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(Restructured the Imagine subsection to put the evocative language first. I felt that the goal here was to get the reader imagining possible alternative environments as much as possible. I also added an "Optimization" subsection below "Morals". While I agree with all the points in the "Morals" section, I do think they are a little too sweeping generalization to be as persuasive as possible. "Optimization" is the beginnings of a possible alternative.)
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[[File:Fediverse logo.png|thumb|Fediverse logo]]
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|'''English'''
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|[[What is the Fediverse?/de|Deutsch]]
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|[[What is the Fediverse?/ja|日本語]]
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!Website
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!Users
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!Active users
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The Fediverse is a giant network of social media services. <br>
The Fediverse is a giant Network of social media platforms. <br>
There are platforms for microblogging, blogging, photoblogging, videohosting and much more and they are all interconnected or ''federated''.<br>
There are platforms for microblogging, blogging, photoblogging, videohosting and much more and they are all interconnected or ''federated''.<br>
So you only need one account to follow users on any of the platforms.
So you only need one account to follow users on any of the platforms.


== Imagine ==
== Imagine == <!--T:2-->


Imagine commenting on a Youtube video from your Twitter account. Or the comments on your latest selfie being a conversation between friends on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Blogger. As if Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & Co were all part of one giant network. That's basically what the Fediverse is, except there is no central "Facebook" place or "Twitter" site. Instead those things are made up of many small groups and websites who decided to communicate and exchange posts, videos, pictures, and comments with each other.
<!--T:3-->
Imagine Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & Co were all part of one giant network. That's basically what the Fediverse is, except the parts are less well known, {{Internal link|target=free software}} & federated replacements to those.


The Fediverse is, by and large, the collective attempt of [[What is free software? |free software]] coders to create and offer an alternative to those platforms in a way that is less manipulative and ad focused.
<!--T:4-->
In the Fediverse you can use your "Twitter" account to interact with "Facebook" users, share "Instagram" posts, comment under "Youtube" videos, listen to "Bandcamp" music, follow "Blogger" blogs, take part in "Reddit" discussions and more.


==How does it compare to traditional social media?==
== How does it compare to traditional social media? == <!--T:5-->


====Features====
==== Features ==== <!--T:6-->


<!--T:7-->
The Fediverse and its projects let you make your own social media part of a bigger network.
The Fediverse and its projects let you make your own social media part of a bigger network.


<!--T:8-->
It has many advantages over traditional social media like Twitter and Instagram. Due to its decentralized nature it's possible to create circles of more tiny social media with users to hang out with. Hosting your own instance lets you make your own rules. Most instance owners maintain an instance with their own money for the sake of having their own platform and not for making money from you by serving ads as an example.
It has many advantages over traditional social media like Twitter and Instagram. Due to its decentralized nature it's possible to create circles of more tiny social media with users to hang out with. Hosting your own instance lets you make your own rules. Most instance owners maintain an instance with their own money for the sake of having their own platform and not for making money from you by serving ads as an example.


<!--T:9-->
The Fediverse innovates on what has worked before and adds many new features. A commonly supported feature is custom emojis. Similarly to Discord, it lets administrators add their own (even animated) emoji. The Fediverse also lets you decide who gets to see your posts: with so called scopes, you can decide whether only the users you mention, your followers or the public gets to see them.
The Fediverse innovates on what has worked before and adds many new features. A commonly supported feature is custom emojis. Similarly to Discord, it lets administrators add their own (even animated) emoji. The Fediverse also lets you decide who gets to see your posts: with so called scopes, you can decide whether only the users you mention, your followers or the public gets to see them.


==== Morals====
==== Morals ==== <!--T:10-->


<!--T:11-->
Traditional social media is neither social nor media. It is not made for you, it is made to exploit you and it is full of misleading ads and fake news. <br>
Traditional social media is neither social nor media. It is not made for you, it is made to exploit you and it is full of misleading ads and fake news. <br>
This is because the aim of traditional social media is to make a whole lot of money. <br>
This is because the aim of traditional social media is to make a whole lot of money. <br>
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The aim of the Fediverse is to empower the users to control the Fediverse.
The aim of the Fediverse is to empower the users to control the Fediverse.


==== Optimization ====
==== Downsides ==== <!--T:23-->
Traditional social media platforms operate either by generating revenue from the sales of ads or the sale of personal data to third parties. This means that their primary concern is optimizing their platform to generate more ad sales or salable data. The structure of the platform and it's features then always lean towards increasing anything that also increases revenue. Does the presence of pink ponies somehow draw more views (which are tied to ad views)? Then expect to see more pink ponies. Do you engage with the platform more frequently and for longer periods of time when you are angry? Then the platform has an incentive to make sure you are angry as often as possible.


