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In November last year, I pointed out that the outages and uncertainty plaguing Twitter under the ownership of Elon Musk had led many people to look at alternatives.

One in particular, Mastodon, based on the ActivityPub decentralized networking protocol, has gained many new users as a result. According to the Mastodon Analytics site, the collection of federated social media servers saw a surge in new users at this time: rising from around 3.5 million users to 6.4 million more recently. Over the same period, the number of Mastodon servers rose from around 3,000 to 10,000.

In an instance of if you cant beat them, join them, WordPress and Medium are now looking to follow their users on Mastodon, and rumor has it that Meta is trying to do the same.

Since December 2022, the number of active Mastodon users has seen a decline from a peak of 2.4 million to around 1.2 million. Some fall-off was inevitable, as many people tried the new system, some either found it too hard or simply too different from Twitter.

But in the last few weeks there has been a marked rise in interest from major companies, which could result in many millions more joining the Mastodon world. Thats particularly the case if one of those companies Meta turns a new research project into a full-blown Mastodon-compatible service.

Metas move into the fediverse would also raise important questions about whether the entrance of the social media giant would ultimately be good or bad for the Mastodon world and for privacy.

Things began to hot up in January, when the online publishing platform Medium, originally launched by Twitter co-founder Evan Williams, announced that it was creating its own instance. That is, it has set up a new Mastodon server specifically for Medium authors and publications. A post by Tony Stubblebine, CEO of Medium, lists some of the features that he believes will make this new instance different from existing servers:

With so many Mastodon instances to choose from, we plan for me.dm to have a few important benefits out of the gate: reliable infrastructure and moderation, a short domain name to make sharing your username easier, better onboarding for new users, and an interesting local feed.

Thats not just a vote of confidence in the decentralized approach to social networking. Its also an example that other publishing platforms could follow.

One of the strengths of the federated approach is that each instance can serve particular communities by setting its own code of conduct, terms of service, moderation rules and privacy policy. Indeed, its easy to imagine any larger company setting up a Mastodon instance specifically for its customers rather as companies set up web servers 25 years ago. Doing so would solve many of the moderation problems that arise from using a general social media service like Twitter or Facebook.

The news and social network aggregator Flipboard has also set up a dedicated instance for its users, flipboard.social. In addition, according to TechCrunch, the Flipboard app for iOS will allow Mastodon users to visually flip through their timeline to view posts from the people they follow, much like theyve been able to do with Twitter.

Even more significant is the news that Automattic, the company behind WordPress, has acquired an ActivityPub plugin for the platform. A post on the WPTavern site explains what this means in practice:

The ActivityPub plugin makes it possible for readers to follow a WordPress site in the fediverse using the ActivityPub protocol. This includes Mastodon, one of the most popular platforms using the protocol, and other platforms like Pleroma, Friendica, HubZilla, Pixelfed, SocialHome, and Misskey. For those using Mastodon, this plugin will automatically send posts to the network and replies to it will become comments on the post.

According to figures on Wikipedia, as of May 2021, WordPress is used by 64.8% of all the websites whose content management system is known. This is 41.4% of the top 10 million websites. If even a small proportion of sites using WordPress add the ActivityPub plugin, this will provide a huge boost to the ActivityPub and Mastodon worlds.

But even the WordPress boost pales in comparison with news that Meta is exploring the idea of creating a standalone text-based app that will support ActivityPub. According to MoneyControl, which first revealed Metas P92 project, features of Metas potential new service are still in a state of flux:

Some of the other features including tappable links in posts with previews (like Twitter), user bio, username, verification badges, images and videos would be made shareable on the initial versions of the app, according to the plan. It would also allow followers and likes, but it is unclear whether features for commenting and messaging would be there in the first version of the product. However, these will be included eventually.

A lot depends on the details, but anything from Meta that supports ActivityPub is likely to have a massive impact on decentralized social media. For example, it would make signing up for a Mastodon-like service much simpler: one of the main criticisms of todays approach is that it is too hard for most people.

If P92 supported fully the ActivityPub protocol, that would allow users to move from Metas service to others finally escaping the famous walled garden of that company. People could choose to move to instances offering better privacy protections, putting pressure on Meta to improve its own policies in this area.

