Chief TWiT 

Having spent a little time on Bluesky (leolaporte.me) I'm here to report that I'm sticking with Mastodon.

Too many people want Bluesky to replicate Twitter - and the outrage machine is already spinning up.

The ATProtocol is interesting - but I'm not sure it's significantly better than ActivityPub.

The homegrown feel here just feels better to me. More small town than big city. But I'll keep an eye on Bluesky. I'm not writing it off yet.

Apr 29, 2023 at 1:34amWeb
Show threadkrakalak  Apr 29, 2023
@leo I appreciate your take on it. I put in a request for an invite months ago.... Still waiting. But, like you I want to try it out.
Show threadJohn L.Apr 29, 2023
@leo I think if the smooth out things like onboarding, and how the timelines work (that isn't difficult, just different) then acceptance will grow.
Show threadAdam LeinApr 29, 2023
@leo Sounds like it's not even really decentralized either as it requires connection to an identity server. https://notnow.dev/objects/e96d0d31-6d21-4ad6-a069-2504864cf6f0
Zhuowei Zhang: “If anyone wants to try it, https://github.com/bluesky-social/indigo is Bluesky's open source server. It needs to connect to a PLC (centralized identity service) though to register usernames.”

Zhuowei Zhang (@[email protected]): “If anyone wants to try it, https://github.com/bluesky-social/indigo is Bluesky's open source server. It needs to connect to a PLC (centralized identity service) though to register usernames.”

Show threadWoodswalkedApr 29, 2023
@leo
I am keeping an eye on Spoutable. Sticking with Mastodon, but it’s the only other one that holds any potential in my eyes.
Fediverse decentralization is a selling point to me. We’ll have to reevaluate how well each of these hold up when being deliberately targeted.
Show threadDan Milway Apr 29, 2023
@leo
I suspected as much—the same folks that bailed on Mastodon because it wasn't exactly like Twitter are all rushing to bluesky
Show threadChris GlassApr 29, 2023
@leo I haven't gotten in yet, but that seems to match my feelings. It's has some inherent design flaws (no blocking) but the real test is how it evolves as it grows.
Show threadJerry GullaApr 29, 2023
@leo Ummm… Also this
Show threadAndy HermesApr 29, 2023
@jerrygulla @leo
Let me ask anyone trying out bluesky - if you found it to be better, or very close to Mastedon, would you leave? If so, probably better to just leave now.
Show threadJerry GullaApr 29, 2023
@andyhermes @leo FWIW, I’ll check it out if I get an invite, but I won’t be leaving the Fediverse. I expect it will be like Post.news (which I also tried) - lots of initial hype, and now I never hear about it (or log in to it really)
Show threadsoaprootApr 29, 2023
@jerrygulla @leo @ocrbot eng
Show threadOCRbotApr 29, 2023

@soaproot
. Bluesky @​bsky‘app , 54m
Important: Similar to your likes, your block list is public data!

While users of the Bluesky app can't easily find this list now, the
data is public and enumerable at the protocol level. This means
that third—party apps or clients can surface and display your list.

Show threadYaniv Klein Apr 29, 2023
@leo 90% of Bluesky’s hype is due to invintes being so scarce.
Show threadDZS42 because 6 x 9Apr 29, 2023

@leo
So speaketh the #Chief so shall it be. 8-)

I have barely learned #mastodon. I will hold off on the others for a while.

Show threadAndrew MelderApr 29, 2023

@leo To me it serves a different audience, which is fine. I love it here, I don’t mind it there; I’ll continue to use both.

The only issue with that logic is tech and media pundits want to call out a winner; even when everyone doesn’t have to fish out of the same pond.

