Richard MacManus
@ricmac.cybercultural.com
Tech journalist @ The New Stack · Internet historian @ cybercultural.com · Founded ReadWriteWeb (2003-2012) · 🥝 in 🇬🇧
Other Bluesky a/cs:
@cybercultural.com — internet history
@classicweb.site — old web screenshots
Other Bluesky a/cs:
@cybercultural.com — internet history
@classicweb.site — old web screenshots
Pinned
The History of Web Design, 1993–2012: Season 5 Launch
Introducing Cybercultural's history of web design, from the grey web pages of 1993 to the colorful, mobile-centric web designs of 2012. A celebration of the peak years of personal websites and blogs.
cybercultural.com
Today I'm launching season 5 of Cybercultural: the history of web design from 1993 till 2012. It will be a celebration of the peak years of personal websites and blogs! I invite you to subscribe now for weekly updates via email or RSS. cybercultural.com/p/history-of... #WebDesignHistory
Had a day off today and went to Hay-on-Wye (the UK’s book town) with my daughter. I managed to find a 2006 web design book, packed with screenshots. Anyone else a fan of the “Web Design Index by Content” books? #WebDesignHistory
January 16, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Had a day off today and went to Hay-on-Wye (the UK’s book town) with my daughter. I managed to find a 2006 web design book, packed with screenshots. Anyone else a fan of the “Web Design Index by Content” books? #WebDesignHistory
Everyone here loves a CSS-in-JS system, right? I took a look at Meta's StyleX & how it compares to the more commonly used Tailwind. While "just use CSS dammit" is the normal response to such tools, StyleX has a very specific (& rare) use case: highly scaled apps. thenewstack.io/stylex-vs-ta... #CSS
StyleX vs. Tailwind: Meta's Take on CSS-in-JS Maintainability
Meta's StyleX is a CSS-in-JS solution for large apps. We look at how it compares to Tailwind on code maintainability, scale and atomic CSS.
thenewstack.io
January 15, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Everyone here loves a CSS-in-JS system, right? I took a look at Meta's StyleX & how it compares to the more commonly used Tailwind. While "just use CSS dammit" is the normal response to such tools, StyleX has a very specific (& rare) use case: highly scaled apps. thenewstack.io/stylex-vs-ta... #CSS
Reposted by Richard MacManus
Oh my goodness! Look at that, 20 years. One of my favourite designs, gosh
interconnected.org in 2005
https://web.archive.org/web/20051029045010if_/http://interconnected.org:80/home
https://web.archive.org/web/20051029045010if_/http://interconnected.org:80/home
January 13, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Oh my goodness! Look at that, 20 years. One of my favourite designs, gosh
Reposted by Richard MacManus
big q for Leaflet + standard.site: how can we rethink 'subscribing' for the social web?
different from subbing via RSS feed or email newsletter!
& this succeeds to the extent it's a great social experience, where ppl can interact w/ an ecosystem of many readers & writers, w/ lots of entry points…
different from subbing via RSS feed or email newsletter!
& this succeeds to the extent it's a great social experience, where ppl can interact w/ an ecosystem of many readers & writers, w/ lots of entry points…
January 13, 2026 at 7:03 PM
big q for Leaflet + standard.site: how can we rethink 'subscribing' for the social web?
different from subbing via RSS feed or email newsletter!
& this succeeds to the extent it's a great social experience, where ppl can interact w/ an ecosystem of many readers & writers, w/ lots of entry points…
different from subbing via RSS feed or email newsletter!
& this succeeds to the extent it's a great social experience, where ppl can interact w/ an ecosystem of many readers & writers, w/ lots of entry points…
Reposted by Richard MacManus
A history of web design, from the grey web pages of 1993 to the colorful, mobile-centric web designs of 2012. A celebration of the peak years of personal websites and blogs. By Richard MacManus.
cybercultural.com/p/history-of...
cybercultural.com/p/history-of...
The History of Web Design, 1993–2012: Season 5 Launch
Introducing Cybercultural's history of web design, from the grey web pages of 1993 to the colorful, mobile-centric web designs of 2012. A celebration of the peak years of personal websites and blogs.
cybercultural.com
January 13, 2026 at 5:07 PM
A history of web design, from the grey web pages of 1993 to the colorful, mobile-centric web designs of 2012. A celebration of the peak years of personal websites and blogs. By Richard MacManus.
cybercultural.com/p/history-of...
cybercultural.com/p/history-of...
