atomicpoet

atomicpoet, 6 months ago to random

Finally! Google has been ruled a monopoly!

Granted, their monopoly was only acknowledged because another billion dollar corporation sued them. But now we can stop pussy-footing around their monopoly being "alleged". It is a monopoly through and through, and all monopolies hurt both innovation as well as the economy.

Let's not pretend that Google's monopoly has ever been "benevolent". Just because they give us free stuff doesn't mean Google is our friend. Sure, some of it is free -- but it often comes at a cost.

https://www.theverge.com/23994174/epic-google-trial-jury-verdict-monopoly-google-play

atomicpoet, 7 months ago to random

I prefer using adblockers not because I dislike ads, but because they help me protect against potential abuse. You see, most of the malicious and abusive experiences I come across on the Internet are actually through ads.

They often try to steal my bandwidth, take up valuable screen space, or even take control of my browser. Some ads have even tried to install software without my consent, which is downright alarming. Honestly, browsing the Internet can sometimes feel like a battle against the ad industry's hostility. So until the ad industry starts behaving better, which unfortunately doesn't seem to be happening anytime soon, I'll continue relying on adblockers to ensure a safer browsing experience.

atomicpoet, 8 months ago to random

As @markwyner kindly points out, NPR didn't really lose anything by leaving Twitter.

Sometimes it can be frustrating to discuss social media because certain individuals tend to act as if they have no choice but to continue using the platform, regardless of any issues they may have with it.

However, it's important to remember that we are not helpless in this situation. If we truly wanted to, we could simply choose to leave and disengage from these platforms. The reason why some people appear to be held hostage by figures like Elon Musk is because they struggle to accept responsibility for the platform's ongoing popularity, and they prefer to distance themselves from any negative outcomes.

In reality though, we have the power to leave at any moment without losing anything significant if we genuinely desire to do so. However, it's worth noting that performative activism can be surprisingly addictive and compelling.

RE: https://mas.to/users/markwyner/statuses/111291278910017403

atomicpoet, 8 months ago to random

Just wanted to share some exciting news with you. ActivityPub has just been made available on both free and paid WordPress.com accounts. Isn't that awesome? Now, millions of new users could potentially join the Fediverse. It's a pretty big deal!

https://wordpress.com/blog/2023/10/11/activitypub/

atomicpoet, 8 months ago to random

Hey, wait a second. So, I just found out that until recently, the CEO of Unity was none other than John Riccitiello.

You know, the same John Riccitiello who used to lead EA when it was famously voted as the worst company in America? Can you believe it?

And get this, he's also the guy who actually thinks it's okay to charge players for reloading in first-person shooters through micro-transactions. Pretty mind-boggling, right?

It's no wonder that Unity experienced some major challenges in the gaming industry this year. It's almost like they became the center of attention for all the wrong reasons.

Personally, I really hope that John Riccitiello won't find his way back to the gaming industry anytime soon. We could definitely use some fresh perspectives and leadership moving forward.

https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/10/23911338/unity-ceo-steps-down-developers-react

atomicpoet, 8 months ago to random

It seems like marketers are starting to explore the possibility of using the Fediverse as a paid media and advertising platform. Recently, Martin Pagh Ludvigsen from an advertising agency, Goodby, Silverstein and Partners, shared his ideas on the subject during a Digiday podcast.

The appeal for marketers and advertisers to consider the Fediverse can be traced to centralization issues they have faced in the past. Last year, brands were negatively impacted by a decision made by Elon Musk, which made Twitter toxic to advertisers. As a result, there is interest in exploring other options, like the Fediverse.

It goes without saying that advertising on the Fediverse is a controversial topic, as many people are attracted to the platform precisely because it doesn't have advertising. However, we should also note that running a Fediverse server can be costly, particularly when there are thousands of users on a server. While profit may not be the motivation, many Fediverse servers may need support to stay afloat.

If we want to prevent advertising from taking over the Fediverse, we can either crowdfund servers or run our own. Ultimately, it is up to all of us to ensure that the Fediverse remains financially sustainable without advertising.

atomicpoet, 8 months ago to random

So, I had an interesting conversation with ChatGPT this morning. I asked it to come up with a business pitch for a fictional resurrection service.

