GreenFediverse: Difference between revisions

Intro for "How it works", Explanation how to register instances
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(Intro for "How it works", Explanation how to register instances)
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==How it works==
==How it works==
Our concern is therefore to find out whether data centers operate in an ecologically sustainable manner. We must be aware that there are different scopes when measuring data center emissions. We differ here between Scope 1-3 emissions. Even in some data center reports, information on Scope 1-3 emissions can already be found today. However, this tracking of produced emissions from corporate processes is only at the beginning of its implementation and is often not standardized in its systematics.
With our project, we can at first only determine Scope 1 emissions, where we investigate the question of whether a data center uses and purchases renewable energy for its services. At this level, it is easier to determine a company's emissions because data centers often provide information on how they use their electricity. The other levels are subject to a more complex system. Here, the methodology is often not a uniform one, but companies voluntarily lean toward defined categories. At the level of Scope 2-3 emissions, cooling, water consumption or the manufacture of servers are determined, i.e. all emissions along the entire supply chain. In addition, we should be aware that the scope 3 emissions level, which is yet to be determined, often accounts for more than 80-90% of the actual emissions, i.e. the largest part. Scope 3 emissions are therefore often emissions from other companies, i.e. suppliers. In the overall picture, this therefore means that complete transparency is necessary and must be established in order to actually make all emissions visible at all levels. From this, a real statement would then be derived as to whether a data center is really operated in an ecologically sustainable manner. This full coverage lies in the future.
What we have:


====1. Collision of open databases: There are two open databases we work with====
====1. Collision of open databases: There are two open databases we work with====


<u>Database 1:</u> [https://www.thegreenwebfoundation.org/ The GreenWebFoundation]'s open database, the "Green Web API" [https://github.com/thegreenwebfoundation (github]) works in such a way that it outputs the "green" status of a website. This is done by the GreenWebFoundation first using various machine-verifiable methods to determine the domain names, IP addresses or the [[wikipedia:Autonomous_system_(Internet)|autonomous system number]]. In addition, the GreenWebFoundation has built an independent certificate database, where operators of websites or web hosts, which can not be automated-machine recorded, can register - take a look at the [https://www.thegreenwebfoundation.org/what-you-need-to-register/ registration-process].  There, a "proof" in the form of a certificate can then be provided, i.e. a [https://api.thegreenwebfoundation.org/greencheckimage/joinfediverse.wiki?nocache=true badge] can be acquired. These registered servers and services can then be labeled, i.e. provided with the information that they operate with renewable energy or not. Website addresses can be queried in the front end via a "[https://www.thegreenwebfoundation.org/green-web-check/ Green Web Check]" search mask or via the API. Whether a "green" entry exists here, the API then outputs a status result with "green" or "gray". More information about the functionality of this API can be found [https://www.thegreenwebfoundation.org/news/introducing-the-green-web-foundation-partner-api/ here]. "The Green Web Foundation is a recognized not-for-profit organization registered in the Netherlands, that is run by a small group of dedicated volunteers located in Germany and The Netherlands." "Our strategy is simple: we use the existing protocols of the internet to understand where infrastructure is run, when we speak to the people running it to see how they power it. We then make these answers easy to look up, providing free online tools, APIs and open datasets, and helping people incorporate this information into their own services and analysis."[https://www.thegreenwebfoundation.org/our-story/ <nowiki>[citation]</nowiki>]
<u>Database 1:</u> [https://www.thegreenwebfoundation.org/ The GreenWebFoundation]'s open database, the "Green Web API" [https://github.com/thegreenwebfoundation (github]) works in such a way that it outputs the "green" status of a website. This is done by The GreenWebFoundation first using various machine-verifiable methods to determine the domain names, IP addresses or the [[wikipedia:Autonomous_system_(Internet)|autonomous system number]]. In addition, the GreenWebFoundation has built an independent certificate database, where operators of websites or web hosts, which can not be automated-machine recorded, can register - take a look at the [https://www.thegreenwebfoundation.org/what-you-need-to-register/ registration-process].  There, a "proof" in the form of a certificate can then be provided, i.e. a [https://api.thegreenwebfoundation.org/greencheckimage/joinfediverse.wiki?nocache=true badge] can be acquired. These registered servers and services can then be labeled, i.e. provided with the information that they operate with renewable energy or not. Website addresses can be queried in the front end via a "[https://www.thegreenwebfoundation.org/green-web-check/ Green Web Check]" search mask or via the API. Whether a "green" entry exists here, the API then outputs a status result with "green" or "gray". More information about the functionality of this API can be found [https://www.thegreenwebfoundation.org/news/introducing-the-green-web-foundation-partner-api/ here]. "The Green Web Foundation is a recognized not-for-profit organization registered in the Netherlands, that is run by a small group of dedicated volunteers located in Germany and The Netherlands." "Our strategy is simple: we use the existing protocols of the internet to understand where infrastructure is run, when we speak to the people running it to see how they power it. We then make these answers easy to look up, providing free online tools, APIs and open datasets, and helping people incorporate this information into their own services and analysis."[https://www.thegreenwebfoundation.org/our-story/ <nowiki>[citation]</nowiki>]


