Has anyone ever considered the potential creation of a Labeler similar to Andrew Lisowski's Bluesky Politician Labeler, but for the Mastodon platform?

This tool, which has been developed for Bluesky, provides valuable transparency by listing top contributors to US politicians.

The Bluesky Politician Labeler

(https://github.com/hipstersmoothie/us-gov-contributions-labeler)

is an innovative Open-Source feature that enhances political discourse on social media.

It automatically labels posts from US politicians with information about their top financial contributors, offering users immediate context about the potential influences on these public figures.

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Key benefits of implementing a similar feature on Mastodon could include:

1. Increased transparency: Users would have easy access to information about political funding sources.
2. Enhanced political discourse: This feature could lead to more informed discussions about politics and campaign finance.
3. User empowerment: Mastodon users would be better equipped to critically evaluate political content.
4. Platform differentiation: This unique feature could set Mastodon apart from other social media platforms.

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It could be designed to respect Mastodon's federated nature, possibly allowing instance administrators to opt-in or customize the feature for their communities.

Given Mastodon's focus on user privacy and data control, any implementation would need to be carefully considered to ensure it aligns with these core values.

The feature could potentially be developed as an optional plugin that users or instance administrators could choose to enable.

I personally believe that something like this could SIGNIFICANTLY enhance the political discourse on Mastodon while providing valuable transparency to users.

It would be an innovative addition that aligns with Mastodon's ethos of empowering users and fostering meaningful conversations.

I would consider doing something like this, but, unfortunately, I personally lack the time, energy, and technical knowledge.

___________________________________

https://bsky.app/profile/hipstersmoothie.com/post/3lbl2lgnq7c2f

https://bsky.app/profile/us-gov-funding.bsky.social/lists/3lbgx3lqlwk2d

https://bsky.app/profile/hipstersmoothie.com

What Are Audius Music and Gala Music?

Audius Music [https://audius.co/] [https://audius.org/]

is a decentralized music streaming platform built on blockchain technology.

It serves as a music-sharing and discovery platform where artists can upload their music directly, bypassing traditional record labels or streaming services.

With a focus on giving artists more control over their content and revenues, Audius employs blockchain to provide transparency and allows fans to directly support artists via tokens or other forms of cryptocurrency.

It's a hub for independent musicians who want to distribute and monetize their work without middlemen.

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Gala Music [https://music.gala.com/]

operates similarly but is part of the Gala Games ecosystem, which utilizes blockchain technology for play-to-earn gaming and entertainment experiences.

Gala Music's goal is to empower artists by decentralizing music ownership and letting fans own Music Nodes.

These nodes help distribute content and reward both the fans and the artists.

Gala Music also integrates its NFTs into the ecosystem, giving fans a unique way to support creators and artists to tokenize their music.

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Why Bring This to the Fediverse?

The Fediverse thrives on decentralization and user empowerment—both principles align perfectly with the core concepts behind Audius and Gala Music.

A Fediverse-powered music platform could provide a truly decentralized space for artists and fans to collaborate, share, and monetize music without relying on corporate gatekeepers or proprietary ecosystems.

___

Imagine a service where:

• Artists can self-host their music or distribute it via interconnected, federated services.
• Music discovery is driven by community interaction rather than opaque algorithms.
• Fans can support their favorite artists directly via tips, donations, or open-source cryptocurrencies.
• The entire platform upholds the values of transparency, user ownership, and privacy.

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If a Fediverse equivalent to Audius Music or Gala Music doesn’t already exist, could this be a signal for innovation within the community?

Platforms like Funkwhale already offer some audio-sharing capabilities but focus more on community-driven music libraries rather than artist monetization or blockchain integration.

Could we build upon existing tools like Funkwhale or create something entirely new?

I would consider doing something like this, but, unfortunately, I lack both the knowledge, energy, and time.

What do you think?

Would you be interested in contributing to, or supporting, such an initiative?

I've been wondering if there's a decentralized, Fediverse-compatible alternative to Pinterest out there.

The idea of a federated platform for sharing and curating visual content, DIY ideas, and inspiration boards seems like it could be a great addition to the Fediverse ecosystem.

___

Some questions I have:

Does anyone know of an existing project that's similar to Pinterest but Fediverse-compatible?

If not, has anyone considered developing such a platform?

What challenges might be involved?

Perhaps it could be potentially created under the Pixelfed Banner, similar to Loops?

