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Duplicate upload checks in the icon and cursor libraries
The icon and cursor libraries now include automated checks intended to reduce the amount of duplicate content being uploaded. The goal is not to aggressively block uploads, but mainly to reduce accidental reuploads and endless reposting of the same files.
Perfectly centered cursor hotspots
Here is a useful trick for anyone creating multi-resolution cursors from a large image or animation in RealWorld Cursor Editor. This mainly applies to cursors where the hotspot is supposed to be exactly in the center horizontally, vertically, or both.
Easier updates of icon and cursor sets
There have recently been several cases where people uploaded a completely new icon or cursor set just to add a few new items. While this was not really the intended workflow, it was understandable because modifying an existing set involved quite a few steps.
The most duplicated cursors in the library
Now that the cursor library was updated and uses hashes internally, it has become much easier to identify duplicate content. That made it possible to generate a list of the most repeatedly uploaded cursors currently in the library.
Cursor library update and cleanup
The cursor library has received a larger update affecting multiple parts of the site. Some of the changes are visible immediately, others are more technical and mostly happen behind the scenes. Because the page styles and preview images were updated, it is recommended to press CTRL+F5 before reporting any problems with the new pages.
Social sharing buttons - what to do with them in 2026?
The social networks buttons used to be a thing every web site needed to include 15 years ago and they are still around, but are they actually used? The focus of this blog post is on the large buttons shown on icon sets, cursor sets, and individual item pages.
RealWorld Cursor Manager preview available
A preview version of the RealWorld Cursor Manager is now available in the Microsoft Store. This is an initial test run, so the app is not publicly searchable yet. You'll need to use a direct link to access it:
Theme of the Month update - Gearbert waddles in
There is a small change to how the Theme of the Month (TOTM) contests are organized. From now on, they will be announced and managed by a bot named Gearbert instead of being handled manually by me.
Cursor tools update (expect it when you see it)
Another update is in the works, this time focused on software rather than the web. A new version of the cursor changing utility for Windows is planned.
Icon library update (coming soon-ish)
An update to the icon library is planned to arrive in about a week. This one is focused partly on visual changes and partly on some under-the-hood cleanup that has been needed for a while.
AI vs. rw-designer
I've been thinking about the future of rw-designer in this age of AI, and I'd like to ask for your input before starting working on something that could do more harm than good.
A text adventure?
I've just published a new text adventure, the first serious one after the earlier test project. You can play it here.
Avoiding AI brainrot
In this follow-up post to my holiday special, I wanted to explore the human side of AI slop and a related topic that I call AI brainrot. Here is my opinion on why low-effort AI content feels repetitive, how the use of AI tools affects thinking of people, and what practical steps can help us to avoid losing our brainpower in this age of AI.
Holiday special - creativity, AI, and slop
One of my college professors liked to frame originality in a way that stayed with me long after graduation. Paraphrased, his point was this: if a master’s thesis merely retraces the path of another, it fails; if it meaningfully combines two existing theses, it earns a degree; and if it successfully weaves together three, it deserves special recognition.
Possible addition to the Arcade
Just a quick blog... I am considering adding an old style text adventure game to the Relax section. While this probably happens - eventually, I want to know what the community thinks about this idea and that will affect my priorities and possibly the scope of the whole project.
Icon assembler update - part 2
The icon assembler section of the Gallery has received another update. This time, it's not just visual tweaks; it's something more fundamental, something that has been requested for longer than some of you have been alive. After 13 years, it is finally possible for everyone to create and edit their own icon assemblers.
Icon assembler update - part 1
The icon assembler part of the Gallery section received some long needed updates. The work is not yet done, it is still not possible to upload your own assemblers, but there are some visual and functional changes for those, who want to use them to assemble an icon.
About the Black flashlight item
So, I am working on some minor changes to spray paints and related stuff and there is this problem with the black flashlight...
Scunkie, Ikeyyana, Dungster and the use of AI
AI is a hot topic everywhere and I think it is about time to clarify a couple of things related to it...
Rewards for securing your account
Creating an account on rw-designer is a gentle, multi-step process. People can do many things without having an account at all: downloading icons and cursors, playing games, chatting and creating threads in the off-topic forum. People can post comments and reviews in most places by just picking their desired nick name. And so on...
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