In honor of #ThrowbackThursday, I’m taking a look back at all of the online platforms I’ve used over the years. The ones I can remember anyway….
In the summer of 1983, I saw War Games for the first time. Not only was I fascinated by computers at the time, I was quickly coming to the realization I liked other guys.
At the time, posters of guys like Mathew Broderick were hung with care (and pride) on my closet door. My parents pretended it was just idol worship. But we all know what it really was: a celebrity crush. “Shall we play a game?” Yes, please.
Over the years, I watched the film countless times on cable and home video. I always knew one day I’d be doing something online…but had no idea how much we’d all be to do online.
Cut to 1994. A friend invited me over to his new place and showed me some of the work he was doing since he quit college to build websites. It was my introduction to the World Wide Web. I didn’t know how exactly, but I knew I would be learning a lot more about all things HTML, so I signed up for America Online the next morning.
Over the past 30 years, I’ve used the Internet as both a tool and a toy, for business and pleasure. I’ve worked as a web designer, webmaster, and graphic designer for sites (and companies) big and small.
These days, this old(er) dog is focused on learning new tricks as a full-time creator and curator. The game keeps evolving and I keep playing. Mostly.
The following is a list of platforms I use today or have used in the past. A few of them I truly loved using (i.e. LiveJournal) and a few I wish I had never signed up for (i.e. Etsy).
While I always love to wax nostalgic, I remain open to trying new things.
I’m also (mostly*) happy with the mix of platforms and communities I’m part of now.
Thank you for being a friend…and subscriber!
Clint
*Mostly because YouTube and its army of bots and bot-like bureaucrats drive me nuts, almost daily. YouTube is also my biggest source of subscribers—currently at 10,841—so I try to play by the rules and not take it so personally.
That’s 10,841 reasons to make more montages and videos.
Meanwhile, Substack is now my official creative home base and continues growing daily. Starting August with just over 100 subscribers, the community is on track to hit 1,000 subscribers by the end of the month. Maybe sooner.
Currently, there are 854 subscribers in total.
That’s 854 more reasons to create and curate all kinds of content daily.
PRESENT = MAIN PLATFORMS
PRESENT = SECONDARY PLATFORMS
SHOP TOO = ON THREADLESS
FABRICS+ SHOP = ON SPOONFLOWER
MICRO-BLOG = ON TUMBLR
MAKING HISTORY GALLERY = ON WORDPRESS
PRESENT = (MOSTLY) INACTIVE PLATFORMS
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
LINKEDIN
PINTEREST
THREADS
X/TWITTER
PAST = PERSONAL PLATFORMS
AMERICA ONLINE (c. 1994-2000)
”You’ve Got Mail” + M4M Chat RoomsLIVEJOURNAL (c. 2001-2005)
My second try at blogging (1st was on AOL)…good times!FRIENDSTER + MYSPACE (c. 2003-2004)
My first official social media accounts…“it’s complicated” relationshipsDEVIANTART (c. 2005-2007)
Posted some original art…until I got too busyFLICKR (2005-2012)
Saving the best (at least then) for last and longest. While I don’t really shoot anymore, I’m glad I know how. It helped me learn how to see better.
PAST = PROFESSIONAL PLATFORMS
Regretting a few of these, you live, you learn, right?
EBAY (c. 1998-2002)
ETSY (2023)
FINE ART AMERICA (2023)
PRINTIFY (2023)
REDBUBBLE (2023)
SOCIETY6 (2023)
SPRING/TEESPRING (2023-2024)
TEEPUBLIC (2023)
TOSTADORA (2023)
ZAZZLE (2023)
I used to tell myself that it was physique envy when I looked at photos of shirtless men