Chris Martin

It's actually really awesome that Mastodon attracted a shitload of users who largely aren't aware that the underlying GNUSocial platform is old.

You know why?

Because it means we can do this over and over.

Every time someone releases a new implementation with different-looking chrome on top, it can go through its own marketing and media cycle and garner new users. *And the network effect will be cumulative.*

Apr 5, 2017 at 3:10amWeb
Show threadmoved to @[email protected]Apr 5, 2017
@chris_martin this is a really important point. I was trying to make to someone earlier today but you said it better.
Show threadBas ✅Apr 5, 2017
@HedgeMage I'm one of these people who weren't aware, and I think I still don't really get it... Does this mean that people using an older Gnusocial-based service can follow me here, now that I'm on Mastodon?
Show threadHedgeMageApr 5, 2017

@bdenh Yes, apart from the couple of services that have specifically chosen not to federate with Mastodon instances.

I'm told that some of the older OStatus-based services are having interoperability problems with Mastodon, and have turned off federation until this is resolved. However, I've followed several GNUSocial users, so that's unlikely to be one of the platforms having issues.

Show threadghost [inactive]Apr 5, 2017
@chris_martin @wakest i'm cool with this. i mean, i hope folks hear about it and know a bit about all these iterations (just like we would any other media), but i don't think hostility towards newcomers is doing anyone any favors.
Show threadmoved to @[email protected]Apr 5, 2017
@ghost @chris_martin whos having the hostility towards newcomers?
Show threadghost [inactive]Apr 5, 2017
@wakest @chris_martin i'm not naming names, & they're not important. there hasn't been any direct bullying, just plenty of subtoots.
Show threadpentagram axiom⚑Apr 5, 2017

@chris_martin

This federation has gathered users as identi.ca, StatusNet, GNU social, Free Social, and mastodon.

There's no end to how many different ways we can market the same product :)

But I think the broader view is this: GNU social isn't so much a social network as a framework for building compatible, federated social networks. It 'has to' win because ultimately people will just write all their new social networks with GNU social!

Show threadChris MartinApr 5, 2017
@light_rook If they're compatible, how is that not a network?
Show threadpentagram axiom⚑Apr 5, 2017
@chris_martin
I'm just saying that the protcol spec isn't the network. And sure, they're one big network, but it also makes sense to think of them of subnetworks of the larger network
Show threadRysiekúr (old account)Apr 5, 2017
@chris_martin ...as long as a considerable number of users who join each time stay. But yes.
Show thread[EUnomia Trust Factor: 21/100]Apr 5, 2017
@chris_martin GNUSocial and Mastodon are implementations of a protocol called OStatus, and so are ineroperable, but do not share any code.
Show threadOk I went back to slime.globalApr 5, 2017
@chris_martin Well, assuming people stay, but yeah
Show threadAleksa Sarai 暗号君Apr 5, 2017
@chris_martin When @mediagoblin to implements OStatus federation we might actually end up with something superior (in user-facing features) to other networks.
Show threadBryan RedeagleApr 7, 2017

@chris_martin I was just waiting for one that had documentation for deployment. One of these days I'll write mine...

Or at least, that's what I tell myself before I get back to my regular work.

Show threadJeffNov 21, 2018

@chris_martin The cycle doesn't have to be purely about UX or marketing. New implementations can be a proving ground for new features that can breath life into the network.

Surely, some of these new ideas will die and others will languish in obscurity, but others will likely prove themselves useful and see adoption across implementations.

Overall, I think it might allow for a cumulative effect not just on the network but an evolution of the network itself to satisfy its users.