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diff --git a/content/blog/2021-01-04-fediverse.org b/content/blog/2021-01-04-fediverse.org new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5224b17 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/blog/2021-01-04-fediverse.org @@ -0,0 +1,92 @@ +#+title: A Simple Guide to the Fediverse +#+date: 2021-01-04 +#+description: Learn about the basics of the Fediverse. +#+filetags: :social: + +* 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. + +#+caption: Federated services diagram +[[https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20210104-a-simple-guide-to-the-fediverse/federated-example.svg]] + +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 +- [[https://lemmy.ml/instances][Lemmy]] + +** Twitter/Facebook/Tumblr +- [[https://joinmastodon.org][Mastodon]] +- [[https://diasporafoundation.org][Diaspora]] +- [[https://friendi.ca][Friendica]] +- [[https://gnusocial.network][GNU Social]] +- [[https://pleroma.social][Pleroma]] + +** Instagram +- [[https://pixelfed.org][Pixelfed]] + +** Slack/Discord +- [[https://element.io][Matrix]] + +** Youtube/Vimeo +- [[https://joinpeertube.org][Peertube]] + +** Spotify/Soundcloud +- [[https://funkwhale.audio][Funkwhale]] + +** Podcasting +- [[https://pubcast.pub][Pubcast]] + +** Medium/Blogger +- [[https://writefreely.org][WriteFreely]] + +* 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 [[https://fediverse.party/en/portal/servers][a list of +themed 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! |