I'm becoming more suspicious of Facebook's project to integrate a new service into the fediverse.
It makes absolutely no sense.
An open 'social network protocol' and its implementaions are a threat to multi-billion companies like Facebook who absolutely need to retain tight control over their user base to extract profits.
Once plugged in the danger of their user base 'escaping' through the new connection is large.
But I still can't quite pin down why they are doing it.
@fedi it actually makes sense, #Facebook / #Meta needs to expand their reach, but at the same time retain their base. If users are leaving for the fediverse why not give them no reason to leave at all by becoming part of it. Most FB users aren’t tech literate so it disincentivizes their need to learn about another platform again, if they are already part of it. It’s the old, “if you can’t beat them, join them.” Either FB accepted change or dies 🤷♂️
@chiefgyk3d So for the opportunity to attract a million or two million people Facebook connects their network of 2 billion people to the ActivityPub network. Seems to me the danger of some of their 2 billion jumping ship far outweighs the opportunity cost.
@fedi you really think those people are tech literate enough to jump? Think about the average person, do you think they honestly care enough to jump in the first place? The average person cares to converse and connect, as it stands everyone is on Facebook. Not ActivityPub
@chiefgyk3d Sure the average internet user has a certain 'learned helplessness'. But they do, mostly, have the ability to navigate to a URL, choose a username, enter an email address, open their email, click on an activation link, return to URL and start pressing partly familiar, partly new buttons on a slightly different user interface. The idea of tech skills being required to use 'Mastodon' is vastly over-promoted.
@fedi you’re not understanding what I’m saying tech skills, I mean basic tech skills. The average Facebook user knows how to use a phone and their computer for basic tasks, they have trouble understanding new platforms. I work in IT and cybersecurity I see it daily. It’s one more thing they have to learn and troubleshoot. Anyone who would have abandoned Facebook pretty much has already or at least still has their Facebook and this platform and barely uses FB.
@fedi just look at how confusing it was for most users jumping over the “what do you mean I have to pick a server” hurdle so many people I know, literally turned away from mastadon just because of that first step
@chiefgyk3d this goes back to the 'learned helplessness' I referenced earlier. It probably also ties in with deliberate confusing statements disseminated to confuse people. I wonder who promoted them sarcasm.
Amazing how people can choose a restaurant from hundreds but some would have you believe choosing a fediverse instance is vastly complicated.
@fedi serious question do you work with end users often or no? It’s not learned helplessness, they don’t care. It’s one more thing to deal with they simply don’t care about and to them Facebook is working already. Many have a “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” mentality.
@chiefgyk3d I am understanding what you are saying and I disagree. I posted specific steps to opening a typical social network account. I believe the average internet user can achieve these steps. Which step do you not believe they can achieve or do you just believe they can't string 5 simple steps together.
@fedi The average user merely downloads an app, set up an account and logged in the average user, does not want to deal with researching which server they want to join and for what reasons, and then scope out the moderation. If you ever have to do tech-support for end-users, you will understand. Facebook is easier and most will stay for solely that reason alone. Users don’t want to reinvent the wheel to talk to friends and family
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