Kevin Quirk argues against using Twitter threads for substantive content, advocating for blog posts instead. He points out Twitter's ephemeral nature, poor searchability, lack of control over formatting and content presentation, and the difficulty of revising or updating information. A blog, in contrast, offers permanence, improved discoverability through search engines, greater control over formatting and multimedia inclusion, and the ability to easily edit and update. This creates a superior reading experience and allows creators to build a lasting, searchable body of work that they own and control, unlike content trapped within the walled garden of a social media platform.
Website speed significantly impacts user experience and business metrics. Faster websites lead to lower bounce rates, increased conversion rates, and improved search engine rankings. Optimizing for speed involves numerous strategies, from minimizing HTTP requests and optimizing images to leveraging browser caching and utilizing a Content Delivery Network (CDN). Even seemingly small delays can negatively impact user perception and ultimately the bottom line, making speed a critical factor in web development and maintenance.
Hacker News users generally agreed with the article's premise that website speed is crucial. Several commenters shared anecdotes about slow sites leading to lost sales or frustrated users. Some debated the merits of different performance metrics, like "time to first byte" versus "largest contentful paint," emphasizing the user experience over raw numbers. A few suggested tools and techniques for optimizing site speed, including lazy loading images and minimizing JavaScript. Some pointed out the tension between adding features and maintaining performance, suggesting that developers often prioritize functionality over speed. One compelling comment highlighted the importance of perceived performance, arguing that even if a site isn't technically fast, making it feel fast through techniques like skeleton screens can significantly improve user satisfaction.
Even if no one reads your blog, it's still valuable. Writing clarifies your thinking, solidifies your understanding of a topic, and acts as a personal record of your intellectual journey. It can serve as a sandbox for experimenting with ideas, a portfolio to showcase skills, and a springboard for future projects. Essentially, blogging is an act of learning and self-improvement, with the potential bonus of connecting with an audience down the line.
HN commenters largely agree with the author's premise that blogging, even without a large audience, has value. Several highlight the benefits of writing as a way to clarify thinking, consolidate knowledge, and improve writing skills. Some suggest that a blog can serve as a personal knowledge base, searchable archive, or a way to track personal growth. A few practical suggestions include focusing on niche topics and promoting the blog through relevant communities. The idea of writing primarily for oneself, with the potential for an audience as a secondary benefit, is a recurring theme. Some commenters share their own experiences of low-traffic blogs providing unexpected value, like attracting job offers or connecting with like-minded individuals. The overall sentiment is that the intrinsic rewards of blogging often outweigh the pressure of building a large readership.
The Hacker News post asks why someone would buy domains and 301 redirect them to their main site. The author wonders about the purported SEO benefits, specifically if it's worthwhile given the cost of domain registration and potential negative impact from associating low-quality or unrelated domains. They question if this practice is truly effective for increasing search engine ranking and driving traffic, or if it's a largely outdated SEO tactic.
The Hacker News comments discuss various reasons why someone might buy domains and 301 redirect them to their main site. Several commenters suggest SEO benefits, such as consolidating link juice and potentially ranking for more keywords. Others point to branding and defensive strategies, like acquiring misspelled versions of a domain name or variations to prevent competitors from using them. Some discuss the potential for acquiring expired domains with existing traffic and backlinks. A few caution against overdoing it, as excessive redirects or low-quality backlinks could harm SEO. Finally, a couple of comments mention using redirects for personal branding or consolidating multiple projects under a single online presence.
Summary of Comments ( 96 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43277924
Hacker News users generally agree with the author's premise that blog posts are superior to Twitter threads for conveying complex ideas. Several commenters point out the ephemeral nature of Twitter content and the difficulty of searching or referencing it later. The improved formatting, editing capabilities, and permanence of blogs are highlighted as key advantages. Some users mention the benefit of owning your content on a personal platform rather than relying on a third-party service. A few dissenting opinions suggest Twitter threads can be effective for quick thoughts and reaching a wider audience, but acknowledge blogs are better for in-depth analysis. The lack of comments/likes on personal blogs is mentioned as a potential drawback, though others counter that this allows for more focused writing without the pressure of social media engagement.
The Hacker News post linking Kevin Quirk's blog post, "Forget Twitter threads and write a blog post instead," generated a fair number of comments, most agreeing with the premise.
Many commenters echoed the sentiment that Twitter threads are a suboptimal format for conveying complex or nuanced information. They cited issues such as the character limit, difficulty in editing, lack of searchability, and the ephemeral nature of tweets getting lost in the fast-paced feed. Several pointed out the benefits of blog posts, including better formatting options, permanence, ownership of content, and the ability to build a personal archive.
One commenter highlighted the inherent transience of Twitter, stating that relying on a platform you don't control for important content is a risky proposition. This concern about platform dependence and potential loss of content resonated with other users. Another user emphasized the improved reading experience of a well-structured blog post compared to a disjointed Twitter thread, particularly for longer-form content.
A few commenters offered counterpoints or nuanced perspectives. One argued that Twitter threads offer a unique advantage in facilitating quick, real-time discussions and engaging directly with an audience, suggesting that the two formats serve different purposes. Another acknowledged the benefits of blogging but pointed to the network effect and broader reach afforded by Twitter. They suggested using Twitter threads to attract attention and then linking to a more detailed blog post for those who want to delve deeper. This cross-posting strategy was mentioned by others as a way to leverage the strengths of both platforms.
Some commenters offered practical tips, like using a service to convert Twitter threads into blog posts, further demonstrating a preference for the blog format. Another commenter emphasized the professional benefits of maintaining a blog, suggesting it helps build credibility and showcases expertise in a way that a scattered collection of tweets cannot.
Overall, the comments largely supported Quirk's argument, praising the benefits of blog posts for their permanence, structure, and ownership. While some acknowledged the specific advantages of Twitter for quick dissemination and engagement, the prevailing sentiment was that blog posts provide a superior platform for sharing in-depth thoughts and building a lasting body of work.