Today I'm launching season 5 of Cybercultural: the history of web design from 1993 till 2012. It will be a celebration of the peak years of personal websites and blogs! I invite you to subscribe now for weekly updates via email or RSS. cybercultural.com/p/history-of... #WebDesignHistory
The History of Web Design, 1993–2012: Season 5 Launch
Introducing Cybercultural's history of web design, from the grey web pages of 1993 to the colorful, mobile-centric web designs of 2012. A celebration of the peak years of personal websites and blogs.
cybercultural.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Today I'm launching season 5 of Cybercultural: the history of web design from 1993 till 2012. It will be a celebration of the peak years of personal websites and blogs! I invite you to subscribe now for weekly updates via email or RSS. cybercultural.com/p/history-of... #WebDesignHistory
One of my current areas of interest is Web AI, where apps use AI models on-device via the browser. But this is also possible using native mobile apps, as a UK company called DataSapien is doing with its new SDK. I spoke to its founder and CEO StJohn “Singe” Deakins. thenewstack.io/datasapiens-...
New Mobile SDK Brings Low-Code Development to On-Device AI
A new mobile development SDK for building AI apps uses small language models and personal data storage to keep everything on-device.
thenewstack.io
January 12, 2026 at 2:36 PM
One of my current areas of interest is Web AI, where apps use AI models on-device via the browser. But this is also possible using native mobile apps, as a UK company called DataSapien is doing with its new SDK. I spoke to its founder and CEO StJohn “Singe” Deakins. thenewstack.io/datasapiens-...
Reposted by Richard MacManus
Group weblogs...you don't see too many of them these days. Who has time, I guess, with all those social media accounts to update.
radiofreeblogistan.com in 2004
https://web.archive.org/web/20040830025833if_/http://www.radiofreeblogistan.com:80
radiofreeblogistan.com in 2004
https://web.archive.org/web/20040830025833if_/http://www.radiofreeblogistan.com:80
January 12, 2026 at 10:41 AM
Group weblogs...you don't see too many of them these days. Who has time, I guess, with all those social media accounts to update.
radiofreeblogistan.com in 2004
https://web.archive.org/web/20040830025833if_/http://www.radiofreeblogistan.com:80
radiofreeblogistan.com in 2004
https://web.archive.org/web/20040830025833if_/http://www.radiofreeblogistan.com:80
Reposted by Richard MacManus
We really need 2026 to be the year someone makes a new Blogdex, Daypop, or Technorati. #Blogging
In the latest post in my history of blogging and RSS series, I look at the emergence of the blogosphere in 2002 — a thriving ecosystem of colourful personal sites that interconnected to each other via RSS, trackback and blogrolls. cybercultural.com/p/blogs-rss-...
How the Blogosphere Takes Shape in 2002, Along With RSS 2.0
The blogosphere becomes a trend in 2002 — a growing ecosystem of weblogs interconnecting via feeds, comments and a new feature called trackback. We also see the debut of RSS 2.0 and Technorati.
cybercultural.com
January 11, 2026 at 3:54 AM
We really need 2026 to be the year someone makes a new Blogdex, Daypop, or Technorati. #Blogging
Reposted by Richard MacManus
Open question: how do tech folks keep track of interesting events and conferences you might want to attend. Back in Web 2.0, Upcoming was great for this. I know @andybaio resurrected it several years ago, but not sure if it’s currently maintained (it seems to only have a Twitter login option […]
Original post on mastodon.social
mastodon.social
January 10, 2026 at 11:59 AM
Open question: how do tech folks keep track of interesting events and conferences you might want to attend. Back in Web 2.0, Upcoming was great for this. I know @andybaio resurrected it several years ago, but not sure if it’s currently maintained (it seems to only have a Twitter login option […]
Reposted by Richard MacManus
To commemorate the 79th anniversary of David Bowie's birth & nearly the 10th anniversary of his passing, I've written a mini-history of Bowie's website from 2004 to 2016 — including why he shunned social media ("Dropped my cell phone down below"). cybercultural.com/p/bowienet-2... #BowieForever 👨🎤
After BowieNet, David Bowie Goes Dark and Shuns Social Media
From 2004, BowieNet enters a long period of stasis. When David Bowie unexpectedly returns with a new album in 2013, his website is reactivated — but he declines to join social media.
