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Find your community's perfect match with the Solution Station, where you'll discover solutions to common building challenges, in-depth platform comparisons (Forum Software, Matrix, Guilded, Discord, and more), and the latest community and platform news.
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Unlock your live streaming potential with the Live Streaming Universe, the ultimate resource hub offering in-depth guides for Owncast, Peertube, YouTube Live, Twitch, and more, plus growth strategies and technical expertise. Connect with a vibrant community of peers to share knowledge and accelerate your success.
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Retro Gaming: General Discussion

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Owncast: Owncast Discussion

Owncast Discussion

Owncast

2 posts
Configure Your Owncast Instance

JoshB

October 20, 2024Oct 20

0 comments

Owncast Instance Setup

JoshB

October 20, 2024Oct 20

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Independent Creator Podcast: Episode Discussion

Episode Discussion

Independent Creator Podcast

43 posts
Navigating the AI Revolution in Creative Spaces

JoshB

February 10Feb 10

0 comments

Challenges Faced by New Streaming Platforms

JoshB

December 6, 2024Dec 6

0 comments

The One-Way Nature of Mainstream Platforms

JoshB

December 5, 2024Dec 5

0 comments

AI and Content Creation - Embracing the Future

JoshB

December 5, 2024Dec 5

0 comments

Revisiting Guilded

JoshB

December 5, 2024Dec 5

0 comments

Love The 2TonWaffle Community? Tell a friend!

The Death of Digital Wanderlust: Why Creators Need Platform Independence

Remember when the internet felt like an endless frontier of discovery? When you'd hop from forum to forum, stumbling upon niche communities and passionate discussions about everything from vintage synthesizers to urban farming? Those days seem increasingly distant as content creators and their audiences retreat into the walled gardens of major social platforms.
We're witnessing a dramatic shift in how online communities form and interact. Instead of spreading their presence across various independent forums and websites, today's content creators are consolidating their activities within a handful of major platforms – primarily Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter. It's like watching digital nomads settle down into gated communities, trading the adventure of the open web for the convenience and predictability of algorithm-driven feeds.
The Golden Handcuffs of Social Media
The allure is undeniable. With TikTok boasting over 1 billion monthly active users and Instagram not far behind, these platforms offer creators something invaluable: a ready-made audience. Their sophisticated algorithms do the heavy lifting of finding and delivering content to interested viewers – a luxury that independent creators could never achieve on their own.
Modern social platforms have become all-in-one toolkits for creators. Need to sell merchandise? Instagram Shop has you covered. Want to host exclusive content? YouTube's membership features await. Looking to engage with your audience? Twitter's Spaces and Instagram's Live features provide instant connection. This integration eliminates the need for creators to cobble together different services and platforms to reach their goals.
The Dark Side of Digital Dependency
However, this convenience comes at a price. One algorithm change can devastate years of hard work overnight. Platforms favor frequent, consistent posting – often multiple times per day – leading to creator burnout and declining quality. Rather than crafting thoughtful, well-researched content, creators find themselves feeding the endless appetite of the content machine, trading depth for frequency.
The TikTok Wake-Up Call
The recent TikTok ban scare in the United States served as a stark reality check. For approximately 14 hours, as the threat of an immediate nationwide ban loomed, millions of creators faced a terrifying question: What happens when your digital livelihood can vanish with the stroke of a pen?
A $14.7 billion industry in the U.S. alone teetered on the edge, highlighting the dangerous vulnerability of platform dependency. During those tense hours, creators and businesses frantically tried to direct followers to backup platforms, download their content archives, and share alternative contact information. Yet, ironically, even these emergency measures had to be communicated through the very platform they were trying to escape.

