
In honor of #ThrowbackThursday, Iām taking a look back at all of the online platforms Iāve used over the years. The ones I can remember anywayā¦.
In the summer of 1983, I saw War Games for the first time. Not only was I fascinated by computers at the time, I was quickly coming to the realization I liked other guys.
At the time, posters of guys like Mathew Broderick were hung with care (and pride) on my closet door. My parents pretended it was just idol worship. But we all know what it really was: a celebrity crush. āShall we play a game?ā Yes, please.
Over the years, I watched the film countless times on cable and home video. I always knew one day Iād be doing something onlineā¦but had no idea how much weād all be to do online.
Cut to 1994. A friend invited me over to his new place and showed me some of the work he was doing since he quit college to build websites. It was my introduction to the World Wide Web. I didnāt know how exactly, but I knew I would be learning a lot more about all things HTML, so I signed up for America Online the next morning.
Over the past 30 years, Iāve used the Internet as both a tool and a toy, for business and pleasure. Iāve worked as a web designer, webmaster, and graphic designer for sites (and companies) big and small.
These days, this old(er) dog is focused on learning new tricks as a full-time creator and curator. The game keeps evolving and I keep playing. Mostly.
The following is a list of platforms I use today or have used in the past. A few of them I truly loved using (i.e. LiveJournal) and a few I wish I had never signed up for (i.e. Etsy).
While I always love to wax nostalgic, I remain open to trying new things.
Iām also (mostly*) happy with the mix of platforms and communities Iām part of now.
Thank you for being a friendā¦and subscriber!
Clint
PRESENT = MAIN PLATFORMS
PRESENT = SECONDARY PLATFORMS
PRESENT = (MOSTLY) INACTIVE PLATFORMS
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
LINKEDIN
PINTEREST
THREADS
X/TWITTER
PAST = PERSONAL PLATFORMS
AMERICA ONLINE (c. 1994-2000)
āYouāve Got Mailā + M4M Chat RoomsLIVEJOURNAL (c. 2001-2005)
My second try at blogging (1st was on AOL)ā¦good times!FRIENDSTER + MYSPACE (c. 2003-2004)
My first official social media accountsā¦āitās complicatedā relationshipsDEVIANTART (c. 2005-2007)
Posted some original artā¦until I got too busyFLICKR (2005-2012)
Saving the best (at least then) for last and longest. While I donāt really shoot anymore, Iām glad I know how. It helped me learn how to see better.
PAST = PROFESSIONAL PLATFORMS
Regretting a few of these, you live, you learn, right?
EBAY (c. 1998-2002)
ETSY (2023)
FINE ART AMERICA (2023)
PRINTIFY (2023)
REDBUBBLE (2023)
SOCIETY6 (2023)
SPRING/TEESPRING (2023-2024)
TEEPUBLIC (2023)
TOSTADORA (2023)
ZAZZLE (2023)
MORE FROM COLLIDE PRESS
Ko-Fi + Linktree + Shop
+ Threadless + YouTube
I used to tell myself that it was physique envy when I looked at photos of shirtless men