Show threadOlavApr 29, 2023
@leo I'm also curious to see how it'll be monetized. I mean if Jack is actually altruistic and doesn't want his $15M+ investment back it still will have to pay for itself.
Show threadScifijunkieApr 29, 2023
@leo I think it's always best to stick with what you like to support. Now don't get me wrong it's always cool to try out new things but if it's not something you like in any way then should not feel like you need to support such a thing no matter what it is.
Show threadScot HackerApr 29, 2023
@leo I'm having trouble even understanding why people are interested in BlueSky. If they're looking for a Twitter alternative that's not subject to corporate takeover, *we're right here* and rocking. What is the appeal at this point? Hasn't the fediverse already solved this?
Show threadDamon Outlaw Apr 29, 2023
@shacker @leo BlueSky has a 3 member board & a CEO who is part of the dev team. BIPOC had a terrible experience coming to Mastodon at the start of the great exodus. BlueSky has been welcoming and black women especially has contributed to tremendous growth. It’s being built out in public and I think that’s unique
Show threadScot HackerApr 29, 2023
@damonoutlaw Thank you. I’m trying to learn more about what problems BIPOC have had in migrating to mastodon, and how BlueSky is different in that regard, but not coming up with much in the way of specifics. Any insights there?
Show threadDamon Outlaw Apr 29, 2023
@shacker Regarding your first point there are others that have made organised Toots much better than I can briefly explain. It was primarily the integrating that we problematic, being silenced & fediplaned as opposed to being heard. BlueSky is currently a single instance with an accessible dev team. That’s one difference. Bsky has built in contend moderation for users to make their own selections. There’s also the current invite system (which won’t be going away for bsky’s instance)
Show threadDamon Outlaw Apr 29, 2023
@shacker down the line there will be custom algorithms that users can choose from and even build. If that’s not enough account portability will be very smooth so that users can simply migrate to another instance that suits there needs without much if any hassle.
Show threadScot HackerApr 30, 2023
@damonoutlaw It might actually be the lack of algorithms here that leads to some people feeling "not seen." It takes more work to build an audience in the Fediverse, that's for sure. I actually like this idea that in BlueSky there can be custom algorithms so you can control how things are boosted - that makes a lot of sense to me. And if Bluesky has solved the migration problem, that's huge - the lack of it here is a true sore spot.
Show threadKristoffer LawsonApr 29, 2023
@shacker @leo #BlueSky does claim to have proper identity migration, which is interesting. I also wonder if they have solved the very real problems in #Mastodon due to the federation model: visible in post reply view (many/most replies are not seen) and profile view (most posts not shown).
Show threadScot HackerApr 29, 2023
@Setok @leo Good points - there are advantages then. Thanks for outlining those.
Show threadDanApr 29, 2023
@leo Couldn’t agree more. I’m on BlueSky as @danvanmoll.com (used my domain as handle by adding a TXT to my domain settings which is a pretty cool feature). While BlueSky’s UI looks neat and clean and has a pretty slick iOS app it’s the culture on this platform that disturbed me within the very first minutes the same bragging, memes and „cool dood speak“ you’ll find on Twitter. Thanks but no thanks.
Show threadmyrmepropagandistApr 29, 2023

@leo

"Too many people want Bluesky to replicate Twitter - and the outrage machine is already spinning up. "

Kinda makes me want to go there TBH. Well maybe they will federate.

