Considering how popular the fediverse already is with at least some of the public institutions in Europe, this is a puzzling move.

@stefan

well, it is a puzzling move but only for a very short time
If it would be ATProto it would not be an "European Alternative" it would just be an app built in Europe.
Crazy enough but maybe better to build diverse hosted European fedi instances

@stefan

Wondered what protocol/software stack might be underneath 'W'

So, #ATProto eh?

This is all I have collected of any interest. The Issue is still open on Github, and dates to "opened on Aug 12, 2023"

qazmlp on Jun 12, 2024 · edited by qazmlp

"Please excuse the harsh wording, but ATProto is genuinely a "privacy-last" specification where the concept of follower-approval and post privacy aren't meaningful, aside from temporarily deactivating an account entirely.

(Adding a locked account feature to apps isn't entirely impossible of course, but doing so with privacy would require at the least a parallel network with distinct architecture and protocol.)

That's not to say there wouldn't be any value in an appview- and app-side mechanism to limit exposure though, as long as it's made clear that it's trivial to circumvent with an alternative client. That may at least turn away the brunt of the harassment in such situations."

Here: https://github.com/bluesky-social/social-app/issues/1155#issuecomment-2163556647

#W

@stefan

Also:

Nekkowe on Oct 21, 2024

"Thanks a lot for the answer, I was thinking about it and that maybe at-proto would be the 'guilty' for not getting this feature. What you said gave a new perspective of the issue.

Mind you, the AT Protocol is also developed by Bluesky PBC https://github.com/bluesky-social/atproto/tree/main?tab=readme-ov-file#about-at-protocol "

@stefan @briankrebs maybe it‘s a mastodon instance?

@jmovs Funny that you mention that, I just posted this:

https://stefanbohacek.online/@stefan/115935220362584417

@briankrebs

@FinchHaven Well this still seems to be just a guess, so we'll see. But regardless, I don't find this W project all that interesting, regardless of the protocol they use.

@sl007 Well they would presumably build the full infrastructure, the PDS, the appview, etc.

Much like Blacksky has managed to do so recently, if you've been following the project:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blacksky

@stefan

Yeah I see it mostly as vaporware, speaking of software stacks...

@stefan @FinchHaven seems to be basically confirmed now that they are at least using Bluesky/ATproto code because they have things like a PDS and a W-branded version of Bluesky's web app running out in the open:
https://stage.wsocial.eu/
https://pds-stage.wsocial.eu/

Whether or not this means an entirely separate network or not is another question ofc...

@stefan

No, I stopped following these non-real standard projects. I do also doubt some actors.
I am very disappointed - there are more and more such projects where volunteers are involved …
https://digitalcourage.social/@sl007/115934447986369998
cc @bjoernsta @leonido (shame on you)

RE: https://mastodon.social/@_elena/115937301398338772

@stefan

I doubt
https://digitalcourage.social/@_elena@mastodon.social/115937303907387195

@stefan Strange. Why wouldn't they choose ActivityPub instead?

@stefan It could just be their own masto instances? Please tell me it's just their own masto instances?

@stefan @Lockpro

what anonymity do you have when creating a website? you have the same ability to post hate and misinfo that way. the only difference with decentralized social media is the boost. it's just a faster and easier way to spread that stuff than email or linking to it in your blog.

the problem is the bad shit plus the corporate algorithm. that it quickly figures out what vile stuff is triggering people and is able to push it out to millions and the profit incentive demands it.

@GrahamDowns @stefan They do have their own servers here already, might be diversifying (and yeah, the intrusive verification).

@GrahamDowns @stefan ...haha yeeeah after reading it, it's the centralisation that seems to be the draw for creating it that way.

I wouldn't take this seriously yet.

@GrahamDowns Great question, would love to know as well!

(Not that I think we'll be missing out much.)

@uastronomer Nope, looks like it's using ATproto: https://atprotocol.dev/w-for-atproto/

@stefan @uastronomer does ATproto still require that the main Bluesky servers are up?

@sl007 I agree. To me, ATproto/atmosphere will always be an attempt to coopt a successful grassroots movement that aims to take control of our social media away from tech companies. And they seem to be quite successful.

Still, seeing efforts like Blacksky and Northsky does give me hope that the control can be maybe wrestled back.

@bjoernsta @leonido