Sure, that works for making websites. In fact, I'd argue that website-building is one of the most easily-publicizable things on the Internet, which is mostly composed of websites.
But what about niche things? I'd greatly enjoy "180 traditional Scottish dance tunes in 180 days", but there's not an HN-ish outlet for that. I'd also enjoy "180 reflections on philosophical readings from the Enlightenment in 180 days", but any philosophers I have easy access to aren't going to be interested—they're beyond that. Similarly for topics I don't actually care about. 180 new meals? Only a few people can eat them. 180 poems? Deliver us.
Dewalt's feat became famous for two reasons: a) It's a common task done in an uncommon way (everyone knows what website-building is, very few think it's reasonable to pop one out every day for six months) and b) The demographic who would be most supportive of it is very easily-accessible in large numbers.
Scottish dance tunes: just from a quick Google on the subject, I'd recommend talking to http://www.scottishdance.net/ about it, probably also the Scottish Arts Council, /r/scotland and so forth.
Reflections on philosophical readings? /r/philosophy has 148k subscribers.
180 new meals? Write 'em up on eGullet (I've had very positive responses to my writing up foodie experiments there), /r/food, tell the massive foodie blogosphere about them.
It also doesn't matter, in all cases, how large your audience is, only that they appreciate your work - at least, if you're looking to finish rather than to become famous (which I think was the purpose of this blog post). I've spent 1-2 hours worldbuilding and game desiging every week for the past 4 years for a total audience of two people: the players in my weekly RPG. That's a big enough audience to keep me motivated and keep me creating that particular work - over 200 times so far.
Sure, that works for making websites. In fact, I'd argue that website-building is one of the most easily-publicizable things on the Internet, which is mostly composed of websites.
But what about niche things? I'd greatly enjoy "180 traditional Scottish dance tunes in 180 days", but there's not an HN-ish outlet for that. I'd also enjoy "180 reflections on philosophical readings from the Enlightenment in 180 days", but any philosophers I have easy access to aren't going to be interested—they're beyond that. Similarly for topics I don't actually care about. 180 new meals? Only a few people can eat them. 180 poems? Deliver us.
Dewalt's feat became famous for two reasons: a) It's a common task done in an uncommon way (everyone knows what website-building is, very few think it's reasonable to pop one out every day for six months) and b) The demographic who would be most supportive of it is very easily-accessible in large numbers.