Saying good bye to websites and the online world

When you don't want to be a webmaster anymore

[explorador]

Hi, I may want to leave this world of the world wide web behind. Posting and maintenance not only feels like a burden... I'm starting to hate it, and it feels absurd, like a waste of time. Too much effort for nothing.

First website 1998
Last update on any of my websites? I don't even remember.
In the middle? lots of traveling, adventures, surprises, income, etc.

But now? meh... I may just close my domains and bury everything, or not. I posted a thread about selling the websites, but I understand I gave the wrong idea, selling them is not my goal, it just sounded like the logical next step so the content can be useful to someone, it's not about the money, but it would help in exchange.

I like coming here and read, discuss, learning something new, or giving some small advice to someone else. But... I'm holding on, it's like trying to keep the good old times alive when you know it's over. Even the forum will change, the changes don't feel like I want to adapt, while I love it here... some of the changes may (and will) surely push me to not log again. The web sucks today. And being a webmaster today also sucks, at least to me... it sucks.

In my head, I expected to read some stories of how others handled this or moved on. Or... find some inspiration, stories that may wake me up wanting to engage, but... perhaps others feel the same way, perhaps there is nobody around, or just 5-10 who will turn to 3-7 by the end of the year. I hate hearing web-talk today "NodeJS, react + tailwind + latte coffee + shampoo + soap and microservices", it's nonsense!, I can't believe the silly things people do today to build a simple calculator (or something even less useful).

What I hate even more, is working on a well crafted piece of content, and getting a comment that reflect that people today can't even understand simple english (or spanish, my native language). I feel like closing this door will mean saying good by to lots of good memories and people. I may enjoy teaching, but building web stuff, I'm not sure, I don't think so.

Getting a job doing this? wow... I don't see it. Then, it seems all my experience (work) is going to the bin.

How do you handle this? I'm 47, it's not like I want to retire. I do other things, things that make me feel like my time is precious, valuable, that something that I do gets me something in return (instead of going around in circles). Don't take it the wrong way, I love WebmasterWorld, I learned a lot here, but even posting here feels like work due to the old interface or lack of options

Perhaps I should have stopped my involvement with the web years ago. I don't know. I'm holding on to this, I know if I erase, give away or sell my websites, then I will eventually erase webmasterworld from my bookmarks too.

[tangor]

Even the jockey knows when the race is run---good, bad, or indifferent. He also knows when it becomes DANGEROUS (due to age/health) to continue. There is a cycle of life and webmastering is a life of its own.

THAT SAID, life goes on. Nothing you or I can do about it other than go along for the ride. Evolve. Some things are meant to last, but not last forever. Change is involved, heck, the mere act of being in one place changes that place/experience---again, nothing you can do about that.

As for WW, this too, will pass at some future time. Why? There are no more "webmasters". There are "nodes" in a data stream and some are more tasty than others. Why? The big fish is about to gobble up all the small fish who can no longer compete in a challenging (and shrinking) environment. But even so, small fry can still survive (and will)---that is the whole idea behind vanity publishing.

Plug and play leads to mix and match and further on enters into turnkey production. Each step has benefits, but each step also removes "the mechanics" who make and build things with pride, take on apprentices and teach the trade, to consume both work and product as if the breath of life itself. But this, too, will pass.

When an activity is no longer fun, safe, enjoyable, lucrative (either heart or monetary enrichment), then get out! Turn 90° and sprint! Clear the mind of all but the good memories, but never forget the bad either, else melancholy and despair will shade what comes after.

They say that being an adult of certain age means knowing when to quit what has become a burden that preys on the heart and mind. Sadly, at 76 I haven't yet aged enough to know when to quit. After all, in 76 years I've seen technology kill off human creativity, groups, even entire nation states (and animal species, too), yet there's always SOMETHING new just around the corner. Be damned if I ain't there to see what it might be!

AS FOR WW---Brett and crew. Make the changes that make sense, but KEEP IN MIND that RETRO ALWAYS RETURNS and some day all the glitz and glamour will become BORING and a "fresh new look" at the old days will be the next big item.

@Explorador ... I've had that feeling, too. Many times. So, these days it's just a hobby site. Something mine, that I SHARE with no intent or monetization, simply because I enjoy it for that fact alone. That OTHERS---strangers never met from countries I'll never visit come to see what I gift---that's icing on the cake. That site, from 1996, has been ripped and copied, spun, dismembered, encapsulated, heck even turned into a POD book (that one I sued and won since SOME thefts are simply too egregious!), still provides the muscle memory, imagination, and joy. BUT AT THE SAME TIME I've said just about all there is to say on this subject, so it is maintenance mode, protective mode, and preservation mode on a good basic host at the lowest dollar amount possible for good operation--about $130/year all in. I don't know where I can find so much enjoyment for 36¢ a day.

