James SmithMay 23, 2022
FediTips has moved!

A reminder that Mastodon and the Fediverse do NOT use cryptocurrency, blockchains, NFTs, tokens, coins, mining, web3 or anything like that.

Masto and the Fedi run on traditional servers and use a sustainable network federation model somewhat similar to e-mail (that's why Fediverse addresses look similar to e-mail addresses).

Also a reminder there are no venture capital firms or other investors either. No one owns the network, each server is independent. Masto and Fedi server running costs are paid by their owners, sometimes with donations from users.

No one is getting rich from the Fediverse, it is all volunteers with some getting donations and a few getting modest grants from foundations. Please remember this when you interact with admins or developers.

(There might be some individual users who post about cryptocurrency/blockchain, but the infrastructure this place runs on doesn't use it at all.)

Tl:dr - Decentralisation does NOT mean cryptocurrency/blockchain

#Fediverse

May 23, 2022 at 5:39pmWeb
Show threadWisteria May 23, 2022
@feditips Some time ago I asked a question about the environmental impact of fediverse, including of course Mastodon, and although I did not get an answer on that moment, one of my main doubts was if the blockchain was used. This clarification reassures me.
Show threadFediTips has moved!May 23, 2022

@_Nohemi_Sofia_

Yeah, there's no blockchain or artificial scarcity or mining or anything like that here.

Fediverse (including Mastodon) is all traditional servers with owners who want to keep their electricity bills as low as possible, so they are incentivised to reduce energy use rather than expand it.

There will still be an impact from any kind of server, but on traditional servers it's not artificially high. No one is incentivised to waste energy on the Fediverse or Mastodon.

There's a project called @greenfediverse which is trying to encourage people to move to servers powered by renewable energy, that might be worth checking out too?

Show threadWisteria May 23, 2022
@feditips @greenfediverse I had no idea of its existence, I will check as soon as possible, thanks for the information! it helps me a lot 
Show threadNovaMay 24, 2022

@feditips @_Nohemi_Sofia_ @greenfediverse

———————————No Misskey?——————————— ⠀⣞⢽⢪⢣⢣⢣⢫⡺⡵⣝⡮⣗⢷⢽⢽⢽⣮⡷⡽⣜⣜⢮⢺⣜⢷⢽⢝⡽⣝ ⠸⡸⠜⠕⠕⠁⢁⢇⢏⢽⢺⣪⡳⡝⣎⣏⢯⢞⡿⣟⣷⣳⢯⡷⣽⢽⢯⣳⣫⠇ ⠀⠀⢀⢀⢄⢬⢪⡪⡎⣆⡈⠚⠜⠕⠇⠗⠝⢕⢯⢫⣞⣯⣿⣻⡽⣏⢗⣗⠏⠀ ⠀⠪⡪⡪⣪⢪⢺⢸⢢⢓⢆⢤⢀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠈⢊⢞⡾⣿⡯⣏⢮⠷⠁⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠈⠊⠆⡃⠕⢕⢇⢇⢇⢇⢇⢏⢎⢎⢆⢄⠀⢑⣽⣿⢝⠲⠉⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⡿⠂⠠⠀⡇⢇⠕⢈⣀⠀⠁⠡⠣⡣⡫⣂⣿⠯⢪⠰⠂⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⡦⡙⡂⢀⢤⢣⠣⡈⣾⡃⠠⠄⠀⡄⢱⣌⣶⢏⢊⠂⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢝⡲⣜⡮⡏⢎⢌⢂⠙⠢⠐⢀⢘⢵⣽⣿⡿⠁⠁⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠨⣺⡺⡕⡕⡱⡑⡆⡕⡅⡕⡜⡼⢽⡻⠏⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⣼⣳⣫⣾⣵⣗⡵⡱⡡⢣⢑⢕⢜⢕⡝⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⣴⣿⣾⣿⣿⣿⡿⡽⡑⢌⠪⡢⡣⣣⡟⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⡟⡾⣿⢿⢿⢵⣽⣾⣼⣘⢸⢸⣞⡟⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠁⠇⠡⠩⡫⢿⣝⡻⡮⣒⢽⠋⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ —————————————————————————————

Show threadWisteria May 24, 2022
@Froggo What's Misskey? 👀
Show threadNovaMay 24, 2022
@_Nohemi_Sofia_ 👀

Its a differwnt software to interact with the Fediverse, such as Mastodon or Plemora.

