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Upcoming Gemini Presentation, Brussels

Jonathan McHugh <indieterminacy (a) libre.brussels>

Hello all,

Mid-September, Im doing an introductory presentation (~ 1 hour), as part 
of Sofware Freedom Day - at HSBXL, Brussels. ALL WELCOME.
=> https://hsbxl.be/events/software-freedom-day/2021-09-18/

I shall start writing it soon, replete with (reusable) Tikz diagrams and 
discourse on edge cases to mitigate/mess with protocol expectations.


time to oblige you.

include I will consider it


====================
Jonathan McHugh
indieterminacy at libre.brussels

Link to individual message.

Andrew Thorp <andrew.thorp.dev (a) gmail.com>

Hi Jonathan,

TOFU Cert Validation for some reason took me a second to get (maybe
I'm just not smart).
Since the talk is introductory, if your presentation goes into some
detail, it might be worth explaining
how that works in contrast with more common certificate validation
methods. This isn't strictly part
of the protocol but it is an important bit of information when
implementing your own client and server
and also when discussing how Gemini is more distributed than the WWW.

I'm looking forward to the presentation!

Andrew Thorp

Link to individual message.

Jonathan McHugh <indieterminacy (a) libre.brussels>

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for your suggestion, Ill double down on TOFU. Its a key area, as it 
shows points of
consideration (nobody wants to find out after the fact that what they
started was inappropriate).

IMHO, the more I am obligated to consider real expectations the more I can
crowd out my more irreverent tendencies (ta!).

Additionally the talk will be recorded (as well as other presenters).


Jonathan

Andrew Thorp <andrew.thorp.dev at gmail.com> writes:

> Hi Jonathan,
>
> TOFU Cert Validation for some reason took me a second to get (maybe
> I'm just not smart).
> Since the talk is introductory, if your presentation goes into some
> detail, it might be worth explaining
> how that works in contrast with more common certificate validation
> methods. This isn't strictly part
> of the protocol but it is an important bit of information when
> implementing your own client and server
> and also when discussing how Gemini is more distributed than the WWW.
>
> I'm looking forward to the presentation!
>
> Andrew Thorp

Link to individual message.

Andrew Singleton <singletona082 (a) gmail.com>

Unsure if this is something that will fit your tone or presentation 
length, but an explanation on Gemini as supplementary protocol rather than 
'well why not refit the search query so you can use that to make a message 
board/chatroom/etc' or 'how about we add *thing*?'

Arguments could be made for an expansion of Gemini, but the point of 
Gemini is this is literally all it does or really should do. Video 
streaming, shopping/banking, hat, message boards, etc are problems other 
protocols can solve and more power for people who come up with lean 
solutions for each (though I suspect shopping/banking won't ever change as 
you need institutional backing to roll those out.)

For a time I grumbled st the lack of Gemini content on YouTube or odessy 
and couldn't understand why. Thing is Everything that strictly needed 
saying already had been along with the fact Gemini itself is exceedingly 
niche. Sure I would love more people talking about it, but at the same 
time? What else is there to say?

Maybe going into what people can do server side?

Link to individual message.

Alan <gemini (a) bunburya.eu>

I definitely think this should inform the way Gemini is introduced. More 
generally, you'll want to pre-empt all the usual questions like 
"wouldn't it be better if Gemini had X feature" or "how is this protocol 
supposed to replace the web".

Personally I would be careful to avoid words like "replacement" or 
"alternative" when describing Gemini; in fact, I would try to minimise 
direct comparisons to the web to the extent possible. From what I've 
seen on places like Reddit or HN, confusion about Gemini's purpose seems 
to be the main source of negative feedback so trying to address that in 
your talk might be an effective way to get more people interested.

On 31/08/2021 16:26, Andrew Singleton wrote:
> Unsure if this is something that will fit your tone or presentation 
length, but an explanation on Gemini as supplementary protocol rather than 
'well why not refit the search query so you can use that to make a message 
board/chatroom/etc' or 'how about we add *thing*?'
>
> Arguments could be made for an expansion of Gemini, but the point of 
Gemini is this is literally all it does or really should do. Video 
streaming, shopping/banking, hat, message boards, etc are problems other 
protocols can solve and more power for people who come up with lean 
solutions for each (though I suspect shopping/banking won't ever change as 
you need institutional backing to roll those out.)
>
> For a time I grumbled st the lack of Gemini content on YouTube or odessy 
and couldn't understand why. Thing is Everything that strictly needed 
saying already had been along with the fact Gemini itself is exceedingly 
niche. Sure I would love more people talking about it, but at the same 
time? What else is there to say?
>
> Maybe going into what people can do server side?

