Post by @fasnix

flo
@fasnix
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„If the Social Web isn't just for nerds, why are we saying stuff like this to newcomers:

Okay, so the fediverse is like, a bunch of interconnected servers, all talking to each other. They all use the same open protocol, so the whole network is interoperable, and anybody can self-host their own new server whenever they want. You can get on the fediverse through any server. We call these servers »instances«. If you wanna join fedi, you can just go to this website and pick an instance to sign up through. All the instances are referred to by names like mastodon.social, because we like to use domain names for some reason.

(...)

We must keep this in mind when trying to sell the Social Web to people. Normal people don't know what »federated« means — they didn't watch Star Trek, they just think you're a cop. Normal people really don't know what a protocol is, or what interoperability means. Stop talking like this. I also don't know why we're using the word »instance« to refer to servers. Server is literally easier to understand even for tech people. Even better than server would be »site«, which is the terminology that I tend to use.

Here's a better explanation of the Social Web that actually communicates the idea to a normal person:

The Social Web is like social media away from Big Tech. Instead of being a walled garden where you're trapped, the Social Web is like a bunch of different social media websites connected together. You can pick any site to sign up with, and then you can follow people who signed up on other sites too, so it kind of forms one big network, or online space. If you wanna sign up, you can make a Mastodon account (Mastodon is like, one of the categories/types of sites on the Social Web) at this website. You can use the default option, or pick a different »instance« (site) if you want, too. It doesn't really matter which site you decide to sign up with, since you can always change your mind and move to a different one later.“

Interesting text, via @WeirdWriter@caneandable.social

https://riverseeber.net/blog/post/a-reasonable-analysis-of-the-social-web/

#Fediverse #OpenSocialWeb #NonTechies

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Replying to @fasnix
TabbyWeb
@tabby @gts.iltabellinoweb.eu
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@fasnix @WeirdWriter ha senso aprire il social web alle masse? Le masse hanno bisogno dei monoliti centralizzati cui sono abituate. Se vuoi spingere le piccole istanze monoutente c'è bisogno di gente che sappia almeno come mettere su un server. Puoi semplificare queste cose fino a un certo punto. Non credo che gli altri siano stupidi e non possano imparare come abbiamo imparato noi. Il prezzo da pagare per la libertà è questo, possiamo creare sempre strumenti migliori, ma resteranno sempre di nicchia.

Replying to @fasnix
madamada
@madamada
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@fasnix I tend to use an easier layman term that most folks are used to.. I tell them it's like Twitter/X where you can follow people and they follow you back and that's it. Don't say more. Just let that sink in for them for a moment.. if they have questions about it they will ask..

Describing it in a detailed or technical sense just confuses them.. unless they ask to elaborate in detail..

Replying to @madamada
flo
@fasnix
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@madamada
On the one hand, I understand your approach.
On the other hand: most fediverse services aren't like twitter at all, as they offer far richer functionalities.
So, a comparison to only twitter could end in:
"I never used twitter anyway, so the fediverse isn't for my liking."
I think it's necessary to show a broader view of what different fediverse services are capable of.

Replying to @fasnix
madamada
@madamada
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@fasnix That's a fair point. I normally just show them my own fedi instance so they know how it looks like. This sort of thing is not for everyone.. except for those who are really curious about it.

In a way, it's like when someone I know ask me why I'm not on Whatsapp, I just tell them I'm on DeltaChat as my main chat and they can reach me there. If they ask what it is.. I tell them it's a messenging app. If they are curious then good, engagement continues.. else I stop right there.

It's not really my place to try to convince these people about the alternatives. If they are keen to know more they will ask else I just let them be :>

Replying to @fasnix
Alien_Sunset
@Alien_Sunset @dice.camp
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@fasnix @Peejmaybe @WeirdWriter
@stefan has been doing a lot of stuff to help promote the fediverse to normal non techies, I bet he would like this as well!