[ginjas]

Don't worry about the 'obscure' aspect. That's part of the aesthetic imo. Just install it, boot up a comment and go to this group:

~bitbet-bolbel/urbit-community

Justin Murphy also has a pretty cool guide here: https://imperceptible.computer/

You could boot a comet and message me (~piclyx-docsun) there with your HN name and I'll link you cool groups I'm in.

What I find weird about Urbit is that it isn't mainstream, but most groups I'm in are pretty active. The UI also adds to the experience, it is soothing.

Would be happy to show you more stuff.

Edit:

To answer the status, you could check the blog (https://urbit.org/blog) or you could join the network and follow the beginner groups (i.e. ~bitbet-bolbel/urbit-community).