But there are also risks. If Metas P92 project became as popular as its other online services, with hundreds of millions of users, it could also swamp the rest of the fediverse. In that case, Meta would be able to diverge from the open standards, for example by blocking the ability of users to migrate to other instances, in a classic case of embrace, extend, and extinguish.

Excerpt from:
Meta Explores Mastodon, Will the fediverse Survive? - PIA VPN - Privacy News Online

Image Credits: Sidechat & Yik Yak logos, image via TechCrunch

Sidechat, the anonymous posting platform that began blowing up last year on college campuses, appears to have acquired a rival anonymous social platform, Yik Yak. While you may recall Yik Yaks troubles from earlier years, where bullying and harassment ultimately led to an ignominious exit in the form of an acqui-hire by Square, the gossip app relaunched under new Nashville-based ownership in 2021, promising improved moderation.

But now Yik Yaks app has been republished under the same App Store developer account as Sidechat Flower Ave. It had originally been published under its own name, Yik Yak, Inc. (The first version under the original founders was Yik Yak LLC).

In addition, Sidechats users are complaining in App Store reviews about the forced migration from one app to the other.

Bring back Yikyak, one review is titled, noting they received an update that warned them that their herd is moving, which pointed them to Sidechats app. Several reviews also complain that Yik Yak had been anonymous, but Sidechat was asking for students school emails in order to participate.

Yikyak merging with sidechat is the worst decision, another reviewer lamented, adding that Yik Yak had been available to everyone, not just college students. Plus, the reviewer said, everyone is worried about the merger because their account info is now being associated with their school.

Oddly, not all Yik Yak users have gotten the push to migrate. As other App Store reviews noted, Yik Yak is still operating in some markets but not others. In fact, we were able to log in to Yik Yak in our local community when testing the app today and have not yet received a push to move to Sidechat.

It could be that Sidechat is selectively pushing users located on or near universities and college campuses to migrate, as that is its core demographic.

Whats interesting about this M&A event which were hearing is more akin to an acqui-hire than some sort of big exit is that both companies founders have tried to stay anonymous. Yik Yak earlier refused to respond to questions about its relaunch. And even when being profiled by The New York Times, Sidechat only responded to press inquiries from a generic email. Dozens of student ambassadors for the app had also declined to respond to or ignored the papers inquiries.

However, an SEC filing for Sidechats parent company, Flower Ave., points to involvement from ex-Snap engineer Sebastian Gil and ex-Snap product designer Chamal Samaranayake. Per the filing, the company raised north of $10 million last summer, shortly after getting written up by various university press, like The Harvard Crimson and The Tufts Daily. More recently, Sidechat was covered by Annenberg Media, a paper funded by USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Some of the papers highlighted students misgivings over Sidechats moderation capabilities and overall influence on campus.

When asked, Sidechats founders declined to be interviewed for those articles as well.

Our phone calls, emails, and other outreach to Yik Yak, Sidechat, and its founders have not been returned.

But there are plenty of social media complaints about the merger from less-than-satisfied users.

The timing of the complaints and App Store reviews point to a deal that went through sometime last month. For what its worth, Yik Yak Inc. updated its privacy policy in January, but it has not disclosed any change in ownership.

According to app store intelligence firm data.ai, Yik Yaks app changed the name of its publisher from Yik Yak Inc. to Flower Avenue Inc. on February 28, 2023.

The firm tells us the new Yik Yak has seen approximately 3.5 million installs since its August 2021 relaunch. The highest ranking it ever received was the day after its relaunch when it briefly became the No. 1 Overall app on the U.S. App Store. Today, it no longer ranks in the Overall listings but is No. 89 in Social Networking.

Sidechat, meanwhile, had just slightly north of 180,000 lifetime installs, making it the smaller of the two apps. (But perhaps the one with more runway!). Its highest rank was No. 30 in the U.S. Social Networking category, which was achieved in November 2022.

The merger makes sense given that both Sidechat and Yik Yak share a similar purpose of connecting people anonymously, though Sidechat has more squarely focused on college student gossip.

