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diff --git a/content/blog/2021-01-04-fediverse.md b/content/blog/2021-01-04-fediverse.md deleted file mode 100644 index f0c778c..0000000 --- a/content/blog/2021-01-04-fediverse.md +++ /dev/null @@ -1,100 +0,0 @@ -+++ -date = 2021-01-04 -title = "A Simple Guide to the Fediverse" -description = "" -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! |