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content/english/news/a-breakdown-of-my-indie-life.md

@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+---
+title: "A Breakdown of My Indie Life"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "Allen Webster, creator of 4coder and programmer at Epic Games, digs deep into Abner Coimbre's life as an indie organizer."
+date: 2023-04-17T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/breakdown_of_an_indie_life.webp"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /a-breakdown-of-my-indie-life
+---
+
+
+#### Allen Digs Into My Affairs
+
+[Allen Webster](https://mr4th.com/), creator of 4coder and systems programmer at RAD (now part of Epic Games), interviewed me in earnest about my life as an indie organizer—where I must confess I’ve never opened up like this before.
+
+Have you ever asked yourself, while attending one of our conferences:
+
+* What does Abner do as a full-time organizer?
+* What does it actually _look like_, day in and day out?
+* Why the obsession with being sponsor-free?
+* Aren’t there good tech companies that can help him grow the conferences even faster?
+
+If you’ve wondered along these lines before then this video should hopefully prove fun and enlightening. You’ll learn about my strange (but, in my view, necessary) career path that’s been a bit of a black box until now.
+
+![](/images/news/breakdown_of_an_indie_life.webp)
+
+
+#### Follow Along More Conversations
+
+This is the first in a series of important discussions Allen is having with industry figures. He’s zooming in on angles most us programmers tend to miss and tries to understand what people are doing in a broader sense. I think it’s a very worthwhile and interesting project! (Fun fact: the awesome visualizer you see in the video was programmed by Allen himself. [Over a weekend jam.](https://handmade.network/jam))
+
+Join Allen’s [newsletter](https://newsletter.mr4th.com/) to know when his next conversation gets published.
+
+
+#### Post-Interview Notes
+
+Nearing the end of my conversation with Allen I accidentally imply you must go through the first 25 to 30 episodes of [Handmade Hero](https://guide.handmadehero.org/) in order to attend [Handmade Boston](https://handmadecities.com/boston). **Please note you’re not actually required to go through all the episodes.** (All the power to you if you decide to though!) This is just a rule of thumb to convey the real expectations:
+
+1. That you’re already comfortable with the kind of programming shown in Handmade hero.
+
+2. Alternatively, that you’ve written some substantial application or game in a systems language like C.
+
+And you should be good to go.

content/english/news/almost-gone-spring-sale-2023.md

@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+---
+title: "Almost Gone: Spring Sale 2023"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "Our Spring Sale for the Handmade conferences is coming to a close on April 30th. Thanks to popular demand we've extended the deadline to accomodat..."
+date: 2023-04-25T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/clock-2015460_1280.jpg"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /almost-gone-spring-sale-2023
+---
+
+
+#### Dear Handmade Folks,
+
+Our Spring Sale for the Handmade conferences is coming to a close on April 30th. Thanks to popular demand we’ve extended the deadline to accommodate more of our community, especially students.
+
+Get ready for what should be a remarkable year! We’re shipping conferences on both the west and east coast: exclusive masterclasses in Boston this summer, and brand new talks in Seattle this fall (featuring an expanded job fair and tradeshow). Secure your spot at the best price by registering now:
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://handmadecities.com/tickets" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">Early Bird</a>
+</div>
+
+
+#### The Making of an Indie Organizer
+
+Handmade is currently a niche interest, championing low-level understanding and quality in a world that elevates the production of McSoftware – the digital manifestation of chowing down on Big Macs.
+
+Within this niche my career occupies a distinct corner: orchestrating indie conferences to further our shared values. If you’ve ever wondered about the daily ins and outs of such a position, my friend Allen Webster interviewed me to offer a glimpse:
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqZ6QbKzgW4" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">YouTube Interview</a>
+</div>
+
+
+#### Handmade Jams
+
+While it’s not true that the online community ([Handmade Network](https://discord.gg/hmn)) creates delicious strawberry jams (though I think it would be fantastic marketing), they do host cool jam events for programmers. Very often we pick the best entries to be featured at a conference
+
+With the completion of the [Visibility Jam](https://handmade.network/jam/visibility-2023/recap) I encourage you to explore the recap and maybe even join the [upcoming initiative](https://handmade.network/blog/p/8690-three_big_initiatives_for_2023) called _Time Machine: reminding ourselves how things used to be._
+
+
+#### Stay Tuned: New Batch of Speakers
+
+We’ve been quietly (but intensely) seeking new instructors for Handmade Boston and reviewing proposals for Handmade Seattle. Keep an eye out for our new lineup reveal next month!
+
+##### A Note on Instructor, Speaker & Demo Proposals
+
+For those who have reached out for instructor, speaker, or demo opportunities, please bear with me if you haven’t received a response yet. I’ve been recovering from the flu but I’m catching up this week. You can always reply to this email if you have any questions.
+
+See you soon,
+
+Abner

content/english/news/anniversary-rebrand-2024.md

@@ -0,0 +1,134 @@
+---
+title: "Anniversary Rebrand"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "Faster website, new logos, new chat server, and Handmade Seattle 2024"
+date: 2024-10-20T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/seattle-2024-1080x675.jpg"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /anniversary-rebrand-2024
+---
+
+
+#### Dear Handmade Friends,
+
+Notice the new logo? There’s more to share about our rebrand below.
+
+![](/images/news/cities-withpc-light-mode-row.png)
+
+However, let’s discuss the conference next month first.
+
+##### Handmade Seattle 2024: Anniversary Edition 🌟
+
+We’re a little over a month away from Handmade Seattle, celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Handmade movement. Thanks to everyone who’s shown interest to participate!
+
+If you haven’t heard from me or my staff yet, you should get a response by ~~Monday~~ Tuesday. Worst case, send me a ping on Discord (**@abnercoimbre**) in case ~~Monday~~ Tuesday passed by and you still didn’t hear from us.
+
+It’s never ideal for us to take a long time responding to all emails and submissions. Please forgive us.
+
+
+#### Twitch marathon for ticket sales
+
+This ~~Monday, October 21st~~ Tuesday, October 22nd. I’ll kick off a multi-week Twitch stream running through November 1st. It’ll be my side-project Terminal Click while keeping an eye on how conference registrations are going.
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://twitch.tv/abnercoimbre" class="btn bg-purple-700 dark:bg-purple-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-purple-800 text-white"><i class="fab fa-twitch"></i> Twitch</a>
+</div>
+
+Loris Cro offered to help me port my terminal site from Hugo to [Zine](https://zine-ssg.io/). If he’s around I’ll collab with him during one of the streams!
+
+---
+
+#### Full website rewrite ⚡
+
+[handmadecities.com](http://handmadecities.com/) is getting a much-needed upgrade too. This self-hosted WordPress site is slow and clunky—not great for a community that’s all about software quality!
+
+Thanks to staff member Devon along with the Handmade Network [team](https://handmade.network/about), I’m switching to a static site that’s lightning-fast by comparison. I won’t promise an exact release date, though it’ll ship well ahead of the conference.
+
+As part of this overhaul [Jes Chuhta](https://vimeo.com/887532756/2972a82e55) also designed amazing new logos. You saw the Cities one at the top. We also have a version for Handmade [Meetups](https://handmadecities.com/meetups):
+
+![](/images/news/meetups-light-mode-fixed.png)
+
+The conferences gets fresh logos too: one for Handmade Boston and Handmade Seattle. Dude there’s even a cute favicon! She did incredible work, so keep an eye out for all of them soon.
+
+_Note: With everything going on with WordPress [lately](https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/4/24262232/matt-mullenweg-wordpress-org-wp-engine), it was a good time to ditch it and build our own site anyway. Ben Visness will cover the drama in a Handmade Network newsletter soon—be sure to [subscribe](https://handmade.network/newsletter) there!_
+
+---
+
+#### From Vimeo to YouTube
+
+By popular demand, from both my staff and the audience, I’m mirroring our Vimeo catalog to YouTube. As a matter of principle I’m keeping monetization off and will always point people to [handmadecities.com](http://handmadecities.com/) to support us directly.
+
+You’ll get updates through the [newsletter](https://handmadecities.com/news) when the uploads begin.
+
+---
+
+#### Revolt replaces Matrix 🥳
+
+I’ve switched our chat server from Matrix to Revolt. Complaints against Matrix kept mounting every year, and after a lot of feedback (and some near ticket-holder boycotts), Revolt is now self-hosted live at [chat.handmadecities.com](http://chat.handmadecities.com/). It’s not as feature-rich as Discord yet, but it works really well for short-term events like Handmade Seattle:
+
+![](/images/news/hmc_revolt_screenshot.png)
+
+Revolt is our private chat server for conferences: where ticket holders join live Q&As and official discussions. During the off-season we use our [public](https://handmadecities.com/discord) Discord instead.
+
+_Note: Read more about my decision to drop Matrix (and their CEO’s reaction) in [this](https://handmadecities.com/new-discord-server/) blog post._
+
+_Note note: Jamie Brandon of [HYTRADBOI](https://hytradboi.com/) fame dropped Matrix too. He’s trying Zulip instead, so we both challenged each other to write post-mortems after each conference!_
+
+---
+
+#### Speaker lineup coming soon ⏳
+
+We’re aiming to have most of the Handmade Seattle speaker [lineup](https://handmadecities.com/seattle) ready by November 1st (the last day of my Twitch marathon.) It’s been tough locking in speakers due to the current economic climate, but like Boston, we’ll deliver great talks and demos even if the final list comes in late.
+
+---
+
+#### Slimming down the conference
+
+Conferences, big and small, have been shutting down since COVID and this year saw even more go under. Deconstruct, O’Reilly, E3, Strangeloop, XOXO and bang bang con, to name but a few.
+
+Like so many, I’m really feeling the squeeze this year. 2024 is a survival year, and we’re making some cuts:
+
+* **No hotel assistance:** We tried, but the terms I’d have to sign to secure mass discounts are too financially risky. Our Discord server is your best bet for advice on where to stay in Seattle for cheap.
+* **No free merch this time:** We’ll be selling shirts if we can. However, if you registered for both Boston and Seattle, send proof and the merch is yours. (Physical tickets only.)
+* **No in-person trade show:** Seattle Center’s new booth fees make it prohibitive, so we’re going virtual for the trade show and job fair (using Revolt.)
+
+We still convene at the Seattle Center as always, at the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall:
+
+![](/images/news/lecture_hall.jpg)
+
+**The talks and demos on stage are happening here.** And we’ll still have group lunches, dinners, and official hangouts.
+
+---
+
+#### Register ASAP 🎫
+
+It’s frankly such a delightful miracle that we’re alive and kicking. The community likes to joke that we’re playing Last Con Standing.
+
+[Tickets](https://handmadecities.com/tickets) and [donations](https://handmadecities.com/member) need to pick up a bit to keep Handmade Cities going, hence the Twitch marathon next week. If you’re thinking about attending, please consider registering early—even if the lineup isn’t finalized just yet.
+
+---
+
+#### Handmade Cities and what the future holds
+
+Once we make it through this year, **I see a new business model for conferences emerging:** community-driven, 100% indie, and making juuust enough profit to cover the basics—rent, groceries, healthcare, and the occasional night out. That’s it. I’ll never get rich doing this, and that’s fine. In fact, I think the big, sponsor-heavy conferences are fading out, while indie events like HYTRADBOI are making a comeback (they were [inspired](https://www.scattered-thoughts.net/writing/why-start-a-new-database-conference#funding) by Handmade Seattle.)
+
+So how am I still here? The people supporting Handmade Cities point to one thing: _community_.
+
+![](/images/news/hms_hangout.jpg)
+
+When we’re not running tech conferences, Handmade Cities is quietly growing monthly **meetups** around the world. Handmade [Australians](https://handmadecities.com/meetups/australia) met for the first time this month. We’ve just added [Vienna](https://handmadecities.com/meetups/vienna) and [Tokyo](https://handmadecities.com/meetups/tokyo), and in Seattle my technical producer Phil pioneered **co-working** sessions, which are now a community staple: they happen every other week. I also started weekly **hangouts** on Sundays—a third place where people gather and do whatever they want; new friendships and a couple of job offers have already come out of them! (Although job networking isn’t the goal.)
+
+At these meetups I’ve met founding engineers from multiple high-profile startups who are burned out by the impact their companies have on society—whether it’s software quality degrading, endless mass layoffs or immoral business practices. They’re starting to come to us. These reliable, growing interactions among very competent programmers who care are sparking… _something_.
+
+![](/images/news/boston-scaled.jpg)
+
+Handmade Cities, not accountable to any company or investor, will galvanize this energy after I’ve muscled my way through 2024.
+
+See you on Twitch,<br>
+Abner
+
+Your indie organizer