If you elect to go I will miss you. If you go and then return I hope I am here to greet you!

[not2easy]

I agree with much of tangor's comments here. The idea of POD books to share a website's contents that you no longer want the responsibility for is one way to be able to share your work and learning. Less a target of image abuse and can be rewarding. Your work and your time have value and your learning can help others while answering a need for information.

You have introduced some of the deepest threads on these forums and have always been ready to help out others, so you would definitely be missed here.

[londrum]

I went through exactly the same thing a few years ago (at pretty much the same age as well). I shut my site down and got a proper job in the real world. I ended up enjoying it - mainly because it got me out of the house and meeting people - but after a year of being told what to do by a boss I decided to go back to my website again.

i don't regret taking a step away, though - there's nothing wrong with moving on to something else if that's what you want to do - but in my experience even if you shut the site down, don't sell it. regardless of how you feel now, make sure you hold on to the files and the domain name just in case you want to fire it up again for whatever reason. otherwise you'll be faced with starting from scratch

[lucy24]

If you don’t enjoy it and you don’t need the money ... well, it’s hard to come up with a reason to continue. I mean, it’s not like you have an inherited website that was created by your grandfather, lovingly built out by your father, and you had hoped some day to pass it on to your son.

The only real question is whether you have content that is useful to humans. (Not the same as “site has commercial value”, or you’d simply sell it.) If yes, open up the site to entities like the Internet Archive and give them a year or so to collect everything. Then your content will always be available somewhere, but it’s no longer any concern of yours.

[Kendo]

Even at retirement age keeping busy can be a chore. There is only so much gardening and household chores to be done and they don't fill a whole day every day. We can restore a Harley or Austin Healey but that's expensive and there will be delays while waiting for parts etc. Or we can get back into the studio but still need to wait while paint dries. Also where to hang/store all those artworks?

I am now looking at one of my first software solutions that was written in Java for image encryption. Will convert that to 21st century Windows code for the desktop GUI and then develop browser support for all OS to display those encrypted images on web pages.

I doubt if I will sell many licences but it will annoy hell out of my competitors because they have neither the means or the know how.

[engine]

The key to this is whether you have the desire to continue or not. It sounds not.
It doesn't matter what it is: If you no longer feel that spark it's time to move on to your next chapter.
What you do with the resource is an entirely different aspect. It may be something someone else would take on. Or archive it. You may come back to it with a new found fondness.

Side issue about websites: Recently, I was speaking to someone I've know for 20+ years, who's one and only website generates very little direct traffic. He wants to continue with it because it anchors his Google reviews, and adds credibility. I'm sure he could give it up if it didn't help. He used to be excited by it, however, he has no longer has interest in it.
In his case he's interested in what he does, with the site being an ancillary.

Find something that does interest you, if you haven't already. Family, friends, activities, volunteering, or exploring new technology are some of the things. A change in direction might be good, such as artisan baking, etc. Or, just put on a backpack and travel.

[explorador]

@Tangor:

Also, the jockey knows training and competition, every lap counts, but as a webmaster the list of things to do grows with nothing in return. I can understand the big and small fish competition, but let's face it, being a webmaster turned into forever-defensive-mode. True, there are no more webmasters.

Yes, I have changed activities, and that moved me far away from updating the websites. I'm 47, retiring doesn't feel like a concept living in my mind (my grandparents and my dad never retired, and they remain as my best examples for life), I do feel like my personality will keep me busy, but as a webmaster? doesn't sound like the best idea.

Tangor I believe your writing touched a magic angle. Yes, I agree and I can relate to what you wrote about the challenges, yes, people steal and profit, this is a forever maintenance mode, etc., but the thing is (in your own paragraphs), since when we don't see a narrative that paints how fun this is?, or how fun it can be? I think you nailed it. I've left several online places because people sound bitter, boring, tired, or obsessed with money (most fail), and this is (WebmasterWorld) a place that has endured the test of time, but... it also suffers from similar problems: no new blood, or if it's new, the place lacks what used to be fun... people loving and enjoying the trade. Yes, I do feel I will miss everyone here (sure, you included), I do feel motivated when I see activity. I grew solid memories of people here having strong ethics and human values.

[explorador]

@not2easy:

Yes, I'm slowly doing things around here to create space and publish a couple of books, after all, a lot of my stuff is worth turning into paper or ebook, and I also have some new good ideas, and yes to your comments on being valid to share the work and learning, mostly: yes, it's less of a target for abuse. Thanks for your warm words!. Perhaps I may find a way to post new stuff here regarding other areas, not exactly websites.

