So long cowpokes

There’s been a lot on my mind lately and a lot that’s gone on in life that I don’t talk much about. I tend to keep a tight lip on such matters, not wanting to cause a fuss and all, but I’m just going to be blunt about this one.

First off, I’m no longer interested in running any sort of web communities. CozyNet was a bit of an accident, intending it to just be a rant blog posting site which I already wrote about in a previous post. I got a little too involved with trying to make it into an everything site though, wanting to show people what the early web was like in regards to web communities from then (15+ years ago) compared to now.

At the same time running all of this, I’ve also become quite involved with a church too. The rift between running this site and its activities while also taking on an active role at church and its activities has been widening so far apart that I’m essentially living a divided life where neither side is in any sort of alignment with the other.

It’s lead to a cognitive dissonance that’s been causing me a good deal of distress, so I’m pulling the plug. I turned off the IRC and Mumble server for a little bit, then set a global password on them. I intend to do the same for the CozyNet forum too, and lock the guestbook and comment system to read only.

As for the blog itself, I’m not completely sure just yet. I believe I’ll keep it and continue blog posting about life, but that’ll just be it. Anyone can still email me at the same address. I’ll probably keep XMPP for 1-to-1 messaging.

My intent is to disengage from web communities and from running them too, of which I’ve been doing since I was 14. I’ve surfed till the last wave of the world wide web and have seen everything, so this is going to be quite the change for me. What really got me to kick things off like this was realizing that I’m being a host to stuff that does not align with God while simultaneously trying to be a man of God. Also, if I were introduced to a nice lady and were to marry her, I would have to hide all of this from her which would not set a good precedent if I’m withholding something in secret. The same can also be said about my relationship with God too.

I’ve seen too many people in my spiritual journey that profess to be “Christians,” yet openly make a mockery of the name of God in their private treachery. I don’t want to be a fake like that, and yet here I am running a community on the web that was not inspired by or aligned to God in any way and the sort of conversations that I see and hear going on just makes me sad – not sad for my own sake, but for the rest of you. As for myself, I’m disappointed and want to do better than this, and I know that I can.

Now I’m not going to proselytize to everyone behind that sanctimonious veneer of “evangelism” that Christianity has unfortunately been twisted into, and neither would I want to do that. I’m not an Evangelical, I believe strongly in discipling and discipleship and the internet is not a place for that and neither should it be a pulpit.

Again, if you have questions, you can always email me.

I apologize for the sudden shutdown, so I’ll bring it back online until the weekend so that everyone can say their good byes before I turn it off for good.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Comments:

Sorry, I made the previous comment and I have made an error with the date, it was probs the summer of 2023 when I saw teh Boomer was Here video. I also wanted to take the rest of the space to say GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

Jun 22, 2025 Permalink Reply

It was 2022 when I saw a video you made earlier, the one where the old ass guy was lamenting over gaming and online communities in general. I have met so many cool people and sites from here and have dropped in monthly to see your blog. Thank you Cozy!!!!

Jun 22, 2025 Permalink Reply

This site definitely helped me get back into using the oldnet, I even decided to make my own site, why the hell not. So thank you, you don't owe us anything, and take care of yourself.

Jun 22, 2025 Permalink Reply

I saved this link a notepad which I saved a few years ago, I know I'm 5 days late but, this website was one of the best websites i've ever enjoyed. Wherever you are now whatever you are doing I wish the best for you Cozybro,

God bless you

Jun 21, 2025 Permalink Reply

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I'll miss you, this was the best site I've ever seen, so much character
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Jun 21, 2025 Permalink Reply
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Bye cozy( Thanks for the website, i found many other cool website through yours.
-xorecxecx
-voidwalker
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Jun 21, 2025 Permalink Reply
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Byebye, Cozybro
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Jun 21, 2025 Permalink Reply
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I wish you the best Cozybro.
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Jun 20, 2025 Permalink Reply

Only upon reading this post did I realize what a loss your departure would be. You inspire me to be a better man on the internet and in real life Cozybro. Thanks for everything.

Praise the name of our Good Shepherd!

Jun 20, 2025 Permalink Reply

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8.P.S.: Your "Staying Alive" and "Luke Smith" videos literally made me laugh out loud!
/end of message
-BigFren, Jun 18, 2025
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Jun 18, 2025 Permalink Reply
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7.Your site brings me joy.
Many people probably feel the same way.
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Jun 18, 2025 Permalink Reply

6.Non-normies are rare, that's why we came to the Internet in the first place.
It would be a loss if your site (and thus, "one of us") were completely gone.