Would there be interest in the community for a Pinterest-like service on the Fediverse?

___

I personally believe that this could be an exciting project, but personally, I lack the technical knowledge, energy, and time to take it on myself.

However, I'd love to hear your thoughts and see if there's any traction for this idea.

If such a service doesn't exist yet, maybe this post could spark a discussion or inspire someone with the right skills to consider developing it.

What do you all think?

Is this something you'd be interested in using or contributing to?

I’ve been wondering—does a Fediverse-based equivalent to Discord exist?

I know there are alternatives like Matrix, Revolt, etc., but what I’m looking for is something more akin to Discord that’s Decentralized, Open-Sourced, and makes use of ActivityPub.

If it doesn’t exist, has anyone ever thought about attempting something like this?

What I envision is something that would potentially serve as a decentralized clone of Discord, with features like voice and video chat, text channels, stickers and emojis, customizable communities, etc.

Perhaps make each of the communities an instance, self-hosted by the instance owner(s).

Names for such a project could reflect its functionality or ethos, perhaps something like: ActivityChat SocialHub MeshTalk

Or maybe a name that’s the complete opposite of “Discord,” such as: Harmony Concord Rapport

Unfortunately, I don’t have the time, energy, or technical knowledge to start such a project myself, but I thought that this might be an interesting idea for the community to discuss or brainstorm.

Would this kind of platform fill a gap in the current Fediverse landscape?

What challenges do you think it would face?

Would it gain traction in the Fediverse?

With the ongoing TikTok concerns, I'm curious about the development status of Loops by Pixelfed.

I've checked their GitHub repository multiple times, but it seems pretty sparse.

______________________________

Does anyone know of:

• A dedicated progress tracking page

• A development blog

• Active discussion channels (Discord, Matrix, etc.)

• Roadmap resources

• Developers to Follow

etc.?

_______________________________

I'm interested in following the project's evolution but haven't found a reliable way to stay updated.

Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I've been using Lemmy for a while now, and I've noticed something that I was hoping to potentially discuss with the community.

As a leftist myself (communist), I generally enjoy the content and discussions on Lemmy.

However, I've been wondering if we might be facing an issue with ideological diversity.

From my observations:

1. Most Lemmy Instances, news articles, posts, comments, etc. seem to come from a distinctly leftist perspective.
2. There appears to be a lack of "centrist", non-political, or right-wing voices (and I don't mean extreme MAGA-type views, but rather more moderate conservative positions).
3. Discussions often feel like they're happening within an ideological bubble.

My questions to the community are:

• Have others noticed this trend?
• Do you think Lemmy is at risk of becoming an echo chamber for leftist views, a sort of Truth Social, Parler, Gab, etc., esque platform, but for Leftists?
• Is this a problem we should be concerned about, or is it a natural result of Lemmy's community-driven nature?
• How might we encourage more diverse political perspectives while still maintaining a respectful and inclusive environment?
• What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of having a more politically diverse user base on Lemmy?

As much as I align with many of the views expressed here, I wonder if we're missing out on valuable dialogue and perspective by not having a more diverse range of political opinions represented.

I'm genuinely curious to hear your thoughts on this.

Hey everyone,

I’ve been wondering about this for a while now— does the Fediverse have a potential equivalent to platforms like Podchaser?

For those unfamiliar, Podchaser serves as a database and discovery platform for podcasts, with features like ratings, reviews, creator building, integrations with various apps and platforms, and more.

I personally believe that something like this could fit really well within the decentralized, open-source nature of the Fediverse, especially given how creative and diverse the communities, and Fediverse Platforms, are.

If something like this already exists, I'd love to hear about it.

And if not, has anyone ever considered potentially making one?

Perhaps have it be a fork of Bookwyrm, called something like:

Podwyrm

or something similar?

Similar to the Platform concept of Moviewyrm, as mentioned in my other post.

(https://lemmy.world/post/24118854)

Unfortunately, I lack the knowledge, time, and energy to spearhead such a project, but I am happy to brainstorm ideas or support in small ways if someone out there is inspired to take this on.

Curious to hear everyone’s thoughts.

I was curious, does anyone know if there is a Fediverse alternative to sites like:

[IMDb] (https://www.imdb.com/)

[TMDB] (https://www.themoviedb.org/)

[TheTVDB] (https://thetvdb.com/)

[IHorrorDB] (https://www.ihorrordb.com/)

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Something that allows users to discover, review, and discuss movies and TV shows in a decentralized way.

