iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 15h

This weekend is dedicated to art, poetry, reading and writing. I may go for a run if there is a lull. I have noticed that I spend more time reading here on WSocial. Sometimes I don't even scroll, I see something thought provoking and just become absorbed. Real people are fascinating.

A Camino path across an open field heading towards the sunshine on the St James' Way from Mortimer to Worting in Hampshire England

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 23/10/2026

Apparently, it's nothing to do with Miss Austen and her fans, it's a reference to an individual who was prominent in the early days of the Met Office. But I like your analogy better, especially as I recently walked past her house whilst mapping a UK Camino 🏡 #WSocialPics #WSocialCamino

Jane Austen's house in Chawton near Alton in Hampshire

The plaque on the Jane Austen house with the following details: Jane Austen's home given by Thomas Edward Carpenter JP of Mill Hill in memory of his son lieutenant Philip John Carpenter East Surrey Regiment killed in action Lake Trasimene 1944. Opened 1949 by the Duke of Wellington KG president of the Jane Austen society founded 1940 by Dorothy Darnell of Alton

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 23/10/2026

I too experienced one pretend lady chat bot phishing for me to respond when I first joined. I was advised to adjust these settings and since then I am not aware of any bots on my feed. Give it a try and let us know how you get on.

My post interaction settings to help combat bots from infecting feeds. Who can reply is set to: your followers, people you follow, people you mention.

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 23/10/2026

As I am no longer using Strava and I am still experimenting with other running apps, I thought I would revive my old exercise diary. Here is todays stats: 3.54 miles in 45 minutes and 48 seconds averaging a steady 12 minute mile pace in Storm Austen breezy conditions. #WSocialPics #WSocialRunning

The cover of my Running Journal showing a smiling sun positioned at the end of a road with some mountains and clouds. The book includes motivational quotes to help people keep going when things get tough

Today's page in my running journal. The motivational quote is: Opportunities increase as they are taken by Sun Tzu. The written run data is as follows; the date twenty third of October twenty twenty six, run duration forty five minutes and forty eight seconds, run distance three point five four miles, run speed twelve point five seven minute miles, heart rate stable, calories burned unknown, weather temperature twelve degrees, wind speed unknown, rain grade light, emoticon mood happy, personal note "a trot around the block before storm Austen arrives," energy graph steady and level with slight dip towards the end.

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 21/10/2026

I actually managed to revive my old original beta Bluesky account from when Jack first set it up. The idea of migrating all the nonsense that happened during that epic period before public release fills me with dread. I'd like to keep all those skeletons well and truly in the cupboard 😉

The Oak pub with it's walls decorated for Halloween including a giant spider and it's web all over the outside walls

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 21/10/2026

I've taken people's advice and have decided to only have WSocial on my phone. I also did a last post on Bluesky yesterday and then just logged out of it everywhere. So that's it, I'm all in. I can't do anything about the other fragments of my internet life elsewhere. Nevermind. #WSocialPics

The information plaque outside the toilet block in Alresford detailing how secrets were collected by Harry Houghton who in 1961 was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his part in the Portland Spy Ring

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 20/10/2026

This could turn into an amusing game. Here's my contribution 😁 #WSocialPics #WSocialPatience

A cow and a calf waiting patiently in a field for me to take a of them

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 20/10/2026

I think I am reaching a tipping point. I have successfully given up Meta and X ✅ I am starting to think "Why do I bother with Bluesky? I have everything I need here." What are the pros and cons of keeping Bluesky and WSocial running in parallel? It feels like a lot of effort.

Me walking a Camino thinking about a lot of different things whilst enjoying nature

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 20/10/2026

Ooo excellent 👌 As someone who gigged through the 80's and 90's and is still an avid fan of everything live today, I look forward to any new music initiative 🤘 #WSocialMusic #WSocialPics

Me and my bass guitar playing with Old Crow in a pub somewhere

Playing bass with the Rob Rose band in pub somewhere in Reading

Me at the O2 Slipknot 25th anniversary gig

The Slipknot stage at the O2 before the band came on for the 25th anniversary gig

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 19/10/2026

It's been in the pipeline here in the UK for ages as, I've taken part in some fun hackathons with Catapult, ESA and NASA. One thing I would say is that, unless you are working on the inside, don't always believe the general media drip feed. Some of the progress is kept secret for good reasons.