When your entire digital empire depends on a single platform's algorithm.
Building Digital Resilience
The path to platform independence isn't about abandoning social media entirely—it's about building a sustainable ecosystem where these platforms serve as powerful tools rather than essential lifelines. This requires a strategic approach:
The Hub-and-Spoke Model
Think of social platforms as spokes that lead back to your hub. Use social media for discovery and engagement, but maintain a personal website as your digital home base. Develop an email list – still the most reliable way to reach your audience – and consider podcast platforms for audio content.
Diversify Revenue Streams
Don't let one platform control your entire income. Develop digital products, offer consulting services, create merchandise through independent suppliers, and build subscription-based communities. The goal is to create multiple income streams that can sustain your business even if one platform disappears.
The Long Game
Building platform independence requires patience and strategy. Start with something as simple as a basic website that serves as your digital business card. Add a newsletter signup form, focusing on converting your most engaged followers first. These super-fans become the foundation of your independent community.
Share your journey with your audience. When platform uncertainties arise, use them as teaching moments to explain the importance of direct connection. Build systems that you can maintain without burning out, creating content templates that work across platforms and establishing realistic content calendars.
The Power of Digital Self-Reliance
As we stand at this crucial intersection of content creation and platform dependency, the choice facing creators isn't whether to use social media platforms, but how to use them wisely. The most successful creators of tomorrow won't be those with the most followers on any single platform, but those who've built robust, independent digital ecosystems that can survive—and thrive—regardless of which way the winds of tech giants blow.
The path to platform independence may be longer and more challenging than simply riding the algorithm wave, but it's ultimately more rewarding. It's about building something that's truly yours—something that can't be taken away with a policy change or a government decree.
For those ready to begin this journey, remember: every email subscriber, every direct connection, and every piece of owned content is a step toward true digital resilience. The time to start isn't tomorrow—it's today. Because in the ever-shifting landscape of digital media, the only certainty is change, and the only security is the foundation you build for yourself.
The question isn't whether platforms will change—they will. The question is: will you be ready when they do?

View full article

By JoshB · Posted March 13Mar 13
Moving to a New System

I have made the decision in moving our forums over to a new software stack. Utilizing NodeBB as the new forums will have the great benefit of being integrated with ActivityPub. My belief is that this will help in bringing new eyes on to the content, threads, and posts as they will be viewable within Mastodon, Lemmy, and other Fediverse places.
I still love Invision Community and will be looking for a project that would be fitting within the system here. For the 2TonWaffle community I believe in that by using NodeBB will help it out. Add in the fact of being part of the Fediverse and open source itself, would be a great avenue in being part of the wider community.
For the cons which are a few. Unfortunately there isn't a converter that I could use to take all of the posts and threads and have them put into NodeBB forum. What this meant is that I manually copied and pasted the users and their associated emails over to the new forums and was in the process of moving some threads when I realized in the amount of work it would be. I have copied over most if not all of the General Discussion section and even changed out the thread owners if they were made by our other members. What I'll probably do is take some time and eventually copy over the rest of the threads but, going forward the new forums are essentially starting fresh.
Would love to see you over on our new forums, if you had an account here you may need to do a password reset and/or confirm your emails.

https://2tonwaffle.forum

By JoshB · Posted February 21Feb 21
Twitch Had The Oppurtonity To Help The Community

Twitch announced that they will be removing your highlights and uploaded video storage that is over 100 hours. Stating the high cost of storage and keeping track of all of these files that were being used by 0.5% of Twitch users. I know that storage cost alone is a large chunk of your budget but only thing to think of is the bandwidth of people accessing and/or viewing these video files. In my personal opinion is that Twitch is going to be crushed over the next month of so many people actively rushing to download all of their old highlights and uploads. While 30 days is a decent amount of time but there are a few large creators who have acquired hundreds or even thousands of hours of video content that has to be downloaded. Perhaps doing a staged rollout would help spread out the server bandwidth costs or provide those with massive amount of videos a way to have their files moved into an Amazon AWS Glacier server. Something that would offer good will towards these creators and to help the community with ways to move their data. Nope, we just get a short notice and if you don't take care of things well, that's on you.

