When Reddit gives you login screens, go back to the open web

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When Reddit gives you login screens, go back to the open web

4 November 2026

CEO of social news aggregator Reddit, Steve Huffman:

This is a big change for Reddit, where we’ve allowed logged-out access to basically all of Reddit for the last two decades. And I don’t know about you, but as someone whose life has been defined by the open internet, it’s a big change for me. But I’ve come to the conclusion that this is the right decision for our platform and the right decision for our business.

The results of one search engine in particular seem to, or did, rely heavily on the masses of content published at Reddit. But soon, anyone wanting to verify that information will need to login to Reddit.

That’s probably not too difficult though. But there is an opportunity here for actual pundits of the open web, who publish quality content on their website/blog, that isn’t hidden behind a login screen.

Just as well-written blogs can counter AI slop, they can also keep the web open, truly open.

Yes, there’s an inordinate quantity of information dwelling within Reddit. But there are also bloggers who loath login screens and walled gardens, and are passionate about the open web.

The end of internet, and what comes next

3 November 2026

Ben Thompson, writing at Stratechery:

My life is defined by the Internet: I witnessed and participated in its evolution, and maybe in some small way contributed to it; I certainly owe my livelihood and success to it. I bemoan its passing.

A thought provoking read. It’s strange to think I may not be doing what I’ve been doing in this space since 1997 for much longer, or what I might be doing going forward will be quite different.

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open web, technology, trends

Get your website a pixel on the Pixel Area blog directory

25 September 2026

My thanks to Oleh Providnyk for adding disassociated to his Pixel Area project. Pixel Area is a blog directory, or blogroll if you like, solely for personal and independent websites/blogs.

Instead of a text listing though, linked websites are represented by a square block, called a pixel. A quite large pixel, granted, but that’s beside the point.

Each “pixel” has its own grid coordinate, and mine, for instance, can be found at X31 Y2.

It’s a little like the Million Dollar Homepage, created by Alex Tew in 2005, but Pixel Area is strictly non-commercial. That’s not where the retro connections end though. Pixel Area also has neighbourhoods reminiscent of GeoCities. I’m in the Raster Flats, and am happy to call it home.

There’s ten-thousand pixels all up available, plenty of room should you wish to submit your website.

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blogs, design, open web, technology

Voting open for Tiny Awards 2026

7 September 2026

Eleven websites have been selected as finalists for this year’s Tiny Awards, and you can vote for your favourite. Polling closes on Friday 25 September 2026. There’s some awesome late-nineties web design vibes to found among the 2026 finalists.