Internet 'third places'

[GlitchWolf47]

Ok so this is kinda dumb, but Im just curious

So like, i know the indieweb could kinda be considered an "internet third place" but im wondering if anyone has come across places that are like, idk, a third place WITHIN the indieweb

Kinda what i mean is, not a forum since most forums Ive come across have some specific topic, but more of a chill place with no stated purpose to it, just chilling. Sorta like onio.club; like a little chat hangout spot? its not exactly a "social media" site per say, but its got a community.

And Im also wondering if this is something people are interested in? like if anyone is? idk, I just have this... YEARNING for a place like this and idk if I've found it yet. onio.club is cool but the fact of it being a live chatbox sorta makes it less chill for me (thats just me being weird tho XD) idk live chatboxes kinda just make me nervous; feels like stepping into a conversation im not a part of

anyways, getting off topic, im just kinda wondering if anyone also has an interest in this or knows of existing places like this. I cant tell if this is just a me thing or if anyone else feels this way too so please tell meeeeee (and if you know cool sites kinda like this LINK THEM)

[Null]

I don't know any myself, but I'd be interested in anything anyone has about this. An internet third space is definitely something I'd like to check out, so I'll probably check this topic once in a while. By the way, what exactly do you have in mind?

[lakes]

I think my answer depends on if you'd include chatting and hanging out as just chilling.
I feel like you could probably find some channels/rooms/etc on decentralized messengers, including some older ones, that are "just a place for hanging out."
I know IRC has ##chat on librera.chat.
That said, if you're for indie web stuff that isn't related to chatting at all & don't care for the hanging out part, some radio stations that host over Icecast. There's even a directory of them on the organization, Xiph's website.
There's also Owncast which is a self hosting livestream software that has a chat, but you don't need to chat to participate if you want more of a middle ground between hanging out and not chatting.

[ocean]

I can relate to this post.
I too, am craving some kind of place to spend time online where I can be more social and creative, but also be more of a passive viewer too.
I spend a scary amount of time doomscrolling twitter and it absolutely must stop.
The indie web is incredible and I really enjoy The Fediverse/Mastodon, but it has its quiet hours.

I joined the Melonland forum because of this, I'm interested in seeing what other people suggest.

[fsr]

I just think forums were better before they required encyclopedias full of javascript. I particularly hate Discourse and everything about it.

But the old forums are gone. you don't see people on them anymore. I was surprised to see this one is active. I know theres'a guild dedicated to reviving this sort of thing. Other than that, IDK any web third spaces. But simple PHP forums were so good.

[noahie]

There's a few of these kinds of places outside of this forum. There's 32 bit cafe and Nightfall City. I think that'll help scratch your itch a bit. But also, the whole point of the indie/small web is to slow down. One day at a time.

[candycanearter07]

Just a heads up, but the 32b cafe uses a discourse forum for theirs. I don't mind it as much, but like stated above it does have some JS backing.

By contrast, theres this one forum https://bluedwarf.top that is specifically designed to be as simple as possible and work on old computers. It's a cozy forum I think, peopple haven't yelled at me yet