content/english/news/attend-handmade-boston-get-a-new-terminal.md

@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+---
+title: "Attend Handmade Boston, Get a New Terminal"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "Abner announces the imminent release of a brand new desktop terminal, yours to use when you attend Handmade Boston."
+date: 2023-07-04T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/terminal_click_home-980x526.png"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /attend-handmade-boston-get-a-new-terminal
+---
+
+
+#### Dear Handmade Folks,
+
+We’re one month away from Handmade’s début in the east coast: August _3-4th_! Both the speakers and myself are preparing to give you an incredible first conference at Boston. I’ve also been cooking up something extra, quietly and in earnest…
+
+Terminal Click is a brand new desktop terminal. It’s my take on how terminal emulators are supposed to serve you going forward, and represents my first Handmade software release to a general public.
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://terminal.click/" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">Terminal Click</a>
+</div>
+
+**How soon can you get your hands on it? If you attend [Handmade Boston](https://handmadecities.com/boston) this August, whether in-person or online, you’re getting a copy that very month.** A closed beta is precisely what I need to suss out bugs and understand which current features are the most useful (and which ones need refining.) Our events are popular so slots are limited!
+
+This personal project has been evolving in the background for several years, and I am pumped to finally share this with you. My life may be consumed with organizing indie conferences, but I remain a programmer at heart.
+
+
+#### Reminder: Early Bird Extension🎫
+
+Just a friendly reminder that the early bird ticket sale has been extended indefinitely this year. I’ve taken this step in response to the surge of discount requests and financial assistance (given the climate of mass layoffs and economic uncertainty.
+
+It’s pretty dicey for a conference to not raise ticket prices over time, because people might just wait until the last minute to buy one! However, I’m banking on those who can afford to register early will decide to do so. That way, those who need the most time will be able to get this reprieve.
+
+I appreciate anyone who’s able to join us early!
+
+
+#### Schedule Breakdown
+
+The Handmade Boston website shows all of our speakers but we still haven’t explained the physical and online track split, the exact order of the masterclasses, and other logistical details of that nature.
+
+Before the week expires this information will be published.
+
+
+#### Your Handmade Boston Journey ✈
+
+I’ve received requests to recommend hotels and other tips for traveling. I intend on adding this information to our website too, but there are attendees already sharing cool suggestions on the Handmade Discord.
+ 
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://discord.gg/hmn" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">Discord</a>
+</div>
+
+This can be found specifically in the “meetups” channel. Visit the server and scroll up slightly little to see.
+
+
+#### Handmade Seattle Up Next
+
+In the same way Terminal Click was silently taking shape off-screen, Handmade Seattle 2023 announcements are right. Around. The corner.
+
+With this conference, I am expanding the scale and scope to cater to the growing popularity of the event. I can finally afford to take some interesting risks for you to experience (and hopefully create lasting memories.)
+
+Forgive me for keeping things vague, for now. Expect news and updates shortly—especially after the masterclasses in Boston have wrapped up!
+
+
+#### Closing Notes: Abner’s Email Backlog
+
+As this year unfolds, I find myself myself chipping away at a backlog that never really disappears. There’s a couple of factors contributing here.
+
+* _Volume Problem:_ Since I’m running two indie conferences in a single year, my bandwidth occasionally reaches its limits.
+* _Lack of Delegation:_ As the sole organizer for Handmade Cities, I bear the weight of all responsibilities. This is not going to change, but the need for an administrative assistant has become apparent.
+
+This time around, my solution is to depend on your patience as I work through your messages. On average I respond within a few days, but in rare occasions it may take weeks (unless the conference is imminent. By then my undivided attention shifts exclusively to customer support.)
+
+Looking ahead to future years, I just need to actually hire someone 🙂 If not full-time then certainly in a seasonal capacity. Having trusted staff is the way to expand Handmade Cities further.
+
+Happy Fourth.

content/english/news/beyond-conferences-handmade-cities-all-year-round.md

@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+---
+title: "Beyond Conferences: Handmade Cities All Year Round"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "We now have a permanent Matrix server for chat conversations all year round."
+date: 2023-12-20T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/forever-1080x675.jpg"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: ["Abner Coimbre", "Ben Visness"]
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /beyond-conferences-handmade-cities-all-year-round
+---
+
+#### Dear Handmade Community,
+
+Warm holiday greetings! Abner Coimbre and Ben Visness here, teaming up to announce that the Handmade Cities Matrix server will remain online permanently. In past years, it has been shut down at the end of conferences, but now it will remain active year-round!
+
+This might surprise you, since most of you are probably already members of the (now rather large) Handmade Network Discord server. So why keep the Matrix server as well?
+
+The Handmade movement has grown an incredible amount in the past several years. Importantly, it has grown both online _and_ in the real world. Both domains are vital to the health of the larger Handmade community – but there are some critical differences between the two. Let’s dive into it.
+
+
+#### Two communities? Not quite.
+
+The [Handmade Network](https://handmade.network/) (HMN) is the online hub for the Handmade movement. Led by Ben and his team, they run programming jams, Twitch shows, and online social gatherings. They provide a place for community members to discuss programming, learn from each other, and share what they’re working on. The Handmade Network is also the home of [Handmade projects](https://handmade.network/projects), including the Orca initiative and Abner’s own Terminal Click.
+
+In essence, HMN is the _online_ community – and it’s accessible to everyone, including those who prefer to remain anonymous.
+
+[Handmade Cities](https://handmadecities.com/) (HMC) brings the Handmade movement into the physical realm. Headed by Abner and his own staff, HMC orchestrates tech conferences like Handmade Boston and Handmade Seattle, which are venues to present to the rest of the world our software and ideals. HMC also organizes monthly in-person [meetups](https://handmadecities.com/meetups) worldwide.
+
+In essence, Handmade Cities is all about _in-person_ events. HMC emphasizes real-world interactions; by its very nature, those who participate in these events can’t be anonymous!
+
+For several years now, Handmade Cities has used a Matrix server for discussions related to conferences and conference meetups. This server has always complemented the Handmade Network Discord server, rather than competing with it. And that is not going to change!
+
+The HMN Discord remains open to all, while users on the HMC Matrix are tied to real individuals participating in Handmade events: ticket holders, local meetup members, and so on. The Discord is the hub for jams and other online events; the Matrix is the hub for meetups and other in-person events.
+
+
+#### What about Handmade Hero? How’s that going?
+
+At the start of the Handmade movement was [Handmade Hero](https://handmadehero.org/), a Twitch series showing how to craft a video game from scratch. Casey Muratori, president of Molly Rocket, started it in November 2014 and quickly found great success, forming a huge community around its values that has lasted almost a decade.
+
+So, what’s become of our bouncy little friend? Casey’s passions have expanded beyond this project, reflecting [Molly Rocket](https://mollyrocket.com/)‘s commitment to multiple initiatives. We’re not privy to the specifics of Casey’s plans with Handmade Hero, but this year, we collaborated directly with him to shape the opening blurbs for both Handmade Network and Handmade Cities:
+
+
+> **handmade.network**
+>
+> Originally inspired by Casey Muratori’s Handmade Hero, we dig deep into our systems and learn how to do things from scratch. We’re not satisfied by the latest popular language or the framework of the month. Instead we care about how computers **actually work**.
+
+> **handmadecities.com**
+>
+> **Inspired by Handmade Hero**
+>
+> Like Handmade Hero by Molly Rocket we believe in breaking software down to the bare bones and building back an understanding of how it all really works.
+
+While Molly Rocket, Handmade Network, and Handmade Cities share a spirit of mutual support, it’s crucial to emphasize that we exist as separate entities, and are not formally affiliated. You might instead see us as independent stewards of the Handmade movement.
+
+And at the end of the day, that’s the way we like it. We each have our own expertise, our own experiences, our own goals, and ultimately our own businesses. We feel that we’re at our best, and the Handmade movement is at its best, when we are run independently but collaborate at every opportunity.
+
+We look forward to bringing you improved conferences, jams, meetups, shows, and projects in 2024. With our 10-year anniversary fast approaching (!) the future of Handmade shines brighter than ever. 😊
+
+All the best,
+Abner and Ben

content/english/news/boston-schedule-and-updates.md

@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+---
+title: "Boston Schedule and Updates"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "The Handmade Boston 2023 schedule and final updates."
+date: 2023-07-31T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/hourglass-2910948_1920-980x653.jpg"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /boston-schedule-and-updates
+---
+
+
+#### Dear Handmade Folks,
+
+The first ever Handmade Boston begins this Thursday!
+
+Whether you attend the physical or online track I hope you have a good time with our instructors, learn something new, and make friends with programmers like yourself: those who care about building quality software.
+
+**Note:** Handmade Boston is an experiment on forming mentor-pupil relationships; the software industry is in dire need of apprenticeships (even if they’re informal.) While I can’t guarantee an instructor will become your mentor after the conference, I’m helping create the fertile grounds for it. You may even discover a fellow audience member, a seasoned expert, who willingly decides to teach you things.
+
+If you’re comfortable in any systems language and are not a complete beginner this conference is for you. We’re here to help you grow if you’re feeling stuck.
+
+_P.S. This conference is a more intimate affair compared to Handmade Seattle. Think of “dozens” instead of “hundreds” in attendance._
+
+
+#### The Schedule 🕰
+
+The [Boston page](https://handmadecities.com/boston) has been updated with the conference schedule for both tracks. Make sure to keep it bookmarked for quick reference.
+
+Unlike Handmade Seattle, the physical track in Boston will not be live-streamed. However, fret not, as I will be recording all the sessions exclusively for ticket holders. You’ll have the privilege of accessing these recordings a number of months before they’re made available to the public.
+
+While the online track awaits these recordings, tune in for a special livestream show featuring our online instructors. Keep an eye out for masterclasses with a Twitch logo, as those are designed specifically for the online track. While this show will be streamed to the public, take-home assignments will remain private just for ticket holders.
+
+
+#### Door Prices 🎫
+
+Yes, tickets can still be purchased on the day of the conference! Rest assured, there will be no increase in prices. I firmly believe in maintaining the early-bird sale indefinitely for 2023. We must assist the financially disadvantaged; it’s been a tough year in tech. 
+
+**We have a sponsoring pool from fans who donated some cash to spare. If you or someone you know needs a discount, or even a free seat, send Abner an email and briefly tell us your story:** abner@handmadecities.com
+
+
+#### Demoscene Masterclass Postponed
+
+Andreas Fredriksson has had to deal with a family illness, preventing him from contributing to Handmade Boston. Naturally, family comes first, and his well-being and that of his family are the priority.
+
+![](/images/news/eon_the_black_lotus_postponed.png)
+
+We apologize for this inconvenience. However, Andreas has graciously agreed to turn his lecture into a Handmade Seattle talk this fall, so I hope you will join us there!
+
+
+#### Mitchell Hashimoto
+
+My friend [Mitchell](https://mitchellh.com/), founder of HashiCorp, has always been a hacker at heart. Mitchell has recently developed a keen interest in Handmade, just like many of you!
+
+We both independently embarked on creating terminal emulators from scratch, looking to innovate in this somewhat barren landscape. During our countless hours of project comparisons we stumbled upon a fun idea: to record a conversation dubbed **The Future of Terminals**. Mitchell and I agree on a bunch of things but disagree on others, so this discussion should prove entertaining and insightful.
+
+![](/images/news/hashiterm.png)
+
+This will be streamed for the online track: we should treat it as bonus content to compensate for the cancellation of the demoscene masterclass.
+
+And don’t forget that by joining Handmade Boston you’ll be enrolled into the closed beta for [Terminal Click](https://terminal.click/) – taking place later this August.
+
+
+#### Private Forums
+
+Forgive me if you’re still waiting on an invite to the private forums. I had promised to send them a week in advance, and unfortunately, I wasn’t able to meet that timeline.
+
+You should still receive an invite ahead of the conference, but we might be coming in clutch! Note that the forums are for:
+
+* Accessing take-home assignments
+* Accessing recordings once they’re available
+* Downloading any files the instructors post during their masterclass
+
+Which means it’s not strictly necessary for you to be in the forums right away. Stay tuned for further updates and your forum invite.
+
+
+#### Discord Chat 💬
+
+Unlike Handmade Seattle, we’re not self-hosting a private chat server. It’s only the private forums. However, the [Handmade Network](https://discord.gg/hmn) has a public channel called **meetups-boston** for anyone looking for things to do around Boston 🙂
+
+If you ping me there and I don’t respond immediately, please be patient! I’m the sole organizer of this conference so my bandwidth will be a bit saturated. (I generally prefer that you email me instead.)
+
+
+#### Closing Notes: Sponsoring Tickets
+
+If an individual wishes to donate to the sponsoring pool, please use our [Donorbox](https://donorbox.org/handmadecities) and in the comments write in “Sponsoring Pool” or similar.
+
+If you mark yourself as an anonymous donor I won’t be reaching out to you. Otherwise, I’m happy to report progress on how your donation helped the cause!
+
+Finally, if you don’t trust me to handle this, you can always buy a seat and use the **transfer** button in the ticket email to gift it to a friend or loved one. For me the best feeling in the world is to run conferences that are independent and powered by individual engineers, not corporations.
+
+Thank you for helping,<br>
+Abner