<u>Database 2:</u> Another database we use is that of [https://the-federation.info/ the-federation],  (they are also on [https://socialhome.network/u/thefederation Socialhome] and [https://github.com/thefederationinfo/the-federation.info github]). Using the API, which is also open, we get a list of all connected and [https://the-federation.info/info here registered] instances of the Fediverse. A single instance offer us more information with the "/nodeinfo/2.0", (e.g. https://chaos.social/nodeinfo/2.0). Here we get, for example, what kind of "software" (Mastodon, PeerTube, etc.) is used on an instance.
<u>Database 2:</u> Another database we use is that of [https://the-federation.info/ the-federation],  (they are also on [https://socialhome.network/u/thefederation Socialhome] and [https://github.com/thefederationinfo/the-federation.info github]). Using the API, which is also open, we get a list of all connected and [https://the-federation.info/info here registered] instances of the Fediverse. A single instance offer us more information with the "/nodeinfo/2.0", (e.g. https://chaos.social/nodeinfo/2.0). Here we get, for example, what kind of "software" (Mastodon, PeerTube, etc.) is used on an instance.
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While building up our own database we would like to get more knowledge by critical research and make it available to everyone. This relates very specifically to knowledge about the energy use of server operators. Through our script we already receive a first status of all registered Fediverse instances from the GreenWebFoundation. However, since we had to realize that not all companies and server operators are transparent with a statement about the use of renewable energy and partly even do greenwashing, we would like to complement this status with a qualitative and transparent research. This information collected by the community is for each server operator, technically all domain names, AS numbers or IP addresses are collected and added to the list.  
While building up our own database we would like to get more knowledge by critical research and make it available to everyone. This relates very specifically to knowledge about the energy use of server operators. Through our script we already receive a first status of all registered Fediverse instances from the GreenWebFoundation. However, since we had to realize that not all companies and server operators are transparent with a statement about the use of renewable energy and partly even do greenwashing, we would like to complement this status with a qualitative and transparent research. This information collected by the community is for each server operator, technically all domain names, AS numbers or IP addresses are collected and added to the list.  


For this purpose [https://digitalcourage.social/@aligyie nieebel] already collected a lot of information and put it together in a selfmade [https://lite.framacalc.org/green-webhost-ranking ranking]. After research and investigation, we will have a lot of information that we systematically add to the database. We collect these infos about single hosting services and data centers and their use of renewable energy in separate .md - files. In these text files the collective research is structured and written in text, we will offer links to information pages and certificate-files.
For this purpose [https://digitalcourage.social/@aligyie nieebel] already collected a lot of information and put it together in a selfmade [https://lite.framacalc.org/green-webhost-ranking ranking]. After research and investigation, we will have a lot of information that we systematically add to the database. We collect these infos about single hosting services and data centers and their use of renewable energy in separate .md or .html - files. In these text files the collective research is structured and written in text, where we will offer links to information pages and certificate-files.


So we have several options to work with:
So we have several options to work with:
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</syntaxhighlight>But don't forget to add and document your research to the "additional-info" section, otherwise someone will set your green status back to gray, because there is no transparent research and proof. If a instance (server/data center) is marked as gray, this means that there were no result from TheGreenWebFoundation API, technically it is a "0". When a instance is green, technically a "+1" was coming from the GWF. Btw, there is no -1 for a not green status, just "+1" and "0". At the moment, only single instances (not the entire webhoster) can be set to green. If you can't find your instance, you should visit https://the-federation.info/info and register your instance, because we fetch all instances via their API database. If you are registered there, but the TheGreenWebFoundation won't give you a result for your instance, then the accept-list is the way.
</syntaxhighlight>But don't forget to add and document your research to the "additional-info" section, otherwise someone will set your green status back to gray, because there is no transparent research and proof. If a instance (server/data center) is marked as gray, this means that there were no result from TheGreenWebFoundation API, technically it is a "0". When a instance is green, technically a "+1" was coming from the GWF. Btw, there is no -1 for a not green status, just "+1" and "0". At the moment, only single instances (not the entire webhoster) can be set to green. If you can't find your instance, you should visit https://the-federation.info/info and register your instance, because we fetch all instances via their API database. If you are registered there, but the TheGreenWebFoundation won't give you a result for your instance, then the accept-list is the way.


