Wander – A tiny, decentralised tool to explore the small web (susam.net)

Article summary

Wander is a decentralized tool that allows users to explore the small web by discovering random personal websites from the Wander community. It consists of two files, an index.html for the Wander console and a wander.js where users link to other Wander consoles. The tool is fully decentralized, and anyone can host it on their own website. Users can wander to neighboring consoles by clicking on links, and the host console can fetch recommendations from other consoles recursively.

Main themes

• Decentralized web exploration
• Small web discovery
• Web rings and webrings
• Decentralized vs centralized platforms
• Personal website curation

What commenters say

• The tool's decentralized nature is a significant improvement over centralized platforms like Kagi Small Web, which requires submission through GitHub.
• The implementation of a 'running list of discovered consoles' can help prevent users from getting trapped in a single console's recommendations.
• Some users find the current interface framing to be limiting and suggest a simpler 'wander' overlay button that stays fixed on the page.
• The project's value grows as more users add nodes and links to their consoles, expanding the network of trusted 'small web' links.
• A static link page cannot provide the same transitive discovery experience as Wander, which fetches recommendations from neighboring consoles recursively.
• The tool's streamlined experience and ability to discover new sites make it a unique and valuable resource for users looking to explore the small web.
• Some users are concerned that the project may not be scalable or sustainable without a clear plan for growth and maintenance.
• The project's use of a decentralized graph structure is seen as an evolution of traditional webrings, offering more flexibility and potential for discovery.