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Gemini, Ecosystem?

“Gemini is a new internet protocol which: [it] Will not replace either [gopher/the web]”

-- gemini.circumlunar.space

Is that so?

Let’s think about "an average internet user" and what one does (daily/weekly/monthly).

That person...

Checks national and/or local news
Checks local weather
Chats with family and friends
Browses funny pictures and videos
Uses webmail
Uses banking services
Uses translator services
Hosts own webpage or blog
Browses webshops
Browses popular discussion platforms
Studies new things via search engines
Listens music and podcasts (stream)
Reads e-books
Uses online maps
Uses social media platforms

How many of these services can be transferred into Gemini?

National and/or local news: YES

Note: There are some of them already available and they are fast. However, the smaller language group, the less public instances. Self-hosting is always an option.

Weather services: YES

Note: Actually Gemini weather service is lot better than web alternatives. Super fast.

Real-time chat: -

Note: Browser is not necessary, so this topic can be excluded from the list. There’s no need to create an alternative, because there is XMPP. For more information about chatting with XMPP, please read:

Guide: Start Chatting With XMPP (Very Easy)

Browsing funny stuff: YES

Note: There can be meme directories and you name it. Image auto-load is not necessary to browse funny stuff. It’s only one click away to open that picture or video. Instead of thinking it as a problem, let’s consider it as a possibility to create anticipation: “Don’t you dare to open this image..." What’s more, no auto-load means it’s better for NSFW content.

Webmail: -

Note: E-mail clients are created for this purpose. Browser is not necessary, so this topic can be excluded from the list.

Banking: -

Note: Realistically, this is not going to happen very soon.

Translator services: YES

Note: They already exist in Gemini.

Website and/or blog hosting: YES

Note: Nowadays websites require so many things to do before one can start publishing (layouts, fonts, etc). Everything is simpler with Gemini.

Webshops: -

Note: Probably not going to happen very soon. Simple product catalogs may appear first.

Discussion platforms: YES

Note: There’s Geddit and “leave a comment” feature in some gemlogs.

Studying new things: YES

Note: Gemini search engine exists. Wikipedia proxy exists. There could be scientific publication repositories (.pdf format, abstracts in gemtext).

Music & podcast streaming: YES

Note: Gemini can be a platform for music and talk radio. KONPEITO and several Gemcasts (Gemini podcasts) are good examples.

E-books: YES

Note: HTML e-books could be converted into gemtext. E-book repos like Project Gutenberg or Internet Archive could exist in Gemini.

Maps: -

Note: Maps delivered in PNG or JPG format? Probably not very user-friendly experience.

Social media: -

Note: If one wants to mimic contemporary SoMe platforms, it will probably not be very user-friendly experience. Users should prefer XMPP (with encryption) for communications anyway. However, SoMe can be different in Gemini. It's just slower, static.

Conclusion

Gemini can offer 9 out of 15 aforementioned services. Chat and e-mail can be considered separate services (browser is not necessary), thus raising Gemini coverage up to 11 out of 15. Banking, webshops, social media and interactive maps are the only services that Gemini can’t replace (in a very long time).

Even at this early stage, Gemini offers some of aforementioned services, thus creating real alternative for modern slow, bloated web. Now imagine what kind of user experience all of these would create when combined (mobile + desktop):

News feed bookmarked in Gemini browser (+ one-click shortcut in desktop)
Local weather report bookmarked in Gemini browser (+ one-click shortcut in desktop)
Real-time chat via XMPP client
Meme/funny video directories bookmarked in Gemini browser
E-mail client
Online translator bookmarked in Gemini browser
Personal Gemini capsule acquired (personal + professional business card capsule like "GemindIn")
Reddit-like Geddit subdiscussions bookmarked in Gemini browser
Music and gemcast feeds bookmarked in Gemini browser
Search engine as a homepage in Gemini browser
E-book directories bookmarked in Gemini browser

What do you think?

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Last updated: 24.9.2021

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