objplant

It is possible to serve markdown files over gemini protocol (so says the specs: https://gemini.circumlunar.space/docs/specification.gmi). As for the tables, images, etc., it's up to a client (browser) to render it. For example, even though gemtext doesn't specify displaying images among text, some clients can display links to images as actual images inside the same page. Luckily, the gemtext is at least very similar to markdown, save for the link markup.

This is interesting and would be rather useful (also sort of cool) to have a common language shared by so many people living rather near each other (except for far-away regions of Russia). Unfortunately, it doesn't look easy at all: 7 cases and 10 plus 6 extra declensions for example. However, in reality such a common language already exists and it's English, especially among young-enough speakers. In my experience, others often prefer to switch to English rather than pursue the fun of trying to connect the foreign words of a similar language with their meaning.

How well does git perform for usual text (not code)? I only use git for code and as far as I know it compare only whole lines, which is not very useful in a text where a paragraph has no line brakes and is about half a page long.

I write in Word as well and merging edits from collaborators with my in-the-meantime-updated document is really anoying and error-prone. I found https://www.simuldocs.com/, but haven't tried it yet.

When I see a page like that I remember Mahir's page and its popularity: http://mahir.faithweb.com/original.htm

It's nostalgic and definitely different from what we are used to today, but I don't really miss animated gifs, dozens of font styles and colors smashed together into a html. For me a cherry on the top was changing status message when hovering a link from target url to some custom text.

I would suggest not to join a hobby, interest group etc. with an agenda of making friends. I think such a plan might create some unnecessary mental pressure on one's behaviour. On the other hand if you join a group with a topic that really interests you, chances are you'll be sorrounded with at least some like-minded people. And then, if you casually fall into a conversation with someone, then you grab the opportunity for making an acquaintance. And that person might some day turn into a friend.