Link to individual message.

Jonathan McHugh <indieterminacy (a) libre.brussels>

Hi Alan,

Thanks for that concern.

One of my challenges as a presenter are that many of Gemini's 
justifications are already clearly provided in a succinct way (The 
protocol even states its not a replacement nor HTTP)- I want to be 
creative without repeating others (though Id make an excellent text to speech bot...)

For me visualising these concepts (and providing the coding for reuse) 
would be helpful, in order to build on the concept(s) would be a win if the talk bombs.

I enjoy using analogies and consider the 'Gemini spacecraft' one to be an 
excellent (though I consider it to represent the 'software', rather than 
the 'freedom' aspect more perfectly). 

I am keen to suggest a freedom analogy on terms of the Retford pilgrims 
who made it across the Atlantic (on the Mayflower) - 

Here goes a rough concept:

Why did they go with less?: Previously, vistors of the American shores 
were usually a consequence of serendipity, privateers and plunderers. Many 
sailors were Zuckerberg'd onto ships, having been plied with drink the 
night before. The bureaucratic reach of two distance dioceses started 
applying pressure on them to conform - they chose risk, toil and suffering 
- all for what, freedom?



[Now, I could also trail off into things like the Diet of Worms, the 
Luddites, et al but Im not so sure they are worth birthing]

Personally, I dont considered furrowed brows or indignation a problem, 
provided I put in enough effort to allow people to reflect.

Thanks

====================
Jonathan McHugh
indieterminacy at libre.brussels

August 31, 2021 4:03 PM, "Alan" <gemini at bunburya.eu> wrote:

> I definitely think this should inform the way Gemini is introduced. More 
generally, you'll want to
> pre-empt all the usual questions like "wouldn't it be better if Gemini 
had X feature" or "how is
> this protocol supposed to replace the web".
> 
> Personally I would be careful to avoid words like "replacement" or 
"alternative" when describing
> Gemini; in fact, I would try to minimise direct comparisons to the web 
to the extent possible. From
> what I've seen on places like Reddit or HN, confusion about Gemini's 
purpose seems to be the main
> source of negative feedback so trying to address that in your talk might 
be an effective way to get
> more people interested.
> 
> On 31/08/2021 16:26, Andrew Singleton wrote:
> 
>> Unsure if this is something that will fit your tone or presentation 
length, but an explanation on
>> Gemini as supplementary protocol rather than 'well why not refit the 
search query so you can use
>> that to make a message board/chatroom/etc' or 'how about we add *thing*?'
>> 
>> Arguments could be made for an expansion of Gemini, but the point of 
Gemini is this is literally
>> all it does or really should do. Video streaming, shopping/banking, 
hat, message boards, etc are
>> problems other protocols can solve and more power for people who come 
up with lean solutions for
>> each (though I suspect shopping/banking won't ever change as you need 
institutional backing to roll
>> those out.)
>> 
>> For a time I grumbled st the lack of Gemini content on YouTube or 
odessy and couldn't understand
>> why. Thing is Everything that strictly needed saying already had been 
along with the fact Gemini
>> itself is exceedingly niche. Sure I would love more people talking 
about it, but at the same time?
>> What else is there to say?
>> 
>> Maybe going into what people can do server side?

Link to individual message.

Jonathan McHugh <indieterminacy (a) libre.brussels>

Hi Andrew,

I find the frontier of Gemini interesting in itself.

Naturally, its worth emphasizing heavily the core, offified concepts and expectations.

With that, my normative opinion is that the simplicity, terseness, and 
accessibility can provide a very interesting range of bespoke usecases and 
activity - including cottage industries.

The community is full of people who like using niche, minimalist tools, as 
well as testing limitations. If I can go through some old posts for 
aposite quotes then hopefully the (openminded) Software Freedom Day 
audience will make their own opinions.

====================
Jonathan McHugh
indieterminacy at libre.brussels

August 31, 2021 3:26 PM, "Andrew Singleton" <singletona082 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Unsure if this is something that will fit your tone or presentation 
length, but an explanation on
> Gemini as supplementary protocol rather than 'well why not refit the 
search query so you can use
> that to make a message board/chatroom/etc' or 'how about we add *thing*?'
> 
> Arguments could be made for an expansion of Gemini, but the point of 
Gemini is this is literally
> all it does or really should do. Video streaming, shopping/banking, hat, 
message boards, etc are
> problems other protocols can solve and more power for people who come up 
with lean solutions for
> each (though I suspect shopping/banking won't ever change as you need 
institutional backing to roll
> those out.)
> 
> For a time I grumbled st the lack of Gemini content on YouTube or odessy 
and couldn't understand
> why. Thing is Everything that strictly needed saying already had been 
along with the fact Gemini
> itself is exceedingly niche. Sure I would love more people talking about 
it, but at the same time?
> What else is there to say?
> 
> Maybe going into what people can do server side?