Here's the github: https://github.com/misskey-dev/misskey

I have actually never heard of koyuspace 🤔
Comparing a23a72b01565...6d9412b33814 · misskey-dev/misskey

🌎 A completely free and open interplanetary-microblogging platform 🚀 - Comparing a23a72b01565...6d9412b33814 · misskey-dev/misskey

GitHub
Show threadWisteria May 24, 2022

@Froggo koyu space is, as I understand, another instance in mastodon. Everything is pretty chill, I like it.

thanks for the info, Misskey seems interesting 👀💕

Show threadNovaMay 24, 2022
@_Nohemi_Sofia_ Oh, interesting. I also see the software as koyuspace
Show threadNovaMay 24, 2022
@_Nohemi_Sofia_ ah, it seems that the software running on the instance is a fork of mastodon/glitch-soc.
Show threadWisteria May 24, 2022
@Froggo I'm not entirely sure what that means due to my lack of software knowledge, but I think you're right, I'll look into it later anyway. There isn't a day here that goes by without me coming out with a considerable list of things to investigate, good thing I like to learn jsjs
Show threadNocta [migrée]May 24, 2022

@_Nohemi_Sofia_ @feditips

Although Mastodon and stuff don't use blockchain or anything like that, I still think mastodon and probably other fediverse stuff could be more optimised to lose less energy, typically a mastodon instance uses a lot of memory space. But yeah, nowhere near as cryptomining and stuff

Show threadpfogl May 26, 2022

@_Nohemi_Sofia_ @feditips a lot of fediservers are also hosted in germany (including the reference servers by the Mastodon gGmbH) and due to the high electricity cost in germany it is usually cheaper to power data centers, and therefore servers, with renewable energies. My instance runs exclusively on hydropower for example.

(Apart from backup generators, and that infrastructure, ofc)

Show threadWisteria May 26, 2022
@fpvogel @feditips that's a very good thing! and I had no idea that electricity was expensive in Germany, I guess some good things come out of that, at least
Show threadStemyMay 23, 2022
@feditips web3 is like the web2 but worse.
Show threadJaschaMay 23, 2022
@stemy @feditips a lot of the underlying tech is good. the hype, fomo, fud cycles are far from good.
Show threadJupiter RowlandMay 23, 2022
Yes, everything that calls itself "decentral" and makes it into tech news nowadays always seems to involve a #blockchain, #cryptocurrency and #NFTs. This goes for services similar to those in the #Fediverse and even more for #VirtualWorlds where everyone is led to believe that the #Metaverse can't work without all this.

Already existing non-commercial, #OpenSource systems/services/networks that have been running without any of this for years don't have marketing departments, and so tech news barely ever learn about them, if at all.
Netzgemeinde/Hubzilla

Show threadIan KenwayMay 23, 2022
@feditips A timely reminder. Thanks.
Show threadSimon Blackley 📷May 24, 2022
@feditips and cryptocurrency/blockchain does NOT mean decentralisation
Show threadLerk May 24, 2022
@feditips what does web3 run on if not servers?
Show threadFediTips has moved!May 24, 2022

@lerk

Ah yeah, the word "server" can cause confusion as it can mean different things.

By "server" I mean a traditional single instance rather than a specific piece of computer hardware. (One large instance might run on several computers, or several small instances might run on a single computer.)

The Fediverse is a traditional decentralised network of instances, like email is. Accounts and content are hosted on a specific instance. There is no blockchain at all.

Web3 brings blockchain into this, where content and accounts are no longer tied to specific instances. Web3 causes severe environmental, social and technical problems, which are detailed in things like "Line Goes Up" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ_xWvX1n9g).

