Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by tqwhite 921 days ago
I have written blog platforms for myself several times over the years. (I've always compared it to the Great American Novel. Every programmer has to write at least one.) It's a fun thing to do and it sounds like Developer_Tom has a nice perspective on the matter.

I gave up on that seven or eight years ago. I realized that running it was like being my own plumber. Sure, I can do it but aren't there better ways to spend my time? (No criticism intended. I'm old. You're probably not.)

I have only one criticism for Developer_Tom as he takes signups for his "forever" platform: He's not charging for it. Just as with my own efforts, if there's no revenue model, I'm not trusting it with my bon mots.

A half dozen years ago or something, I switched to a blog platform named https://posthaven.com because they said two things that were crucial to me: 1) They offered nothing for free and 2) They considered running this to be a lifetime commitment.

I'm sure both of them have other jobs and projects. It's a simple site, as bannerblog.dev will eventually be, and doesn't take much from them. I'm guessing it's a good money maker. And I love them for that.

Occasionally I see something that has features I like. Eg, Developer_Tom looks like he might offer easier customization. Then I remember that the PostHaven guys made a commitment to me that really requires a commitment from me. I will be giving them five bucks a month for the rest of my life and, if I have any money left, I will arrange for them to get five bucks a month for eternity.

That's the relationship I'm looking for in a blogging platform.