This book will be released on the web in summer 2020. If you backed the Kickstarter campaign, you'll get an update with a link to read the book. If you missed the Kickstarter campaign, you can pre-order the book now.

Table of Contents

Introduction

How the web used to be, and how it should be again.

• What is microblogging?
• Uses for a microblog
• Leaving Twitter
• Mission to movement
• The way forward

Part 1: Rewind

Looking back.

• Penn Station
• Pulled away from blogs
• Competing platforms
• App.net
• Leaving Twitter
• Tumblr acquired
• Interview

Part 2: Foundation

All the basics. Setting up WordPress and other blogging platforms.

• Domain names
• Syndication
• RSS for microblogs
• JSON Feed
• Introducing Micro.blog
• Starting with WordPress
• Alternative platforms
• Micro.blog and feeds
• Connecting to the web
• Migration
• Blogging workflow
• Why indie microblogging
• Interview with Brent Simmons

Part 3: IndieWeb

History of the IndieWeb. Microformats, Micropub, and posting tools.

• Permanence
• Silos
• Cross-posting
• Decentralization
• Owning your content
• Microformats
• Blog archive format
• IndieAuth
• Micropub
• Posting tools
• Interview with Tantek Çelik and Aaron Parecki

Part 4: Hypertext

Links and photos. The impact of design choices.

• Photography
• Influence
• Reposts
• UI impacts behavior
• Square photos
• Using HTML
• Starting a new photo blog
• Posting photos
• Grid pages
• Sunlit
• Photo feeds
• Linkblogging conventions
• Interview

Part 5: Notifications

Improving the blogging user experience. The rise of Mastodon. Real-time notifications with WebSub.

• Mastodon
• Microblog.pub
• Pixelfed
• WebFinger
• ActivityPub
• Your blog
• WebSub
• Indie readers
• Interview

Part 6: Community

Conversations across blogs. Curation and discovery.

• Replies
• Webmention
• Bridgy
• Harassment
• Misinformation
• Unattended algorithms
• Open gardens
• Discovery
• Popularity contests
• Micro Monday
• Banning users
• Interview with Jean MacDonald

Conclusion

What's next.

• Breaking up Facebook
• Regulation
• The way out
• Sticking to the mission statement
• Special thanks