== Interested to help with research? Learn how to get started! ==
== Register Fediverse Instances: ==
Then take a look at our issue: "[https://codeberg.org/GreenFediverse/green-instances/issues/14 List of potential "green" webhoster where an investigation is still open]" in our repository to learn how to get started.  
In order for your Fediverse instance to be displayed in our [https://greenfediverse.codeberg.page/Green-instances/ GreenInstancesList], it must first be registered at [https://the-federation.info/info The-Federation.info].<blockquote>"How do I get my node listed? For registering your node with this site, go to<code><nowiki>https://the-federation.info/register/</nowiki><yournode.tld></code>. After some seconds, you will be redirected to the created node page. If this doesn't happen, something went wrong when checking the node for data. Please contact us using the GitHub issue tracker."</blockquote>First you should check to see if your instance is showing up in our [https://greenfediverse.codeberg.page/Green-instances/ GreenInstancesList]. To do this, you can open the search in your browser with Control+F and then search for your instance.
 
You should know that we use and connect two databases. In the next step we will then check all these registered instances with the [https://www.thegreenwebfoundation.org/green-web-check/ Green Web Checker API] of The GreenWebFoundation. Here you can also check your instance individually via the Green Web Checker input mask.
 
If you run your own server at home, with your own hardware and with a renewable energy certificate, you can register your website (your instance address) at The GreenWebFoundation self-registration [https://admin.thegreenwebfoundation.org/registration/ member portal]. Many instances are already covered here by the large data centers, so it may be that if your instance lies on a large data center, this is already displayed.
 
There are also instances that are completely run locally at home with solar modules. 💚
 
In this case, you should also register your instance with [https://the-federation.info/info The-Federation.info] first. If your instance then appears in our [https://greenfediverse.codeberg.page/Green-instances/ GreenInstancesList], you can try to submit a proof through the GreenWebFoundation. We do not have any experience with this.
 
But you can then register your instance with us. First create an account at [https://codeberg.org/ Codeberg.org] for the access to our repository (it is a non-profit association from berlin, you can follow them [https://mastodon.technology/@codeberg here]).
 
Then you have to make a few entries:
 
1. in the acceptlist in the [https://codeberg.org/GreenFediverse/green-instances/src/branch/master/acceptlist/instances.json instances.json]. This will mark your instance as "green".
 
2. if you want to add further information, i.e. "addititional infos" for a certificate or explanation, then you should make an entry in the [https://codeberg.org/GreenFediverse/green-instances/src/branch/master/table.js table.js], under "const ADDITIONAL_INFO_LIST = {"
 
3. you also have to create your own additional-info file in this [https://codeberg.org/GreenFediverse/green-instances/src/branch/master/additional-info folder]. Please make sure that the filenames match everywhere.
 
4. you can add yourself as a webhoster in our [https://codeberg.org/GreenFediverse/green-instances/issues/14 overview].
 
We have already described this in more detail, as you can see above.
 
Some instances also disguise their location, so that it is technically no longer possible to determine the exact data center. This is also displayed in our list as "unknown".
 
== Interested to help with research? ==
Then create an account on [https://codeberg.org/ Codeberg.org] for working with us in our repository or get in touch with us on [https://chaos.social/@greenfediverse Mastodon].  


Maybe our collected information can thus lead to a more conscious decision when choosing a server - in the hope that in the future no one will use servers that are powered by harmful energy.
Maybe our collected information can thus lead to a more conscious decision when choosing a server - in the hope that in the future no one will use servers that are powered by harmful energy.
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GreenFediverse is and will be a non-commercial and open project!
GreenFediverse is and will be a non-commercial and open project!


Let's fight greenwashing 💚✊
You can support and donate to the projects we work with:
 
[https://codeberg.org/ Codeberg.org] (infrastructure)
 
[https://www.thegreenwebfoundation.org The GreenWebFoundation] (database)
 
[https://the-federation.info The-Federation.info] (database)
 
Let's green the Fediverse! 💚✊