By JoshB · Posted February 20Feb 20
You will own nothing and love it

Taking the time this week in downloading all of my Kindle book library. It's a pain in the butt as you have to click several times for each book. You can still strip out the DRM at a later date but, your window is closing to download your items is closing quickly.

By JoshB · February 18Feb 18
Pixelfed's Incredible Kickstarter Success: A Personal Take on the Future of Ethical Social Media

Quick Summary: In a remarkable achievement, Pixelfed, an ethical Instagram alternative, surpassed its CA$50,000 Kickstarter goal within 24 hours, showcasing strong public support for privacy-focused, ad-free social media platforms.
As someone who's grown increasingly weary of traditional social media's constant bombardment of ads and privacy concerns, I couldn't help but feel excited when I heard about Pixelfed's recent Kickstarter triumph. Let me tell you why this matters to all of us who share photos online.
When I first learned about Pixelfed, I was struck by its refreshingly simple premise: a photo-sharing platform that actually respects its users. No sneaky algorithms, no data harvesting, and definitely no endless stream of ads interrupting your scrolling. It felt almost too good to be true in today's digital landscape.
The platform's lightning-fast fundraising success tells me I'm not alone in craving something different. Within just 24 hours, they blew past their $34,865 goal, and the numbers keep climbing. This isn't just about money – it's about people like you and me saying, "Enough is enough" to the usual social media nonsense.
What makes Pixelfed special? Let me break it down:
- It's completely ad-free (yes, really!)
- Your data stays yours (imagine that!)
- No mysterious algorithms deciding what you should see
- It's part of the Fediverse, meaning you can connect with users across different platforms
I've been watching the rise of ethical social media platforms for a while now, and I have to say, this feels different. The enthusiasm around Pixelfed reminds me of the early days of social media when it was about genuine connections rather than maximizing "engagement metrics."
Looking ahead, I'm optimistic about what this means for all of us. We're witnessing a shift towards social platforms that prioritize user experience over profit margins. It's refreshing to see that when given a choice, people will actively support alternatives that align with their values.
Want to be part of this positive change? Here's what you can do:
1. Check out Pixelfed's platform (it's free!)
2. Support their Kickstarter if you're able
3. Spread the word to friends who might be interested
4. Join the growing community of privacy-conscious creators
In my view, this is more than just another social media platform – it's a statement about the kind of digital world we want to create. And based on this Kickstarter's success, it seems many of us are ready for something better.
[Original article source: Read the full story at 2TonWaffle (https://2tonwaffle.com/pixelfed-smashes-kickstarter-goal-in-24-hours-a-victory-for-ethical-social-media/)]

View full article

By JoshB · Posted February 18Feb 18
Is Your Communitiy Still Running Guilded?

It's been quite some time since Guilded had changed the log in process for logging into the service with having only a Roblox account. The community was rocked in that many long time members left, including a large amount of communities as well. One of the many issues that are still occurring is the fact of Guilded's server discovery feature, its still extremely horrible and as I've said before in that its just a rotting corpse. I think we've gone past that and now moved into skeleton phase.
What I'm actually wanting to see or even explore into what communities are still out there in using Guilded as their infrastructure. As Guilded's own feature is all but useless in trying to find these communities, lets find these groups and communities and try to get more eyes on them.

By JoshB · Posted February 17Feb 17
Enter New Quote Box

## New Quote System
#tutorial
With the upgrade to Invision Community v5 one of the latest changes is to how to insert quotes within your posts or replies.
Looking at the new reply box (this is the same for creating a new thread) you will see the menu bar that houses all of the editor functions. For this example we’ll click on the drop-down for create. This is the icon that looks like a circle with a plus sign within. Within this drop-down you will see options to create the following options listed below.