I know about Moviewyrm, which is a concept of a potential fork of Bookwyrm.

While it’s a great start, it is just the concept of a potential platform.

If there isn't one, then has anyone ever considered building a more robust movie/TV platform for the Fediverse?

Or better yet, is something already in the works that I might have missed?

I’d love to see a project like this come to life, but unfortunately, I lack the knowledge, time, and energy to start it myself.

However, I’d be really interested in discussions or ideas for how such a platform could be built.

I’m curious if there’s a decentralized platform in the Fediverse specifically designed for hosting media, similar to platforms like:

Imgur

Flickr

ImageShack

ImgPile

mgbox

etc.

While I’m aware of fantastic Fediverse platforms like PeerTube and PixelFed, they are more focused on video sharing or image-heavy social networking.

What I’m looking for is a straightforward platform built specifically to host media (images, GIFs, short videos, etc.) for embedding on other platforms within the Fediverse, such as Lemmy, Friendica, Misskey, or others.

Essentially, a decentralized (preferably Federated) service where the main purpose is lightweight hosting for use on external apps, so individual platforms don’t have to shoulder all the storage and bandwidth demands for image or media content.

Does something like this already exist in the Fediverse ecosystem, or is it a gap that still needs to be addressed?

If not, then I personally believe that it could be a fantastic idea for fostering better interoperability and resource sharing across the Fediverse.

Perhaps name it something like:

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PixelPort

A playful blend indicating a "port" or gateway for pixels and media.

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FediVault

Combines "Fediverse" and "Vault," suggesting a secure space for media storage.

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Mediabox

Simple and straightforward, suggesting a box where media can be stored and shared.

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FediMedia

A straightforward approach that ties the platform directly to the Fediverse.

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FediHost

FediHoster

FediHostr

A clear and concise name that combines "Fediverse" and "host," indicating a dedicated space for decentralized federated media hosting.

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I’d love to try and create something like this myself, but I’ll admit I lack the knowledge, time, and energy to bring such a project to life.

I’m hoping this post will inspire some discussion or attention from others who might be interested in exploring this idea further.

Would love your thoughts, suggestions, or knowledge about any projects I may have overlooked.

I would llike to request the implementation of swipe gestures in boost for Lemmy to allow users to quickly and intuitively interact with posts and comments.

This feature would significantly improve the user experience by providing a more efficient and modern way to engage with content.

Specifically, I propose adding the following swipe gestures:

1. Swipe to upvote/downvote posts and comments
2. Swipe to share posts and comments
3. Swipe to save posts and comments

Benefits

• Improved user experience and engagement
• Faster and more intuitive interactions with content
• Alignment with modern mobile app design patterns
• Competitive feature parity with other popular Lemmy apps

Implementation Suggestions

• Add horizontal swipe gestures for posts in the feed
• Implement horizontal swipe gestures for comments
• Include customizable gesture settings to allow users to personalize their experience
• Ensure smooth animations for visual feedback during swipe actions

Examples from Other Apps

• Sync for Lemmy: Allows swiping on posts to vote, share, and save
• Voyager for Lemmy: Implements swipe gestures for various post and comment actions

Potential Challenges

• Ensuring gesture recognition doesn't interfere with scrolling
• Maintaining accessibility for users who may have difficulty with swipe gestures

Conclusion

Adding swipe gesture functionality to boost would greatly enhance the app's usability and bring it in line with other popular Lemmy clients.

This feature would make content interaction more efficient and enjoyable for users, potentially increasing engagement and user satisfaction.

I've been thinking about the potential for a decentralized, federated version of the new social media platform Neptune.

For those unfamiliar, Neptune is a rising star in the social media world that's gaining traction on Tiktok for its unique approach to content creation and distribution, especially given the whole TikTok situation.

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Here's a quick overview:

What is Neptune?

• A new social media app focused on decentralizing media
• Empowers creators with customizable content feeds
• Uses "ghost metrics" to highlight work without the pressure of visible likes/shares
• Aims to foster genuine connections and community
• Similar to TikTok but with a stronger emphasis on integrity and user control
• Has gained over 5,000 sign-ups and built an active Discord community

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The Fediverse Opportunity

Given the Fediverse's commitment to decentralization and user empowerment, I wonder if there's any potential to create a federated alternative that captures Neptune's best features while leveraging the strengths of the Fediverse, or would we just be basically remaking Loops by Pixelfed?

