From 74992aaa27eb384128924c4a3b93052961a3eaab Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Christian Cleberg Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2024 17:01:13 -0500 Subject: test conversion back to markdown --- content/blog/2021-01-04-fediverse.md | 107 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 107 insertions(+) create mode 100644 content/blog/2021-01-04-fediverse.md (limited to 'content/blog/2021-01-04-fediverse.md') diff --git a/content/blog/2021-01-04-fediverse.md b/content/blog/2021-01-04-fediverse.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e663f45 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/blog/2021-01-04-fediverse.md @@ -0,0 +1,107 @@ ++++ +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. + +![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 + +- [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! -- cgit v1.2.3-70-g09d2