But staying anonymous when asking others to trust your platform is an odd choice for these companies and one that seems to be backfiring. Because the users dont know who is running Sidechat or what their values are, theyre hesitant to even provide the company with their email, it seems.

Sarah Perez is available via email sarahp@techcrunch.com and Signal (415) 234-3994.

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Anonymous app Sidechat picks up rival Yik Yakand users arent happy - TechCrunch

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23-Dec 21)

This is an auspicious day to plan a trip or buy a vehicle. Daily astrological prediction says you may come across several investment options today and your stable financial condition may allow you to invest money today. You may find peaceful aura at home and think about spending a day with loved ones.

You may feel fine as far as your health is concerned. Exercise may become the part of your daily routine. An old friend may call you and try to reach you via social networking sites. It is your day and you may shine on the professional front. Your consistent efforts and dedication may get you appreciation from seniors. Everything seems okay but some relationship issues are predicted. You should be patient and understanding and wait for the favourable time.

What lies further? Unfold now:

Sagittarius Finance Today:

This is an auspicious day and you may get a chance to form a new business project. Some may buy a travel package and shop for clothing. Homemakers may spend on a home appliance.

Sagittarius Family Today:

You may relax at home and try to draw joy from familiar things. Some may go out with loved ones for vigorous enjoyment. Your parents may do something nice for you.

Sagittarius Career Today:

Your talent and vast experience may offer you new avenues. You may reach great heights on the career front and get promoted to a higher designation. Freshers may get new job offers.

Sagittarius Health Today:

Someone close may give you good health advice today. This is a favorable day for getting rid of stress and relaxing. Meditation may refresh your mind. A trip with loved ones may give you much-needed break from monotony.

Sagittarius Love Life Today:

Love may take a backseat today as you may be occupied with other things. Your partner may feel neglected and think about taking some major steps. Avoid argument with your love partner as it may turn out messy and cause permanent damage to your relationship.

Lucky Number: 17

Lucky Color: Silver

By: Manisha Koushik, Dr Prem Kumar Sharma

(Astrologer, Palmist, Numerologist & Vastu Consultant)

Email: support@askmanisha.com, psharma@premastrologer.com

Url: http://www.askmanisha.com, http://www.premastrologer.com

Contact: Panchkula: +91-172-2562832, 2572874

Delhi: +91-11-47033152, 40532026

Manisha Koushik has more than 12+ years of experience. She gives astrological advice related to career, health, finance, business, relationship and more. She is known to combine the principles of Vedic and Western astrology, Tarot, Numerology, Vastu and Fengshui. She has authored many books and is a popular face for astrology TV shows....view detail

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Sagittarius Horoscope Today, March 20, 2023 predicts buying your dream vehicle - Hindustan Times

Gajigajigajigajigajigajigajigajigajigajigajigajig . A panda with tattered fur and obviously emaciated is single-mindedly chewing on a bamboo. It may be old bamboo, or it may be yellowing, but it doesnt seem to care. It seems to be desperate to satisfy its hunger. In another scene, the panda is walking around in a small room, perhaps looking for food. Perhaps giving up, the panda eventually cowered with its head against the wall and then it was time to go.

A video posted on the Chinese social networking site Weibo has caused a firestorm. The panda in the video is Yahya, 22, who lives at the Memphis Zoo in Tennessee, USA. The zoo is now facing allegations of panda abuse.

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Yahya, a female panda, was sent to the Memphis Zoo in April 2003 together with Lor Lo, a male panda (24), and has lived there for about 20 years. The decision was made to return Yahya to China last December, but recently a video showing Yahyas current condition was posted on social networking sites, and it was also revealed that Low Low had died suddenly in February of this year, which raised questions about the zoos husbandry practices.

The Chinese public was outraged by the tragic sight described at the beginning of this article, and social networking sites were filled with comments such as, Its so sad, He has been suffering like this for 20 years, and Please go pick him up immediately.

Are the allegations of abuse really true? This magazine asked the Memphis Zoo for an interview, but they refused to give us any information. We then contacted In Defense of Animals, an animal welfare organization that monitors the zoo, and received a shocking answer from Brittany Mitchelson, who is the most knowledgeable person about the situation at the zoo.