[explorador]

@londrum:

I see. Yes I moved away from being a webmaster and focused on other type of work (by myself, because I felt I really didn't wan to work for a usual company those days), I remain working on my own, and overall the change felt GREAT, because it has healthy dynamics: you begin, you work hard, and you finish... the product is sold, delivered, sent, whatever, but I get paid and it's final work, no updates needed. And that feels rewarding. I just never shut the sites down, but they started living in my head "what to do? what about the files?" etc.

I'll think deeply about your advice on not letting go of the digital property and content. Thanks, I may find new light and come back. This is an interesting twist on putting myself first, not "solving the problem of the domains and files" instead.

[explorador]

@lucy:

Exactly. Funny enough, it's the other way, I created the websites and it somehow feels sometimes that I have to give the torch to someone else, I mean, to not let the content go to waste. Useful? not all of it, I mean, some stuff is still useful, other stuff is outdated and only serves as documentation of the past. I'm moving forward to not sell, it was mostly a question (on the other thread, thinking it was the next logical step).

[explorador]

@Kendo:

Yes, retiring and staying busy can be a chore. What mostly feels weird in my case (being 47) is how over several years, putting effort on the websites feels worthless... and despite the hobby, it also hits that people interested on the topics can have attitudes like "it's free, and it's your duty to inform me" ha ha yeah whatever. I guess attitudes are not exactly getting better.

This 2025 a woman from the US posted on reddit she was visiting my country, she's moved to become a digital nomad, and was interested on chatting with locals on similar activities. I felt so motivated! she works on similar stuff that I do, nobody replied. Sadly I was too busy for the dates she was around, so, at the time I would be available to talk, she would have been gone.

Ah, software solution? good for you. So, just curious: it was written in Java, and now you will write it in 21st century Windows code (desktop GUI), what language will you use? I do write software too, just curiosity.

BTW, my framework and the CMS written on top of my framework (everything using Perl), still works great, but new servers are problematic, after many years, using it on a new server requires tweaking, diff tweaking on diff servers, and I hate the feeling. The current host has been helpful, great guy (owner), but new updates to Cpanel often mean extra work for me, this sucks. So, I'm writing it from scratch on PHP, it mostly feels boring to rewrite something that shouldn't need fixing, but there are days where it feels motivating and challenging. The thing is, I have other things to do, I can't dedicate whole months to it.

[explorador]

@engine:

Yes, I don't feel like continuing, you nailed it. As said before, being a webmaster feels mostly worthless, like Sisyphus [en.wikipedia.org...]

BUT, tangor post brought interesting light, I mean, it's been quite a while since I read someone around here expressing joy and excitement around this kind of work. Today, after reading those words, I can only try to remember when was the last time when (at least around here) I read someone truly happy and motivated? nope... there is another forum I visit (web devs) and it's the same, everyone is just going insane on why this or that doesn't work, or why someone is having better results after copying their work. I guess my personal case is not isolated, I mean... I'm married, and I do feel joy meeting my wife after every day's work, I now this is not the case for everyone, but that's exactly what I mean, this kind of work I think it's consuming people without noticing.

Side issue about websites: Recently, I was speaking to someone I've know for 20+ years, who's one and only website generates very little direct traffic. He wants to continue with it because it anchors his Google reviews, and adds credibility. I'm sure he could give it up if it didn't help. He used to be excited by it, however, he has no longer has interest in it. In his case he's interested in what he does, with the site being an ancillary.

Interesting, I see the dynamic. I still have active interest on photography, but sharing them means people coming right after me to steal them, I've been thinking on teaching photography (again), then, the websites may help as accessories.

Find something that does interest you, if you haven't already. Family, friends, activities, volunteering, or exploring new technology are some of the things. A change in direction might be good, such as artisan baking, etc. Or, just put on a backpack and travel.

I do have thing that interest me and I enjoy, it's being a webmaster the stain on the wall, and that feels weird.

I appreciate everyone comments! and I can say today, tangor lines surely made me think about things in specific. I don't mean to sound rude, but I believe his words and my interpretation apply to a lot of people here too: it's been a while since threads and posts sound like people doing things for fun, or at least enjoying them.

I will meditate about this.

I mean, I opened my websites to share (not for people to steal, that's different), and as long as I find others REALLY enjoying it instead of taking advantage, or... as long as I find others to hang out on the same boat (content creators), I think the energy feeds itself with motivation.

[Kendo]

So, just curious: it was written in Java, and now you will write it in 21st century Windows code (desktop GUI), what language will you use?

C++

I have 2 similar apps (for other types of media) that can be used as a template. The most difficult part will be decrypting and displaying on other OS.

While Java is still supported on computers for running server and desktop apps (outlawed for applets on web pages) installation of the JRE and configuration can be too technical for newbies. The new converter will run on any Windows device out of the box. The converter itself will only run on Windows but any serious designer or developer will have a Windows PC somewhere.