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diff --git a/content/blog/2021-01-04-fediverse.md b/content/blog/2021-01-04-fediverse.md index e663f45..bf23946 100644 --- a/content/blog/2021-01-04-fediverse.md +++ b/content/blog/2021-01-04-fediverse.md @@ -7,101 +7,97 @@ 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 +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. +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. +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) +- [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) +- [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) +- [Pixelfed](https://pixelfed.org) ## Slack/Discord -- [Matrix](https://element.io) +- [Matrix](https://element.io) ## Youtube/Vimeo -- [Peertube](https://joinpeertube.org) +- [Peertube](https://joinpeertube.org) ## Spotify/Soundcloud -- [Funkwhale](https://funkwhale.audio) +- [Funkwhale](https://funkwhale.audio) ## Podcasting -- [Pubcast](https://pubcast.pub) +- [Pubcast](https://pubcast.pub) ## Medium/Blogger -- [WriteFreely](https://writefreely.org) +- [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 +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! |