content/english/news/call-for-submissions-2024.md

@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+---
+title: "Call for Submissions"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "Handmade Seattle 2024 is looking for presenters and job booths."
+date: 2024-09-13T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/seattle-2534686_1920-980x497.jpg"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /call-for-submissions-2024
+---
+
+
+#### Dear Handmade Friends,
+
+Thanks for your patience on the Handmade Boston recordings—we’re just about done. Sorry for the delay! Meanwhile, you can still catch the online track on Twitch [VOD](https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2219804427) and it’ll be up on the Media page and YouTube afterwards.
+
+
+#### On the hunt for speakers (and more!)
+
+It’s time to ramp up Handmade Seattle 2024, and I’m looking for presenters and job fair participants. We’ve got spots for:
+
+* Talks
+* Demos
+* Fireside chats (informal interviews)
+* Job Booths
+
+![](/images/news/slots.png)
+
+Whether you’re in person or online, there’s room for both. Check out the [Media](https://handmadecities.com/media) and [Job Fair](https://handmadecities.com/jobs) pages for examples.
+
+
+#### How to apply
+
+The beauty of indie conferences is there’s no convoluted process: just send me an [email](mailto:abner@handmadecities.com)! Let me know what you want to present and why you’re the one to do it.
+
+Slots are limited. Either I or [staff](https://handmadecities.com/about) on my behalf should get back to you within 1-3 business days.
+
+##### Wheel Reinvention Jam
+
+Are you joining the Handmade Network [jam](https://handmade.network/jam/wheel-reinvention-2024)? We usually pick a couple of entries for a demo slot at the conference, so it’s a good way to get noticed.
+
+![](/images/news/wheel-reinvention-jam-2024.png)
+
+---
+
+#### This year’s themes: “awakening” and “post-awakening”
+
+2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the Handmade movement. Many in our community talk about the “aha” moments that transformed how they think about programming, kickstarted by the [Manifesto](https://handmade.network/manifesto). So this year, we want talks that dive into the:
+
+* **Awakening:** Did you learn something that felt like a superpower once you grasped it? Share it with us and open our eyes too. A community favorite is Andreas Fredriksson’s [Context is Everything](https://vimeo.com/644068002).
+
+* **Post-Awakening:** What have you done since your own awakening? A great example is Billy Basso’s [presentation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KixgF8Ru1Mw) last month at Handmade Boston, about his journey shipping _Animal Well_ after his own Handmade realizations.
+
+Not every talk needs to fit perfectly into these categories—the lines can get blurred and that’s fine.
+
+---
+
+#### Honest opinions encouraged
+
+You can have raw, controversial takes: bring on the heat. You can criticize any tech company if you believe it’s well-deserved. That’s the whole point of Handmade events (we have no sponsors.) You can be shocking, comedic or use curse words if it serves your point.
+
+Just don’t overindulge please. My motto is spicy but classy.
+
+_Note: You’re allowed to go all in with references to Majora or ChocoVine, my two great loves. (Hope this doesn’t discourage ticket sales..)_
+
+Thanks for reading—I’m excited to see your proposals! Next time, I’ll update you on the [Third Place](https://handmadecities.com/the-third-place/) initiative and other exciting meetup announcements.
+
+Your indie organizer,<br>
+Abner
+
+---
+
+#### FAQ
+
+**Q: I can’t afford a ticket**
+
+A: Shoot me an email and explain your situation. We offer discounts, and some of my [donors](https://handmadecities.com/member) offer free seats for those in need.
+
+**Q: How does the online track work?**
+
+A: Unlike Boston, Handmade Seattle is fully hybrid. The entire event is live-streamed for free, and your online ticket gets you into the private chat for live Q&A.
+
+**Q: Are you using Matrix?**
+
+A: Nope! We’re switching to Revolt, which I hope works better. Read more about the Matrix drama [here](https://handmadecities.com/new-discord-server/).
+
+**Q: I have travel/lodging questions.**
+
+A: Join the Handmade Cities Discord to receive guidance from other ticket holders. If you don’t have Discord you can email me: just be aware that it might take me a few business days to respond.
+
+**Q: Bang Bang Con wrapped up for good. Is Handmade Seattle headed the same way? Going out with a bang or fading away?**
+
+A: Conferences are shutting down everywhere—E3, Deconstruct, Strangeloop, XOXO, and yep, even Bang Bang Con just held their final one last month.
+
+But if there’s one thing I’m proud of, it’s pulling off indie conferences since 2019, even when I come through last-minute in tough years like this.
+
+I’m here to stay.

content/english/news/explosive-meetups-kagi-search-and-more.md

@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+---
+title: "Meetups, Kagi Search, and More!"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "Record number of Handmade meetups, Kagi's tech lead joins our conference, Ladybird becomes famous, and more."
+date: 2024-07-02T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/ladybird_hms-980x551.png"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /explosive-meetups-kagi-search-and-more
+---
+
+
+#### My dear (sweaty?) Handmade folks,
+
+Hope your summer’s been great! There’s much excitement to unpack. Let’s just dive into it:
+
+##### Explosive Meetup Growth
+
+Last month, we hit a record number of in-person Handmade events: eight of them around the globe. Check them out on our [meetups](https://handmadecities.com/meetups) page.
+
+For the past few weeks, I’ve been talking with Khrob, a rare CTO in Australia who truly gets our values. He’ll be hosting meetups there. We’re still deciding on the exact city, so sign up if you’re interested! If you’re in Australia or planning to visit, [subscribe](https://handmadecities.com/meetups/australia) to those notifications to show your interest.
+
+We’re also gauging interest for Tokyo. If you’re there or plan to visit, please [wishlist](https://handmadecities.com/meetups/wishlist/) Tokyo.
+
+
+#### First Co-working Session
+
+We’re launching public co-working sessions this month in Seattle, led by my technical producer Phil Homan. Subscribe to the Seattle meetup list for updates. We’ll create a dedicated co-working area on the website soon.
+
+Handmade Cities is living up to its name: major conferences, monthly meetups, and now bi-weekly co-working sessions, starting in Seattle (expanding globally once we’ve nailed down a template.)
+
+**Note:** If you’re an indie dev, small business owner, or earning without a traditional employer, I’ve been hosting indie co-working sessions for a while already. Reply to this email if you want to join the private channel.
+
+
+#### Kagi Tech Lead at Handmade Boston
+
+Meet Zac Nowicki, the tech lead behind Kagi Search, a paid alternative to Google that’s gaining a lot of notoriety. Unlike most, [Kagi](https://kagi.com/) builds its own index; I’m also rapidly falling in love with their business ethics.
+
+![](/images/news/kagi_mascot.png)
+
+![](/images/news/kagi_tech_lead.jpg)
+
+It seems their tech is becoming aligned with Handmade values, sparking many questions: how much of the web fits our ethos? In our community, web development gets relentlessly criticized for its overreliance on dependencies, microservices, containers, serverless computing, and the list is long. Is ALL the mockery justified? Is the web ecosystem beyond saving?
+
+Let’s finally sort out what’s valuable from what’s not: can the web be Handmade?
+
+**P.S.** This isn’t a paid promotion or sponsorship. I reached out to Kagi personally.
+
+
+#### Terminal Click Under Scrutiny
+
+If you missed the last newsletter, here’s some exciting news: Allen Webster (AKA Mr. 4th) is speaking at Handmade Boston! Allen runs [Mr. 4th](https://mr4th.com/) Lab full-time, a software research lab focused on the problems facing general practitioners.
+
+He’ll be dissecting Terminal Click, my project that I hope to ship by the end of the year. Allen will dive into the codebase, explore how its features work together, and critique its architecture. He’ll look at things like my platform layer, arena usage, C strings, UI, and rendering strategy, and help solve long-standing issues.
+
+This is a rare chance to see a handmade project’s guts under a magnifying glass.
+
+
+#### Complete Boston Lineup by End of July
+
+This year’s HMB lineup is taking a bit longer, partly due to the tough economic climate. Talented folks I’ve reached out to are either job hunting, overwhelmed with work, or feeling unmotivated. Things are looking up for the [second half](https://www.investopedia.com/what-friday-s-inflation-report-tells-us-about-future-interest-rate-cuts-8671054) of the year, but it’s been rough for many.
+
+However, expect the lineup to be complete by the end of July. I’m having good conversations with promising new candidates. Keep the HMB [website](https://handmadecities.com/boston) bookmarked and check back for updates!
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://handmadecities.com/tickets" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">Tickets</a>
+</div>
+
+On a positive note, tickets for Boston are selling better than last year. Secure your seat now for peace of mind and support these masterclasses. Most of the ticket money goes towards venue rental, insurance, and helping cover travel costs for staff and speakers.
+
+
+#### The Death of “Don’t Reinvent the Wheel”
+
+Congrats to Ladybird!
+
+I woke up to exciting news about the Ladybird browser, announced in this YouTube [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9edTqPMX_k).
+
+![](/images/news/ladybird.jpg)
+
+![](/images/news/ladybird_hms.png)
+
+Ladybird, which to me embodies the Handmade ethos, just launched a nonprofit with serious funding from a GitHub founder. Ladybird is an independent browser created from scratch as part of SerenityOS by Andreas Kling. He demoed it at Handmade Seattle ~2-3 years ago, and it went viral ([example](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29270776)). Many see that [conference demo](https://vimeo.com/641406697) as a crucial stepping stone for the project’s (continued) success.
+
+This is the end of the “don’t reinvent the wheel” mindset and the community should celebrate.
+
+
+#### Time for my Jimmy Wales Speech 👀
+
+I like to give my Jimmy Wales speech now and then, hoping someone will support my efforts beyond just buying a ticket. Organizing two tech conferences in two major cities, with zero sponsors, is an insane thing to do. Profits are minimal and go back into the business, leaving nothing for myself.
+
+That’s where conference members come in. It’s my “Patreon”:
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://donorbox.org/handmadecities" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">Members</a>
+</div>
+
+A member is someone who not only enjoys the conference but also likes me personally. You want me to stay independent, so you throw five bucks a month my way.
+
+It’s easy to pause or cancel, no account required. I understand the fatigue of monthly commitments though: for those who prefer a one-time donation, Donorbox allows for that too—every bit helps.
+
+Your indie organizer,<br>
+Abner
+

content/english/news/fundraiser-perks.md

@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+---
+title: "Fundraiser Perks"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "We're reaching the end of our official fundraiser. Today's your last day to contribute to the longevity of Handmade conferences… and to grab some…"
+date: 2024-02-29T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/trophy_cup-1080x675.png"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /fundraiser-perks
+---
+
+
+#### Dear Handmade Folks,
+
+It’s Dawn of the Final Day… for the Handmade Cities fundraiser! I’m blown away with the support so far. As many sponsored conferences fade away, the Handmade ones march on, fueled solely by us – no sponsors, no strings.
+
+Haven’t grabbed a fundraiser perk yet? Today’s the last chance:
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://handmadecities.com/fundraiser" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">Fundraiser</a>
+</div>
+
+Also catch me live on Twitch this afternoon Seattle Time, for some live reactions to last-minute contributions while I continue to work on Terminal Click.
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://twitch.tv/abnercoimbre" class="btn bg-purple-700 dark:bg-purple-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-purple-800 text-white"><i class="fab fa-twitch"></i> Twitch</a>
+</div>
+
+
+#### Personal Thank You Videos 📹
+
+To those snagging high-tier perks ($200+) or are donating monthly, hold tight for personalized thank-you videos. I’ll be rolling these out throughout March at a fast but reasonable pace.
+
+
+#### Conference Details this Spring 🌼
+
+**Mark your calendar for March 20th!** We’ll drop the dates and themes for Handmade Boston 2024 (summer) and Handmade Seattle 2024 (fall), along with the call for speakers and demos. Early bird tickets will be up for grabs too.
+
+If you snagged the _Hangry Conference Architect_ perk, you’ll be invited to a private chat room. We’ll be hosting special live-streams before the Spring: your input will influence which themes/topics are selected; you can even suggest speakers.
+
+Note that final decisions still rest with me.
+
+
+#### Content Creator: Abner’s Terrible Fate?
+
+More online presence, not less, is on the horizon for me – from Twitch to YouTube, [Mastodon](https://mastodon.gamedev.place/@abnercoimbre), and beyond. It’s time for us to cast a wider net and draw more eyes to Handmade Cities. Mainstreaming ChocoVine should be an interesting side-effect…
+
+Stepping further into the spotlight eats up time, so I’ll be leaning on [my staff](https://handmadecities.com/about) some more for important behind-the-scenes tasks. Massive thanks to them – their vibes and work ethic are always incredible.
+
+
+#### Handmade Meetup Hosts
+
+Quick shoutout to the hosts running Handmade [Meetups](https://handmadecities.com/meetups) – thanks for holding down the fort while I hustled through the fundraiser. You’ve done amazing, and I appreciate your consistency in organizing your monthly meetings while I have been anything but consistent in helping you.
+
+I encourage folks to check out the list of cities and sign up for one nearby. I hope to reconvene with the hosts shortly after this fundraiser. Finally, if you think you got the social chops to run meetups, send me an email! And if you already did, hang tight.
+
+Spring’s almost here,<br>
+Abner