__

Some questions to consider:

1. How could we implement customizable content feeds in a federated environment?
2. Is there a way to incorporate "ghost metrics" or similar concepts to reduce social pressure?
3. What existing Fediverse projects might serve as a foundation for this kind of platform?
4. How can we ensure creator empowerment while maintaining the open, interconnected nature of the Fediverse?

I lack the technical skills, as well as the time, to tackle this myself, but I'm curious about the community's thoughts.

Has anyone considered a project like this?

What challenges and/or opportunities do you see?

Looking forward to hearing your ideas.

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Neptune's official website: https://theneptuneapp.com/

Neptune Discord: https://discord.gg/theneptuneapp

A discussion about Neptune on Linus Tech Tips forum: https://linustechtips.com/topic/1592379-new-social-media-app-neptune/

https://youtu.be/GZRuRpzFslg?si=F3W9q4Pnen2XGRXd

Neptune App TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theneptuneapp?_t=8sd66XMyQrG&_r=1

Hey everyone,

I've been pondering an idea thats been stuck in my head since forever and wanted to get your thoughts on it.

Has anyone ever considered the possibility of developing a line of code or a platform that runs on Activitypub that allows non-ActivityPub protocols to integrate seamlessly into the Fediverse?

Imagine a system where platforms like Bluesky, NOSTR, or other Protocol-based networks could "plug in" to the Fediverse.

This would effectively translate their unique protocols into ActivityPub, enabling interaction without requiring these platforms to adopt ActivityPub themselves.

Think of it like a tree: ActivityPub serves as the trunk, while non-ActivityPub platforms form the branches.

This approach could SIGNIFICANTLY expand the Fediverse and make it accessible to platforms reluctant to natively support ActivityPub.

As well as allow various platforms with different protocols to interact with each other, without the need to use "Bridges", "Mirroring", etc.

Don't get me wrong, im not hating on Ryan, Fedy bridge, etc., but services like those are basically using Sticking Plasters, Duct Tape, and Chewing Gum to try and stick together different platforms.

I find this idea interesting, but I lack the coding skills, time, and energy to pursue it.

I'm curious if any developers or tech enthusiasts here have ever thought about, or worked on, something similar.

What challenges do you foresee, and could this be a viable path for potentially expanding the Fediverse?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas.

Does anyone know if there are any Fediverse equivalent/alternatives to platforms like:

• Wattpad
• SquidgeWorld Archive
• Archive of Our Own (AO3)
• FanFiction.Net (FFN)

etc.?

If not, has anyone ever considered potentially creating one?

I personally think that it could be a great addition to the Fediverse ecosystem, allowing writers to share their work in a decentralized manner.

Some potential names for such a platform could be:

• FediFics
• FediPad
• FediFan
• WriteVerse
• FediFiction
• StoryNode
• TaleChain etc.

Perhaps use "FediFiction.net" (or "FediFics.net", "FediFanFiction.net", or "FediFan.net") as the FFN Fediverse Alternative, and "FediPad" for Wattpad?

IDK.

I would consider developing this myself, but I not only lack the time, I also don't have any coding ability.

However, I personally believe that this could be an exciting project for someone with the right skills and interest in both the Fediverse and creative writing communities.

Hey everyone,

I was curious on whether anyone has ever thought about potentially introducing a Fediverse equivalent to platforms like:

• Ko-fi
• Patreon
• Gumroad
• LiberaPay
• Buy Me a Coffee
• Web Monetization (e.g., Coil) etc.

What I’m imagining is a decentralized platform that allows users across the Fediverse to directly tip or support creators, all without relying on plugins or third-party integrations.

For instance, I know that creators on platforms like PeerTube can add plugins for cryptocurrency or payment solutions, but these require additional configuration or technical know-how.

What I’m suggesting is a straightforward tipping platform built directly into the Fediverse ecosystem, one that doesn’t depend on plugins—just a seamless way to support creators on ALL Fediverse platforms.

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To clarify upfront:

• I am NOT a “crypto bro.” I’m not here to promote any cryptocurrency or blockchain agenda—I’m just thinking about user-friendly, decentralized solutions.
• While I AM open-minded about crypto-based approaches, I feel there’s potential for a non-crypto, user-first Fediverse tipping system.

__

What do you all think?

• Has this idea been explored?
• Are there any projects in the works that aim to address this?
• Do you think it’s feasible or even a good fit for the Fediverse ethos?