* Ordered List
* Bullet List
* Wrap in Box
* Wrap in Quote
* Horizontal Rule
* Table
For this we’re going to choose Wrap in Quote option. This will insert a new box within your post. The text cursor is already placed within this new box, ready for your input. After entering your text, image, or content within this box, you might have seen the highlighted arrows on the upper left and lower right of this entry box. These are used to enter content before or after this box.

You can enter as many quote boxes to your post as you want.

By JoshB · Posted February 17Feb 17
You will own nothing and love it

In which countless people have spoken about how you will own nothing, the volume of how this is becoming more and more true are growing. To see how this is true in every aspect of our modern life is ever more troubling. Amazon is making this apparent for those who still believe that when you "purchase" a book via the Kindle store, that you own it outright. This has never been true from the start, you only purchase a license to read it. A license that can, and has been revoked on your past purchases.
Amazon’s killing a feature that let you download and backup Kindle books - The Verge

By JoshB · Posted February 17Feb 17

Navigating the AI Revolution in Creative Spaces

Have you noticed how AI has suddenly become the elephant in every creative room? It feels like we've gone from "Hey, that's neat" to "Wait, it's everywhere!" practically overnight. As creators, we're all trying to figure out where we stand in this brave new world.
Let's talk about the recent Coca-Cola holiday ad fiasco. You know the one - with six-fingered people and mangled logos that looked like they were designed in a fever dream. It's the perfect example of what happens when companies try to replace human creativity with AI just to save a buck. Spoiler alert: it doesn't end well.
But here's the thing - AI isn't inherently evil. It's like any other tool in our creative arsenal. Think about it like this: a hammer can either build a beautiful piece of furniture or knock down a wall. It's all about how you use it.
In my own work, I've found that AI can be incredibly helpful for the mundane stuff - cleaning up grammar, generating transcripts, that sort of thing. It's like having a really efficient assistant who handles the tedious parts while I focus on the creative heavy lifting. The key is maintaining that human touch throughout the process.
What's fascinating is watching how different communities are responding. You've got platforms like Kara emerging as safe havens for human-created art, while others are diving headfirst into the AI pool. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, and that's okay.
The real question isn't whether to use AI or not - that ship has sailed. The question is how to use it responsibly while protecting what makes our work uniquely human. It's about finding that sweet spot between efficiency and authenticity.
What's your take on this? Have you incorporated AI into your creative process? Where do you draw the line? Let's chat about it in the comments below. After all, navigating these waters is easier when we share our experiences.
Remember: AI might be able to generate content, but it can't replace the human experience that makes our work meaningful. Stay creative, stay authentic, and let's figure this out together.

