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Top-level
 @kissane so, data migration works waaaaaaay better on the Web if you own your own domain. I'd compare moving your WordPress blog from one service to another. You download the data, upload it to the new installation, change the DNS, and shit just works. 21 comments
@kissane this is, obviously, how Blue Sky data portability works. Everyone gets a DNS name for their identity. And they move around as needed. @kissane all of which is to say: 1) We should be encouraging people to get their own domain early in the onboarding process. 2) Fediverse software should support bringing your own domain. Takahē does it; others should follow suit. 3) Fediverse software should support both Webfinger accounts (user@domain.example) and DNS hostname accounts (user.domain.example). That way, everyone gets a domain name, free, right away, but somewhat less under their own control. @kissane I know that domains have their weaknesses as a root of identity on the Web and the social web. They've also proved remarkably resilient over the last 30+ years of civilian Internet. There are some other identity systems, like DIDs, that can supplement DNS, but right now, owning a domain is the best way to control your internet identity.  @evan I’d love it if cosocial allows me to use my own domain. I guess we wouldn’t be a community then though? @emd @evan I highly recommend @mastohost I’d you want a painless way of self hosting and using your own domain. My server is almost single user (I mean I have like 4 friends on it) because there was no way I’d have my main account on a domain I don’t control, just like email. @g @evan @mastohost ya I thought about that but wanted to join a community, and one that is member supported (my instance is a co-op model). But I’d love to own my own identity on here. @emd @evan Normally, I’d be on @jerry’s awesome instance, but I wanted to control my domain. I interact with people from that instance non stop, I don’t feel like I’m less part of the community. I guess some features are a bit pointless though like if I look at all my local server posts etc and it’s tumbleweeds  @g @emd @evan @mastohost the problem is, afaik you can't import your data (posts, etc.) that way, though. At least I didn't see it as an option.  @evan @kissane I’ve long been under the impression that if you use a domain once it basically gets burned because of the public key caching that happens across the fediverse and that you can’t then spin up another instance on the same domain. I do have the advantage of having been able to move my self-hosted instance between hosts without data loss and minimal downtime though.  @evan This will sound snarky, but please believe it’s not: I think that’s great for people with the wherewithal and knowledge and connections into admin peer support and who also don’t mind their replies not showing up in lots of people’s view. I think it is a laudable accomplishment! But it’s also a niche activity compared to the mass of people who just want to use Mastodon (or something else) to hang out with their friends. And rn Masto tells those people accounts are portable 🫠 @kissane I will say this with the utmost respect: you are the fediverse critic whose voice I trust the most. I know you really want it to succeed, and you point out problems that we all want to overlook. Data portability is a big deal, and I'd like to see it get better. I also think the ghost replies issue is a big deal that we need to fix. There are tools in AP that Mastodon doesn't use. I'd like to figure out why and get them working.  @evan Thanks, Evan, that's very kind. I'm muting a lot of stuff for a bit, but I appreciate that you're engaging on these topics. @evan do you have any pointers on how Mastodon could better employ AP on the visibility issues, to make advocacy easier?  |
Gregory's Server
@kissane
You can do about the same thing with a single-user Mastodon instance right now.
It would be cool if you could do it with other server software: make a backup from your 1-user Masto, and restore it to your 1-user Calckey. Change the DNS, and it just works.