@matt@writing.exchange

Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Aug 05, 2026

Boosted by

On my way to Vancouver for #Fedicon and #FOSSY! I'll be giving a talk on Saturday at 3pm Pacific about blogging on the open social web / #fediverse. https://2026.fossy.ca/schedule/presentation/475/ Looking forward to seeing everyone! #fedicon2026 #Fossy26

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Jul 18, 2026

Replying to @matt@writing.exchange

The new WriteFreely user moderation features are up as a pull request now! Any feedback is welcome! As soon as we get that, I'll put out our v0.17.1 release. https://writing.exchange/@writefreely/116942358055397806

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WriteFreely @writefreely@writing.exchange

There's a pull request open now for mass user moderation via the command-line (listing, silencing and deleting). If there's anything else you think is missing or needed, please leave a comment there! https://github.com/writefreely/writefreely/pull/1705 #WriteFreely #WriteFreelyDev

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Jul 18, 2026

In case you missed it, there was a critical #WriteFreely release sent out yesterday -- all admins should upgrade as soon as possible. I'm working on another release today that patches one regression and makes it easier to clean up spam users on affected instances. https://writing.exchange/@writefreely/116937920745292055 #fedidev #WriteFreelyDev

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WriteFreely @writefreely@writing.exchange

WriteFreely v0.17 is out now! ⚠️ We recommend *all* admins upgrade as soon as possible, as this release includes some critical security fixes. Read more in our release notes: https://github.com/writefreely/writefreely/releases/tag/v0.17.0 #WriteFreely #fedidev

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Jul 09, 2026

Replying to @tezoatlipoca@mas.to

@tezoatlipoca@mas.to It's all a flat cost every month, so not sure of specifics. I just know that our database continuously grows at a rate that means we either need to further limit our data retention or upgrade every 2 or 3 months, since that's what the subscription price is connected to. (Also glad you enjoy WriteFreely!)

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Jul 09, 2026

Replying to @matt@writing.exchange

We've already had to adjust our content retention settings to stay within our storage limits -- we currently delete content older than 5.5 years, which isn't ideal for an instance that's been running for 9 years. Still, our database grows constantly, currently exploding past 220 GB. If you have any leads on a host that could accommodate us at a decent price, it'd be much appreciated!

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Jul 09, 2026

Can anyone recommend some relatively affordable managed #Mastodon hosting? We've been with the absolutely fantastic Masto.host since starting Writing.Exchange in 2017, but it's become prohibitively expensive -- especially for a community of only ~250 active users, as our hosting costs are about to increase another $50 to $589/month this month. #MastoAdmin #WritingExchange

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · May 12, 2026

I finally deleted #Threads recently because their algorithm is annoying, they gave up on #fediverse support, and their app is loaded with UX dark patterns.

I still use #Instagram because the people I meet in person do, and organizing https://photostroll.nyc kinda requires it.

Fedi is the only place I really feel good about posting on, because I know where data lives and how it's distributed, it's community-run, and usually it's by the type of people I'd want running my virtual social space.

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · May 11, 2026

Replying to @john_fisherman@mastodon.social

@john_fisherman@mastodon.social haha shipped! posted on @matt@write.as recently: https://write.as/matt/more-codeslop-please

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Apr 30, 2026

The point I'm at in life right now is that I'd rather be in real life than virtual. I get more satisfaction from human interactions than cyber ones. It's making it hard to exist in cyberspace, which overwhelms me, than meatspace, which is where I'm finding peace right now.

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Mar 05, 2026

I've been wanting to write an essay on my thoughts on AI for a while now, after all these years in the hype cycle, drowning in slop.

So yesterday I finally sat down and wrote a long one summing up my criticisms and current outlook, after using the dumb clanker to vibe-code something that actually kinda worked for the first time.

Still some light editing to do, but I'll share soon.

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Mar 03, 2026

Replying to @matt@writing.exchange

(and my creaky bones)

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Mar 03, 2026

Only remembering my age these days thanks to the shifting targeted advertisements I receive on my personal ad device.

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Feb 24, 2026

@dallin@writing.exchange and are you trying to publish a blog post while logged in? Or an anonymous one? Then I can take a closer look at what might be going on.

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Feb 24, 2026

@dallin@writing.exchange hey what error are you seeing? Mind sending a screenshot / error message?

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Feb 23, 2026

Replying to @julian@activitypub.space

@julian yes reunited!

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Feb 23, 2026

Who else is in Montreal for #FediMTL? Let's meet up! I'm around until Wednesday.

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Feb 02, 2026

Posting to the masses instead of texting a friend who would understand is just crowdsourcing human connection. Send toot.

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Jan 30, 2026

I'm in Brussels for #FOSDEM this weekend! If you're around, let's meet up!

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Jan 14, 2026

Replying to @MSugarhill@chaos.social

@MSugarhill@chaos.social AI: *sobbing* you've made me so sad me: *reaching for the power cord* there, there, it'll all be better soon

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Jan 14, 2026

Actually can all tech companies just make AI a premium feature so I never have to even risk touching it?

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Nov 19, 2025

A few of us are hanging around the @remark_as@social.musing.studio IRC chat again today. Come say hi if you're a @write_as@writing.exchange user!

https://remark.as/cafe

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Oct 01, 2025

Replying to @darius@friend.camp

@darius@friend.camp awesome to see this launched!

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Oct 12, 2024

Reading (on Threads) about why people like #bluesky over #mastodon, and most seems to boil down to usability / wrestling with servers.

Have to agree. And it's why I still think we need a good #fediverse client as an entry point.

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Dec 20, 2022

I think it's worth relaxing a bit on people selling things here in the fediverse, as many others have recently said.

Commerce is a part of life, and I personally want to support and elevate people trying to make a living independently -- whether through their words or art or small business etc.

There is always a line where self-promotion can become annoying. But that mostly comes when you don't engage, don't contribute anything but advertising, only send unsolicited self-promos. Don't do that.

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Matt Baer @matt@writing.exchange · Nov 05, 2022

Thanks again to everyone who's contributed to the costs of running this community! You're helping keep this space in the #fediverse independent and sustainable.

If you can afford to help support it, especially as hundreds of new people join, you can donate (and see our finances) here: https://opencollective.com/writingexchange

Any amount helps, and a recurring monthly or yearly donation is very appreciated!

#WritingExchange

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