Miniblog is a minimal blogging platform, written in object-oriented PHP, aimed primarily at developers. It is an ongoing exercise in environmentally-responsible software development: my aim is to create a blogging platform that provides only the features that are really needed, only those that bring real value.
Quite simply, Miniblog came about because I couldn't find a sufficiently minimal blogging platform written in PHP, my preferred programming language.
Apparently it is still the general tendency to just keep adding more rather than to focus on what really matters and to effectively move in the opposite direction, to take away
A few months ago I decided I wanted to start blogging again. All I wanted was to publish articles to a smart-looking website and be able to version-control my content. I thought it'd now be possible to find an open-source blogging platform that would fit the bill. It's often been the case that I'd go looking for a minimal off-the-shelf package to use in a project and come back empty handed, but I thought things would have moved on. There has been an opening up—as with many things—but apparently it is still the general tendency to just keep adding more rather than to focus on what really matters—what's really needed—and to effectively move in the opposite direction, to take away, to create space.
If all these features are extraneous then they're flagrantly wasteful
For years I've found I use only a tiny fraction of the features in software—in many things, actually—and that everything else is only distracting. I'm sure there are those who do make good use of these things, but I suspect they are in the minority. If all these features are extraneous then they're flagrantly wasteful. In the case of a website, unnecessary work will be done each time a page is requested. What's important to bear in mind is that these are ultimately physical resources being wasted: servers, networks, mobile devices, etc, all require electricity to run. If I don't need all this stuff, if it only gets in the way and is wasteful to boot, then it's hardly responsible to use some fancy CMS—for example—to publish a modest blog.
The effects of our excess on our environment will remain with us and could very well be the cause of its end
I think it's always been important to be concerned about efficiency and reducing waste, but the need to take action, to do things differently, is now even more pressing. The so-called energy crisis that's been triggered by the war in Ukraine should—for one thing—make us think twice about our use of fuel. God willing, the war will end soon, but we should use this as an opportunity to rethink our approach and make changes now, because the effects of our excess on our environment will remain with us and could very well be the cause of its end.
We can be obsessive in our pursuit of convenience: when we can see that something's possible, we fervently chase the dream and lose track of what's real, and reasonable
I don't think we need to go as far as denying ourselves the internet or forgoing all pleasure, but I do think there needs to be a balance. We can't keep demanding more: I think we need to learn to be satisfied with enough, the 80%, the bit that really counts. In my professional life I've often been asked if something is possible. The answer is invariably "yes". The question should then be "is it worth it?" In theory, time can be easily spent but there are many other immediate, and long term, costs besides. We can be obsessive in our pursuit of convenience: when we can see that something's possible, we fervently chase the dream and lose track of what's real, and reasonable. We often go to a huge amount of trouble to save clicks and keypresses that cost us only a few seconds every once in a while. So, again, is it really worth it? Yes, it could be done, but should it?
Yes, I am wanting for something, but I'm choosing to be more responsible in how I procure it: as a software engineer, I have the privilege of being able to mold it as I see fit
I believe we can all make a difference by taking our own small steps: I think we need only aim ourselves in the right direction and then do something. Miniblog is my two penn'orth. I want to blog because I want to give something back—since, for one thing, I've learned a great deal from others—but I just don't need all the bells and whistles you find in other apps. Yes, I am wanting for something, but I'm choosing to be more responsible in how I procure it: as a software engineer, I have the privilege of being able to mold it as I see fit.
This incarnation of Miniblog is just the beginning. My aim is to continue honing it, to continue carving off the fat. Miniblog will serve as a test-bed in learning to be more environmentally-responsible in my work, and I plan to document some of that journey here.