content/english/news/handmade-boston-2024.md

@@ -0,0 +1,168 @@
+---
+title: "Boston 2024"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "Handmade Boston is this weekend! Here's the final lineup."
+date: 2024-08-06T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/jfk_library_1.webp"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /handmade-boston-2024
+---
+
+
+#### Handmade folks,
+
+Handmade Boston kicks off this Friday, August 9th! Here’s the rundown:
+
+##### Tickets
+
+It’s been a tough year for too many people, so we’re offering a last-minute 20% discount on both physical and online tickets:
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://buy.stripe.com/dR69AKbtN0uFaGc4gX" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">In-Person</a>
+</div>
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://buy.stripe.com/8wMcMWapJelv15C00s" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">Online</a>
+</div>
+
+Note that if you bought a combined ticket for both Boston and Seattle, a 20% discount was already baked-in.
+
+If you bought a single Boston ticket at the [standard](https://handmadecities.com/tickets) price and feel annoyed, check the FAQ at the end of the newsletter.
+
+
+#### Our Speakers
+
+Despite some challenges, we’re thrilled to have six incredible speakers joining us, three for each track:
+
+##### Physical Track
+
+* **Allen Webster:** Founder of [Mr. 4th](https://mr4th.com/) Lab and creator of 4coder, the editor used in the Handmade Hero series. Allen has worked for Casey Muratori (Molly Rocket) and RAD Game Tools (now Epic) and has done significant research on how to [reinvent](https://vimeo.com/485177664) day-to-day programming.
+
+  ![](/images/news/mr4th_labs.png)
+
+  At this conference, he’ll openly critique my uh, [contentious](https://lobste.rs/s/cysg6o/guiding_users_away_from_cd_ls) terminal emulator, Terminal Click 🙂
+
+  You get to be a fly on the wall as Allen questions my codebase, gaining insights to improve your own software. You can also scrutinize my choices during the Q&A session… I think it’s important to embrace collaboration and criticism to advance our Handmade projects and ship faster.
+
+  Join us for this scary masterclass (threatening for me haha): **“Terminal Click Under Scrutiny.”**
+
+* **Zac Nowicki:** Tech lead for the increasingly popular [Kagi](https://kagi.com/) Search.
+
+  ![](/images/news/kagi_mascot.png)
+
+  Web development gets a bad rap in the Handmade community for embracing too much complexity or ignoring the lower layers of abstraction. Is every single criticism justified? Is there any hope for the web anymore? I want Zac to help us sort this out once and for all.
+
+  Together, we’ll diagram how I wrote my own Ticketmaster replacement for the conferences and compare it to how Kagi itself is architected (to my own surprise, there are similarities!) Since Kagi handles traffic several orders of magnitude larger than Handmade Cities, we get to consider how a web application can remain small and performant as it scales larger and larger.
+
+  Welcome to Kagi’s spicy masterclass: **“Can the Web become Handmade?”**
+
+* **Graham Pentheny:** Senior Engineer at [Spry Fox](https://spryfox.com/) games who led the Cozy Grove engineering team.
+
+  ![](/images/news/cozy_grove.webp)
+
+  Graham is also one of the most prominent organizers of indie meetups in Boston: he famously [disbanded](https://bostonunitygroup.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/index.html) the largest Unity Gamedev Group in the world.
+
+  After two heavy technical masterclasses, it’s time for a more relaxed session. Graham and I will discuss how to build successful communities and how to thrive in them, touching on opportunities for new careers, mentorship, friendships, and collaboration. We’ll also take audience questions and workshop solutions to your social challenges in the programming world.
+
+  Let’s break down this phenomenon: **“The Social Fabric of Technical Communities.”**
+
+##### Online Track
+
+* **Billy Basso:** Creator of [Animal Well](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygL8eqX12MQ). When I reached out to Billy he reminded me that he attended the first Handmade Seattle during Animal Well’s early development and we chatted for a while. I let out a gasp when I searched the ticket sales records from that year. Core memory unlocked!
+
+  ![](/images/news/billy-basso.jpg)
+
+  In this exclusive interview, Billy reveals many of the programming strategies he used to create his game from scratch. He’ll also give us a sneak peek at his next project and explain why he isn’t reusing his game engine. Finally, Billy will offer advice on the skills needed to ship a game, beyond just programming.
+
+  We’re also planning to fly Billy to Handmade Seattle this fall, as a guest of honor, to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Handmade movement.
+
+  **Interview Title:** _“Shipping personal software – How you enter the mainstream while staying true to your values.”_
+
+* **Nuno Leiria:** Former Optimization Lead of Unreal Engine 5. Nuno joined us when Handmade Seattle was forced to go online in 2020: his succinct [presentation](https://vimeo.com/482436836) on modern CPU optimizations remains as relevant as ever.
+
+  ![](/images/news/nuno_leiria.jpg)
+
+  [Nuno](https://nunoleiria.com/) has since founded a brand new company with employees, and we’re excited to reveal juicy details at Handmade Boston. (Given his background with Epic Games and video games, you might guess what’s coming… !) I’ll investigate the technical choices behind his new vision, the ethics of his business model, and the bold moves I think he’s making for the future of game development.
+
+  Keep an eye on Nuno’s work even after Handmade Boston… he might be joining us for a certain job fair 😉
+
+  **Interview Title:** _“Nuno Leiria: A New Vision for Making Games”_
+
+* **Kaze Emanuar:** The legendary N64 game modder, also known as Nintendo’s worst nightmare, returns for an in-depth discussion about his most popular [demo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_rzYnXEQlE) on drastically improving Super Mario 64’s performance. In this interview, we’ll expand and seek clarification on topics he couldn’t cover in his video.
+
+  ![](/images/news/kaze_story_time.jpg)
+
+  Finally, we’ll hear Kaze’s takes on the future of N64 modding and what his next moves are now that [static recompilation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywWwUuWRgsM) has come into play 👀
+
+  **Interview Title:** _“Kaze: Breaking Traditional Modding Boundaries”_
+
+
+#### Conference Schedule
+
+**The conference starts at 9:00 a.m. Boston Time** for both tracks.
+
+If you need any assistance you should email me at abner@handmadecities.com or join the Handmade Cities [Discord](https://handmadecities.com/discord).
+
+##### Physical Track
+
+We’re all meeting at the JFK Presidential Library. Huge building, can’t miss it:
+
+![](/images/news/jfk_library_background-scaled.jpg)
+
+**Ticket scanning begins at 8:30 AM:** search your Inbox for a _General Admission_ ticket and find the QR code!
+
+Friday will feature all the masterclasses, and Saturday will be for official hangouts, including a special reservation at Kings Dining and Entertainment with the speakers (conference ticket required.)
+
+![](/images/news/kings_dining_and_entertainment.jpg)
+
+We will have a 90-minute lunch break each day.
+
+P.S. Within the next day or two I’ll publish an interactive timeline on the [Boston](https://handmadecities.com/boston) page: detailing the speaker time slots, lunch hours, and all the official meetup spots outside the venue. It’s all taking place around the seaport.
+
+##### Online Track
+
+The online track will be streamed on my Twitch channel with the help of [Loris Cro](https://kristoff.it/), VP of Community for Zig. Follow below for notifications!
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://twitch.tv/abnercoimbre" class="btn bg-purple-700 dark:bg-purple-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-purple-800 text-white"><i class="fab fa-twitch"></i> Twitch</a>
+</div>
+
+Our exclusive interviews will be streamed in their entirety for free. These are very recent, pre-recorded conversations that have never been seen before. The speakers will be on Twitch chat and the entire event will last around 4 hours. The VOD will remain up for multiple weeks.
+
+When you buy a ticket for the online track, you’re doing it to support my indie conferences and to unlock the in-person recordings once they’re available! (These will remain private to ticket holders until 2025.)
+
+
+#### New Formula 🧪
+
+Last year, we tried a college-style approach with masterclasses, complete with homework. It didn’t quite work out as planned—most of you weren’t keen on the assignments. The feedback was clear: you come to these conferences to gain insights, get inspired, and network, not to do work.
+
+So we’re changing things up.
+
+This year, our masterclasses will be conversations with me. Think of it like a pianist’s [masterclass](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwebNT9AMiA)—a teaching moment with an audience of peers in order to level-up. Instead of correcting my piano playing, the speakers will scrutinize my engineering or broaden my expertise while I act as a vessel for ticket holders. After “talking shop,” you can ask questions to scratch your own itch during Q&A.
+
+And yes, no more homework.
+
+##### Expected Attendance
+
+In-person attendance for HMB is shaping up to be similar to last time. Unlike Seattle, you should think of dozens instead of hundreds. Here’s a snapshot from August 2023:
+
+![](/images/news/hmb.jpg)
+
+This makes sense—our popularity is on the rise with our second East Coast event, yet the tech industry’s horrible year has affected how many can join us, canceling out the gains. I like to call HMB the sister conference, with HMS in the fall being our flagship. The upside is that we get to recapture the intimate atmosphere the original Handmade conferences were known for.
+
+Will Boston grow in the future? Absolutely. But for now, let’s enjoy the relaxed vibes and good times.
+
+#### Frequently Asked Questions
+
+1. **Why offer discounts so late? I bought at standard price.** A: Reply to this email to discuss partial refund. 2024 is wacky; I’m trying to help ticket holders while also boost sales.
+2. **The conference is smaller than I expected.** A: We slimmed things down in order to stay solvent. Trust me, the official hangouts and after parties are still worth it. Otherwise, reply to discuss remedies: I want all ticket holders to be happy.
+3. **I’m financially disadvantaged. Can you help?** A: Yes! I can offer greater discounts or even some free seats if you explain your circumstances to me.
+
+Your indie organizer,<br>
+Abner

content/english/news/handmade-cities-fundraiser.md

@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+---
+title: "Handmade Cities Fundraiser"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "Limited-time fundraiser for Handmade Cities. Contribute to our longevity, and grab some perks!"
+date: 2024-02-20T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/perk-success-1080x675.jpg"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /handmade-cities-fundraiser
+---
+
+
+#### Dear Handmade Community,
+
+I’m dropping you a quick note to share some exciting news about Handmade Cities and an opportunity for you to get involved. Since the beginning of the year, I’ve been getting ready for a public fundraiser to steady my small business. No corporate jargon here – just a straightforward ask for your help:
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://handmadecities.com/fundraiser" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">Fundraiser</a>
+</div>
+
+There are some seriously valuable perks up for grabs 🏆 The high-tier ones are in very limited supply!
+
+
+#### When can you grab a perk?
+
+Hit the fundraiser button above! Contributions are already open! If you want your support to make a live appearance on stream, however, follow me on Twitch for notifications:
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://twitch.tv/abnercoimbre" class="btn bg-purple-700 dark:bg-purple-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-purple-800 text-white"><i class="fab fa-twitch"></i> Twitch</a>
+</div>
+
+I’ll be streaming daily for the next ten days (February 19-29th), starting tonight at Seattle Time. If you’re reading this hot off your Inbox, I am live on Twitch as we speak.
+
+
+#### What are my Twitch streams about?
+
+Expect some [Terminal Click](https://terminal.click/) action: my side-project that’s been unfolding in recent VODs. I’ll also be diving into different topics throughout the year:
+
+![](/images/news/streaming_list.jpg)
+
+Hang around on the streams to get a feel for things.
+
+
+#### Why the fundraiser?
+
+Widespread tech layoffs (and the fear of more) have dangerously affected my monthly donations. Individual donations are how I make a living, because conference tickets only cover operating costs; the fundraiser page has a detailed FAQ.
+
+Indeed, running indie tech conferences isn’t really profitable, but it allows me to stay true to my values:
+
+* 100% independence
+* Affordable tickets
+* Zero sponsors
+* Discounted/free tickets for those who need it
+* [Content](https://web.archive.org/web/20240425041427/https://handmadecities.com/media) curated by a fellow systems programmer (that’s moi)
+
+I’m in this to provide a platform for engineers interested in software quality, and who wish to respect (not exploit) their users. We’re an independent voice trying to make a difference.
+
+If you appreciate my work, I could really use your support right now.
+
+All the best,<br>
+Abner Coimbre

