Alternative Internet Protocols
12 days ago
- #web design
- #decentralization
- #internet protocols
- Alternative internet protocols include FTP, BitTorrent, IRC, and email, though they don't serve documents like the web.
- Gopher was an early protocol, while Gemini improved upon it with better markup and TLS.
- Niche protocols like Nex, Scroll, and Spartan address specific issues with Gemini but have very few users.
- P2P protocols like Hyphanet and Reticulum offer resilience but can be hard to distinguish from crypto nonsense.
- Gemini and Gopher emphasize minimalism and client control, contrasting with the corporate-dominated web.
- The web's ubiquity makes it easier to use despite its flaws, such as surveillance and DRM.
- Web design allows for creativity and variety, unlike the uniformity of Gemini and Gopher.
- Content on Gemini is often tech-focused, lacking the diversity found on the web.
- The choice between using the web or alternatives like Gemini is about balancing convenience and principles.
- P2P architectures offer resilience but require more exploration to understand their practical uses.