Me standing next to a model ESA rocket whilst taking part in a fun hackathon over a weekend in London

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 19/10/2026

Here where I live in England it's called 'Hunt the sticker in obscure places.' Here are some of my favourites so far. #WSocialPics #WSocialCamino

A Camino sticker hidden behind the leafs on a road sign

A Camino sticker low down on a post hidden by ferns

Camino stickers on the stairs which you don't actually see if you don't find the stairs

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 18/10/2026

This mornings hand written note (using a new pen) titled Sunday reflection and perception. I have also typed it out fully into the alt-text for the image so that hopefully screen readers can pick it up and translate it if needed. Happy Sunday fellow verified real people 😊 #WSocialPics

Sunday reflection and perception. Walled Social is still working well. My small group of verified people are resonating with me as we share content and make comments without the intrusion bots. We are all different yet we all seem united in our little digital cocoon. I know it won't last as things get bigger organically through natural evolution but ... right now it's still a delight. A market square full of real people who just want to chat and share ideas.

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 17/10/2026

When I'm not coding, running or walking, I'm generally reading and I started this wonderful book yesterday.

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 17/10/2026

Where I live in England, a lot of our churches have what I call architectural beauty as colour is usually lacking. I am currently exploring and uploading photos for Nico for some of the Camino routes I have been walking recently. Here's #PamberPriory on the #StJamesWay #WSocialPics

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 15/10/2026

Very interesting. I did a lovely long post with pictures and hashtags reflecting on my last few days walking. But I got a failure notice. No draft saved. Nothing. All lost. Nevermind. Teething problems happen.

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 13/10/2026

I've enjoyed another wonderful day on my feet, walking another section of the St James' Way. The weather was beautiful and once again there were loads of photos of me in my contemplative moments. I don't mind, it's just me, dawdling along, enjoying everything I see and hear, relaxing into life.

Me relaxing on a bridge with a Camino sticker enjoying the St James' Way.

The sunset towards the end of the day completing the St James' Way

Me strolling ahead on the St James' Way enjoying nature lost in thought

The inside of a priory on the St James' Way

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 12/10/2026

This week I will be working on my Lists. As I'm here to stay I may as well get organised.

My lists detailing my favourite subjects art, architecture, books, culture, history, running and technology.

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 10/10/2026

As I no longer have a Strava account, here is my #WSocialRunning data from my TrainAsONE app. The additional post run photo is to reassure people that I am not a bot 😉 Have a great weekend everyone and enjoy whatever you are planning to do.

My TrainAsONE data dashboard showing my morning 4.37 mile run which I did in 57 minutes

Me after my run smiling in the October sunshine

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 08/10/2026

Today I have enjoyed another day on my feet, lost in my thoughts, walking the St James' Way. How do you know I was lost in my thoughts? I am often photographed looking thoughtful which then turns to a smile and a smirk. I don't mind, it's the real me. #WSocialPics #WSocialCamino #WSocialWalking

Me after being caught lost in thought sitting on a lock post near the Kennet and Avon canal section of the St James' Way

Me at the official start of the main Camino to Santiago which includes the St James' Way.

The main stained glass window in the Parish Church of St Mary Sulhamstead Abbots visited walking the St James' Way

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 08/10/2026

I was going to scribble some more thoughts regarding how things are going for me here at WSocial. But it actually morphed into an attempt at poetry as, it just felt right to have a go so, apologies to all the poetry purist here 😊 (and all the handwriting experts 🫣) #WSocialPoetry

My handwritten poem about how I feel being on the WSocial platform right now.