By JoshB · Posted February 10Feb 10
Challenges Faced by New Streaming Platforms

The Fall of LiveSpace: A Wake-Up Call for the Streaming Industry
Well folks, we need to talk about something that's been hitting our streaming community pretty hard lately - the sudden shutdown of LiveSpace. And when I say sudden, I mean they literally flipped the switch and turned off streaming capabilities without much warning. Let me tell you, this one stings.
For those who've been following the platform, there were some warning signs. The usually chatty Discord went quiet. Updates slowed to a crawl. That vibrant community engagement we'd all come to love? It just... faded away. Looking back, it was the classic calm before the storm.
What Really Happened?
From what we've gathered through the Discord grapevine, it all came down to funding - or rather, the lack of it. LiveSpace was in talks with some venture capitalists who were ready to dump millions into the platform, but there was a catch: they wanted AI integration. And here's where I've got to give props to Todd and Spencer - they stood their ground and said no.
Listen, I'm not anti-AI. Heck, I use it myself for show notes and content planning. But there's a difference between using AI as a tool and letting it take over your platform. LiveSpace chose principles over profit, and while that decision ultimately led to their demise, I respect the hell out of it.
The Bigger Picture: A Troubling Pattern
This isn't just about LiveSpace though. We've seen this movie before - Mixer's infamous text-message breakup with its community, Glimesh's quiet fade into obscurity, and now LiveSpace. Each shutdown leaves content creators scrambling and communities scattered to the wind.
What's really concerning is how these shutdowns are affecting the streaming ecosystem as a whole. We're seeing a kind of "platform fatigue" setting in. Content creators are becoming increasingly hesitant to try new platforms, and who can blame them? When you've had the rug pulled out from under you multiple times, you start getting pretty picky about where you put your feet.
The Innovation Paradox
Here's the real kicker - LiveSpace was doing something special. They were successfully blending social networking with live streaming in a way that actually worked. Their focus on creative streams, community building, and genuine interaction was refreshing in a landscape dominated by gaming content.
But they also had their struggles. The constant UI changes, while well-intentioned, probably scared away some potential users. It's that classic startup dilemma - move fast and break things, or provide stability for your user base? LiveSpace chose the former, and well, we know how that turned out.
The Future of Streaming Platforms
So where does this leave us? New platforms like Beam, Arena, and SharePlay are facing an uphill battle steeper than ever before. They're not just competing with Twitch and YouTube anymore - they're fighting against creator skepticism and community exhaustion.
I love what SharePlay is doing, but I've got to be real with you - their job just got a lot harder. Same goes for PeerTube, Owncast, and all the other alternative platforms out there. The LiveSpace shutdown is going to make creators think twice, maybe three times, before taking a chance on a new platform.
What Can We Learn?
Sustainability Over Speed: Platforms need to focus on sustainable growth rather than rapid expansion. LiveSpace's aggressive development schedule might have contributed to their downfall.
Community First: The real value of any platform isn't in fancy features - it's in the communities they foster. LiveSpace got this right, even if they couldn't make it work financially.
Transparent Communication: When things go south, clear communication can make a world of difference. The silence before LiveSpace's shutdown only added to the community's anxiety.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Look, I'm not here to tell you where to stream. Stick with Twitch, try YouTube, experiment with SharePlay - that's your call to make. What I will say is this: don't let platform shutdowns kill your creative spirit.
If you're feeling burned by LiveSpace's closure, that's totally valid. But remember why you started streaming in the first place. It wasn't about the platform - it was about connecting with people, sharing your passions, and building something meaningful.
For those interested in exploring alternatives, I'll keep doing what I do best - covering the independent platform space and keeping you informed about your options. You can catch all that info in my weekly newsletter over at 2tonwaffle.com (shameless plug, I know, but hey, it's free!).
The Bottom Line
The streaming landscape is changing, and not always in ways we'd like. But change also brings opportunity. Maybe the next great streaming platform is just around the corner. Maybe it's time for a completely new approach to content creation and community building.
Whatever comes next, we'll face it together. Because that's what this community does - we adapt, we grow, and we keep creating, no matter what challenges come our way.
Stay creative, folks. And as always, later taters! 🌟

By JoshB · Posted December 6, 2024Dec 6
The One-Way Nature of Mainstream Platforms