Link to individual message.

Andrew Singleton <singletona082 (a) gmail.com>

I would suggest watching a few of Jason Scott's talks since he has a
more human element to his talks and less raw strict technical talking
points (which is why I find his talks interesting.)

> Hi Andrew, I find the frontier of Gemini interesting in itself. 
Naturally, its worth emphasizing heavily the core, offified concepts and 
expectations. With that, my normative opinion is that the simplicity, 
terseness, and accessibility can provide a very interesting range of 
bespoke usecases and activity - including cottage industries. The 
community is full of people who like using niche, minimalist tools, as 
well as testing limitations. If I can go through some old posts for 
aposite quotes then hopefully the (openminded) Software Freedom Day 
audience will make their own opinions. ====================

Link to individual message.

Jonathan McHugh <indieterminacy (a) libre.brussels>

Thanks, am I to assume that he did the Def Con talks (he has a very generic name)?

====================
Jonathan McHugh
indieterminacy at libre.brussels

August 31, 2021 4:48 PM, "Andrew Singleton" <singletona082 at gmail.com> wrote:

> I would suggest watching a few of Jason Scott's talks since he has a
> more human element to his talks and less raw strict technical talking
> points (which is why I find his talks interesting.)
> 
>> Hi Andrew, I find the frontier of Gemini interesting in itself. 
Naturally, its worth emphasizing
>> heavily the core, offified concepts and expectations. With that, my 
normative opinion is that the
>> simplicity, terseness, and accessibility can provide a very interesting 
range of bespoke usecases
>> and activity - including cottage industries. The community is full of 
people who like using niche,
>> minimalist tools, as well as testing limitations. If I can go through 
some old posts for aposite
>> quotes then hopefully the (openminded) Software Freedom Day audience 
will make their own opinions.
>> ====================

Link to individual message.

Andrew Singleton <singletona082 (a) gmail.com>

https://youtu.be/fYI_XtT7sgQ

That guy.

Aug 31, 2021 12:06:39 PM Jonathan McHugh <indieterminacy at libre.brussels>:

> Thanks, am I to assume that he did the Def Con talks (he has a very generic name)?
> 
> ====================
> Jonathan McHugh
> indieterminacy at libre.brussels
> 
> August 31, 2021 4:48 PM, "Andrew Singleton" <singletona082 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> I would suggest watching a few of Jason Scott's talks since he has a
>> more human element to his talks and less raw strict technical talking
>> points (which is why I find his talks interesting.)
>> 
>>> Hi Andrew, I find the frontier of Gemini interesting in itself. 
Naturally, its worth emphasizing
>>> heavily the core, offified concepts and expectations. With that, my 
normative opinion is that the
>>> simplicity, terseness, and accessibility can provide a very 
interesting range of bespoke usecases
>>> and activity - including cottage industries. The community is full of 
people who like using niche,
>>> minimalist tools, as well as testing limitations. If I can go through 
some old posts for aposite
>>> quotes then hopefully the (openminded) Software Freedom Day audience 
will make their own opinions.
>>> ====================

Link to individual message.

Jonathan Lane <tidux (a) sdf.org>

On Tue, Aug 31, 2021 at 03:26:07PM +0000, Andrew Singleton wrote:
> Unsure if this is something that will fit your tone or presentation 
length, but an explanation on Gemini as supplementary protocol rather than 
'well why not refit the search query so you can use that to make a message 
board/chatroom/etc' or 'how about we add *thing*?'
> 
> Arguments could be made for an expansion of Gemini, but the point of 
Gemini is this is literally all it does or really should do. Video 
streaming, shopping/banking, hat, message boards, etc are problems other 
protocols can solve and more power for people who come up with lean 
solutions for each (though I suspect shopping/banking won't ever change as 
you need institutional backing to roll those out.)
It should be possible in principle to do cryptocurrency purchases over
Gemini, although you'd be in practice limited to blockchains that can
consistently confirm a transaction in under ~30s to not break the
browser flow, and it would be a bad case of "this page best viewed in"
thanks to people wanting inline image previews for their shopping
experience.  I agree that without a major payment processor offering
official support, fiat currency and slow-blockchain (BTC, ETH, etc.)
payments are unlikely to work on Gemini.
-- 
tidux at sdf.org
SDF Public Access UNIX System - http://sdf.org

Link to individual message.

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