content/english/news/handmade-conference-2023-spring-sale.md

@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+---
+title: "Handmade Cities 2023"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "It's officially Spring which is not just a time for cleaning but for introducing Handmade Cities to the world."
+date: 2023-03-21T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/ticket_roll.jpg"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /handmade-conference-2023-spring-sale
+---
+
+
+#### New Beginnings
+
+It’s officially Spring, which is not just a time for us to clean (ugh) but also to savor new beginnings: like this special sale marking the opening of [Handmade Cities](https://handmadecities.com/).
+
+Tickets for Handmade Boston and Handmade Seattle are now available, and the early-bird price is _limited to the first hundred buyers._
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://handmadecities.com/tickets" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">Early Bird</a>
+</div>
+
+
+#### Wait wha- Handmade Boston?
+
+Yes! _This summer!_ I’m excited to say Seattle has been widely supported enough that we can expand to the east coast. We are in many ways proof indie growth is still possible against a punishing corporate climate, though not without the pain.
+
+Handmade Boston takes place **August 3-4, 2023** and we’re calling it the **mentorship conference**. Unlike Seattle, which welcomes everybody, Boston targets those who are already capable programmers: you should be extremely comfortable with the first 25 episodes of Handmade Hero, at the very least.
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://handmadecities.com/boston" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">Handmade Boston</a>
+</div>
+
+You’ll be part of brand new masterclasses designed by names like:
+
+##### Kaze Emanuar
+
+The man, myth, and legend behind the greatest mods for Super Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time. And that’s not an exaggeration.
+
+##### Freya Holmér
+
+The math influencer and shader sorceress who’s authored the award-winning Shapes library and really insightful video essays on YouTube. It’s hard to summarize every thing she contributes to online.
+
+##### Jasper
+
+If you want someone to masterfully break down the origins of a strange bug, this is who you ping. From recreating entire levels to telling us why Mario Galaxy’s physics engine broke the rules, Jasper has an incredible knack for exploring foreign codebases.
+
+##### Ryan Fleury
+
+A systems programmer at RAD (now part of Epic), Ryan has a superpower many will want to acquire: writing programs in C while eliminating all common memory bugs. It’s not a hack: whichever language you program in, these memory strategies will be worth a look.
+
+This is the beginning: we have more speakers of similar caliber coming down that green pipe. Stay tuned in the coming weeks 🙂
+
+
+#### Handmade Seattle still in the Fall?
+
+Yep! [Handmade Seattle](https://handmadecities.com/seattle) once again takes place **Nov 15-16, 2023** with an optional series of hangouts on Friday the 17th.
+
+Seattle continues to be THE celebration of systems programming and all things low-level: with inspiring talks, a huge trade show, and a job fair. It shouldn’t surprise you to learn we’re expanding the size of these things further. We’re running strong since 2019 and hope to see you again.
+
+##### Call for Speakers and Demoers
+
+The hunt for presenters for Handmade Seattle has already started. I’m keen to open HMS 2023 by documenting major instances where Windows [violates](https://twitter.com/AbnerCoimbre/status/1628506196784332800) user trust: starting underground with registry policies and climbing our way up to dark patterns in UX. If you believe yourself qualified please send an email: abner@handmadecities.com. Boy I’m excited for all the spice we have in store this year.
+
+_P.S. I might actually partner up with ChocoVine this time._
+
+
+#### Indie vs Corporate
+
+I wanted to wrap up this sale with thoughts on my doubling-down on sponsor-free events.
+
+The ambition behind Handmade Cities is to grow and expand the conferences, but they also need to be free of any sponsors. Almost every organizer I know relies on sponsorships because operating a tech conference seemingly isn’t profitable otherwise.
+
+If you ever remember me for one thing it should be this: sponsorship deals are the devil’s spawn. If you care about fixing the software industry this trade is never worth it; you’re not getting financial support in exchange for “simply” posting Microsoft’s logo on your website. The hidden social ramifications of touching ANY company’s bag of money are vast and—given the state of our industry—quite harmful.
+
+I hope you buy a ticket not just because these indie conferences will be helpful to you personally, but because you’re on board with our peculiar pursuit for change.
+
+Yours truly,<br>
+Abner

content/english/news/handmade-conference-tickets-2024.md

@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+---
+title: "Handmade Conference Tickets (2024)"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "Pack your bags (or fill up your fridge.) Whether it's in-person or online, don't miss the Handmade movement's 10-year anniversary"
+date: 2024-04-12T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/admit_one_pink-1080x675.png"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /handmade-conference-tickets-2024
+---
+
+
+#### Dear Handmade Folks,
+
+Happy Friday! Today marks the opening of the Spring sale. This year is uniquely awesome because it’s _gasp_ the 10-year anniversary of the Handmade movement. Boy do I have unexpected surprises for each conference.
+
+Tickets for Boston and Seattle are now available:
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://handmadecities.com/tickets" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">Tickets</a>
+</div>
+
+Many have been reserved already as fundraiser perks, so grab the remaining stash while you can.
+
+
+#### Handmade Boston: Aug 9-10th, 2024
+
+[Boston](https://handmadecities.com/boston) is a two-day masterclass conference on Friday August 9th and Saturday August 10th. Three important changes have been made:
+
+1. Our new venue is fancier: The JFK Presidential Library
+2. No more forums or homework assignments
+3. My event coordinator, Morgan Rammell, is taking over logistics
+
+You should expect the same caliber of high-profile, competent speakers as last year. This conference is to dive into technical rabbit holes and come out a better programmer one way or another.
+
+For the physical track, we’re also booking an exclusive after-party: remember Kings Dining and Entertainment?
+
+![](/images/news/kings_bowl-scaled.jpg)
+
+Well we had only reserved the dining part but their building is much bigger with a retro vibe (perfect for Handmade) featuring bowling alleys, arcades, billiards, and two bar areas. The owner told me he wants to host us again, so we will be renting the whole establishment.
+
+
+#### Handmade Seattle: Nov 20-22nd, 2024
+
+[Seattle](https://handmadecities.com/seattle) is our flagship conference, and it’s rapidly becoming the biggest place where new folks get to learn about Handmade for the first time! As always, we will have new talks, demos, a trade show, and a job fair. And as always, it will be at the Seattle Center, live-streamed with the help of my amazing technical staff.
+
+For the physical track we want to finally do a better job with hotel accommodations. With Morgan’s help, I’m partnering with the Mediterranean Inn. It’s the most popular choice among attendees:
+
+![](/images/news/mediterranean_inn.webp)
+
+The goal is to offer really good discounts and make your travel budget more affordable. We’ll keep ticket holders posted with developments.
+
+Note that on Friday, November 22nd we will no longer be at the venue. Instead, the physical track will join a series of optional hangouts, ending with the final after-party of the year, full of ChocoVine.
+
+
+#### Enough is Enough: No More Matrix 🚫
+
+I swear I don’t even have the energy to discuss this here, but I’m frustrated with chat servers. We will still have a private chat for Handmade conferences, but it will no longer be with Element nor Matrix in general. I give up, I’m sorry.
+
+{{< youtube WxAO4xDPpkg >}}
+
+There was a huge reaction over in Loris Cro’s Software You Can Love Discord. The thread in question is [here](https://discord.com/channels/697519923273924658/1226291091687342192), and if you need an invite link, [here you go](https://discord.gg/N8SSHQca).
+
+
+#### Conference Schedules 📅
+
+I’m currently in the middle of deciding the themes, topics, schedules and talking to candidate speakers/demoers. This year I will also be live-streaming part of this decision-making process with the input from top fundraiser contributors (forgive the delay on that.) Note that final decisions still rest with me.
+
+Stay tuned for updates soon.
+
+
+#### Fundraiser Perks 🏆
+
+If you participated in our 2024 fundraiser, you should’ve received a Donorbox receipt and a confirmation email from yours truly. Perks started to roll out in March and will continue over the next couple of months.
+
+Signing off for now. Don’t miss the movement’s 10-year anniversary, there’s much in store for you at these events.
+
+Your indie organizer,<br>
+Abner

content/english/news/handmade-inspired-companies.md

@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+---
+title: "Handmade-Inspired Companies"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "It ain't easy, but these folks are paving the road."
+date: 2024-08-27T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/lego_businessman-1080x675.jpg"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /handmade-inspired-companies
+---
+
+#### Hey Handmade folks,
+
+Thanks for joining us at Handmade Boston this month! We finally hit the right formula for the masterclasses this year, and it really resonated with everyone. The speakers brought their A-game, and I’m incredibly grateful to them for making it all come together.
+
+
+#### Handmade Boston Recordings
+
+If you missed the online track, you can still catch it on Twitch:
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2219804427" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">VOD</a>
+</div>
+
+The Twitch VOD will be up for another month or so. We’ll also upload each presentation to the [Media](https://handmadecities.com/media) page eventually.
+
+##### In-Person Recordings
+
+For those who couldn’t attend in person, we’re working on the recordings. I’m hoping they’re ready by the end of the month. If you want to support this indie conference and unlock the in-person recordings once they’re up, you can still grab an online ticket (discount applied):
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://buy.stripe.com/8wMcMWapJelv15C00s" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">Ticket</a>
+</div>
+
+---
+
+
+#### Emerging ‘Handmade’ Businesses
+
+In the last newsletter, I introduced our speakers, but I didn’t explain how several of them run their own businesses or lead at their companies. I’m excited that these speakers truly embody the Handmade [ethos](https://handmade.network/manifesto) and are discovering ways to make a living.
+
+The grimacing Lego businessman is a bit of dark humor. It’s my face upon learning their cursed fate: they are either small business owners (like me), bootstrapped companies, or puzzling over how to remain in charge if they accept investor funding. I salute them because, currently, there are far easier choices in this economy!
+
+**Mr. 4th Lab:** Allen Webster founded [Mr. 4th](https://mr4th.com/) Lab to help programmers refine their craft. During the event, he sat down with me and dissected my programming choices for Terminal Click. Audience feedback was overwhelmingly positive—his insights were top-notch.
+
+![](/images/news/mr4th_membership.png)
+
+If you want to see more of Allen’s work, check out what he already offers for free, and consider becoming a paid member for exclusive material. It’s a great way to sharpen your skills.
+
+**Kagi Search:** Zac Nowicki, tech lead at Kagi, shared how their search engine is embracing Handmade. While we wait for that masterclass recording, I recommend signing up for [Kagi](https://kagi.com/) and taking it for a test drive: especially if you’re fed up with Google’s deteriorating search results.
+
+I also learned they’re [officially](https://blog.kagi.com/what-is-next-for-kagi) a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) now—a fascinating legal structure for a business I had no idea existed.
+
+![](/images/news/kagi_pbc.png)
+
+Legally speaking it means _“[…] company directors and officers are given explicit permission to consider a purpose beyond simply maximizing shareholder value.”_
+
+Imagine that 🤯
+
+**Shared Memory LLC (Creators of Animal Well):** Billy Basso is living the Handmade dream—creating and [shipping](https://www.animalwell.net/) a video game from scratch and attaining mainstream success. I wanted to investigate more, so near the end of our interview we discussed his foray into running a business. Note that he was the sole developer of Animal Well.
+
+![](/images/news/billy.jpg)
+
+If you’re an aspiring indie dev, Billy’s business story is one to watch (see Twitch VOD above.)
+
+**Nilo Technologies:** Nuno Leiria, former optimization lead for Unreal Engine 5, has launched his own startup: [Nilo](https://nilo.xyz/). He has a brilliant vision for making future video games. However, the reader knows I have a negative outlook on both startups and Generative AI, so I do put his feet to the fire (see Twitch VOD above.)
+
+![](/images/news/nilo_screenshot.png)
+
+I will admit the moral clarity Nuno showed during our combative interview left me feeling impressed and optimistic. Perhaps not every single startup is the spawn of the devil, as tempting as it is for me to say that? I’d love to hear your own feedback about this.
+
+Check out Nilo’s website and reach out to Nuno personally, so he can walk you through their prototype: hit that _Early Access_ button!
+
+---
+
+#### Showing Some Love ♥
+
+They are not sponsoring Handmade Cities (nor should they), but I want to see them succeed: consider supporting the companies above—whether it’s financially or just with encouraging feedback!
+
+Every bit helps. Always.
+
+Next up is Handmade Seattle 2024. Stay tuned for more updates soon: if you’re reading this as an email, you can reply to reach me directly. Otherwise please [subscribe](https://handmadecities.com/news) to receive newsletters in your Inbox!
+
+Your indie organizer,<br>
+Abner
+
+_P.S. There are more brave souls embodying our ethos and starting a business, but today I wanted to focus on the stars of the Boston event._

