I guess a big one that hasn't been mentioned yet and I think might be still relevant but a lot of Neocities and indie web websites aren't mobile friendly, a lot of people in 3rd world countries are more likely to have access through mobile phones.

absentmind@escargot.chat  

Hardly anyone understands why I mess around with computers all day at work and then do exactly the same at home as a hobby.

They certainly don't understand why I like messing around with 50 year old electro-mechanicals like my jukebox and 8mm film loop projectors. https://brisray.com/house/jukebox.htm

Amazing, what a beautiful machine. I aspire to do stuff like this!!

My weird thing is that I like is Flags and Maps, I like drawing fictional maps with their own made up countries, flags and geopolitics, usually medieval themed. I also have a very small flag collection that I hope to grow soon, I really like the US state flags. Everyone thinks I'm well odd for it! . My friend from Venice bought me a Venetian flag and its my favourite one that I own!

sometimes i like to screenshot elements from sites i visit and use that for inspiration

for example, https://www.vonage.com/ has really cool cards with a layered gradient, which i implemented on the trending/recent threads sections on my site https://basementcommunity.com

other than that https://dribbble.com is good for getting some inspiration

Yeah these are OK for inspo sure, I've found dribbble in particular to be a bit of an echo-chamber in terms of design that "doesn't" exist and it perpetuates this weird mediocre standard for web design and graphic design as a whole. There are a lot of designers on there who have never had a career in design and when they produce design that goes viral within that echo chamber it is then copied as inspiration from new designers and it really makes for an ugly and vapid design. You can really see this in the now dead (thankfully) Neu Morphism trend that was started by Apple ( I think?) and kinda flopped but you can see it so much on Dribbble.

If I were to suggest a website for contemporary design that looks good and is in the industry I'd recommend https://www.awwwards.com and browsing their catelogs. you'll find much better inspo here imo.

necroing this thread, Zines are so fun, I made one in my foundation year discussing things I found interesting in graphic design. I left it in class because my teacher wanted to show other student it. This thread has made me want to make another!! It's bit sad really, the grim realisation as a Graphic designer is, is that the world is very corporate and it's killed my passion a bit. But seeing these post posts has given me a boost!

Recently a I found a book at a book faire that caught my attention, Here are some pictures I took of it and some of the pages I found really fun!


The Album: https://imgur.com/a/g00GYpI


Its called Web design by Priya Raveendran, initially it was published as a "serious" web design book but it has some absolute gems inside of ye olde knowledge. My personal favourite section is the section discussing tips on how to make your very own webpage and the little section that talks about advertising amazon on it (lol). Without spoiling too much of it, it was Such a great read and I'd deffo recommend it!

Do you guys have any books like this? I'd love to see, I might start collecting them! thanks

this song perfectly encapsulated how I felt when I first heard it, some kind of wabi sabi-esque feeling that's for sure. It made me feel like I never felt before and I love sharing it!

I kinda had this for a while, took a break from gaming and focused on real life stuff. I bought an old bicycle from a community cycle centre and would go on random rides around the city or into nature, I would also spend time looking up videos on how to clean on it and change parts etc. I love my bike and I ride it everywhere! point is, I'd seek something soulful. I'm not sure what job you have but if you're like me and go from "bad screen" home to "good screen" it can be rather soul draining!

Shoegaze/Nugaze/Dream pop really, Idk the dreamy noise of the guitars just feels so right! If a site has music ill listen to that while im on it though

Become Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis

Im a real believer in the idea that true passion is never a chore. If you really love a hobby or a task you've set for yourself, it should be easy (lots of work sure, but it should be work that you find yourself wanting to do).

So its possible that you simply need to take some time to think about what you really want and why; maybe you've not found your true passion yet; maybe its not Linux distros? (maybe its not even computer related) I watch a lot of YouTube too, and I know that I do it to avoid things I don't want to deal with; only you know why you do it though!

I also don't believe in the idea of goals or that things need to be accomplished; often just making/doing something because you want to do it, with no goal in mind is the best way to move forwards; it takes away the pressure success of failure and makes it just about enjoying the task.

You are not a problem or a syndrome It sounds like you just need to get outside your comfort zone and explore new things.

Definitely agree with this, I've spent a lot of my life on a computer and wondering what I wanted to, it wasn't until I went to university and was one day in a wood workshop randomly that I found out that I really like working with tangible, physical objects. Here's me obsessing over trying to find the perfect hobby online, be it code or web design. I would echo what Melon is saying and just go out and try new things.

I always thought nixie tubes were cool, been looking to get into circuit bending. don't really have the space for it atm.

what do you use the 3 separate computers for

My dad asked exactly the same thing when he visited a few days ago

Its only two computers! The Mac on the right is my main computer, and the Dell on the left is mostly for gaming and 3D software, YouTube (and Winamp visualisers). The middle screen is just a monitor and it can be switched between the Mac or the Dell depending on which one Im working on.

I actually find its a super efficient system since switching the screen just involves pressing its input button; and I can share files between the computers over the network and even use a universal mouse/keyboard app; so it all kinda merges into one big computer!

How do you find gaming and working in the same space? I struggle with it personally.

Going to the pub is my favourite, then board games. Board games at the pub? Now that's a good time!

I have been recently thinking about joining a martial arts class too but it'd be hard to find the time for it!

There is this funny sense of "genuine" surrounding these old sites. I'm sure someone could argue that there is no such thing because the web is an "impersonal" tool and the feeling you're feeling is a removed sense of real physical meaning. I personally don't believe that however. I find myself being much more candid and trusting of other users on these sites, perhaps there is a sense of community surrounding an idea that we all agree with that grants a level of comfort. There is however, still a level of performance at play, there is such thing etiquette and a way you want to portray yourself in these environments, at the end of the day, there is still a level of anonymity. Some food for thought!

With that all being said I definitely agree. The charm of these sites are very appealing and raw in a sense like Silkskull said.