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diff --git a/blog/2021-01-04-fediverse.org b/blog/2021-01-04-fediverse.org new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0250e75 --- /dev/null +++ b/blog/2021-01-04-fediverse.org @@ -0,0 +1,106 @@ ++++ +date = 2021-01-04 +title = "A Simple Guide to the Fediverse" +description = "A simple guide to the fediverse, a federated universe of servers commonly used for sharing content, like social media." +draft = false ++++ + +## What is the Fediverse? + +The fediverse is a federated universe of servers commonly used for sharing +content, like social media. So, instead of having to rely on a single +organization to run the server (e.g. Facebook), the fediverse is a giant +collection of servers across the world, owned by many people and organizations. + +Take a look at this depiction of a federated network. +Each server in this photo is owned and run by different +administrators/owners. +Federated networks are best explained as email servers: you have an email +account that exists on a server (e.g. Outlook), your friend has an account on +a different server (e.g. GMail), and another friend has an account on a +third server (e.g. ProtonMail). +All three of you can talk and communicate back and forth without having to +be on the same server. +However, responsible email admins are there to set rules and control the +traffic going in/out of the server. + + + +The main objective of this architecture is to decentralize the control within +the internet connections. For example, if you run your own Mastodon instance, +you and your users can't be censored or impacted in any way by authorities of +another Mastodon instance. Some users have praised these features due to recent +criticism of popular social media websites that may be over-censoring their +users. + +This strategy is great for making sure control of the social web isn't +controlled by a single organization, but it also has some downsides. If I create +a Mastodon instance and get a ton of users to sign up, I can shut the server +down at any time. That means you're at risk of losing the content you've created +unless you back it up, or the server backs it up for you. Also, depending on the +software used (e.g. Mastodon, Pixelfed, etc.), censorship may still be an issue +if the server admins decide they want to censor their users. Now, censorship +isn't always a bad thing and can even benefit the community as a whole, but +you'll want to determine which servers align with your idea of proper +censorship. + +However, these are risks that we take when we sign up for any online platform. +Whatever your reason is for trying out federated social networks, they are part +of the future of the internet. However, the popularity of these services is +still yet to be determined, especially with the increased difficulty +understanding and signing up for these platforms. Perhaps increased regulation +and litigation against current social media sites will push more users into the +fediverse. + +## Federated Alternatives to Popular Sites + +The list below is a small guide that will show you federated alternatives to +current popular websites. +There are many more out there, so go and explore: you might just find the +perfect home. + +### Reddit + +- [Lemmy](https://lemmy.ml/instances) + +### Twitter/Facebook/Tumblr + +- [Mastodon](https://joinmastodon.org) +- [Diaspora](https://diasporafoundation.org) +- [Friendica](https://friendi.ca) +- [GNU Social](https://gnusocial.network) +- [Pleroma](https://pleroma.social) + +### Instagram + +- [Pixelfed](https://pixelfed.org) + +### Slack/Discord + +- [Matrix](https://element.io) + +### Youtube/Vimeo + +- [Peertube](https://joinpeertube.org) + +### Spotify/Soundcloud + +- [Funkwhale](https://funkwhale.audio) + +### Podcasting + +- [Pubcast](https://pubcast.pub) + +### Medium/Blogger + +- [WriteFreely](https://writefreely.org) + +## Get Started + +The best way to get started is to simply sign up and learn as you go. If you're +comfortable signing up through a Mastodon, Pleroma, or Friendica server, here is +[a list of themed servers](https://fediverse.party/en/portal/servers) to choose +from. If you're looking for something else, try a web search for a federated +alternative to your favorite sites. + +Find a server that focuses on your passions and start there! |