Line Goes Up – The Problem With NFTs

If someone pitches you on a "great" Web3 project, ask them if it requires buying or selling crypto to do what they say it does.Sources and Further Readinghtt...

YouTube
Show threadqeefMay 24, 2022
@feditips TL;DR at the end makes no sense. How I know there is "Too Long; Didn't Read" at the end without reading the post? Please, note that I read from up to bottom. You may put "Summary" or "Point" at the end, but please put "TL;DR" at the beginning. Thanks!
Show threadhonidenMay 24, 2022
@feditips some instances accept cryptocurrencies as donations
Show threadclacke: exhausted pixie dream boy 🇸🇪🇭🇰💙💛May 24, 2022
@honiden @feditips The network doesn't rely on it.
Show threadFediTips has moved!May 24, 2022

@clacke @honiden

Exactly. Whatever individual admins do to pay for their instances is their choice, it's not connected to the network itself.

Show threadjeSuisatire neindochohh ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷMay 24, 2022
@feditips
blockchain by default doesn't mean decentralization either.
Show threadsilverpillMay 24, 2022
@feditips A little bit of blockchain wouldn't hurt though. After all, these donations and modest grants you have mentioned can't work without some kind of financial system. And I hope we can all agree that this system must not be centralized and controlled by giant corporations.
Show threadvoyagerMay 24, 2022
@feditips @10grans
Show threadhackbyte Antifa (friendica) 13HB1May 26, 2022
@feditips Again please, do not only just mention mastodon as part of the fediverse... There is so much more but most ppl don't know because nobody tells them..... ;)
Show threadFediTips has moved!May 27, 2022

@hackbyte

I do post about other platforms, I just did a post entirely about Friendica yesterday. (I had to take it down today due to a problem with the server I mentioned, though.)

Show threadhackbyte Antifa (friendica) 13HB1May 27, 2022
@feditips Well .. there's probably another server you can mention instead. ;)
Show threadFediTips has moved!May 27, 2022

@hackbyte

It's not that simple.

I try to only mention servers which are relatively trusted and safe and reliable.

On Mastodon this is easy as there's an official list and a covenant they all sign up to, which covers safety and reliability (https://joinmastodon.org/covenant).

On other platforms, there's nothing like this. I have to go with whatever the general reputation of a server is. Most other platforms don't even do minimal screening of their server lists, they just list them all, which is dangerous.

This is a major barrier to recommending other platforms, because I don't know which servers to recommend for beginners. If they had some kind of similar "safe" list of servers, it would help a lot!

Mastodon Server Covenant for joinmastodon.org

Show threadhackbyte Antifa (friendica) 13HB1May 27, 2022
@feditips Uhm ....... a interestin take.. Reminds me of some sort of walled garden...

That's not what the fediverse is..

Why do you actually need to mention any specific server instead of referring to services?
Show threadFediTips has moved!May 27, 2022

@hackbyte

I don't think it is a walled garden at all. The servers are all independent, no one is being forced to use them, and these servers federate with servers not on the list.

I'm just trying to check if a server is responsibly run before recommending it.

If I don't mention any servers where people can sign up, how are they supposed to use a platform?

Show threadhackbyte Antifa (friendica) 13HB1May 27, 2022
@feditips Maybe, tell them how to find servers? There are enough directory-sites available. ;)
Show threadFediTips has moved!May 27, 2022

@hackbyte

There are hundreds of Friendica servers. How are new people supposed to know which ones are reliable?

Show threadhackbyte Antifa (friendica) 13HB1May 27, 2022
@feditips Isn't it the same for #funkwhale, #peertube, #hubzilla, #mastodon or #diaspora servers?
Show threadFediTips has moved!May 27, 2022

@hackbyte

Mastodon has a list of recommended servers at https://joinmastodon.org/communities which have all signed up to a covenant at https://joinmastodon.org/covenant which promises responsible moderation and reliable service.

