#### Here is an important post regarding the future of diaspora*, in the wake of the loss of Framasphère, with a look at the history of diaspora*, achievements and disappointments, some tragedies, and much good will along the way. And the question again, of "where do we go?" and should we?
Merci, @fla@diaspora-fr.org. I hope this English version helps get some attention too.
ORIGINAL POST (in French):
~~
This is as important a post as can be to diasporans (is that a word?)
I’ll post a translation at the end of this. First, a mini-synopsis:
In English: there is an anguished conversation about the possibility of “ending the project” known as diaspora*. This post and thread is growing fast, and has chunks of commentary now in English too. But much is in French, and in response to the loss of a very popular (France-based) pod, Framasphère.
Seems like many original developers and users are pitching in with thoughts, memories, suggestions, hopes… Some focus on the stresses of the project (including a suicide) and the history of “spinoffs” and debates within the core communities over time. And the ultimate realization that there is a critical turning (or re-commitment) point where some are wondering if things are salvageable, or a failure. Coincidentally, a new app development allowing portability of content to a new pod. All coinciding… And at the same time “here”, (diasp.org) a new direction/model for supporting the financial cost…
OK, Voilà:
~
Good evening everyone, diaspora friends *
I am speaking in particular to Framasphère users who see their pod closed, but not only because we are all concerned here. This is the future of the diaspora *.
Framasoft had planned from the start of its “disgusting internet” campaign not to maintain the services offered ad vitam æternam, but, we must be honest, the very slow dynamics of the diaspora* project did not help to want to keep Framasphère open.
The software is stable, it works well, and it is used by thousands of people every day. But only a handful of people really get involved in it and as a result, it moves extremely slowly.
We are at a crucial time for the project, just like roughly 9 years ago, on August 27, 2012, when the founders of Diaspora* announced that they would stop working on the project and left it in the hands of the community. Diaspora* could have disappeared at that time, but its users believed in it and took over brilliantly.
I remember how we released diaspora 0.1.0.0 less than a year later, which for the first time allowed you to preview your posts before posting:
[Graphics]
What roads we travelled ever since!
But free software only lives on its community. So, if you enjoy diaspora , if you want this project to continue to exist, **get involved*.
You will tell me that you do not know how to code. I would tell you that there are dozens of other ways to contribute. (Page in English) The very first, and most important, is to believe in it and show it off! (Get excited, our American friends would say.).
@ramil_rodaje@joindiaspora.com has been the perfect example for years, always posting little creations like these:
[Graphics, “thank you diaspora*”, devos, etc ]
These are the kinds of messages that motivate developers and podmins to continue to be involved at length in making the network possible.
With the closure of Framasphère, we are back at a pivotal moment for the project. We can let it die, or we can realize how essential a trading space that is not controlled by a multinational corporation is.
What is your choice ?
Tomorrow, I will tell you more about what you can do concretely. Help is needed to test the migration, for the release of version 0.8, for the new foundation website, and to maintain #diaspora-fr, among others.
#diaspora #diaspora-dev #diaspora0800 #framasphere #community #logiciellibre #internetlibre #socialmedia #Fediverse
