Sheldon Anthony IO

In the tapestry of existence, envision a realm where individuals weave their own threads, unshackled from the loom of corporate dominion. Here, each person crafts their unique social haven, adorned with bespoke rules and features, yet seamlessly connected to a vast network of souls. In this sanctuary, censorship and surveillance are but whispers, drowned by the symphony of autonomy. Welcome to the Fediverse, a constellation of self-governing sanctuaries, conversing in a shared lexicon. Each sanctuary, a digital hearth, adheres to protocols akin to ancient dialects—ActivityPub, OStatus, Zot, Diaspora, and more. You join a fellowship of purpose by stepping into these hallowed halls, where values intertwine like ivy. Across sanctuaries, you can exchange thoughts, forge connections, and paint your digital canvas with posts, likes, comments, and shared moments. And fear not, for your identity remains steadfast, even as you traverse realms. The Fediverse, a virtual agora, honors your sovereignty and whispers, “This is how the internet was meant to be.”

Amidst the digital tapestry, social media platforms unfurl their algorithms—weavers of fate, filtering, ranking, and whispering content to their users. Yet, these arcane scripts bear secrets: biases veiled in 1s and 0s, their capricious dance eluding prediction. Your voice, once a clarion call, now echoes in algorithmic chambers, lost amidst the clamor of preferred narratives. Behold the arena, where David battles Goliath, not with slingshots, but with followers, engagement, and coffers. And lo, the policies, inscribed on digital tablets, decree the bounds of your expression, the contours of your commerce. Their arbitrariness, a tempest in a pixelated teacup, their inconsistency a riddle whispered across platforms. Transgress and the sword of suspension dangles, the guillotine of banishment poised. But wait, there’s more! Fees, like tolls on the digital highway, are exacted for passage. Hidden, variable, and insatiable, they nibble at your coffers, shaping visibility and obfuscating the sun. Thus, the dance of commerce, where fortunes rise and fall, and the algorithmic gods remain inscrutable.

SIB is a major, global public actor of digital services that supports healthcare structures and public entities in their digital transformation. They have been working on taking the information systems to the next level for the Ille-et-Vilaine department in France, including middle schools. SIB provides infrastructures to teachers and pupils: computers, servers, hosted applications, networks and support. They built a test version simulating the use of Nextcloud in the middle school environment. The initial deployment is serving 5 middle schools, which is approximately 12000 users. This number will be risen to 33.000 pupils and 2.500 teachers in 57 middle schools step by step. Students work from home, inside Nextcloud Group Folders and use Collabora Online. This way teachers don’t have the issue that they don’t have the right Microsoft Office version to read the students’ work, avoiding interoperability problems. Teachers and directors of schools use Collabora also for sharing and collaboration for administrative tasks. Users welcomed Nextcloud and its features with great enthusiasm: they loved the remote access to documents, online collaborative edition and the user-friendliness of the solution. Some teachers already used online hosting solutions. For them, having the same experience hosted in Britanny by a security, privacy and protection-oriented public organization was a very positive experience. For users unfamiliar with those services, offered support and personal coaching was offered during migration phases. They gained experience with Nextcloud and used it for innovative uses with their pupils during class time. ^[1] 

Fed up with the same old social media? Do you feel like your posts just vanished into the void? You're not alone. Big tech has us locked in, dictating what we see and who we connect with. But there's another way. Imagine a social network where you're in charge. No algorithm gods deciding your fate. The Fediverse is a revolutionary space where you choose your own adventure. It's like a million tiny galaxies, each unique, with its own quirks and communities. Want a chill spot for cat memes? Find it. Craving a heated debate about astrophysics? There's a hub for that too. Here, you're not just a user, you're a citizen. You can build your own corner, with your own rules, or join a thriving community that speaks to you. It's a vibrant tapestry woven from millions of voices, all connected and free to roam. The Fediverse isn't just a platform, it's a playground for dreamers and creators. Connect with kindred spirits, share your passions, collaborate on wild ideas – the possibilities are endless. Grow your audience organically, not through algorithms. This is where authenticity reigns supreme. So, ditch the echo chamber and join the conversation. In the Fediverse, it's not just about connecting, it's about unlocking a world of possibilities. It's about having fun, making a difference, and being part of something bigger than yourself.

Successful businesses are now able to connect with their desired audience and potential customers without being restricted by a platform's algorithms, policies, or fees. Mastodon, a well-known microblogging platform, allows users to easily create and share content with anyone in the network, regardless of their location, language, or culture.^[2]  Businesses can showcase their unique value proposition and brand identity without fear of censorship, restrictions, or manipulation by platform owners or authorities. They are utilizing the power of social media to collaborate and generate new ideas, insights, and opportunities. This solution addresses some of the challenges faced by market leaders on traditional social media platforms, such as lack of control, privacy concerns, and limited diversity.