Chris TrottierApr 17, 2023

Dear journalists, please stop referring to Mastodon as “Web3”.

While Mastodon is decentralized, it doesn’t utilize blockchain or token-based economics.

While you may believe this buzzword makes you sound smart to readers, it really just generates confusion.

https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2023/04/social-networks-face-the-wisdom-of-crowds/

@fediversenews

Social networks face the wisdom of crowds

Web3 promises a new world of social media where you are the boss. The problem? You are now the boss.

Show threadGreenDotGuyApr 17, 2023
@atomicpoet @fediversenews posted from my phone, which says '5G' in the signal bar, but is using what is essentially 4G for data and entirely 4G for operational network functions.
Show threadAhri Boy (archived)
@DarcMoughty @atomicpoet @[email protected] 5G has serious problems, and only few people use it. Just stick to 4G for now. Rural areas will stick to 4G as only urban areas have 5G masts.
Apr 17, 2023 at 9:36pmWeb
Show threadGreenDotGuyApr 17, 2023
@ahriboy @atomicpoet @fediversenews I live in the city. I typically get 4G speeds on a nominally '5G' connection, but the 'real' 5G works fine when I'm a stone's throw from one of the access points. I got 440Mbps to my phone a few weeks ago... which is cool, but sorta useless to me (very useful for the telco though, since now they can support more density).
Show threadi.grokApr 18, 2023

@ahriboy @atomicpoet @DarcMoughty @fediversenews I think it would be better to say it would be a waste of money to go out of your way to upgrade your hardware for 5G

Actually avoiding it when you have the hardware for it is just pain for no reason (it's fine when you have it, it's just useless)

Show threadAhri Boy (archived)Apr 18, 2023
@igrok @atomicpoet @DarcMoughty @[email protected] 5G plans are absolutely expensive. I watched the Mrwhosetheboss video again and I stayed with 4G.
Show threadGreenDotGuyApr 18, 2023

@ahriboy Interesting, I didn't even know some providers were charging more for it. My plan doesn't have a 5G tier, you just pay your bill and get whatever service & signal your device can use best.

It's sort of silly to charge customers for 5G; the marginal cost of people using it should be significantly lower than 4G. I'm guessing providers charging more for it are riding the hype wave to soak as much money up from people who think they need it, when it's actually the telco companies that need people to switch over.

Show threadi.grokApr 18, 2023

@ahriboy @atomicpoet @DarcMoughty @fediversenews wow, who is/where are they doing that?!

Maybe they're aware it's all hype and are tired of customers pushing for it, so they're trying to price it out of the market? Lol, if only...

Show threadGreenDotGuyApr 18, 2023

@igrok there *is* a lot of hype, but there's also a legitimate reason we need it. What's going on is that the telcos are pitching us 'faster amazing new stuff' and pitching policymakers on 'transformative information economy enablement' which are both bullshit.

The truth isn't that I need 400mbps to my phone, car, or IoT things; a few Mbps is enough for all those things to work just fine. It's the telcos that need to be able to support all the smartphones, cars with telemetry, IoT street lights, etc. without throttling everyone.

Show threadKevin DavidsonApr 18, 2023
@ahriboy @atomicpoet @DarcMoughty @fediversenews @igrok Where is this?
Here (UK) I get 5G pretty much everywhere, except out in the countryside where it will drop to 4G. When I’ve measured the speed it’s usually faster than my home fibre connection. And there’s no such thing as a 4G plan. Everyone gets 5G as standard (if your phone is capable).
I’m paying £15 a month for unlimited calls/texts, 30GB data 5G, better deals exist.
Show threadGreenDotGuyApr 18, 2023
@MetalSamurai I can't speak to where others live, but the USA has absolutely giant swaths of middle-low density (US portion of people living in flats is about half of UK), and most people aren't very close to the 'really fast 5G'.