Scott M. Stolz

scott@completehostingguide.com

Worries about Proposed Laws

Scott M. Stolz

Sat, 10 Dec 2022 04:46:53 -0500 last edited: Sun, 11 Dec 2022 07:37:53 -0500

I am starting to get worried about some of the laws they are proposing worldwide, and its effects on small players.

The EU wants all software creators, including open source projects that ask for donations, to hire an independent security auditor, or else be banned from offering their software to Europeans.
The US tried to pass a law requiring large websites to pay to link to media outlets, instead of media outlets paying for advertising. And the same law would set up a media cartel that would otherwise be illegal under anti-trust laws.
Texas just proposed a law that requires all social media websites, or any size, to ask for an ID before allowing anyone to sign up, so that people under 18 can be prohibited from using social media.

It's almost as if they are purposefully trying to destroy the internet and kill off any small players in the market.

laws social media small business open source

frank schleusener

Sat, 10 Dec 2022 05:25:11 -0500 last edited: Sat, 10 Dec 2022 04:48:35 -0500

Local Post

Scott M. Stolz

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 11:37:10 -0500 last edited: Fri, 02 Dec 2022 13:43:47 -0500

I mostly use this social account to post on Hubzilla-powered public forums, but I suppose I should start posting directly to my timeline as well.

I always wonder what I should post, since I have very diverse interests and not everyone is interested in the same things.

I did take a couple years off from posting regularly on social media, so it might be time that I start posting again. I do miss the interactions.

social media

show all 17 Comments

Crow

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 12:01:23 -0500

I'm thinking through some of the same issues, made more complex by Hubzilla's complicated permissions structure. I want some channels to be friends only, and others to be more or less wide open. And on top of that, as I'm looking to

https://hubzilla.org/help/en/member/member_guide#Channel_Permission_Roles and similar for help, that guide doesn't seem to use exact terminology for what is what! Either that, or there's a whole area of site/channel settings I haven't found yet!

Scott M. Stolz

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 12:46:28 -0500

@Crow I wasn't commenting on an issue. I was just saying I have not posted on Hubzilla, Facebook, and Twitter in awhile and I probably should start posting again.

As far as the Hubzilla documentation goes, I don't think that has been updated in awhile. I will be creating new documentation soon and will post it on one of my websites.

But you can control who can see each post by clicking on the lock icon and picking friends or public or whatever you want.

The privacy controls are more complicated, but Hubzilla gives you more control over who can see which posts.

Tejan Ausland

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 12:47:31 -0500

You did go into hermit mode for a couple of years. I would be nice to hear from you. You usually have some interesting things to say.

Scott M. Stolz

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 12:48:48 -0500

@Tejan Ausland

You did go into hermit mode for a couple of years. I would be nice to hear from you. You usually have some interesting things to say.

Thanks for saying that. I always wonder what people think of what I post.

Crow

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 12:49:42 -0500

@Scott M. Stolz There's a lock icon??

Scott M. Stolz

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 14:04:25 -0500

@Crow When you first create a post, there is a button with a padlock on it, next to the submit button. It only appears for new posts, not comments.

Tejan Ausland

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 14:10:51 -0500

@Scott M. Stolz

Thanks for saying that. I always wonder what people think of what I post.

You are too modest.

Crow

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 14:11:04 -0500

Thanks, yeah found it. Realized I had to start something new to find it.

Tejan Ausland

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 12:28:10 -0500

Are you going to go back to Facebook and Twitter too?

Crow

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 13:08:30 -0500

@Tejan Ausland Well, now isn't that helpful and encouraging of Hubzilla adoption!

I deleted my FB 5 years ago, but hubzilla as it exists is certainly no replacement for it, if only because there are so few users. And smart azz replies like that do NOTHING to encourage adoption.

I'm here scraping to make my install even WORK, and I'm getting punk attitude. Nice way to be an ambassador! Do you WANT hubzilla to be an echo chamber for Linux admins only?

Witcraft (Hubzilla)

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 13:33:06 -0500 last edited: Tue, 29 Nov 2022 13:33:26 -0500

@Crow

and I'm getting punk attitude.

I'm sorry you are frustrated, but punk attitude is I usually not helping to gain support of volunteers. I don't mean this disrespectful, but if you already know you do not like it, why do you bother struggling with it?

Hubzilla is complex, and Hubzilla is a bit rough around the edges. If you expect something else, or you have a grudge against the people that could help, I'm sorry but I'm afraid I cannot contribute anything to that. But if that's what serves your needs, and you are friendly, I'm sure there are people willing to help or at last give it a try.

Tejan Ausland

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 13:51:55 -0500

@Crow

Well, now isn't that helpful and encouraging of Hubzilla adoption!

I'm not here to encourage anyone to do anything. Scott introduced me to Hubzilla, so I came to check it out. I use the software for personal use. That's it.

The reason I asked is because Scott used to be active on Facebook and Twitter and I followed his accounts there. I was not giving an attitude. I was just asking if he was going to be active elsewhere too.

Not everyone on Hubzilla has to be an advocate. Some of us are just users.

Scott M. Stolz

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 14:25:56 -0500

Well, this post was more about about me become active on social media platforms (plural) and not just Hubzilla.

But, I actually have a plan for growing Hubzilla, making it more user-friendly, and increasing users. But posting only on Hubzilla is like preaching to the choir at this point, and I do have family that prefer different platforms. And I actually like my family.

And, realistically, sometimes you have to use the existing system to change the system.

One challenge that you have with any new network is that you need people to use the network for it to be valuable. I have a plan for that.

I am currently working on creating some destination websites, which entice people to join for the website's content and community, similar to how someone would join a membership website or discussion board. And they get a free decentralized social media account with it. This helps make my site sticky since people will return for the content and forums, but would also add users and activity to decentralized social media and Hubzilla in particular.

If I do decide to start posting on other social media platforms, most of it will be to help direct people back to my destination websites, where, hopefully, some of them sign up for Hubzilla-powered accounts.

I haven't decided on a strategy yet, but If posting on other platforms brings me new users and customers, then I have no problem posting elsewhere. I just have to be strategic about it.

Scott M. Stolz

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 16:17:32 -0500

@Crow

Well, now isn't that helpful and encouraging of Hubzilla adoption!

And it probably should be noted that I am not affiliated with Hubzilla in any way. I just see the potential in the platform and want to build upon it.

Crow

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 16:32:13 -0500

Your comments have always been considerate and aware that not everyone who wants to try this platform is a Linux sysadmin who casually compiles their own kernels.

Thank you for your assistance and friendly manner!

Crow

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 16:34:33 -0500

@Scott M. Stolz

entice people to join for the website's content and community, similar to how someone would join a membership website or discussion board. And they get a free decentralized social media account with it.

This is exactly] my plan as well, based on my need for a new site for a hobby, friends already invested in that hobby, and the total, abject failure I had trying to cajole my friends into joining Diaspora about 10 years ago.

Scott M. Stolz

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 16:59:43 -0500 last edited: Tue, 29 Nov 2022 17:00:33 -0500

@Crow

This is exactly my plan as well, based on my need for a new site for a hobby, friends already invested in that hobby, and the total, abject failure I had trying to cajole my friends into joining Diaspora about 10 years ago.

Well, things have changed from 10 years ago. People are trying out Mastodon; and Tumblr & Flickr are talking about supporting ActivityPub. The founder of Twitter is starting a decentralized social media protocol called Bluesky. As they say, a rising tide lifts all boats.

That being said, there is still a lot of work to be done. But I am working on it. And Mario and Mike have been adding features and keeping things up to date. We are going in the right direction.

@Crow