Fediverse platforms by contrast are typically run by individuals and communities. Federation means that communities can create their own space and also interact with the wider internet at the same time. This means platforms are more likely to prioritize users and their needs. It is a structure that leans towards optimizing for fruitful and healthy human interaction rather than corporate profits.
<!--T:24-->
Compared to traditional social media there are also some downsides:


==Terminology==
<!--T:25-->
* The Fediverse has a much smaller user base than other platforms, so if you're primarily looking for a wide audience then it might not be for you.
* Not all Fediverse projects are at the same stage of development and some important functions one projects has, the other might still be missing.
* Fediverse projects and instances are run by volunteers with not a lot of money behind them. Worst case: A project might no longer be maintained or an instance might close.
* There are some instances that allow hate-speech, fake news or worse. Make sure you don't end up on one of them.


* Your '''account''' or '''identity''' has a unique address called a '''handle''' and is hosted on one of the many servers, also called instances.
====Warning==== <!--T:26-->
* An '''instance''' is basically a small social network hosted on one server. Each instance can have its own set of rules as for what content is allowed. You can also host your own instance. Each instance runs one software.
*The '''software''' used on an instance is essential for the user experience and possibilities.
*Many software projects use the same '''protocol''' which enables instances to communicate with each other. Most software projects use Activity Pub. Some projects might not have full federation with other projects yet.
*The '''Fediverse''' (federated universe) is the sum of all '''accounts''', on all '''instances''' using any '''software''', communicating with any '''protocol'''. <br> The Fediverse includes more than just social media projects. Any software that federates using one of the protocols is part of the Fediverse.
*[https://climatejustice.social/@PaulaToThePeople @PaulaToThePeople@ClimateJustice.social] is an example for a handle. [https://climatejustice.social/ ClimateJustice.social] is the instance the account is on. The software it uses is Mastodon. Thanks to the ActivityPub protocol it can follow accounts on other instances that use e.g. Mastodon, GNU Social or Pixelfed software.


==How do I get an account?==
<!--T:27-->
''Main article: [[How do I get an account?]]''
The internet doesn't forget, but compared to central social media, {{Warning small|the Fediverse ''can't'' forget}}. On a central platform it is generally possible to delete a post or media file, but on decentral social media you can only delete stuff on one server. Some other servers will delete it as well, but it is possible that some servers don't delete it. You should be aware of this before posting anything that could be problematic.


If you just want to get to know the Fediverse experience you can start by creating a profile on [https://mastodon.social mastodon.social] or [https://mastodon.online mastodon.online]. <br>
== Terminology== <!--T:12-->
You can later[[Moving instances | move instances]] or create accounts on different instances and projects. <br>
For more info on finding the right instance and creating an account click the link above. <br>


==Further Reading==
<!--T:13-->
 
* Your '''account''' or '''identity''' has a unique address called a '''handle''' and is hosted on one of the many servers, also called instances.
[[What are Fediverse projects?]] <br>
* An '''instance''' is basically a small social network hosted on one server. Each instance can have its own set of rules as for what content is allowed. You can also host your own instance. Each instance runs one software.
[[What people usually tell you about the Fediverse]] <br>
* The '''software''' used on an instance is essential for the user experience and possibilities.
[[Getting started with your Fediverse account]] <br>
* Many software projects use the same '''protocol''' which enables instances to communicate with each other. Most software projects use Activity Pub. Some projects might not have full federation with other projects yet.
[[Mobile apps]] <br>
* The '''Fediverse''' (federated universe) is the sum of all '''accounts''', on all '''instances''' using any '''software''', communicating with any '''protocol'''. <br> The Fediverse includes more than just social media projects. Any software that federates using one of the protocols is part of the Fediverse.
[[Best practices]] <br>
* [https://climatejustice.social/@PaulaToThePeople @PaulaToThePeople@ClimateJustice.social] is an example for a handle. [https://climatejustice.social/ ClimateJustice.social] is the instance the account is on. The software it uses is Mastodon. Thanks to the ActivityPub protocol it can follow accounts on other instances that use e.g. Mastodon, GNU Social or Pixelfed software.
[[Fediverse]] - the advanced page on the Fediverse


==External Links==
<!--T:14-->
== Account creation ==
''Main article: {{Internal link|target=Account creation|link-name=Account creation}}''


''Main article: [[Fediverse weblinks]]''
<!--T:15-->
If you just want to get to know the Fediverse experience you can start by creating a profile on [https://mastodon.social mastodon.social] or [https://mastodon.online mastodon.online].<br>
You can later {{Internal link|target=Moving instances|link-name=move instances}} or create accounts on different instances and projects.<br>
For more info on finding the right instance and creating an account click the link above.<br>


[https://fediverse.town/ Fediverse Town] The forum for questions about the Fediverse
== Further Reading == <!--T:28-->
</translate>
{{Getting started links}}
<translate>
<!--T:29-->
== External Links ==
''Main article: {{Internal link|target=Fediverse weblinks|link-name=Fediverse weblinks}}''


<!--T:20-->
'''Fediverse Guides'''
'''Fediverse Guides'''