What Do We Really Want From Our Platforms?
Hey everyone! Hope you're having a great day. I've been thinking a lot lately about our relationship with content platforms, and I want to have an honest conversation about what we – both creators and viewers – actually want from these services.
You know, it's funny. We spend so much time trying to figure out how to "make it" on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, or Twitter, but we rarely step back and ask ourselves what we really need from these spaces. And I'm not talking about fame or fortune here (though hey, that would be nice). I'm talking about the actual value exchange between platforms and people.
Here's the thing that keeps bouncing around in my head: most platforms don't really care about us. I know that sounds harsh, but let's be real for a minute. These big platforms only care if we bring value to them – through ad revenue, through bringing more eyeballs to their platform, through generating data they can sell. As the saying goes, "if you're getting something for free, you're the product."
Take YouTube, for example. Sure, it's great for learning stuff, and there's tons of amazing content. But at its core, YouTube isn't providing that service out of the goodness of their heart. They're serving you ads and collecting your data. That's the real transaction happening. Same deal with Twitter (or X, or whatever we're calling it these days). You're looking at ads, they're collecting data, and that's pretty much the whole relationship.
But here's where it gets interesting – and why I'm actually pretty excited about where things might be heading. We're seeing this shift toward decentralized platforms, and it's completely changing the game. Let's talk about Mastodon for a second.
On Mastodon, there's no algorithm shoving content in your face. You're not getting the "We think you might like cats, so here's 47 cat videos" treatment. Instead, you're in control. You tell the platform what you want to see. You choose who to follow. You pick your interests. It's actually a two-way street, which is pretty refreshing after years of being force-fed content.
And that's what I think we actually want from our platforms – control. Real control, not the illusion of it. We want to be able to say, "Hey, this is what interests me" and actually get that content, without some algorithm deciding what we "really" want to see.
Look at PeerTube – another great example. There's no algorithm there either. You get what you ask for, nothing more, nothing less. It's simple, and that's what makes it beautiful. We've gotten so used to these complex algorithms that we sometimes forget how nice it is to just... get what we asked for.
Now, let's talk about live streaming for a minute, because this is where things get really interesting. Twitch has this whole system where they're basically forcing creators to run ads every hour, and it's creating this weird situation where streamers have to completely change how they run their shows. Think about it – you're in the middle of an awesome moment, and suddenly: ads. It breaks the flow, it frustrates viewers, and it's just not a great experience for anyone involved.
And don't even get me started on the whole "Twitch provides you a stage" argument. Sorry, Dan Clancy, but we need more than just a stage. We need tools that actually help us create better content and build stronger communities. The "stream together" feature? That's nice and all, but most of us have been using Discord or other services for years to collaborate. We don't need fancy new features – we need the basics to work better.
This is why I'm actually pretty excited about alternatives like Owncast. It's a single-channel live streaming service where you have complete control. Want to run an ad? Hit a button. Don't want ads? Don't run them. Simple as that. It's about giving power back to the creators and the community.
Here's another thing we need to talk about: monetization. A lot of us creators – myself included – sometimes feel weird about asking for support. I rarely mention my tip jar or subscriptions because it feels... I don't know, kind of icky? But the reality is, creating content isn't free. Most of us are either doing this for free or actually losing money on it. We do it because we love building communities and creating content that helps people.
But platforms need to find better ways to help creators monetize without destroying the viewer experience. The current model of "here's three minutes of ads every hour whether you like it or not" isn't working. It's pushing viewers away and making it harder for creators to maintain the quality of their content.
You know what I think would be amazing? If platforms actually listened to their communities. And I mean really listened – not just had a suggestion box that goes into the void. Live Space is doing some interesting things in this direction, but we need more. We need platforms that understand that both creators and viewers are essential parts of the ecosystem.
And let's talk about the elephant in the room: advertising. Yes, platforms need to make money. Yes, creators need to make money. But there has to be a better way than interrupting content every few minutes with ads. YouTube's model, where creators can choose when to place ads, at least gives some control over the viewing experience. But even that could be better.
So what do we actually want from our platforms? Here's my list:
Real control over our content and feeds
Better ways to monetize that don't destroy the viewer experience
Tools that actually help us create better content
A genuine two-way relationship where our feedback matters
Transparency about how things work and why changes are made
Is that too much to ask? Maybe. But I think we're starting to see platforms emerge that understand these needs. The decentralized movement is showing us that there are alternatives to the big, algorithm-driven platforms.
For those of you who've been following my content (and if you're new here, welcome!), you know I'm always experimenting with different platforms and trying to find better ways to create and share content. That's why I stream to multiple platforms – it gives viewers options. Don't like ads on Twitch? Watch on YouTube. Want a completely ad-free experience? Check out my Owncast server.
The point is, we don't have to accept the status quo. We can experiment, try new platforms, and support services that align with what we actually want. And as more creators and viewers do this, platforms will have to adapt.
If you're interested in exploring some of these alternatives, come join our community! We've got a great Discord server where we discuss this stuff all the time, plus forums and a weekly newsletter (just head over to 2tonwaffle.com to sign up). We're always sharing information about new platforms and better ways to create and consume content.
At the end of the day, what we want from our platforms isn't complicated. We want tools that help us create and share content, ways to build genuine communities, and systems that respect both creators and viewers. The technology exists – now it's just a matter of supporting platforms that align with these values.
What do you think? What do you want from your platforms? Drop a comment below or join us in the Discord to continue the conversation. And as always, thanks for reading, and I'll catch you in the next one!
Later taters!
Josh