Yayas condition is clearly malnourished. We have also observed diarrhea and skin disease, and we suspect zoochosis, a condition in which animals in captivity exhibit abnormal behavior due to mental stress. Ya-Yas behavior of continually spinning around and around has been observed.

In 21, we petitioned the zoo to provide better quality bamboo and bamboo shoots, but they did not respond. Lor Lo collapsed once in mid-January, but presumably was not treated properly and died two weeks later.

Will Yahya be able to return safely to China?

From theMarch17,2023issue ofFRIDAY

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Allegedly abused by feeding only dead bamboo... Ya-Ya, a panda ... - msnNOW

The power of online influence and social media has grown significantly over the last decade or two. Particularly millennials can recall the rise of social networking platforms such as My Space, MSN, and Facebook and the start of the social phenomenon we now call memes. These two things in particular, have assisted in the rise in visibility of the crypto world, more specifically, Big Eyes (BIG).

The term meme isnt as new as many may think it is. The word was first used in a 1976 book titled The Selfish Gene by Dr. Richard Hawkins, an evolutionary biologist. Meme was defined as a behaviour, style, or idea that is spread from person to person within a cultural setting. The word stems from the Greek word mimeme, which means a thing that is imitated.

Throughout the last decade, memes have been used as a coping mechanism by modern society. The world tends to use memes as a way to bring humour and light to things that might otherwise be a tragedy. For example, during the first lockdown while the pandemic was happening, the networking platform TikTok became significantly more popular, and many people made funny videos addressing the pandemic.

One of todays most influential cryptocurrencies, Dogecoin, stemmed from a viral internet meme that received a lot of attention from celebrities like Elon Musk and Snoop Dogg. The viral Doge meme was first discovered in late 2005 but has since become an internet sensation. The meme consists of a Shiba Inu breed dog giving a side eye to the camera surrounded by sarcastic comments such as much fashion or such swag, which could be used in response to someone wearing a questionable outfit.

Dogecoin currently sits at number nine on the coin market cap after it truly blew up in 2021. Dogecoin was originally launched by two Reddit friends who hadnt met in person as a response to the crypto OG, Bitcoin (BTC). The two friends saw many ways that the Bitcoin service could be improved, so they vowed to do just that. One flaw that Bitcoin had was that there were and still are only 21 million in circulation, whereas Dogecoin was designed to be a limitless token, as there are currently over 130 billion Dogecoins, as well as 10,000 mined and produced per minute.

The fact remains that without memes and social media, Dogecoin wouldnt be the token that it is today. This brings hope that Big Eyes will soon follow in the footsteps of one of the greats.

Big Eyes is paving the way to becoming one of the most influential coins in crypto. Big Eyes is personified by a cute, wide-eyed cat who just cares about helping the planet and assisting the community. Big Eyes have created an outreach on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram, generating almost 50 thousand followers across both platforms.

Big Eyes even had its very own three-dimensional billboard in Times Square in New York City. Because of its extensive collection of billboards, Times Square is known throughout the world and is a popular destination for tourists and locals to visit and take pictures, which is great for creating a buzz on social media among crypto enthusiasts.

For a limited time only, by using $100 or more, investors can gain an extra 300% with three loot boxes using the vault code 300. This one-time offer shall entice more people into investing in Big Eyes. It isnt all about the influence Big Eyes has on the people, it is also about the planet. Big Eyes has dedicated five percent of all tokens to help save the oceans from overfishing and pollution. Big Eyes is hoping that its social media presence can help raise awareness of the state of the planet and what global warming is doing to our world.

Buy Big Eyes Coin Now!

Presale: https://buy.bigeyes.space/

Website: https://bigeyes.space/

Telegram: https://t.me/BIGEYESOFFICIAL

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WARNING: The investment in crypto assets is not regulated, it may not be suitable for retail investors and the total amount invested could be lost

AVISO IMPORTANTE: La inversin en criptoactivos no est regulada, puede no ser adecuada para inversores minoristas y perderse la totalidad del importe invertido

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The power of online influence: How Big Eyes and Dogecoin have shaken up the Crypto World through Memes and Social Media - Euro Weekly News