I haven't seen mention of anything like this, so this might be of interest.

There is a way out from under the thumb of all those so-called "free", corporate owned services, where you, the user, are the product.

There's a lot, actually, but this is an easy start. :)

Friendi.ca is free software to create your own server in the Friendica social network. It's like setting up Wordpress on your own domain that securely connects to other Wordpress sites, but with that familiar social network layout. There are a few networks like this (which can interconnect, by the way), but this is the easiest to maintain. I've had my own set up for a couple of years now. It's pretty cool. 😀

Their website explains it all, but basically, what it doesn't have is:

• Advertisements
• Sketchy algorithms
• Usage policing
• Tracking beacons all over the web
• Eternal archiving

If you're interested, there it is. <3

this sounds interesting. sadly i don't really understand stuff that easily [i barely understand anything about bitcoin, im like your grampa that doesn't understand technology, lol]. Mind if you could tell me more? Are you using it? could you show us your page/product/ whatever it is that you're using it for?

I don't understand bitcoin either, so you're not alone on that. 😅 Okay, so.. The network is basically P2P, but they connect as websites, rather than for instance, a file sharing program. In short, there's a bunch of servers, with a bunch of users on each, that can connect to each other & see each other's posts, similarly like you would see on FB, Twitter, LiveJournal or even Tumblr. Also, like FB, you can create accounts as an individual or as a page-type.

To see some examples: My server I've set it up only for myself, but I have an account for personal stuff & another for cosplay stuff. Not much there that's public however. I installed it in a subdomain so I can use my hosting setup for other things, like the reboot of my cosplay & kimono sites, without the added expense of additional domains. Friendica's global directory You can visit some profiles & even check out the forum groups if they're not private. Being listed in this directory is an option, by the way.

I hope that gives you a start?

Yes, that sure gives me a start :) It looks very intriguing, so I might check out those directories to see how it is being used.

I'd love to see your kimono site ;) I really like Japanese stuff [almost everything, lol ... all thanks to Sailor Moon no less >.> yeah...] Cute HA, btw ;)

Cool, cool. :) Oh! I was poking around a bit and found their demo server! I thought it was taken down, but they must have moved it when they overhauled the main website a few months ago. You can try it out! Since the accounts on there self-delete, I'd use a throw-away username. I'm not sure if usernames are locked from re-use even if they are deleted.

Yeah, Sailor Moon did the same to me... 😆 As for my ol' kimono site, you're in luck! The Wayback Machine has it. I had set that up mostly for basic info to reference from the kimono demos I used to do at anime conventions.

ooh, that demo server does sound good enough! it's awesome that they gave this option with accounts self-deleting after 7 days [omg, 7 days! Ringu, lol - i actually really like that movie franchise. i think there are 2 movies i didnt see because i couldn't find decent translations. i prefer the original versions in Japanese with subs] back OnTopic: 7 days are plenty time to realize if you like and understand the platform.. or if it can be useful. and the more you use the more you understand it.. ;p

are you making your own kimono too? i'd love to go to japan and buy one [second hand is fine with me] but made of real silk and stuff. and a yukata too, maybe. LOL But first i need to get rich ;p

Well, hopefully it will give you a clear idea of how it works. :) There are are other networks, such as diaspora*, Hubzilla, Mastodon and GNU social. They're all decentralized, but I found Friendica easy to set up with a shared hosting plan and it can be done all through cpanel. No expert tech knowledge needed if you follow their directions.

Ah.. I did once, for a costume, but not these days. I've got some other things I need to take care of before I can get back to costuming. I have too many worries and they are blocking the creative juices! :( But... you could try Ebay? I got most of mine there, from second-hand sellers in Japan, very cheap.

I used to be on Facebook, because there were a lot of different university groups with important informations about courses and seminars.

But a while ago I changed completely to the diaspora. It is also a decentralized social network and compatible with friendica. The nice part is that you don't have to build your own server (but of course, you can do this), but that there are a lot of nice people that let you be on their servers.

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