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Comment by troymc | Hacker News Reader

WordPress.com is also based on open-source software (WordPress) and can connect to the Fediverse via Activitypub [1]. Similar to WriteFreely, there's even a WordPress.com desktop app [2]. That said, I understand the allure of a simple, minimal, distraction-free writing and reading experience.

[1] https://wordpress.com/support/enter-the-fediverse/

[2] https://apps.wordpress.com/desktop/

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I think a lot of people may prefer WriteFreely’s Go stack vs. WordPresses PHP - for right or wrong reasons.

why would a writer need to know or care about the tech stack

Both are FOSS and self-hostable. I assumed it was implied "a lot of people" meant "a lot of people [who self-host]", especially when the post is linking to the server software not the SaaS write.as.

As to why people would prefer Go over PHP...I think there's plenty of reasons to be found on HN's search :)

To be able to easily modify the software, and send patches (or make pull-requests whatever) to make the software suit better to own writing needs.

Nerds aren't writers and Writers aren't nerds. Most of them don't care to DIY their writing tools.

Have you never read a blog by an open source nerd? Hell, most nerds I know have written their own blogging software at some point.

True. But this is HN so… you know, tech

It’s all aesthetic experiences. Some people care, so it matters.

I know what you’re getting at and the world you want to live in. Listen, why do people care if some story they read was written by a bot, for example? The people reading Reddit’s top creative writing venues (AITA comes to mind) clearly don’t know and don’t care. But many people do care. It’s arbitrary. It’s just aesthetic. Nobody needs this stuff, nobody needs Fediverse or ActivityPub.

No, but fediverse/activitypub are features that the end-users directly use, whereas 'written in language X' isn't.

at some point the ActivityPub protocol with its open interoperability will develop a sort of critical mass with the mainstream and everyone will need it. So you may be correct now, "nobody needs Fediverse or ActivityPub" but in some near or distant future your claim will need adjustment.

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