__

I’d love to attempt something like this myself, but sadly I personally lack the time, technical knowledge, and energy to make it happen.

Still, I’d be really curious to hear the community’s thoughts.

Thanks in advance for sharing your insights.

(Apologies for the long Post)

This post isn’t meant to throw shade at anyone or stir up drama, but I wanted to ask something I’ve been thinking about for a while.

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel that the Fediverse – and many platforms within it – can be somewhat super complicated, at least from the perspective of the average person?

As the saying goes, “Society can only move as fast as its slowest member.”

And honestly, I think the average user (myself included sometimes!) struggles with the way the Fediverse operates compared to more familiar centralized platforms.

Take Mastodon, for example.

It’s widely loved, and there’s a lot to admire about its decentralized, federated nature.

But for new users, the concept of picking an instance, understanding federation, knowing what happens if your instance goes down, etc. can be daunting.

Now compare that to something like Bluesky.

While Bluesky isn’t federated, it’s still decentralized thanks to its use of the AT Protocol.

Yet, it still manages to feel like a traditional, centralized platform in terms of usability, onboarding, and general experience.

Other examples abound, where certain Fediverse tools feel designed more for tech-savvy users than the “average Joe” who just wants to sign up, post, and connect seamlessly.

This brings me to the KISS principle:

Keep It Simple, Stupid.

For those unfamiliar, KISS is a design philosophy that emphasizes simplicity.

Complex systems, while often powerful, can be harder to understand, troubleshoot, and maintain.

It’s a reminder that sometimes the best path forward is the simplest one.

And I can’t help but wonder:

Could the Fediverse benefit from more simplicity in design and user experience?

I completely understand that the Fediverse’s complexity is often a result of its strengths:

decentralization,

choice,

openness,

and

privacy.

But is there a way to achieve these values while making the experience more approachable, as well as potentially simplified?

• What do you think? Can the Fediverse strike a balance between power and simplicity?
• Have you had moments where explaining the Fediverse to someone felt like explaining how email servers work instead of just sending an email?
• Do you think platforms like Mastodon could take cues from Bluesky or others when it comes to onboarding and user experience? Or is the current complexity a necessary trade-off?

Potential Simplification Strategies for the Fediverse

1. Unified Onboarding Process

   • Description: Develop a standardized onboarding procedure that introduces users to key features and concepts of different Fediverse platforms, reducing the initial learning curve.

2. Cross-Platform Tutorials

   • Description: Create detailed, interactive tutorials that cover the fundamental aspects of multiple Fediverse platforms, allowing users to quickly gain proficiency.

3. Simplified Instance Selection

   • Description: Develop an intuitive instance selection tool that helps users find instances that match their interests and community standards, possibly based on user feedback and ratings.

4. Visual Federation Guides

   • Description: Implement visual aids, such as infographics or flowcharts, that illustrate how federation works, helping users understand how content is shared across different platforms.

5. Universal Fediverse Account

   • Description: Explore the possibility of a single account system that allows users to seamlessly log into multiple Fediverse platforms without needing to create separate accounts for each instance.

6. Standardized UI Elements

   • Description: Encourage developers to adopt common user interface elements across Fediverse platforms, creating a more cohesive experience that helps users feel at home regardless of which platform they are using.

7. Community Support Hubs

   • Description: Establish dedicated support communities that offer guidance, resources, and FAQs, making it easier for newcomers to find help without feeling overwhelmed.

8. User-Friendly Language

   • Description: Simplify technical jargon and use more accessible language in platform interfaces and documentation to make them easier to understand for non-technical users.

9. Feedback Mechanisms

   • Description: Implement easy-to-use feedback tools within platforms that allow users to share their experiences and suggest improvements directly to developers.

10. Mobile-Friendly Designs

    • Description: Prioritize responsive and mobile-friendly designs to ensure users can easily navigate and interact with Fediverse platforms on various devices.

11. Gamified Learning Experiences

    • Description: Introduce gamified tutorials that reward users for completing tasks and learning about different features, making the onboarding experience fun and engaging.

12. Streamlined Content Discovery

    • Description: Enhance content discovery mechanisms by implementing smart algorithms that curate and recommend content based on user preferences, reducing the complexity of finding relevant posts.

By implementing these strategies, the Fediverse can move towards a more user-friendly environment that welcomes newcomers and supports them in navigating the diverse range of platforms available.