I've been reflecting lately on projects like @fedifyFedify: an ActivityPub server framework, @holloHollo , and @botkitBotKit by Fedify . Sometimes I wonder if I'm solving problems that very few people actually need solved. How many developers truly want to build their own #ActivityPub server from scratch?

It feels a bit like inventing shoes that let people walk on their hands all day. Would there be a viable market? How many would actually buy them?

That's the sense I get with these projects. They do have users who find them tremendously valuable, but the total user base is inherently limited. The tools serve an important function for a small audience of specialized developers.

There are moments when my motivation wavers. When the user community consists of just a handful of enthusiastic supporters, it's sometimes difficult to maintain momentum and justify the ongoing investment of time and energy.

And yet, there's something meaningful about creating specialized tools that solve complex problems well, even if they're only used by a few. Perhaps that's enough.

#fedidev