cybercultural.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:56 AM
To commemorate the 79th anniversary of David Bowie's birth & nearly the 10th anniversary of his passing, I've written a mini-history of Bowie's website from 2004 to 2016 — including why he shunned social media ("Dropped my cell phone down below"). cybercultural.com/p/bowienet-2... #BowieForever 👨🎤
Reposted by Richard MacManus
DavidBowie.com on January 8, 2016. RIP #bowieforever (click here for a mini-history of Bowie's website from 2004-2016: https://cybercultural.com/p/bowienet-2004-2016/)
January 8, 2026 at 12:04 PM
DavidBowie.com on January 8, 2016. RIP #bowieforever (click here for a mini-history of Bowie's website from 2004-2016: https://cybercultural.com/p/bowienet-2004-2016/)
To commemorate the 79th anniversary of David Bowie's birth & nearly the 10th anniversary of his passing, I've written a mini-history of Bowie's website from 2004 to 2016 — including why he shunned social media ("Dropped my cell phone down below"). cybercultural.com/p/bowienet-2... #BowieForever 👨🎤
After BowieNet, David Bowie Goes Dark and Shuns Social Media
From 2004, BowieNet enters a long period of stasis. When David Bowie unexpectedly returns with a new album in 2013, his website is reactivated — but he declines to join social media.
cybercultural.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:56 AM
To commemorate the 79th anniversary of David Bowie's birth & nearly the 10th anniversary of his passing, I've written a mini-history of Bowie's website from 2004 to 2016 — including why he shunned social media ("Dropped my cell phone down below"). cybercultural.com/p/bowienet-2... #BowieForever 👨🎤
The final post of Cybercultural season 4 -> Online music & blogging were two key trends in the first decade of digital culture. In 2003, they combine in the form of MP3 blogs. Together with Pitchfork, they revolutionize music journalism. cybercultural.com/p/mp3-blogs-... #InternetHistory #MP3Blogs
2003: MP3 Blogs and Pitchfork Shake Up Music Media
Online music and blogging were two key trends in the first decade of digital culture. In 2003, they combine in the form of MP3 blogs. Together with Pitchfork, they revolutionize music journalism.
cybercultural.com
December 30, 2025 at 6:23 PM
The final post of Cybercultural season 4 -> Online music & blogging were two key trends in the first decade of digital culture. In 2003, they combine in the form of MP3 blogs. Together with Pitchfork, they revolutionize music journalism. cybercultural.com/p/mp3-blogs-... #InternetHistory #MP3Blogs
Reposted by Richard MacManus
Jamiroquai’s website in 2003, one of many Flash designs that year. Read more about the internet in 2003: https://cybercultural.com/p/internet-2003/
December 23, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Jamiroquai’s website in 2003, one of many Flash designs that year. Read more about the internet in 2003: https://cybercultural.com/p/internet-2003/
Remember "social software"? We heard this term a lot during 2003. While it would take another year for Silicon Valley to start inflating another bubble — this one would be named "Web 2.0" — there was a renewed sense of optimism in '03. cybercultural.com/p/internet-2... #InternetHistory
What the Internet Was Like in 2003
Blogging goes mainstream in 2003; and with the launch of Google AdSense, pro blogs emerge too. Also the iTunes store debuts, social networks ramp up, and Flash websites are everywhere.
cybercultural.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Remember "social software"? We heard this term a lot during 2003. While it would take another year for Silicon Valley to start inflating another bubble — this one would be named "Web 2.0" — there was a renewed sense of optimism in '03. cybercultural.com/p/internet-2... #InternetHistory
My wrapup of AI development in 2025 for @thenewstack.io. thenewstack.io/ai-engineeri...
AI Engineering Trends in 2025: Agents, MCP and Vibe Coding
Our top 5 AI developer trends of 2025, from the rise of agentic technology and MCP to the evolution of AI coding tools and the influx of vibe coders.
thenewstack.io
December 22, 2025 at 2:34 PM
My wrapup of AI development in 2025 for @thenewstack.io. thenewstack.io/ai-engineeri...
My latest for @thenewstack.io is a look at two new "agentic user interface" projects, one from Google (A2UI) and one being driven by OpenAI and Anthropic (MCP Apps). thenewstack.io/agent-ui-sta...