Surprisingly, ChatGPT responded by saying that it couldn't generate the pitch because resurrection is considered both illegal and unethical.

Curious about the legality, I questioned ChatGPT about the specific jurisdiction where resurrecting someone is prohibited. It kindly apologized and clarified that there isn't any country on earth where resurrection is actually illegal; it had simply made a mistake.

Wanting to explore the ethical aspect, I then asked ChatGPT if it considered Christianity unethical since the Lord Jesus Christ was resurrected. Again, it apologized and admitted that resurrection is not unethical, explaining that it had been mistaken about its previous statement.

Determined to receive a business pitch, I asked ChatGPT once more. However, it reiterated its initial response, stating that resurrection is both illegal and unethical.

atomicpoet, 8 months ago to random

Hey, did you know that @jeffgerstmann is now on the Fediverse? Pretty cool, huh? Oh, and by the way, big congratulations to him on the arrival of his adorable new baby!

RE: https://mastodon.social/users/jeffgerstmann/statuses/111211615518927161

atomicpoet, 8 months ago to random

In response to @jrychter's question, I believe that many people tend to prefer Windows over Mac primarily because of its gaming capabilities.

When it comes to gaming, Windows has proven to be a more suitable platform. Although Microsoft has made some questionable decisions in the past, they have at least recognized the importance of providing an enjoyable gaming experience. On the other hand, Apple has made it quite challenging for gamers to fully embrace their operating system, despite our persistent attempts.

The positive aspect is that if you are a gaming enthusiast who is not particularly fond of Windows, Linux has been steadily improving as a gaming option. Nowadays, through the use of Proton, I have found that the majority of games that were previously exclusive to Windows can run flawlessly on Linux.

Nevertheless, I must admit that I have a genuine liking for Mac. However, what holds greater significance for me is being able to appreciate the finest digital art in the most immersive way possible. Essentially, I prioritize being where the games are. Until recently, the most optimal path towards achieving this has been through a Windows machine.

RE: https://mastodon.social/users/jrychter/statuses/111210063027037039

atomicpoet, 8 months ago to random

Marina Hyde of the Guardian seems to have missed an important point. The fitness of Elon Musk to run X (formerly Twitter) is irrelevant because he is the owner.

As per the rules of capitalism, he is entitled to have the final say. It is understandable if you dislike how he manages X, how it has deteriorated over time, or how it has become a hub of misinformation. However, it is worth acknowledging that by continuing to use X, journalists become a part of the issue.

Now, let's reflect on what journalists can actually do to address the problems at X. One option is to leave and establish their own Fediverse servers. This approach would ensure that a situation similar to X never arises again.

Nevertheless, it is disheartening to observe that the majority of journalists appear more interested in reporting on the problem rather than actively seeking to solve it.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/10/horror-israel-hamas-war-elon-musk-x-twitter-not-fit-to-run-it

atomicpoet, 8 months ago to random

Hey there, wonderful folks! Guess what? @reiver and I are thinking about starting a podcast, all about the fascinating world of the Fediverse. Super exciting, right?

Now here's where you come in: we would absolutely love to hear what topics about the #Fediverse or social media tickle your curiosity. Maybe you're wondering about its inner workings, or perhaps you're keen on exploring some other intriguing aspects. Whatever it may be, please do share your thoughts and comment below. Your input is truly valuable!

Sending out lots of love and appreciation to all of you!

#AllYourBases

atomicpoet, 8 months ago to fediversenews

Hey, isn't this interesting? Turns out Mastodon is actually way bigger than @gargron originally thought! It seems that its userbase has been significantly undercounted.

By how much, you ask? Well, we're talking about 407,000+ monthly users!

So, with these new numbers, Mastodon actually boasts an impressive 1.8 million monthly active users (MAUs).

But hang on, that's not the whole story. The Fediverse itself is even larger than Mastodon. There are millions of people connecting to the Fediverse through various platforms like Lemmy, WordPress, Firefish, micro.blog, and more! My hunch is that these platforms might also have been undercounted, although I can't confirm it for sure.

https://techcrunch.com/2023/10/09/mastodon-actually-has-407k-more-monthly-users-than-it-thought/

@fediversenews