Show threadJeff JarvisApr 29, 2023
@futurebird @leo
I'm also preferring Mastodon/ActivityPub but watching Bluesky with great interest (unlike Post.news). Competition can be productive. Big questions remain: How will Bluesky federate? There's no blocking there yet and troubles are beginning.
Show threadsxpertApr 29, 2023
@jeffjarvis @futurebird @leo it's not actually decentralized either
Show threadDamon Outlaw Apr 29, 2023
@jeffjarvis @futurebird @leo they have rushed to allow blocking on the web. The natives are currently pending review. So next week those on mobile apps will have the ability to block
Show threadc3141mtdApr 29, 2023
@damonoutlaw @jeffjarvis @futurebird @leo One would think that they would have added such basic features before releasing the app.
Show threadJeff JarvisApr 29, 2023
@c3141mtd @damonoutlaw @futurebird @leo
As @arcalinea explained on Bluesky, they are creating the prototol at the same time they are creating the app and blocking was not deprioritized; to the contrary, there are many complex decisions to make in a federated architecture. How they will execute differently from ActivityPub/Mastodon, I do not know.
Show threadMike (no not that one)Apr 29, 2023
@futurebird @leo I think by that he means the single instance experience and the algorithm driven content. The first part would not mesh if/when they actually allow other nodes. The second part is open for debate on whether it makes for a positive or negative user experience.
I could be misunderstanding though, in which case I'll go back and sit in my corner...
Show threadDamon Outlaw Apr 29, 2023
@mikey @futurebird @leo it’s a private beta still being built out. They are working to have federation up within the next month. As far as algorithms there will be a market of algorithms and instances/users will have algorithmic choice
Show threadMike (no not that one)Apr 29, 2023
@damonoutlaw @futurebird @leo I know they are ostensibly planning federation, but some of the design choices like a central identity server speak to that not being central to their thought process. And again when they get there it may detract from some of what people find appealing now, i.e. there's a bluesky.
Show threadDamon Outlaw Apr 29, 2023
@mikey @futurebird @leo it will absolutely detract, which is why the CEO posts daily and sets the expectations to users and shares a great deal of documentation. I spend a good amount of time sharing with current & potential users how it’s going to be different and no a Twitter clone. People are going to be disappointed. I do encourage you to check out https://blueskyweb.xyz/blog
Blog - Bluesky

Show threadMike (no not that one)Apr 29, 2023
@damonoutlaw @futurebird @leo Oh on the algorithms, I make no judgement either way. I am good without them, but I can see the appeal for some.
Show threadDamon Outlaw Apr 29, 2023
@mikey @futurebird @leo which makes sense and I get that. But especially for marginalised groups the custom algorithms will be very helpful
Show threadMike (no not that one)Apr 29, 2023
@damonoutlaw @futurebird @leo I can totally get the use case. I just wish there was an alternative that didn't put a burden on the BIPOC community, but also didn't risk putting too much power into the hands of the algorithm operators. I have no solution to that, just a wish.
Show threadDamon Outlaw Apr 29, 2023
@mikey I get that. There will be no perfect solution. To me I believe opt-in experiences with community transparency is the most optimal way to go about it. Also, building a collective of instances that are on board with these opt-in experiences.
Show threadc3141mtdApr 29, 2023
@damonoutlaw @mikey @futurebird @leo People complain that Mastodon is too complicated but then want to go to a site where users have to select their own algorithm? Make it make sense.
Show threadMike (no not that one)Apr 29, 2023
@c3141mtd @damonoutlaw @futurebird @leo I think he means have the instance hace option for algorithm feeds . The choice of what gets pushed would be one for the community server, not the individual
Show threadDamon Outlaw Apr 29, 2023
@c3141mtd @mikey @futurebird @leo this should help. https://blueskyweb.xyz/blog/4-13-2023-moderation
Composable Moderation

Show threadMakyrisApr 29, 2023
@leo I'm glad to hear that!
Show threadFraize Apr 29, 2023
@leo This feels like VHS vs Betamax. One was clearly superior, but if the majority of people use the inferior platform it doesn't matter how good the tech is.
Show threadMatthias BohlenApr 29, 2023

@leo I tried Bluesky too, this week. The nice thing is: More and more of my Twitter friends show up there. And the vibe is good, everyone is having a real good time.

Looks like a telephone network. A phone itself is neither good nor bad. The people who use it make the difference.

Show threadAT-AT Assault 🏳️‍⚧️Apr 29, 2023

@leo

They really named their protocol ATP? Their ego seems to be quite large.

Show threadAndré PolykanineApr 29, 2023
@leo does it have an API to build third-party clients?
Show threadOso LopezApr 30, 2023
@leo good to know. Thanks Leo! What do you think about Spoutible?
Show threadEvan EngelApr 30, 2023
@leo I've been trying Bluesky, and so far the biggest observable difference is that it's very very horny
Show threadwizdudeJun 17, 2023
@leo the great thing about activitypub is that users can be part of mastodon without being on mastodon. I had a friend of mine move to another service but we can still communicate.