! 😊

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

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

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!