<!--T:21-->
[https://kambing.neocities.org/pages/fediverse/ The Fediverse: the distributed social network] <br>
[https://kambing.neocities.org/pages/fediverse/ The Fediverse: the distributed social network] <br>
[https://torresjrjr.com/archive/2020-07-19-guide-to-the-fediverse Guide to the Fediverse] <br>
[https://torresjrjr.com/archive/2020-07-19-guide-to-the-fediverse Guide to the Fediverse] <br>
DE: [https://digitalcourage.de/digitale-selbstverteidigung/fediverse Fediverse – So geht gutes Social Media] <br>
DE: [https://digitalcourage.de/digitale-selbstverteidigung/fediverse Fediverse – So geht gutes Social Media] <br>
DE: [https://schwarzerpfeil.de/2021/02/10/das-fediverse/ Das Fediverse] <br>
DE: [https://schwarzerpfeil.de/2021/02/10/das-fediverse/ Das Fediverse] <br>
DE: [https://mobilsicher.de/ratgeber/das-fediverse-die-bessere-social-media-welt Das Fediverse – die bessere Social-Media-Welt?]
DE: [https://fschaar.de/yet-another-fediverse-faq/ Yet another Fediverse FAQ]


[[Category:What is]]
</translate>
[[Category:Fediverse]]
{{Category |category=Fediverse}}
[[Category:Beginners guide]]
{{Navbar}}

Latest revision as of 15:20, 13 November 2024

Other languages:

Fediverse logo

Fediverse
Website no official website
Official instance none
Users 10.5M (as of Aug '23)
Active users 1.7M (Aug '23)

The Fediverse is a giant network of social media services.
There are platforms for microblogging, blogging, photoblogging, videohosting and much more and they are all interconnected or federated.
So you only need one account to follow users on any of the platforms.

Imagine

Imagine Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & Co were all part of one giant network. That's basically what the Fediverse is, except the parts are less well known, free software & federated replacements to those.

In the Fediverse you can use your "Twitter" account to interact with "Facebook" users, share "Instagram" posts, comment under "Youtube" videos, listen to "Bandcamp" music, follow "Blogger" blogs, take part in "Reddit" discussions and more.

How does it compare to traditional social media?

Features

The Fediverse and its projects let you make your own social media part of a bigger network.

It has many advantages over traditional social media like Twitter and Instagram. Due to its decentralized nature it's possible to create circles of more tiny social media with users to hang out with. Hosting your own instance lets you make your own rules. Most instance owners maintain an instance with their own money for the sake of having their own platform and not for making money from you by serving ads as an example.

The Fediverse innovates on what has worked before and adds many new features. A commonly supported feature is custom emojis. Similarly to Discord, it lets administrators add their own (even animated) emoji. The Fediverse also lets you decide who gets to see your posts: with so called scopes, you can decide whether only the users you mention, your followers or the public gets to see them.

Morals

Traditional social media is neither social nor media. It is not made for you, it is made to exploit you and it is full of misleading ads and fake news.
This is because the aim of traditional social media is to make a whole lot of money.
The aim of the Fediverse is to benefit the people.
The aim of traditional social media is to control and steer the users.
The aim of the Fediverse is to empower the users to control the Fediverse.

Downsides

Compared to traditional social media there are also some downsides:

  • The Fediverse has a much smaller user base than other platforms, so if you're primarily looking for a wide audience then it might not be for you.
  • Not all Fediverse projects are at the same stage of development and some important functions one projects has, the other might still be missing.
  • Fediverse projects and instances are run by volunteers with not a lot of money behind them. Worst case: A project might no longer be maintained or an instance might close.
  • There are some instances that allow hate-speech, fake news or worse. Make sure you don't end up on one of them.

Warning

The internet doesn't forget, but compared to central social media, ❗️the Fediverse can't forget❗️. On a central platform it is generally possible to delete a post or media file, but on decentral social media you can only delete stuff on one server. Some other servers will delete it as well, but it is possible that some servers don't delete it. You should be aware of this before posting anything that could be problematic.

Terminology

  • Your account or identity has a unique address called a handle and is hosted on one of the many servers, also called instances.
  • An instance is basically a small social network hosted on one server. Each instance can have its own set of rules as for what content is allowed. You can also host your own instance. Each instance runs one software.
  • The software used on an instance is essential for the user experience and possibilities.
  • Many software projects use the same protocol which enables instances to communicate with each other. Most software projects use Activity Pub. Some projects might not have full federation with other projects yet.
  • The Fediverse (federated universe) is the sum of all accounts, on all instances using any software, communicating with any protocol.
    The Fediverse includes more than just social media projects. Any software that federates using one of the protocols is part of the Fediverse.
  • @PaulaToThePeople@ClimateJustice.social is an example for a handle. ClimateJustice.social is the instance the account is on. The software it uses is Mastodon. Thanks to the ActivityPub protocol it can follow accounts on other instances that use e.g. Mastodon, GNU Social or Pixelfed software.

Account creation

Main article: Account creation

If you just want to get to know the Fediverse experience you can start by creating a profile on mastodon.social or mastodon.online.
You can later move instances or create accounts on different instances and projects.
For more info on finding the right instance and creating an account click the link above.

Further Reading

External Links

Main article: Fediverse weblinks

Fediverse Guides

The Fediverse: the distributed social network
Guide to the Fediverse
DE: Fediverse – So geht gutes Social Media
DE: Das Fediverse
DE: Das Fediverse – die bessere Social-Media-Welt? DE: Yet another Fediverse FAQ

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