4 ms·

> What was once a nice, federated service (in a much simpler time) has become a complex mess with high barriers to entry, pushing users into a small number of l

> What was once a nice, federated service (in a much simpler time) has become a complex mess with high barriers to entry, pushing users into a small number of large, proprietary services This also describes all other communications and socialness on the web; from bbs and forums to modern "social media". Is there anything small and niche (apart from, literally, HN) that hasn't been completely utterly destroyed by the nasty people online?

flyinghamster 2y ago
Basically, it's small(ish) forums that have survived over the years without migrating to Reddit or such, and even those are not immune (and could go away without warning). User upvote/downvote systems can be helpful, provided there are checks and balances against being gamed.
reaperducer 2y ago
Is there anything small and niche (apart from, literally, HN) that hasn't been completely utterly destroyed by the nasty people online? Local and specialist fora are doing quite well. Some have been around for decades because they offer what social media promises but doesn't deliver. Examples: https://thestampforum.boards.net https://thehaif.com https://forums.atariage.com Most offer RSS, so you can roll your own "feed" like a social media site, but without being followed, tabulated, and monetized to death. Their secret is friction and moderation. You have to jump through a hoop or two get registered, unlike social media where the barriers to entry are so low that bots step over them without a care. That's because these web sites care about the content, not tallying up monthly user statistics for shareholders. It's like radio. If you're in Los Angeles, you can listen to KROQ, which serves its corporate owners and shareholders far away, or you can listen to KCSN, which serves its listeners locally.

4 ms·

> What was once a nice, federated service (in a much simpler time) has become a complex mess with high barriers to entry, pushing users into a small number of l

by willvarfar 2y ago

flyinghamster 2y ago
Basically, it's small(ish) forums that have survived over the years without migrating to Reddit or such, and even those are not immune (and could go away without warning). User upvote/downvote systems can be helpful, provided there are checks and balances against being gamed.
reaperducer 2y ago
Is there anything small and niche (apart from, literally, HN) that hasn't been completely utterly destroyed by the nasty people online? Local and specialist fora are doing quite well. Some have been around for decades because they offer what social media promises but doesn't deliver. Examples: https://thestampforum.boards.net https://thehaif.com https://forums.atariage.com Most offer RSS, so you can roll your own "feed" like a social media site, but without being followed, tabulated, and monetized to death. Their secret is friction and moderation. You have to jump through a hoop or two get registered, unlike social media where the barriers to entry are so low that bots step over them without a care. That's because these web sites care about the content, not tallying up monthly user statistics for shareholders. It's like radio. If you're in Los Angeles, you can listen to KROQ, which serves its corporate owners and shareholders far away, or you can listen to KCSN, which serves its listeners locally.