By JoshB · Posted December 5, 2024Dec 5
AI and Content Creation - Embracing the Future

AI Tools for Content Creators: Work Smarter, Not Harder
Hey there, fellow creators! Josh Bailey here from 2tonwaffle.com, and today we're diving into a topic that's been buzzing everywhere – AI. But don't worry, this isn't another doom-and-gloom piece about robots taking our jobs. Instead, I want to show you how AI can be your secret weapon for streamlining your content creation workflow.
Let's Talk Tools That Actually Work
First up, let's look at Descript, a game-changer for video editing. Think of it as editing a Word document, but for video. Upload your content, and it'll automatically remove silence, filler words, and "ums." The coolest part? You can edit by deleting text, and the video follows suit. They even have this wild feature where you can create an AI version of your voice – yeah, it's a bit creepy, but incredibly useful for quick fixes.
For my gaming streamers out there, services like CapCut and River.com are revolutionizing clip generation. Remember Athena Scope? These new tools are carrying that torch, automatically pulling out those clutch plays and epic moments from your streams.
Podcast Magic with AI
For my podcast people, let me introduce you to Podium. This bad boy takes your audio file and transforms it into:
Complete transcripts
Episode summaries
Show notes (in multiple styles)
Chapter markers
Keywords for SEO
Blog posts
Yes, it costs money ($47/month for 10 hours), but think about the time you're saving. What would take you hours of manual work gets done in about 30 minutes.
Riverside: The Browser-Based Beast
If you're just starting and don't want to invest in expensive equipment, Riverside.FM is your friend. For $30/month, you get:
15 hours of recording
4K video capability
AI transcription
Subtitle generation
Silent part removal
Smart clip creation
The Human Touch Still Matters
Here's the thing – AI isn't perfect. It'll misspell words, miss context, and sometimes just get things plain wrong. That's why we need to use it as a tool, not a replacement. You still need to:
Review and edit AI-generated content
Ensure brand consistency
Add your personal touch
Verify accuracy
Embracing AI Wisely
The key is finding the right balance. Let AI handle the tedious stuff while you focus on creativity and strategy. It's about working smarter, not harder. Use AI for:
Initial drafts and ideas
Repetitive tasks
Time-consuming transcription
Basic editing
Content organization
Remember, just like computers didn't actually give us more leisure time (they just let us do more work), AI won't replace content creators. Instead, it's another tool in our arsenal to create better content more efficiently.
Final Thoughts
Don't fear AI – embrace it as a helper, not a replacement. Used wisely, it can cut your workflow in half and free you up to focus on what really matters: creating awesome content that connects with your audience.
Want to stay updated on more content creation tips and tricks? Head over to twotonewaffle.com and sign up for my Weekly Waffle newsletter. And hey, if you're feeling generous, drop a review on Apple Podcasts – even if it's just an emoji!
Later taters! 🥔

