Why many people don't and won't use open source federated sites
People will continue to use big centralized sites like Discord until the alternatives drop the literal paragraphs of technobabble to explain what they are.
Most users do not know tech well. If they see pages of words they don't understand it's clear the software 'isn't for people like me'
so they go back to centralized sites.
If people don't understand what any of those acronyms and words mean it won't matter that the site is easier or better to use.
There's nothing wrong with technical explanations.
But they can be deeply alienating as a first impression and explanation to someone with no tech or coding skills who's after 'a site I can talk to my friends on'.
Folks know the sites they use are bad. But the alternative isn't accessible to the vast majority of people.
Non tech users need to be included and respected as potential users if open source is to appeal to all the communities it could benefit.
re: Why many people don't and won't use open source federated sites
@Brainship I agree, I think it's impossible to understate the "everyone I know is already on there" draw, as well.
Do I like Discord/Facebook? Hell no. Do I use them more than Mastodon, Matrix et al anyway? Yes, because they have so many people & communities I simply can't talk to if I don't.
re: Why many people don't and won't use open source federated sites
@pastelbat yeah I think that’s a huge thing too tbh. I use Twitter bc my friends there aren’t moving here anytime soon bc there’s disadvantaged including monetary ones to uprooting and moving.
I feel these two things play into each other into a vicious circle of ppl not using open source.