content/english/news/introducing-handmade-meetups.md

@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+---
+title: "Introducing Handmade Meetups!"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "Meet Handmade folks all year round. We also talk about the state of the conferences."
+date: 2023-09-22T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/coffee_sketch-1080x675.jpg"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /introducing-handmade-meetups
+---
+
+
+#### Dear Handmade Folks,
+
+It’s been a minute since my last update back on July 31st, just before Handmade Boston’s debut last month. Rest assured, I’m very much alive and pumped to bring you the latest.
+
+
+#### Reflecting on Boston
+
+Handmade Boston was an experiment in mentorship and masterclasses. As a hybrid conference, we sold over three hundred tickets—an impressive feat for a first-time niche event using an unproven format. My heartfelt thanks to all of you who joined us, and to our official instructors who offered new technical insights. Brace yourselves for a better sequel next year.
+
+And fret not, those exclusive masterclass recordings will be unlocked for all to enjoy soon. But let’s save that story for another day.
+
+
+#### Meetups.com, but Handmade
+
+Like Majora’s looming moon, I’m motivated to unveil an initiative that, much like Link’s quest, I couldn’t have completed alone—Handmade Meetups! It’s your golden ticket to make friends with like-minded programmers all year round.
+
+##### Join a Meetup Near You
+
+Shoutout to the hosts partnering with Handmade Cities, who are working with me to run meetups under our brand. Head to our page to subscribe to meetups happening in your area:
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://handmadecities.com/meetups" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">Join Meetup</a>
+</div>
+
+Currently, ten cities officially host meetups, spanning the United States and Europe.
+
+**United States**
+
+* _Seattle, Washington_
+* _Portland, Oregon_
+* _Boston, Massachusetts_
+* _Las Vegas, Nevada_
+* _San Francisco, California_
+* _New York City, New York_
+* _Detroit, Michigan_
+
+**Europe**
+
+* _Stockholm, Sweden_
+* _Gothenburg, Sweden_
+* _Grenoble, France_
+
+If your city isn’t on the list, don’t worry; you can wishlist it, and we’ll notify you when meetups kick off there.
+
+##### Shared Values
+
+Our partnership thrives on a commitment to software quality. We’re not perfect, but in an industry obsessed with control and profit, we stand for user experience, agency over software, and privacy. We aim to build better software for humanity which is why we dig deeper into how computers actually work.
+
+Wisdom is magnified by technical competence.
+
+We need the wisdom to distinguish software engineered for exploitation rather than genuine assistance. Furthermore, even when not intentionally exploitative, it may have been constructed devoid of the love, care, or consideration for those who will ultimately rely on it.
+
+To witness true change in our industry, we must continuously forge bonds among the programmers (and allies) who are deeply invested. Handmade Meetups are instrumental for this. While the high-profile conference carries weight, it can’t stand alone.
+
+In the words of Gil Scott-Heron, “The revolution will not be televised.”
+
+---
+
+#### Handmade Seattle 2023: Meet Morgan!
+
+Unlike Boston, Handmade Seattle is a well-established conference with a proven formula. Even before unveiling the conference schedule, we’ve already sold 70% of all [tickets](https://handmadecities.com/tickets)! Your trust means the world to me.
+
+I’m thrilled to announce the newest addition to our team, event coordinator Morgan Rammell:
+
+![](/images/news/morgan_rammell_1_cropped.png)
+
+With her expertise onboard, I can focus on elevating the conference experience: defining explicit themes, angering entrenched corporate interests, spending more quality time with contributors and hanging out with the audience.
+
+Read more about my wonderful staff members [here](https://handmadecities.com/about). Stay tuned for updates on the conference lineup during my Twitch stream next week.
+
+
+#### Handmade Cities Direct
+
+Mark your calendars for this **Monday, September 25th, at 2PM Seattle Time**. I’ll be hosting a Handmade Cities Direct, discussing my current endeavors and the roadmap for Handmade Seattle 2023 and beyond:
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://twitch.tv/abnercoimbre" class="btn bg-purple-700 dark:bg-purple-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-purple-800 text-white"><i class="fab fa-twitch"></i> Twitch</a>
+</div>
+
+P.S. We’ll also have a special guest, Ben Visness, promoting the [Wheel Reinvention Jam](https://handmade.network/jam/2023) taking place that same day! I often pick their best entries to be featured at the conference.
+
+
+#### Chocovine Fund
+
+Let’s get real: ticket sales cover conference costs but not my basic living expenses. I depend on conference members—those generous souls who contribute five bucks a month—to make ends meet. I affectionately call it the [ChocoVine fund](https://donorbox.org/handmadecities), and it’s seen some rough patches due to economic uncertainties. If you’re able, I implore your support beyond ticket purchases.
+
+It’s the lifeline that keeps me doing what I love.
+
+Your indie organizer,<br>
+Abner Coimbre

content/english/news/nearing-sellout-2023.md

@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+---
+title: "Nearing Sellout (2023)"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "Our conference lineup and timeline are reaching their final form, with 90% of all tickets sold out."
+date: 2023-10-27T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/ticket_budget-1080x675.png"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /nearing-sellout-2023
+---
+
+#### Dear Handmade Folks,
+
+With great excitement I share our latest news: Handmade Seattle is now 90% sold out. This response is a testament to the growing enthusiasm for this event (thank you.) Whether you’ll be with us on-site or joining remotely, it’s your moment to secure your place and be a part of this indie celebration, dedicated to Handmade software and its core values:
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://handmadecities.com/tickets" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">Secure Ticket</a>
+</div>
+
+
+#### Conference Schedule Develops Further
+
+Our conference lineup and timeline are reaching their final form. I’m incredibly pumped (and grateful) for the phenomenal presentations these talented folks are cooking up for you. I hope you check out the newest additions.
+
+We also have a fun, animated way for you to keep track of the schedule, right on the [Handmade Seattle](https://handmadecities.com/seattle) page. Here’s a partial screenshot:
+
+![](/images/news/hms_schedule_2023.png)
+
+The timeline becomes increasingly detailed over the next few days. Notice how the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall—our main entrance—is accessible on both Google and Apple maps. Our venue is a short walking distance from the Space Needle!
+
+Finally, keep an eye out for the Friday hangout plans, which we hope to announce a week before the conference.
+
+
+#### Hotels: An Update 🏨
+
+The Mediterranean Inn near the Space Needle remains a favorite choice for many Handmade Seattle attendees. Rooms still seem available, and I personally recommend it!
+
+However, our new event coordinator, advised me that securing hotel discounts and contracts with our crowd size ideally takes a year of planning. Unfortunately then it won’t be until 2024 that we could give support for attendees booking hotels. Forgive the tardiness on this front.
+
+We can still offer discounts to anyone who’s struggling financially, with special consideration to students and anyone affected by the layoffs. Please reach out.
+
+Your Chance for the Trade Show
+
+For those interested in hosting a job booth or showcasing your personal project, a few slots are still up for grabs! Reach out via email to discuss the details. With the conference just around the corner, don’t delay—let’s make these opportunities happen.
+
+To the attendees who’ve already made last-minute-ish requests to participate at Handmade Seattle, you’ll hear back from me soon.
+
+And remember, the private chat server opens to the audience on **Wednesday, November 8th**, exactly one week before the conference. You’ll get an email to join in; I’m looking forward to chatting with you there.
+
+At your service,<br>
+Abner

content/english/news/new-discord-server.md

@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+---
+title: "New Discord Server"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "Bid farewell to Matrix and embrace Discord's charm for now"
+date: 2024-05-02T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/discord_pattern-1080x675.jpg"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /new-discord-server
+---
+
+
+#### Dear Handmade Folks,
+
+I’m announcing the launch of our new Discord server! Swing by [handmadecities.com/discord](https://handmadecities.com/discord) and introduce yourself – I’d love to personally welcome you there.
+
+My aim is to keep the Discord server running year-round. **However, during live events, we’ll still maintain a private chat server for ticket holders.** This helps those who prefer not to use Discord, but it’s also a business necessity: we sell online tickets to access official discussions.
+
+Now, about Matrix. We’ve decided to part ways.
+
+
+#### CEO/CTO’s Response
+
+If you’ll remember, I [expressed](https://discord.com/channels/697519923273924658/1226291091687342192) my frustration of chat servers at Software You Can Love, which generated a lot of interesting debate. After this I also [vented](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40009381) on Hacker News how Matrix’s priorities are not going towards UX:
+
+_**abnercoimbre:** “Yeah I’ve been using them for my indie conferences since 2020. I recently [argued](https://youtu.be/WxAO4xDPpkg) that it’s not the Year for Matrix, even if Discord now has ads and is doing sketchy stuff typical of enshitification. Unfortunately I just don’t see Matrix’s priorities going towards UX. I’m dropping them. Revolt has [promise](https://revolt.chat/), at the very least as a stopgap.”_
+
+Matrix leadership then weighed in:
+
+_**Arathorn:** “fwiw, https://element.io/labs/element-x is Element’s attempt to spell out that we our priorities are **absolutely** going towards UX. Meanwhile the old Element apps aren’t improving because all our (limited) bandwidth is going into Element X, which we hope to be ready this summer.”_
+
+My thoughts on his response:
+
+* “Labs” rarely gets promotion, and I like to think I’m pretty in the loop. (I had forgotten it exists.)
+* Element X hardly ever makes a cameo in your blog – it seems you’ve got your hands full!
+* From where I stand, it looks like enterprise deals and hosting expansion take the cake in your priority list.
+
+That’s all fair – you gotta do what you think keeps the lights on. But from my perspective, there’s no consistent effort to prioritize user experience or performance. If there were, you’d have hit the ground running as the next Discord killer and smoothed out user onboarding from day one. You’d have swapped out Python for a more efficient language for your chat server in a heartbeat.
+
+This isn’t easy for me: I’ve wanted to believe since 2020. I’ve been all-in on Matrix, even entangling it with my ticketing system. But now, my ticket holders are making it clear: if I stick with this ecosystem, they’ll take a pass.
+
+So, time to bid farewell.
+
+
+#### Handmade Network “versus” Handmade Cities
+
+As a reminder, Handmade Network remains our go-to online hangout. In contrast, Handmade Cities is all about face-to-face connections: think conferences and meetups. What Ben and I [shared](https://handmadecities.com/beyond-conferences-handmade-cities-all-year-round) a while back still rings true (except now, Matrix is out of the picture.)
+
+Another newsletter is in the works, but I wanted to tackle this chat server disaster first.
+
+We’re slowly piecing together our speaker lineup for [Boston](https://handmadecities.com/boston) and [Seattle](https://handmadecities.com/seattle). Of course I’d love to hear from our top supporters, so stay tuned for that. And whoever you might be, don’t hesitate to suggest presentations – just hit reply.
+
+Your organizer,<br>
+Abner