As far as I know, only Mastodon has done something like this.

If more platforms did this, it would be much easier to send new people to other platforms.

It would also encourage decentralisation as people would be more willing to sign up to a small server.

Choosing a server

Show threadhackbyte Antifa (friendica) 13HB1May 27, 2022
@feditips Well, there is:

fediverse.party/en/portal/serv…

On top of that, we have fediverse.observer/

Oh and we have the-federation.info/ ;)
- Fediverse.Party - explore federated networks

Let's make social media free, federated and fun! Fediverse.Party is your guide into the world of decentralized, autonomous networks running on free open software on a myriad of servers across the world. No ads and no algorithms. Join Fediverse and become part of the new interconnected Web!

Show threadabidMay 27, 2022
@hackbyte @feditips there is many more...
Show threadFediTips has moved!May 27, 2022

@abid @hackbyte

None of those lists mention safety or reliability.

It's a list of safe and reliable servers that I am trying to find.

Show threadFediTips has moved!May 27, 2022

@hackbyte

The lists you mention don't seem to be interested in user safety at all?

Those lists have no mention of moderation, no mention of reliability, no mention of backups.

In Fediverse.party's case, they say they are excluding servers with "long blocklists". Why? Surely blocklists are a sign of active moderation?

Show threadhackbyte Antifa (friendica) 13HB1May 27, 2022
@feditips Long blocklists are more a sign of a walled garden... imho
Show threadFediTips has moved!May 27, 2022

@hackbyte

I don't think we can assume that just from the length of a blocklist?

We would have to look at the reasons for each block. They may be justified?

Part of the problem is that some Fedi platforms are so easy and cheap to set up, trolls can create many different servers. Even one troll might cause multiple entries on a single blocklist.

Show threadhackbyte Antifa (friendica) 13HB1May 27, 2022
@feditips So, the length of the block list doesn't qualify anything except as info that the particular admin has a very easy banfinger...

That's not necessarily what i personally like in the fediverse. ;)
Show threadhackbyte Antifa (friendica) 13HB1May 27, 2022
.oO( Especially when we're counting in that some newer or niche servers start to prop up some ... let's say, way overspecific rules .. and at times block whole instances because just of one singular user having a different opinion........ under those circumstances, out whole internet would never had even a chance to form .... ;))
Show threadMikkaMay 27, 2022
@[email protected] Oh, you don't remember the days when discussions about eMail only mentioned Outlook? Or when "going online" was called "Logging into the Internet Explorer Network?" 😉

@feditips
Show threadJupiter RowlandMay 27, 2022
@FediTips @hackbyte (friendica) I guess the problem goes both ways.

On the one hand, there's barely any help or guide for anything in the Fediverse that isn't Mastodon because hardly anyone uses anything that isn't Mastodon, so the knowledge isn't nearly as widespread. I mean, I guess many people on Mastodon still believe that Mastodon is the Fediverse.

On the other hand, hardly anyone uses anything that isn't Mastodon because there's hardly anyone or anything to guide them. Basically, you can gather a whole lot of knowledge about Mastodon from hearsay. As for everything else, you have to use it yourself because hearsay is barely enough for you to find out that a platform exists in the first place.

Besides, screening servers/instances is the easier, the more active they are. You can tell more about a Mastodon instance with thousands of users, also because Mastodon users seem to be more active in general, than about a Friendica node or a Hubzilla hub with a few dozen users.

Last but not least, as many services don't have that many instances, they don't tend to have themed instances which you join if you come from a certain place or if you're interested in a certain topic. Hubzilla in particular is unlikely to ever introduce this for four reasons: One, general lack of even general-purpose instances. Two, forums. Three, multiple channels per account for different purposes/topics, each of which appears like a separate account to outsiders. Four, nomadic identity (if you keep it all Zot and leave ActivityPub switched off) which makes you want to spread your channels over a variety of different nodes.
Show threadloosyMay 28, 2022
@feditips
Please, tldr on top, this is not Reddit .-.