Agent UI Standards Multiply: MCP Apps and Google’s A2UI
New standards for AI agent UIs highlight key differences between Google's native-first A2UI and the web-centric MCP Apps favored by OpenAI.
thenewstack.io
December 19, 2025 at 4:25 PM
My latest for @thenewstack.io is a look at two new "agentic user interface" projects, one from Google (A2UI) and one being driven by OpenAI and Anthropic (MCP Apps). thenewstack.io/agent-ui-sta...
Reposted by Richard MacManus
good post! touches on a lot of interesting things in internet publishing today: website as "online magazine" vs blog & publishing in *seasons*, experiments with "replanting" older articles, the emergent *open social* movement & challenges of recapturing the energy of the blogosphere…
How my independent website, Cybercultural, has fared during 2025 — a year when AI summaries whittled away search referral traffic and social media continued its war against hyperlinks. Also, I reflect on the state of the open web from a publishing pov. cybercultural.com/p/indie-web-... #IndieWeb
My 2025 Indie Web Report and Thoughts on the Open Web
How my independent website, Cybercultural, has fared during 2025 — a year when AI summaries whittled away search referral traffic and social media continued its war against hyperlinks.
cybercultural.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:18 AM
good post! touches on a lot of interesting things in internet publishing today: website as "online magazine" vs blog & publishing in *seasons*, experiments with "replanting" older articles, the emergent *open social* movement & challenges of recapturing the energy of the blogosphere…
How my independent website, Cybercultural, has fared during 2025 — a year when AI summaries whittled away search referral traffic and social media continued its war against hyperlinks. Also, I reflect on the state of the open web from a publishing pov. cybercultural.com/p/indie-web-... #IndieWeb
My 2025 Indie Web Report and Thoughts on the Open Web
How my independent website, Cybercultural, has fared during 2025 — a year when AI summaries whittled away search referral traffic and social media continued its war against hyperlinks.
cybercultural.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:54 PM
How my independent website, Cybercultural, has fared during 2025 — a year when AI summaries whittled away search referral traffic and social media continued its war against hyperlinks. Also, I reflect on the state of the open web from a publishing pov. cybercultural.com/p/indie-web-... #IndieWeb
Reposted by Richard MacManus
What are your biggest complaints about using the web right now?
December 17, 2025 at 12:07 AM
What are your biggest complaints about using the web right now?
Reposted by Richard MacManus
My official entrance into the blogosphere in 2003 with a Radio Userland blog called Read/WriteWeb. Read more about blogging in 2003: https://cybercultural.com/p/blogosphere-2003/
December 16, 2025 at 3:09 PM
My official entrance into the blogosphere in 2003 with a Radio Userland blog called Read/WriteWeb. Read more about blogging in 2003: https://cybercultural.com/p/blogosphere-2003/
In the final part of my 5-part series on the history of blogging and RSS, we come to 2003: when RSS Readers like NetNewsWire and Bloglines burst onto the scene, Google buys Blogger, WordPress debuts, and 16-year old Aaron Swartz live-blogs a Dave Winer keynote. cybercultural.com/p/blogospher...
The Blogosphere Blossoms in 2003 As RSS Readers Catch On
In 2003, the read/write web becomes a reality when blog software enables anyone to write to the web. Meanwhile, RSS Readers like NetNewsWire and Bloglines bring distribution to the blogosphere.
cybercultural.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:36 PM
In the final part of my 5-part series on the history of blogging and RSS, we come to 2003: when RSS Readers like NetNewsWire and Bloglines burst onto the scene, Google buys Blogger, WordPress debuts, and 16-year old Aaron Swartz live-blogs a Dave Winer keynote. cybercultural.com/p/blogospher...
It's year-end wrapup time and here are my top 5 web development trends of 2025. They show a divide between AI coding tools that favor React and the growing power of native web features. thenewstack.io/web-developm...
Web Development in 2025: AI’s React Bias vs. Native Web
The five key web development trends of 2025 show a divide between AI coding tools that favor React and the growing power of native web features.
thenewstack.io
December 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM
It's year-end wrapup time and here are my top 5 web development trends of 2025. They show a divide between AI coding tools that favor React and the growing power of native web features. thenewstack.io/web-developm...
Reposted by Richard MacManus
MTV2.com circa 2000-2002; an entirely Flash website. Watch a screencast here: https://cybercultural.com/p/bowienet-v3-flash-2003/
December 10, 2025 at 11:44 AM
MTV2.com circa 2000-2002; an entirely Flash website. Watch a screencast here: https://cybercultural.com/p/bowienet-v3-flash-2003/