Jun 18, 2025 Permalink Reply

5.Not everything is black or white, there is definitely a balance between being a terminally-online Disc*rd goon and rejecting the Internet completely.

Jun 18, 2025 Permalink Reply

4.I saw that sizeofcat has intentions of leaving the webring, which I believe is a mistake/too drastic.
I firmly believe that prioritizing our IRL interactions, while still having personal sites, is not incompatible. It's also the best of both worlds.

Jun 18, 2025 Permalink Reply

3.Even if personally, I wish the forum stayed open (I never posted on the forum because I sadly didn't have time, but I wanted to join soon), it would still be cool if you kept an "online presence", even if it's just you posting articles from time to time

Jun 18, 2025 Permalink Reply

2.I understand that worrying about what people might post can be tiresome. But instead of a total shutdown, why not just turn off the forum and IRC, turn off comments, but still post articles, images and videos when you feel like it.

Jun 18, 2025 Permalink Reply

There seems to be a character limit so I will try to split this up.
1.You should at least keep the articles and videos, even if you turn off user-generated content.

Jun 18, 2025 Permalink Reply

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we miss you :(
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Jun 18, 2025 Permalink Reply
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Bye Bye Cozybro, GOD bless.
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Jun 18, 2025 Permalink Reply
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enjoyed all the woodworking stuff mate. 

bye cozybro o/
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Jun 18, 2025 Permalink Reply

Bye Bye Cozybro. I like reading your blog so I hope you don't stop completely, but I understand if you do. God bless you in your future endeavors!

Jun 18, 2025 Permalink Reply

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although its sad to see you go, its great to see you going on to bigger and better things.

-que
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Jun 18, 2025 Permalink Reply
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At least keep the blog, so that we will know you and doggie are doing fine

Bye, cozybro

-electriceye
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Jun 18, 2025 Permalink Reply

The old web is dying as the corporate world slowly consumes the people. Sad to see you go too. Maybe better times will come. But for that one shall fight. But how can someone fight who can't even think for oneself?

Jun 17, 2025 Permalink Reply

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Goodbye CozyBro, it was nice to watch you grow up.
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Jun 17, 2025 Permalink Reply

Well it's a shame I had to see this place for the first time while it's on its last legs. But I hope whatever happened here was fun. You do what's good for you and your beliefs. May a good future come to you.

Jun 17, 2025 Permalink Reply

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Have the greatest summer fren! You are one of the best! // nergen
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Jun 17, 2025 Permalink Reply

I hope you continue to blog. Not many people with faith in mind have the technical know how that you do, and I love seeing the house updates.

Jun 17, 2025 Permalink Reply

Why would you have to hide the cozynet from a woman? Women like when a man has hobbies, and I don't find hosting forums and IRC to be any worse than scale models, or the gym.

- Neetventures

Jun 17, 2025 Permalink Reply

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Hey you do you. I enjoyed the site while it lasted, so thank you. Whatever you do next, godspeed fren!
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Jun 17, 2025 Permalink Reply

You've always seemed like an honest guy trying to figure out how to do the right thing, and this seemed eventually inevitable. God is good!

Jun 17, 2025 Permalink Reply

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Good speed lad, may heavens rain gold on ye!
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Jun 17, 2025 Permalink Reply
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Good luck fren. I think you chose the correct path. The internet is a cesspool. 

- 0x19
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Jun 17, 2025 Permalink Reply
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I agree, but I wouldn't call anyone on here a cesspool. You've all been my frens! -Cozy
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  Jun 17, 2025 Permalink Reply
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Good luck on your new path!
I wish you all the best, take it easy <3

-Plasmawiz
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Jun 17, 2025 Permalink Reply

Thank you for the amazing little hub I called my home for almost a year. I'm incredibly thankful for it <3
Had fun talking to people on the forum and the little nature blog I had. Again Thank you <3 

-reecu

Jun 16, 2025 Permalink Reply

Thanks for everything cozy, I've enjoyed readin' your blog and engaging with the forum; you're part of the reason I got more into self hosting. 

Take it easy fren, 
and I hope life treats you well : ) 

ZΛL ~ Function9.net

Jun 16, 2025 Permalink Reply

Found your blog last week, loved reading it. It was actually my first experience with the "Indie Web".

It's gonna be missed. 

Bye Bye fren.

Jun 16, 2025 Permalink Reply

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Godspeed, yo. o7
- foreverliketh.is
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Jun 16, 2025 Permalink Reply