By JoshB · Posted December 5, 2024Dec 5
Revisiting Guilded

Why Guilded is Actually Better Than Discord (And Why That Matters)
Let's talk about something that's been on my mind lately - Guilded vs Discord. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Oh great, another Discord clone!" But hear me out, because Guilded isn't just different - it's actually better in pretty much every way that matters.
The Free Factor
First things first - everything that you'd normally pay for with Discord Nitro? It's completely free on Guilded. I'm talking unlimited emotes (both static and animated), high-quality voice chat, banners, custom avatars - all of it. Zero dollars. No arbitrary server boost requirements, no premium subscriptions, just straight-up functionality ready to go from day one.
Look, I get it. Discord's got the mindshare. It's comfortable. People know it. But that's exactly why we need to talk about Guilded, because most folks are leaving some seriously powerful community tools on the table by not even giving it a chance.
Superior Channel Types and Organization
Guilded gives you 10 different channel types right out of the gate. Sure, you've got your basic text and voice channels, but you also get:
Forums (which Discord only recently copied)
Document channels for wiki-style pages
Calendar channels with built-in scheduling
Media channels optimized for sharing content
List channels for task management
Announcement channels
And more
But here's where it gets really interesting - Guilded has this concept called "Groups" that completely changes how you organize your community. Instead of endless scrolling through categories, you can create logical groupings that keep things clean and accessible. It's like Discord's folders system, but actually useful and intuitive.
Built-in Bot Functionality
Remember how on Discord you need to add a bunch of different bots for basic functionality? With Guilded, most of that stuff is built right in. Want Twitch notifications? Built-in. YouTube alerts? Yep. XP/leveling system? It's there.
The flow bot system is particularly sweet - it's basically "if this then that" for your server. You can set up custom triggers and actions without needing to know any code or rely on third-party services. No more paying for premium bot features or juggling multiple bot dashboards.
The Roblox Factor
Now, I know what some of you are thinking - "Isn't Guilded owned by Roblox now?" Yes, it is. And that seems to be a sticking point for some people. But here's the thing - that acquisition hasn't changed what makes Guilded great. If anything, it's given them more resources to keep building and improving the platform.
The Real Challenge
The biggest hurdle Guilded faces isn't technical - it's social. Discord has become the default, and getting people to try something new is tough. I've seen it firsthand - you can show people all these amazing features, but the minute they hear "it's not Discord," some folks just check out mentally.
And look, I get it. If you've got an established Discord community, making the switch is a big ask. Your community might straight-up refuse, and that's something you've got to respect. You can lead a horse to water and all that.
But here's the thing - if you're starting fresh? There's absolutely no reason not to give Guilded a shot. You're getting more features, better organization tools, and zero cost. The platform is solid, stable, and constantly improving.
What's Missing?
To be fair, there are some gaps. The third-party bot ecosystem isn't as robust as Discord's (though you need fewer bots anyway). And yes, some developers have scaled back their Guilded projects lately. But the core platform is so feature-rich that most communities won't even notice these limitations.
The Bottom Line
Here's the deal - Guilded isn't perfect, but it's better than Discord in almost every way that matters for actually running a community. The tools are better, the features are free, and the platform is built with community management in mind from the ground up.
If you're starting a new community, give Guilded a serious look. If you're running an existing Discord server, maybe set up a Guilded server in parallel and see how it feels. You might be surprised at just how much better the experience can be.
Like I always say - I can lead you to water, but I can't make you drink. But at least take a look at the water before deciding it's not for you. Because right now, a lot of folks are paying good money for features they could get for free, just because they're stuck in their ways.
And hey, if you want to see Guilded in action, swing by the Two-Ton Waffle community on Guilded. I'd be happy to show you around and demonstrate why I'm so excited about this platform.
Remember - sometimes the best tool for the job isn't the most popular one. It's worth taking the time to explore your options, especially when those options come with so many advantages and zero downsides.
That's my take on Guilded vs Discord. What's your experience been? Have you given Guilded a try? Let me know in the comments below, and don't forget to join our community at 2tonwaffle.com for more content creation tips and platform comparisons.

By JoshB · Posted December 5, 2024Dec 5

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