content/english/news/shape-the-future-of-handmadecities.md

@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+---
+title: "Shape the Future of Handmade Cities – and More"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "Join our May 30th Twitch stream to help shape Handmade Boston and Seattle! Read up on the meetups, coworking sessions, ticket prices, Twitch collab..."
+date: 2024-05-20T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/improving_hmc_website-980x579.png"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /shape-the-future-of-handmadecities
+---
+
+#### Heyo Handmade Folks,
+
+Happy start of the week (I hope.) Today I offer you some cool updates on the conferences, meetups, new coworking sessions, ticket prices, Twitch collabs, and a new indie game I believe you’ll enjoy.
+
+
+#### Conference Themes and Topics
+
+I’m live-streaming my decision-making process for the themes and topics of Handmade Boston and Handmade Seattle on ~~**May 30th at 2PM Seattle Time**~~. Tune in to suggest speakers if you haven’t already! **UPDATE:** _Moved to Monday, June 3rd at 2PM Seattle Time_
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://twitch.tv/abnercoimbre" class="btn bg-purple-700 dark:bg-purple-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-purple-800 text-white"><i class="fab fa-twitch"></i> Twitch</a>
+</div>
+
+Top fundraiser contributors will get an email beforehand with instructions on joining a private channel: they will get priority as I listen to public feedback.
+
+#### Initial Speaker Announcements 🎉
+
+We’re only just ramping up our selection of speakers and demoers, but we already have a cast of returning characters that I’d love to (re-)introduce.
+
+**Kaze Emanuar:** _For Handmade Boston, I’m excited to announce the return of Kaze Emanuar: last year, Kaze shared his approach to modding Mario Party 1 from scratch. This time, he’s diving straight into optimizations and cost analysis. This masterclass could empower you to [achieve impressive results](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_rzYnXEQlE). For this conference, he’s aiming to apply these techniques to a non-Mario game—perhaps Zelda?_
+
+_Note that Kaze prefers staying behind the screen, so this session is for the online track. In-person attendees will have access to the recording too, of course._
+
+**Mr. 4th:** I’m also thrilled to announce Allen Webster as in-person speaker for Boston. Creator of 4coder, with a respectable tenure at RAD Game Tools and Epic, Allen recently went independent and runs [Mr. 4th Lab](https://mr4th.com/) now. His masterclass details will be up on our website soon.
+
+**Devine Lu Linvega:** For Handmade Seattle we welcome Devine Lu Linvega: Devine is a founder of the [Hundred Rabbits](https://100r.co/site/about_us.html) collective and they’ve been living on a sailboat since 2016 making experimental software. In 2022, Devine taught us how to weather the [software winter](https://vimeo.com/780005704) (arguably more relevant today.) This time, Devine will teach us how to find a different life as programmers. Given the obscene mass layoffs and realization of our disposability, this will be a very thought-provoking talk. Let’s join Devine in Seattle and consider alternative viewpoints.
+
+Boston is coming up first, which takes place in under three months, and our speaker lineup will continue to grow, especially after our live-stream on May 30th.
+
+**📝Note:** Boston masterclasses won’t be live-streamed in full this year. You need a ticket to unlock them, and they’ll remain exclusive until next year. I humbly ask that we support our favorite indie conferences 🙂
+
+
+
+#### Meetup Growth: NYC Demo Night 🌆
+
+Handmade [Meetups](https://handmadecities.com/meetups) are back in full swing and popping up worldwide. Vancouver and Cambridge have been added, and I even partnered with an interesting CTO from Australia recently, so expect to see that country listed on the site very soon. Note that if your city isn’t listed, you can wishlist it on our page. You should also talk to me if you have the social chops to spin up a meetup.
+
+One of our growth strategies is to record demos from meetups and share them with the world whenever possible. Nick Aversano, host of NYC meetups, recorded a rather [mesmerizing presentation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycLdhqn5VI4) (complete with closed captioning) by a core contributor of the Live Bootstrap project— which involves writing a 4KB kernel in hex.
+
+{{< youtube ycLdhqn5VI4 >}}
+
+The New York scene for Handmade is really growing at a steady pace, and I’m grateful to Nick for his consistency as a meetup host. I’ll highlight interesting presentations as they happen throughout the year.
+
+
+#### Coworking Sessions
+
+If you’re on the new [Discord](https://handmadecities.com/discord) you’ll see I’ve created a public cowork channel: I’m interested to see if there’s demand for this. In the Seattle area I’ve already spun up biweekly sessions for indies: rotating them between Seattle, Redmond, and Kirkland. Message me if you’re independent and live in the Seattle area.
+
+The keen reader should realize the big picture that Handmade Cities is going for:
+
+* **Conferences:** Our biggest events. Twice a year.
+* **Meetups:** Informal gatherings to showcase projects or discuss important topics. Usually monthly.
+* **Co-Working:** Work alongside like-minded programmers. Usually bi-weekly.
+
+In the future we’ll create a co-working section on the website with the ability to subscribe to notifications, as we do for meetups. For now, it’s just an informal setup on our chat.
+
+
+#### Clarifying the Ticket Prices 🎫
+
+We’ve set new ticket prices this year, and I plan to keep them long-term. The physical track is $249—please compare that to any other tech conference, which are almost always financially backed by tech sponsors. Meanwhile our online track is just 30% of the in-person cost.
+
+I aim not to raise prices as a conference approaches, avoiding the pressure tactics to get early registrations. What I’m counting on is the goodwill of the Handmade community to register early so we can always keep prices stable while remaining fully independent:
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://handmadecities.com/tickets" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">Tickets</a>
+</div>
+
+(It’s not sustainable if everyone holds out until the day before the conference.)
+
+
+#### Twitch Collabs 🤝
+
+I’m collaborating with Allen Webster and Ben Visness on my streams! Allen is helping me tighten the screws on Terminal Click, while Ben is leveling up the Handmade Cities website. You can already check out some VODs on my [Twitch](https://twitch.tv/abnercoimbre) channel.
+
+![](/images/news/arenas_in_the_terminal.png)
+![](/images/news/improving_hmc_website.png)
+
+The community’s had a lone wolf and secretive culture for too long, which I have contributed to myself. I encourage programmers to trust their fellow community members, especially when they have more expertise than you in some area. There’s more than one way to collaborate or create partnerships: figure out what makes you the most comfortable.
+
+
+#### Promotion: Way of Rhea 🎮
+
+A game that embodies the Handmade ethos has now [shipped](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1110620?utm_campaign=hm)! If you love engaging indie puzzlers you wouldn’t want to miss this one:
+
+![](/images/news/way_of_rhea.jpg)
+
+Mason Remaley’s a gamedev who gave a well-received talk at Handmade Seattle, titled [It’s not Survivorship Bias: On Successful Software Endeavors](https://vimeo.com/783465506). I recommend it for any programmer interested in running their own shop. His Q&A [session](https://vimeo.com/783467957) has golden nuggets of wisdom too.
+
+If you want to support Mason and snag the game, it’s currently at a discount. Consider leaving Way of Rhea a review as well, since it helps discoverability.
+
+
+#### Your Patience is Appreciated
+
+To those awaiting email responses: I’m working through the backlog (surprising absolutely no one) and will get back to you before the month expires. Thanks for your patience.
+
+Until the next round of updates!
+
+Your organizer,<br>
+Abner

content/english/news/the-boston-lineup-revealed.md

@@ -0,0 +1,121 @@
+---
+title: "The Boston Lineup Revealed"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "Learn about our exclusive Boston lineup, Abner's departure from Twitter, and more!"
+date: 2023-06-06T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/enter_demoscene-980x388.png"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /the-boston-lineup-revealed
+---
+
+
+#### Dear Handmade Folks,
+
+It’s been a while, a little longer than anticipated, so I hope this message finds you well. There’s much to discuss 🙂 First off I’m thrilled with the official lineup for the inaugural conference in the east coast:
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://handmadecities.com/boston" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">Handmade Boston</a>
+</div>
+
+
+Here are the **seven instructors** who will be leading our first-ever Handmade Masterclasses:
+
+
+#### Boston: The Complete Lineup
+
+You’ll forgive my gushing, but I’m as excited as you are to have speakers of this caliber:
+
+* **Kaze Emanuar** – The mind responsible for the most groundbreaking Nintendo 64 mods, particularly in the realm of Super Mario (with a touch of Zelda on the side)
+* **Freya Holmér** – A prodigy in technical art, Freya’s mastery of math and shaders shines through in her tutorials on Twitch and YouTube
+* **Jasper** – Our esteemed friend Jasper is renowned for dissecting complex systems and unraveling the nature of popular video games
+* **Ryan Fleury** – Ryan is among the few who has understood how to write C programs with virtually zero memory errors: his expertise in memory strategies is unparalleled
+* **Andreas Fredriksson** – The lead engine programmer at Insomniac Games and also a talented demoscener who has won first prize at Revision Party competitions
+* **Mārtiņs Možeiko** – An engineer at Epic Games/RAD Game Tools, Martins is an iconic figure within the Handmade community, often hailed as a true programming wizard and the go-to person for programming questions
+* **Ramón Santamaría** – Creator of raylib, the open-source library that skyrocketed to become the second most popular repository on GitHub earlier this year. raylib is Handmade software that has garnered substantial grants, accolades, and industry recognition
+
+To discover more about them and the masterclasses they’ll be teaching, make sure to visit the Handmade Cities website. Remember they’ll also be designing take-home assignments and helping you work through them after the conference.
+
+_P.S. As long as you feel comfortable programming in any systems language, and you’re not a complete beginner, this conference is for you. We’re here to help with no elitism nor judgement – don’t miss a real opportunity for growth and mentorship._
+
+
+#### Ticket Prices: Early-Bird Extension🎫
+
+There’s been an unusual number of requests for discounts or financial assistance, and in all honesty it’s not entirely unexpected: it’s disheartening to witness the impact of inflation, mass layoffs, and economic uncertainty.
+
+Traditionally early-bird sales incentivize registration, securing revenue for my operational costs. **This year, I’ve decided to maintain the early-bird price for as long as is feasible.** My intention is to extend support to those in need while still asking those who can afford it to secure their tickets promptly.
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://handmadecities.com/tickets" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">Tickets 2023</a>
+</div>
+
+Moreover, if the current prices still pose challenges for you, please reply to this email and share your circumstances. We often have attendees who are willing to sponsor seats, and I have some flexibility to offer discounts.
+
+I’m always striking a balance between staying indie, making enough money, but also keeping conferences open to the financially disadvantaged.
+
+
+#### I’ve Left Social Media 🐦🚫
+
+My personal and business Twitter accounts have gone the way of the dodo. And no, I will not join any social media that shares Twitter’s DNA or style. (I’ve also given my Twitch channel a fresh coat of paint—it’s now [handmade_cities](https://twitch.tv/handmade_cities) instead of abnercoimbre.)
+
+I chose to bid farewell for as many reasons as there are lines of code on Twitter. However, in essence, I firmly believe that our indie conferences can thrive and even flourish independently of the algorithms underpinning mega networks.
+
+Is it a privilege to make such a choice? Perhaps. Is it liberating? Undoubtedly.
+
+ 
+#### Handmade Seattle: What’s Been Going On?
+
+Now that the Boston lineup is complete for this summer, you’ll start seeing speaker names, software demos and job booths for Handmade Seattle over the coming weeks! The [track record](https://guide.handmade-seattle.com/) of Handmade Seattle stands as a testament of what you can expect for 2023; however, a tradeoff presents itself:
+
+* Secure your ticket now in good faith, without knowing the exact lineup of presenters just yet, OR
+* Opt to register at a later time, with greater knowledge of the schedule, but face the prospect of finding that all seats have been filled
+
+We’re selling out at an even faster rate than Boston, which makes sense because Handmade Seattle is a very well-known conference at this point. Stay tuned for more updates later this summer.
+
+
+#### The Greater Community
+
+Before we conclude this newsletter, I wanted to highlight a couple of significant announcements from the greater Handmade(-adjacent) community.
+
+##### I’m Speaking at Software You Can Love ❤ 2023
+
+In just a few days, I’ll be giving a talk on my personal project: [Terminal Click](https://softwareyoucanlove.ca/talks/terminal-click/). If you’re nearby or can land there a whim, I hope you can attend! This Vancouver conference [drew inspiration](https://zig.news/mattnite/announcing-software-you-can-love-2023-5a3k) from Handmade Seattle and I hope to see it thrive.
+
+![](/images/news/sycl_2023.png)
+
+I rarely get a chance to talk from the perspective of a programmer anymore, so this should be interesting.
+
+##### Spall Has Officially Shipped!
+
+Allow me to extend a heartfelt congratulations to the indie developer behind [Spall](https://gravitymoth.com/spall/), a brand new profiler initially [showcased](https://vimeo.com/776796857) at Handmade Seattle 2022. It’s gratifying to witness the release of Handmade software into the wild.
+
+![](/images/news/recent_spall.jpg)
+
+I encourage you to visit the website and try out Spall firsthand. If you find it as impressive as I do, please consider making a purchase. Spall is a competitive, high-performing tool that brings joy.
+
+
+##### The Time Machine 🕰
+
+The Handmade Network launched a community summer project called Time Machine. It’s a curious opportunity to compare the computers of old with the modern machines and software we use today.
+
+![](/images/news/TimeMachine2x.png)
+
+> This summer, we’re digging out old devices and seeing what they were actually like to use.
+> 
+> Our phones today are far more powerful than our desktop computers from decades ago. And yet, those old computers worked just fine! The Time Machine project is an opportunity to boot up those old devices and see how they feel to use.
+> 
+> As our hardware has improved, how has the user experience changed? Which parts have stayed the same? Which parts have gotten worse? There’s only one way to find out.
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://handmade.network/timemachine" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">Time Machine</a>
+</div>
+
+Sound exciting? Let’s unearth any forgotten electronics gathering dust and join the fun! Until the next update, I hope you drink your daily glass of ChocoVine and revisit Majora’s Mask at least once a month.
+
+Your trusty organizer,<br>
+Abner Coimbre

