The Non-Technical Difficulties of Phlogging ------------------------------------------- Sat Sep 24 11:41:57 PM EDT 2022 I've put in some effort over the years to make sure that phlogging is as easy as possible from a technical perspective. I mean... the phlog(1) script creates a new file and updates my index, and a simple git-push publishes it.. since files are served as plaintext, even ed(1) is a WYSIWYG editor :) So why is it hard to phlog regularly? Obviously this phlog has been sporadic at best, but I noticed that it's definitely a theme over at SDF too (gopher.club)--so many newcomers have a first post like "I'm so excited to be here" and then "I hope to phlog daily" only to stop after a couple posts. I think the barriers to phlogging are non-technical. At least for me (I completely understand that picking up gopher requires a good bit of computer smarts). When it comes down to it: why should I bother phlogging? I generally write long-form entries for two reasons: 1. I need to think through my emotions 2. I have some tech/thought worth sharing For (1), I'd much rather keep these to my pen and paper journal. And for (2), the sad reality is that I want them to be available over HTTP so that recruiters and future employers see my work/hobbies. Unless it explicitly involves gopher (and is therefore of most interest to other burrowers), it's probably good material for my weblog to prove I do technical things outside of work (plz hire me!). So why phlog? And _what_ to phlog? I phlog because I think gopher is cool and I want to support the ecosystem with fresh content. I suppose going forward I'll try to phlog things I think would be of less interest to my blog readers (read: few friends) but are still public enough to feel comfortable sharing? It's a fine line for sure between wanting readership (publishing on a more accessible medium like HTTP) and wanting the cozy community (gopher) and wanting total privacy (journal). I guess I at least share my weblog on my gopherhole so it's not totally a one-or-the-other situation. Anyways.. for any readers--why do you phlog instead of blog? Do you ever wonder if your phlogging efforts would be better spent on a blog? -- For more context on the "hire me plz": I'm starting to look around at jobs, and while the initial intention of my blog was never to put it on my resume, I realize that it's actually a great testament to my skillset and interests. Priorities change, I guess.