From Default to Distinct - Owncast Customization Showcase

Exploring the World of Owncast Customization

I've recently invited people to share their links to websites or Owncast sites where they've done something beyond the default look. My wording might not have been perfect, so I didn't receive as many submissions as I hoped, but that's okay. I'm just a small fish trying to spread the word about Owncast as best as I can.

I wanted to showcase these sites to spark creativity and inspiration for anyone thinking about starting their own Owncast service or site. Although I find CSS coding a bit challenging, it's impressive to see how others have customized their sites.

Unfortunately, we didn't get as many responses from Mastodon as expected, possibly due to using a custom tag. Most of the submissions came from matrix server rooms, and only one from Mastodon. My post might not have reached a broader audience, so I'll need to investigate that further.

I gave it a two-week window for submissions, with a cut-off last Friday. If we hadn't received enough, there wouldn't have been a video, but luckily, we got a few good ones to feature.

When you search for Owncast videos on YouTube, there aren't many out there, aside from a few from IndieCreator Hub and Gabe. That's why I'm working to bring more attention to Owncast. It's a fantastic piece of technology—lightweight, simple, and easy to use. While it may not be for everyone, its value lies in providing your own space without corporate constraints dictating your content.

The goal of this showcase is not just to see Owncast but to appreciate what people have done to make it their own. I'll show what my default setup looks like, as I've kept mine basic to highlight what's possible through customization.

Discovering the 2Ton Waffle Community

For those unfamiliar with the 2TonWaffle community, I encourage you to visit 2TonWaffle.com and sign up. It's free, and we're working to build a community that shares experiences and resources about alternative platforms and indie games. My vision is to encompass all independent creators, including writers and artists, but for now, we're concentrating on alternative platforms and gaming.

Our site includes articles, game reviews, and live streams. We even have an embedded stream on our website. I'll show you what a default Owncast site looks like using our setup. Setting up Owncast is quick and straightforward, with just a few steps like configuring domain names and SSL.

While our site isn't completely default (I've added a logo and some links), the layout remains similar to the out-of-the-box setup. My additional touches include social media buttons and an “About” section inspired by someone else in the Owncast community.

Showcasing Customization

Now, I'll show some customized sites. First up is Shayne's stream, where they've opted for a dark theme—a wise choice for reducing eye strain. They have custom buttons for Discord and YouTube, keeping their design simple and effective.

Next is Rave Cave, a 24/7 streaming site that's constantly online. They boast an integrated QR code and information display. Owncast handles chat smartly by turning it off when streams are offline, which prevents unwanted messages from appearing unattended.

Then there's Ozoncast, which features a vibrant neon green on black design. It's reminiscent of 80s and 90s styling and certainly grabs attention. They provide user-friendly links and contact details right on the page.

Inspiration from Custom Builds

Lastly, I want to highlight Beko Pharm, a streaming setup for games like Elite Dangerous. They use a DIY head tracker, button boxes, and flight sticks in a Linux-powered rig, showing how Owncast can fit into complex and innovative setups.

Overall, exploring these sites and setups is a reminder of Owncast's flexibility and the extraordinary creativity it enables. If CSS is your forte, there's endless potential for making a unique and personalized streaming platform.

If any readers have their own customized Owncast instances they'd like to share, I'd love to see them. Let's continue to inspire each other with these creative endeavors.