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>The solution is real simple: it costs 10 bux to register an account, if you're a nuisance your account is banned and you pay 10bux to get back on. Many years

>The solution is real simple: it costs 10 bux to register an account, if you're a nuisance your account is banned and you pay 10bux to get back on. Many years ago there was a public server called SDF (Super Dimensional Fortress). It was a BSD system and anyone could get a user account for $1. The theory was even the least of us, a kid scrounging for money on the street, could come up with a dollar (and presumably the postage to mail it). To a certain person, access to this kind of server was invaluable - the only situation you could hope to get close to this kind of system. As time went on, the number of people interested in this was dwindling. Jumping through hoops is a useful gateway, but if your hoops are too complex or arduous, you miss out on people who you genuinely want to include in your community.

bayindirh 4y ago
SDF is still alive and kicking, though. I have an account with them.
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Nextgrid 4y ago
> As time went on, the number of people interested in this was dwindling. That's mostly because access to computers has became easier - you can either get your own Linux box or get a proper VPS for extremely cheap (if not free - see cloud provider free tiers) nowadays so why bother with a non-root account on a BSD system? IMO it doesn't have anything to do with the barrier to entry.
paulmd 4y ago
> Many years ago there was a public server called SDF (Super Dimensional Fortress). It was a BSD system and anyone could get a user account for $1. The theory was even the least of us, a kid scrounging for money on the street, could come up with a dollar (and presumably the postage to mail it). To a certain person, access to this kind of server was invaluable - the only situation you could hope to get close to this kind of system. As time went on, the number of people interested in this was dwindling. SDF is still around though, and still operates on the same model - pay once to get in, and you can stay as long as you want unless you become a nuisance. > Jumping through hoops is a useful gateway, but if your hoops are too complex or arduous, you miss out on people who you genuinely want to include in your community. It is certainly not impossible for communities with this model to die - that's not what I'm saying at all. Small social media sites die all the time, including with Reddit-style gamification bullshit. Or they turn into cesspits like Digg or Voat. But yes, increasing the friction of engagement is literally the point, you are losing some users but increasing the quality of the ones who remain. It's the old "fire your bad customers" routine, but for social media. "Oh no, we are all losing out on your valuable shitposting, how will this community ever go on?"
- Kye 4y ago
  They even have a Mastodon instance. https://mastodon.sdf.org/about https://mastodon.sdf.org/about
RalfWausE 4y ago
>As time went on, the number of people interested in this was dwindling. I don't think so... First and foremost, SDF is well alive and there is a constant stream of people registering on it...
ticviking 4y ago
SDF is still around. I recently recovered my account and spent a lovely afternoon hanging out on their chat

bayindirh 4y ago

SDF is still alive and kicking, though. I have an account with them.

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Nextgrid 4y ago

> As time went on, the number of people interested in this was dwindling. That's mostly because access to computers has became easier - you can either get your own Linux box or get a proper VPS for extremely cheap (if not free - see cloud provider free tiers) nowadays so why bother with a non-root account on a BSD system? IMO it doesn't have anything to do with the barrier to entry.

paulmd 4y ago

> Many years ago there was a public server called SDF (Super Dimensional Fortress). It was a BSD system and anyone could get a user account for $1. The theory was even the least of us, a kid scrounging for money on the street, could come up with a dollar (and presumably the postage to mail it). To a certain person, access to this kind of server was invaluable - the only situation you could hope to get close to this kind of system. As time went on, the number of people interested in this was dwindling. SDF is still around though, and still operates on the same model - pay once to get in, and you can stay as long as you want unless you become a nuisance. > Jumping through hoops is a useful gateway, but if your hoops are too complex or arduous, you miss out on people who you genuinely want to include in your community. It is certainly not impossible for communities with this model to die - that's not what I'm saying at all. Small social media sites die all the time, including with Reddit-style gamification bullshit. Or they turn into cesspits like Digg or Voat. But yes, increasing the friction of engagement is literally the point, you are losing some users but increasing the quality of the ones who remain. It's the old "fire your bad customers" routine, but for social media. "Oh no, we are all losing out on your valuable shitposting, how will this community ever go on?"

Kye 4y ago
They even have a Mastodon instance. https://mastodon.sdf.org/about https://mastodon.sdf.org/about

RalfWausE 4y ago

>As time went on, the number of people interested in this was dwindling. I don't think so... First and foremost, SDF is well alive and there is a constant stream of people registering on it...

ticviking 4y ago

SDF is still around. I recently recovered my account and spent a lovely afternoon hanging out on their chat