Let's Talk About Bluesky

After Elon Musk shook things up on Twitter or shall be called X, people started looking for a new place that felt like the old Twitter. Bluesky, supported by Twitter's co-founder Jack Dorsey, wants to be that new place. I got to access the app, so here's the scoop on Bluesky.


Feels Like Twitter, but a Bit Different: 
Bluesky isn't hiding that it's a lot like the new Twitter. It's got the same posting, liking, and chatting vibe. You can use the app both from mobile and computer. But, Bluesky is missing some stuff like direct messages, videos, and bookmarking. Although we can say that Bluesky is still in a limited beta phase, we can do a comparison of the number of users to see why it is not that popular today. Below are the two most followed feeds/communities about dogs on each platform. Here, Bluesky's Dog Pics feed has 420 followers whereas Twitter's Dogs community has 65.8k members.


The Wait Time: 
A big bummer for folks eager to try Bluesky is the waiting list. It's not a quick entry; it's more like a slow invite or a code thing. This means again, fewer people using it right now. So, if you're used to a big group of followers, you might need to be patient. You can also ask people around you who are using Bluesky since each person gets one invite code.

I am very popular

Bluesky's Big Goal: 
Beyond looking like Twitter, Bluesky has a big goal, which is making tech for open and mixed-up public talks. They want you to control your online stuff, connecting your profiles on different apps smoothly. Bluesky aims to do this with a "federated social protocol.", aka AT protocol. It's like a set of rules for moving data between computer servers. With this, you could use your Bluesky identity on other platforms. Bluesky wants to be a kind of ID and travel system for digital cities. It's like making sure you can move around online without losing your friends. If social apps are cities, Bluesky wants to build bridges between them.

How Does AT Protocol Work:
In a federated system, each social media platform operates its own server, and these servers communicate with each other using the established federated social protocol. When you post something or interact on one platform, the information is shared across servers, enabling users to connect and engage with each other even if they are on different platforms.

Advantages of Federated Social Protocols:
Interconnected Digital Spaces: It's like having secret passages between different online places. You can move around, and your stuff comes with you. Friends, posts, and all.
Avoiding Data Fragmentation: Usually, when you switch to a new platform, it's like starting from scratch. With federated protocols, you don't lose your history or friends when you switch clubs.
Creator and Developer Freedom: Developers can create cool stuff without being stuck in one place. It's like having the freedom to build different kinds of playgrounds on the same field.
User Control: You get more say in how things work. Your profiles and content can move around freely, giving you more control over your online identity.

Looking Forward:
Even though Bluesky looks like Twitter now, its bigger plan makes it stand out. It's not just another place; it wants to change how we move around online. As Bluesky grows, it might not just be a copy of Twitter but a new way to chat online. So, keep an eye on Bluesky – it might be the talk of the town we've been waiting for.

Thanks a lot for reading!
Oğuz Arslan

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