content/english/news/the-third-place.md

@@ -0,0 +1,116 @@
+---
+title: "Important Meetup Tomorrow"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "The Third Place needs a comeback—let's make it happen."
+date: 2024-08-30T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/coffee_time-1080x675.jpg"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /the-third-place
+---
+
+#### Dear Handmade Friends,
+
+If you’re in Seattle, I invite you to an emergency session tomorrow at 2:00 PM. We’re setting aside the usual agenda to discuss an urgent matter: reviving the idea of a “third place.”
+
+* Saturday, August 31st
+* Distant Worlds Coffeehouse (Seattle)
+* 2:00 – 4:00 PM
+
+**Plus ones are welcome. Upon arrival, kindly order a drink / snack at the counter and inform them you are attending Abner’s Party.**
+
+![](/images/news/distant_worlds.png)
+
+If we finish early, we’ll do software demos too.
+
+As always, we’ll have dinner and drinks after the meetup—check out the details in **Seattle After Dark** below.
+
+---
+
+#### “But Abner, I’m Not From Seattle!”
+
+Not in Seattle? No problem. I’m hosting an online follow-up **next Tuesday at 2:00 PM (Seattle Time)** on the Handmade Cities [Discord](https://handmadecities.com/discord). I want to hear from everyone, especially those who host or wish to host meetups in their own cities—or help and volunteer in any way.
+
+While you wait, you might like my recent interview with Billy Basso, creator of [Animal Well](https://animalwell.net/), now on YouTube!
+
+{{< youtube KixgF8Ru1Mw >}}
+
+---
+
+#### What’s the Third Place?
+
+Most people only have home and work, with no “third place” to reliably hang out, at low-cost or free of charge, and see familiar faces.
+
+I don’t have all the answers, but Handmade Cities can help by sponsoring **weekly hangouts**—a laid-back space where we meet up without any pressure to work, present, or impress anyone.
+
+This will be our final type of Handmade in-person event. In decreasing order of formality:
+
+* Conferences (Twice a Year)
+* Meetups (Monthly)
+* Coworking (Bi-Weekly)
+* Hangouts (Weekly)
+
+To the non-Seattle meetup hosts: don’t worry. Organizing is my full-time job, so I have more time for coworking and hangouts. You’re not necessarily expected to take on extra sessions—focusing on your monthly meetups is what matters most. Next week’s Discord meeting will cover monthly meetups just as much as anything else.
+
+---
+
+#### Why I Need Your Input
+
+We’d like Handmade Cities to reserve the venue and cover any material costs, but I need your help deciding when, where and how these hangouts should happen. Should it be a place to play video games, read, or just grab a drink? A free-for-all? Should we leave our phones at the door? Invite non-programmer friends? And where should it be—a house, library, café, or somewhere else?
+
+Maybe some weeks you just want to find a quiet corner, soak in the background noise of your friends, but not really talk to anyone: _this should be allowed_.
+
+![](/images/news/alone.jpg)
+
+We shall brainstorm and vote on the important bits at tomorrow’s meetup. What you suggest will guide the direction of Handmade Cities.
+
+---
+
+#### Seattle After Dark 👀
+
+* **4:00 – 8:00 PM (optional)**
+
+After the meetup, we’ll head out for pizza and drinks:
+
+1. **Olympic Pizza and Pasta 🍕:** Affordable and tasty, just down the block. $8-9 for a full meal.
+
+2. **Teddy’s Tavern 🍻:** A cozy bar just another block away. They know us and always welcome Handmade folks. If someone’s underage, let me know – we’ve got other options! If our group’s too big, we might move to Westy’s nearby.
+
+---
+
+#### Coworking Has Found Its Groove
+
+Big thanks to my [staff](https://handmadecities.com/about) Morgan, Devon, and Phil for making Handmade Cities what it is. They take tasks off my plate which is the only reason we can keep expanding (and I can catch my breath.)
+
+For coworking, it’s pretty awesome that Phil picked a library cafe called Third Place Books…!
+
+![](/images/news/third_place_books_promo.jpg)
+
+I’m excited to announce that we’ve nailed down just the right formula for coworking sessions. We’ll discuss it some more on Tuesday’s virtual meet.
+
+---
+
+#### FAQ
+
+**Q: I live in Seattle but can’t attend this meetup!**
+
+A: Send me an [email](mailto:abner@handmadecities.com) with your thoughts. I’ll share your feedback at the meetup.
+
+**Q: I can’t join Tuesday’s Discord chat either.**
+
+A: We’ll send out a summary shortly afterward.
+
+**Q: How can I keep up with everything?**
+
+A: Just [subscribe](https://handmadecities.com/news) to the main newsletter, and if you’re interested, sign up for [meetup](https://handmadecities.com/meetups) notifications for your city (scroll down to find it.)
+
+**Q: Where have you been?**
+
+A: Ernesto struck my home back in Puerto Rico [earlier](https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/video/ernesto-leaves-damage-and-flooding-in-puerto-rico) this month. Long story. But I’m here in Seattle and my family is safe.
+
+**See You Tomorrow ♥**
+
+Your indie organizer,<br>
+Abner

content/english/news/tickets-almost-gone-2023.md

@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+---
+title: "Tickets Almost Gone (2023)"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "Handmade Seattle 2023 is quickly gaining momentum, with 75% of tickets already claimed! In this post we reveal the conference lineup so far."
+date: 2023-10-05T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/ticketman-1080x675.jpg"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /tickets-almost-gone-2023
+---
+
+#### Dear Handmade Folks,
+
+I’m psyched to share Handmade Seattle 2023 is quickly gaining momentum, with 75% of [tickets](https://handmadecities.com/tickets) already claimed. Even the online track is filling up nicely—there’s a cap because we wish to maintain an intimate atmosphere for meaningful discussions.
+
+I want enough ticket holders to run a sustainable indie conference, not maximize profits at all costs.
+
+Did you know most companies have a “professional development” budget? Apparently it isn’t advertised much. Consider proposing Handmade Seattle to your boss as a worthy investment. (For struggling students or the financially disadvantaged: send an [email](mailto:abner@handmadecities.com) for further assistance.)
+
+If you’ve been holding out until the star lineup comes along, let us wait no longer!
+
+
+#### The Conference Lineup So Far
+
+With the new Seattle page live you can see who we have as speakers, demoers, and special guests:
+
+![](/images/news/star_lineup.png)
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://handmadecities.com/seattle" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">Handmade Seattle</a>
+</div>
+
+For the first time we have explicit themes tying together these presentations:
+
+1. Dysfunction
+2. Competence
+3. Antidotes
+
+We’re even using a Big Mac as one of our props, which will make sense in due course:
+
+![](/images/news/big_mac.jpg)
+
+As you read up on the themes and presentations you’ll realize we’ve turned up the spice. It’s taken time to establish ourselves professionally, but Handmade is now large enough to challenge the shortcomings of the software industry, all while maintaining a touch of class.
+
+My motto is spicy but classy. (Some tech companies are gonna need A LOT of milk though.)
+
+
+#### Hotel Accomodations 🏨
+
+By popular demand I’m exploring discounted rates with hotels and will have answers for you by October 15th. That’s exactly a month away from Handmade Seattle: if that feels too close for comfort, then go ahead and book anything near the Seattle Center; I know first-hand that they’re all good options.
+
+
+#### Official Hangouts 🥂
+
+If you’re in the physical track, we offer you a series of optional hangouts on the dawn of the final day: **Friday, November 17th.** They are organized by yours truly and take place outside of the Seattle Center. ChocoVine might be involved 🙂
+
+I’ll have more exciting news on this front later—including how ticket holders can RSVP for these meetings.
+
+
+#### Trade Show: Demo and Job Booths
+
+**Demos:** We still have some slots for demos. A demo is streamed live and is also offered a physical booth at the venue. It can be about any software project (even commercial) as long as it strongly aligns with Handmade values.
+
+**Jobs:** We are still on the lookout to rent more job booths. For the companies already wishing to hire Handmade people, you’ll hear from me again soon to register officially.
+
+Contact me if you’re hoping to reserve a slot. They are limited.
+
+Your indie organizer,<br>
+Abner Coimbre

content/english/news/without-members-i-dont-survive.md

@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+---
+title: "Without members, I don’t survive."
+meta_title: ""
+description: "An all-too-awkward but important request to support Abner with donations."
+date: 2023-11-20T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/money-3090724_1280-1080x675.jpg"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /without-members-i-dont-survive
+---
+
+#### Dear Handmade Folks!
+
+Handmade Seattle 2023 was a triumph thanks to our badass presenters and your support! I want to express my gratitude to my staff and the Seattle Center again for making this event possible. I’m also **delighted** so many attendees finally tried the best drink of all time 🙂
+
+The feedback so far, be it praise or constructive criticism, has been invaluable. Now, let’s talk about the reality of running indie conferences. While ticket sales cover the event’s costs and staffing, they don’t sustain my livelihood…
+
+
+#### Members Make the Difference
+
+Organizing a tech conference in a major city, with zero sponsors, is no small feat—I often navigate the complexities of negotiations and payment plans just to break even. Any profits are meager and go back into the business: with no leftovers for personal expenses like rent and groceries.
+
+That’s where conference members come in.
+
+A member is someone who not only enjoys the conference, **but also likes me personally.** You WANT me to stay independent, so you throw five bucks a month my way:
+
+<div class="flex justify-center">
+  <a href="https://donorbox.org/handmadecities" class="btn bg-blue-700 dark:bg-blue-700 
+  dark:text-white hover:bg-blue-800 text-white">Donorbox</a>
+</div>
+
+Notice how trivial it is to pause or cancel, which is why I use this system.
+
+I very much understand the fatigue of monthly commitments, but your membership directly supports an individual striving to make ends meet in a small studio apartment on a ramen budget. I’m not even able to open a 401k yet, so your contribution, no matter the size, could mean way more than sending that money elsewhere.
+
+For those who prefer a one-time donation, Donorbox allows for that too—every bit really helps.
+
+
+#### What’s On the Horizon?
+
+I still have financial commitments to meet, such as post-conference bills and so on. If you purchased a combined physical ticket for Boston and Seattle, I appreciate your patience as we fulfill the promise of free merchandise.
+
+In the coming weeks, we’ll refine and upload the presentations to the Handmade Cities [Media](https://handmadecities.com/media) page. I’ll personally notify each presenter when their recording is available. Meanwhile, you can still access the stream VODs on Vimeo and Twitch! Personally, I recommend [Twitch](https://twitch.tv/abnercoimbre) because it’s simpler to share clips or snippets there.
+
+Lastly a friendly reminder: I’m leading the Handmade [Meetups](https://handmadecities.com/meetups) initiative with trusted hosts worldwide. Visit that page to sign up for your city as I gear us up for exciting new updates come January.
+
+For now, I’m off to sleep some more 🙇

content/english/news/your-essential-guide-to-handmade-seattle-2023.md

@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+---
+title: "Your Essential Guide to Handmade Seattle (2023)"
+meta_title: ""
+description: "An all-too-awkward but important request to support Abner with donations."
+date: 2023-11-12T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/news/lighthouse-1080x675.jpg"
+categories: ["Press Release"]
+author: "Abner Coimbre"
+draft: false
+aliases:
+- /your-essential-guide-to-handmade-seattle-2023
+---
+
+#### Dear Handmade Folks,
+
+With Handmade Seattle 2023 just around the corner, this is your final pre-conference briefing. Whether you’re joining us in person or virtually this Wednesday, here’s everything you need before diving into a mind-expanding, independent conference!
+
+_Note: Seattle is cold, gray, and rainy this time of year. This suffering puertorican strongly recommends that you bundle up._
+
+
+#### 🎟 Tickets
+
+Limited [tickets](https://handmadecities.com/tickets) are still up for grabs. Support initiatives like ours and experience a phenomenal lineup: we’re all putting our hearts and souls into making this a memorable event for programmers like you.
+
+
+#### 📅 Conference Schedule
+
+Check out the hourly breakdown on our [Seattle](https://handmadecities.com/seattle) page or head directly to [handmadecities.com/schedule](https://handmadecities.com/schedule). You may want to bookmark the schedule page for easy access. Extra updates will be finished this weekend, so stay tuned for anything new.
+
+
+#### 🎫 QR Code
+
+For those on the physical track, please find your **General Admission** email in your Inbox, which contains a PDF with your QR code. You can speed up registration by having your ticket at the ready. Note that a quick scan will grant you a VIP bracelet, eliminating the need for further QR code scans.
+
+
+#### 📺 Live-Stream
+
+We’re streaming the conference for free at [Handmade Cities](https://handmadecities.com/), featuring a Vimeo player on both the landing and Seattle pages! As a backup, we’re simulcasting to my Twitch channel: [twitch.tv/abnercoimbre](https://twitch.tv/abnercoimbre). Please note that the Twitch chat will be completely abandoned/unmoderated; all discussions are happening on the private chat server, accessible with your ticket.
+
+
+#### 💬 Private Chat Server
+
+Ticket holders from both tracks should have received an invite to the conference server. If you haven’t, reach out ASAP to ensure you don’t miss out on the discussions already taking place.
+
+
+#### 👕 Merch Update
+
+Unfortunately, there’s a slight delay in our Handmade merchandise, and may not be ready for the actual event. (Fear not: please explore various booths at the trade show for unique swag.)
+
+Those who bought a combined Handmade Cities physical ticket—to attend both Boston and Seattle—remain eligible for free merch. Our new event coordinator, Morgan Rammell, will be in touch to gather shipping details. As soon as the merch arrives, we’ll be sending it your way.
+
+
+#### 🛒 Online Merch Shop
+
+We’re launching an online merch shop in early 2024, which I teased throughout the year on the Handmade Network Discord. The hope is this new store helps me grow as a small business even during slow months, and in return you get to wear (hopefully super cool) Handmade gear at future conferences.
+
+I can’t wait to shake your hand this Wednesday—or wave at the streaming camera, depending on where you’ll be 🙂
+
+Your indie organizer,<br>
+Abner

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+        <i class="fa-regular fa-circle-user mr-2"></i>
+        {{/* TODO: These links are broken. Disabled for now. */}}
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