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 07/10/2026

I used to post this sort of content when I had a Twitter X account. There were 2 people I really enjoyed interacting with, Pub Signs because some are real works of art and, Lost and Living pubs. Let's start using the hashtag #WSocialPubs and share our cultural beauties. Here are some of mine 🍻

The Railway Arms in Alton with it's unique locomotive engine model coming out of the wall

The Chineham Arms in Basingstoke which happens to be my local pub

The Rose and Crown pub in Winchester with it's incredibly artistic painted crown crest

Me enjoying my tour around the Shepherd Neame brewery in Faversham

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 06/10/2026

I was doing some information gathering in Reading yesterday around the Abbey for the beginning of a Camino. As an aside, I was also taking random snaps of the sun. Sometimes you just have to stop and look up in wonderment.

The sun going down along the Kennet and Avon canal in Reading Berkshire in the UK

The sun peeking through a gap in the Reading Abbey walls in Berkshire in the UK

The sun by the icon Blade Tower overlooking the Reading Abbey walls in Berkshire in the UK

The sun over the law courts near Reading Abbey in Berkshire in the UK

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 05/10/2026

Whilst my computer is busy uploading hundreds of photos for Nico and his @thecaminohistory.wsocial.eu I am still thinking about hashtags. I like art. If I post about it I am going to use #WSocialArt because #Wart looks wrong to me. Here's our local artist Sian Stories Basingstoke Station mural.

The Sian Storey wall art in the carpark at Basingstoke railway station depicting her love of nature in vivid colours

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 05/10/2026

Currently, it's a delight to pick up my phone, whilst I let my tea brew, and read my feed. Real people, interacting and chatting, posting interesting content, no bots. I just asked a question about hashtags and now I'm about to sit down and upload some photos for The Camino website. Life is good.

Winchester cathedral under a clear blue sky

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 04/10/2026

Here they are, I can't see their verification badges proving they are human. I wonder if something has changed?

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 04/10/2026

And here's my last Instagram post featuring my last Facebook post. I am now going to logout and just wait to see what happens next.

My Instagram account displaying my last Facebook post on my old Surface laptop

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 04/10/2026

I love the fact that one of my posts features on the homepage of the WSocial website. I am making a Facebook and Instagram post about it which will help explain to family and friends where they can now find me.

My laptop displaying the homepage of the WSocial website which has one of my posts on the right hand side.

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 04/10/2026

Last week I removed all the other social media apps from my phone. It felt liberating. This morning I am going to login to my accounts, using an old laptop, just to see if I have missed messages and posts from friends. I'm hoping they will ask me where I've been, a great way to introduce WSocial.

My old Windows surface laptop displaying The Facebook login page with the standard Allow the use of cookies message where I always select Decline

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 03/10/2026

How do I introduce myself on my own WSocialRunning feed? Well, they say a picture paints a thousand words so, here are a few photos of me taking part in events.

Me having a lovely time in the pouring rain enjoying the Bramley 10 mile road race

Me and my finishing the Hurstbourne Tarrant 5 mile race in lovely sunny conditions

Me completing the Round Reading Ultra Marathon an epic day on my feet in blistering sunshine

Me at my old running club where I was a founder member taking part in one of our many time trial events for charity

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 03/10/2026

Yes, OsmAnd now fully set up and I am looking forward to testing it out next week maybe on another Pilgrim walk for @thecaminohistory.wsocial.eu

An original old Saint Swithun's Way walk sign along with one of the modern stickers on a walking post just outside Farnham

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 03/10/2026

Change of plan for me following deeper research: Strava deleted OsmAnd installed Happy weekend running and exploring everyone

A screenshot of the Your account has been deleted message on the Strava website

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 02/10/2026

And for additional balance I have also used my Proton Lumo account to do an accuracy check which I again will personally review to make sure it is correct.

The Proton Lumo AI review checking for the accuracy of my Copilot Rule of Law document

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 02/10/2026

Beginning with the Rule of Law and remembering that I am still an active founder member of the Windows Insider programme, I have asked Copilot for a first draft so that I can give it a human review.

Draft document titled The UK and EU Rule of Law WSocial in practice created by Microsoft Copilot

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 02/10/2026

A new note after last night, a rough draft I can polish and craft over time. Thank you to everyone who took part.

My hand written note detailing a square with bubbles inside it that represents different points of view that are all connected to help prevent polarisation.

