4 ms·

What is Threads?

by DeathArrow 3y ago

What is Threads?

pests 3y ago
Threads is their Twitter / text-only offering.
- ranting-moth 3y ago
  Worth mentioning it's also a data harvesting app-only offering.
  - MikusR 3y ago
    And here I was hoping that with technological advances spambots would at least post semi-truthful spam. Threads are fully functional on web.
    - Ukv 3y ago
      When I tried to join, there was nothing on the threads.net website except the word "Threads" in front of some spiral particles and a QR code to get the app[0]. More recently it seems they've added a login dialog to the site, but attempting to log in still just immediately prompts you to download the app[1]. Presumably once you've used the app to create and set up an account you can now use it to browse online, but that's not really "fully functional on web" and, relevant for the accusation of data-harvesting, still requires you to download the app. [0]: https://i.imgur.com/PQF7bkm.png https://i.imgur.com/PQF7bkm.png [1]: https://i.imgur.com/zLfubq1.png https://i.imgur.com/zLfubq1.png
      - MikusR 3y ago
        Then it has not launched in your region, probably. For me in EU it shows option to login with instagram or browse without a profile. No app needed.
        Ukv 3y ago
        > Then it has not launched in your region, probably. For me in EU it shows option to login with instagram or browse without a profile. Threads itself is launched in my region. Could you screenshot the front threads.net page you see (when logged out)? > No app needed Do you mean you're able to create an account without the app, or do you just mean that there's no app needed for browsing in your region (with no account, or after the account is set up through the app)?
        MikusR 3y ago
        https://imgur.com/I10hXZ8 https://imgur.com/I10hXZ8 https://imgur.com/ZhzfDap https://imgur.com/ZhzfDap
        Ukv 3y ago
        Option to browse without a profile does seem to be specific to the EU[0], and apparently has some limited functionality (can't search for individual posts). The second screenshot is a form I can get to, but immediately after logging in it'll prompt to download the app to set up your profile. [0]: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/threads-makes-its-european-union-debut-heres-how-meta-is-doing-it-differently-there/articleshow/105997394.cms https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/threads-mak...
  - stetrain 3y ago
    There's a web version, and if they do follow through on their Activity Pub integration (which they have already demonstrated in a very limited capacity) then you'll be able to use whatever client you want to follow Threads users.
    - ranting-moth 3y ago
      > then you'll be able to use whatever client you want to follow Threads users. I'm willing to gamble insane amounts on that's never ever going to happen.
verdverm 3y ago
It's ActivityPub based, Twitter like, social media from Meta It's been pretty chill over there, lacks the crazy that is Twitter For me, it opens the potential for a federated social media protocol. Having a big player like Meta means everyone will likely benefit. Federated means we can move between servers without losing the network, allowing for competition in moderation, algorithms, and monetization
- r14c 3y ago
  I'm not sure this tracks. "having a big player like Walmart in town means everyone will likely benefit" sounds plausible, but in practice they suck all the oxygen out of the room, play dirty, and make it difficult for small operators to "compete" once they gain the advantage. The fediverse is honestly not prepared for this scenario, but I do hope that the communities will rally and give Meta a run for their money. I don't have any ill will against them, but its boring to see the same few entities doing everything. Despite its flaws, portions of the fediverse are vibrant and I really want to see them trive.
  - verdverm 3y ago
    From what I can tell, they are rolling out increased interoperability this year Threads has only been available for 6 months, they plan for full integration If Zuck knows one thing, it's social media trends, it's what he's thought about his whole life
- nerdponx 3y ago
  Instagram has been recommending me nothing but controversial political posts from Threads. I've rarely been so repelled from signing up for a service that I might have otherwise tried using.
  - verdverm 3y ago
    You have to curate, like any social platform. We tend to forget the effort we have already put in to our current sites

What is Threads?

pests 3y ago

Threads is their Twitter / text-only offering.

ranting-moth 3y ago
Worth mentioning it's also a data harvesting app-only offering.
- MikusR 3y ago
  And here I was hoping that with technological advances spambots would at least post semi-truthful spam. Threads are fully functional on web.
  - Ukv 3y ago
    When I tried to join, there was nothing on the threads.net website except the word "Threads" in front of some spiral particles and a QR code to get the app[0]. More recently it seems they've added a login dialog to the site, but attempting to log in still just immediately prompts you to download the app[1]. Presumably once you've used the app to create and set up an account you can now use it to browse online, but that's not really "fully functional on web" and, relevant for the accusation of data-harvesting, still requires you to download the app. [0]: https://i.imgur.com/PQF7bkm.png https://i.imgur.com/PQF7bkm.png [1]: https://i.imgur.com/zLfubq1.png https://i.imgur.com/zLfubq1.png
    - MikusR 3y ago
      Then it has not launched in your region, probably. For me in EU it shows option to login with instagram or browse without a profile. No app needed.
      - Ukv 3y ago
        > Then it has not launched in your region, probably. For me in EU it shows option to login with instagram or browse without a profile. Threads itself is launched in my region. Could you screenshot the front threads.net page you see (when logged out)? > No app needed Do you mean you're able to create an account without the app, or do you just mean that there's no app needed for browsing in your region (with no account, or after the account is set up through the app)?
        MikusR 3y ago
        https://imgur.com/I10hXZ8 https://imgur.com/I10hXZ8 https://imgur.com/ZhzfDap https://imgur.com/ZhzfDap
        Ukv 3y ago
        Option to browse without a profile does seem to be specific to the EU[0], and apparently has some limited functionality (can't search for individual posts). The second screenshot is a form I can get to, but immediately after logging in it'll prompt to download the app to set up your profile. [0]: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/threads-makes-its-european-union-debut-heres-how-meta-is-doing-it-differently-there/articleshow/105997394.cms https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/threads-mak...
- stetrain 3y ago
  There's a web version, and if they do follow through on their Activity Pub integration (which they have already demonstrated in a very limited capacity) then you'll be able to use whatever client you want to follow Threads users.
  - ranting-moth 3y ago
    > then you'll be able to use whatever client you want to follow Threads users. I'm willing to gamble insane amounts on that's never ever going to happen.

verdverm 3y ago

It's ActivityPub based, Twitter like, social media from Meta It's been pretty chill over there, lacks the crazy that is Twitter For me, it opens the potential for a federated social media protocol. Having a big player like Meta means everyone will likely benefit. Federated means we can move between servers without losing the network, allowing for competition in moderation, algorithms, and monetization

r14c 3y ago
I'm not sure this tracks. "having a big player like Walmart in town means everyone will likely benefit" sounds plausible, but in practice they suck all the oxygen out of the room, play dirty, and make it difficult for small operators to "compete" once they gain the advantage. The fediverse is honestly not prepared for this scenario, but I do hope that the communities will rally and give Meta a run for their money. I don't have any ill will against them, but its boring to see the same few entities doing everything. Despite its flaws, portions of the fediverse are vibrant and I really want to see them trive.
- verdverm 3y ago
  From what I can tell, they are rolling out increased interoperability this year Threads has only been available for 6 months, they plan for full integration If Zuck knows one thing, it's social media trends, it's what he's thought about his whole life
nerdponx 3y ago
Instagram has been recommending me nothing but controversial political posts from Threads. I've rarely been so repelled from signing up for a service that I might have otherwise tried using.
- verdverm 3y ago
  You have to curate, like any social platform. We tend to forget the effort we have already put in to our current sites