My note detailing how WSocial can potentially eliminate isolation by allowing all thoughts within the rule of law framework. Structuring a safe place that allows freedom of expression without censorship

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 30/09/2026

Ho hum, I suppose it was inevitable, exactly what I hate on every other platform has happened here. A Bluesky chat bot phishing for engagement. Time for a rethink.

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 30/09/2026

Thank you. I used 2 phones, one using Strava to record the exact route detailing mishaps and wrong turns, the other using the All Trails app for navigation and it was nearly right most of the time. I took lots of photos using both devices so I have some serious ordering and sorting to do.

A Saint Swithun's Way sticker heading into yet another deep wooden area on the route out of Alton.

On many occasions you have to trust the sticker not the direction point of the sign.

Some of these edge of fields stickers feel counter intuitive but you need to trust them due to rerouting around livestock fields and crops

Sometimes you have to look twice to actually see a Saint Swithun's Way sticker as vegetation often obscures them a bit like on this telegraph pole

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 30/09/2026

Yes, I will be delighted to make my pictures available and I will take time to pin them to map points so that others can follow. I mainly concentrated on direction of travel views that included the Saint Swithun's Way stickers to help with tricky navigation parts.

The Saint Swithun's Way walk signage by the Railway Arms public house in Alton

The Saint Swithun's Way stickers directing walkers to skirt around the edges of the Alton rugby pitches

A double set of Saint Swithun's Way stickers allowing walkers a choice of routes to meet up again later on.

A Saint Swithun's Way sticker directing walkers straight across a ploughed field

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 29/09/2026

@thecaminohistory.wsocial.eu Today I completed the 3rd stage of the Saint Swithun's Way, having previously walked the other 2. I will sit down and organise all my photos and write about it over the next few weeks. Here are a few snaps.

Me standing next to the Froyle Parish Council notice board

The Saint Swithun's Way map displayed on a bus shelter

A Saint Swithun's Way sticker on a lamppost

Me enjoying a moment of reflection in a church on the Saint Swithun's Way

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 28/09/2026

I've just got home and I can see my profile fine on my phone. This is what a normal Google search returns in the Chrome browser. It all looks fine to me. Maybe a temporary network error somewhere? Refresh/restart your device or log a support call.

The search results for Philip Branigan on the WSocial platform giving an overview of how the Europe-hosted social network is designed and activity results detailing Philips posts discussing decentralised, ethical internet protocols.

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 27/09/2026

What a delightful surprise! I have just turned on my main computer to login and read @wsocial.eu posts on a big screen and I see this. Thank you so much everyone involved with developing this wonderful platform, you've made my Sunday. I'm going to circulate this photo amongst all my family.

My computer screen showing the WSocial homepage which includes my handwritten note post from one day ago giving my positive opinion of the platform. The main overlay wording says Trust Your Feed.

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 26/09/2026

My thoughts so far on being part of @wsocial.eu Overall conclusion? A change for good.

Page one of my written thoughts about WSocial

Page two of my written thoughts about WSocial

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 25/09/2026

Today is a walking and thinking day. Like a lot of people I have my best ideas when I'm out exploring something interesting. My aim is to not get lost following Saint Swithun's Way stickers. Here I am on the path from New Alresford to Winchester gazing at the sky daydreaming.

Me on the Saint Swithun's Way walk from New Alresford to Winchester

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 23/09/2026

I like to layer up and keep enjoying being outside. The UK is wonderful in the autumn and I have honed the technique of dressing for the weather. Whatever I am doing, my day always starts the same way: tea in the garden with a good book.

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 22/09/2026

Whilst not strictly a messenger app, I have been testing and using Quiet and so far it has worked well. It would be worth including it on the list for those people who are happy to use Tor technology. I feel it is on a par with Threema.

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Philip Branigan @philipbranigan.wsocial.eu · 21/09/2026

In the past I have worked with earthquake and volcanic data. I still keep this app on my phone out of pure curiosity. You can sometimes get live feeds from some of the webcams and some truly strange things have been seen. It's all interesting and thought provoking.

The Volcano Discovery app information page

The Volcano Discovery latest activity list

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