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Scuttlebutt social network: a decentralised platform

scuttlebutt.nz

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Re: Scuttlebutt social network: a decentralised platform

#21

Post by todd3834 »

earthwalker99 wrote: post #18
shp0ngle wrote: post #11

I keep hearing about Scuttlebutt for a long time but haven't seen anyone actually using it? Why? edit: hm, the recommended application on the website itself is ... from 2021, and the github of the app itself is archived now. And there is "bleeding edge" one ... from 2019. OK I can see that there might be problems

> I keep hearing about Scuttlebutt for a long time but haven't seen anyone actually using it? Why? It's called Scuttlebutt, meaning it can never be remotely popular enough to function as a worthwhile social network.

I don’t think this should be downvoted. It’s a valid point and potential lesson for anyone thinking about reviving or doing something similar.

While this might not be the only issue I wouldn’t doubt that the name might prevent a larger audience.

Re: Scuttlebutt social network: a decentralised platform

#22

Post by Hamuko »

shp0ngle wrote: post #11

I keep hearing about Scuttlebutt for a long time but haven't seen anyone actually using it? Why? edit: hm, the recommended application on the website itself is ... from 2021, and the github of the app itself is archived now. And there is "bleeding edge" one ... from 2019. OK I can see that there might be problems

Why? Well, for one thing, it's an append-only log, which I would argue is a terrible choice for a social network.

Re: Scuttlebutt social network: a decentralised platform

#23

Post by losvedir »

todd3834 wrote: post #21
earthwalker99 wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I keep hearing about Scuttlebutt for a long time but haven't seen anyone actually using it? Why? It's called Scuttlebutt, meaning it can never be remotely popular enough to function as a worthwhile social network.

I don’t think this should be downvoted. It’s a valid point and potential lesson for anyone thinking about reviving or doing something similar. While this might not be the only issue I wouldn’t doubt that the name might prevent a larger audience.

Why? I think it's a fine name, better than most, because it's a normal English word that says exactly what it does / what it's for. You're not just saying that because the word happens to end in "butt" are you? Or am I missing something?

Re: Scuttlebutt social network: a decentralised platform

#25

Post by woah »

shp0ngle wrote: post #11

I keep hearing about Scuttlebutt for a long time but haven't seen anyone actually using it? Why? edit: hm, the recommended application on the website itself is ... from 2021, and the github of the app itself is archived now. And there is "bleeding edge" one ... from 2019. OK I can see that there might be problems

Social networks are strongly dependent on network effects. For a time SSB was actually used by some of my friends, but it required a desktop app, had a confusing onboarding process, IIRC had some rough edges around syncing content, and was just not smooth enough to compete against highly funded centralized companies in the cuthroat social networking space.

Re: Scuttlebutt social network: a decentralised platform

#26

Post by jrm4 »

earthwalker99 wrote: post #18
shp0ngle wrote: post #11

I keep hearing about Scuttlebutt for a long time but haven't seen anyone actually using it? Why? edit: hm, the recommended application on the website itself is ... from 2021, and the github of the app itself is archived now. And there is "bleeding edge" one ... from 2019. OK I can see that there might be problems

> I keep hearing about Scuttlebutt for a long time but haven't seen anyone actually using it? Why? It's called Scuttlebutt, meaning it can never be remotely popular enough to function as a worthwhile social network.

Upvoting because I'm also the guy who understands that, similarly, GIMP will never be big as it should be.

Re: Scuttlebutt social network: a decentralised platform

#28

Post by filoleg »

losvedir wrote: post #23
todd3834 wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don’t think this should be downvoted. It’s a valid point and potential lesson for anyone thinking about reviving or doing something similar. While this might not be the only issue I wouldn’t doubt that the name might prevent a larger audience.

Why? I think it's a fine name, better than most, because it's a normal English word that says exactly what it does / what it's for. You're not just saying that because the word happens to end in "butt" are you? Or am I missing something?

> I think it's a fine name, better than most, because it's a normal English word that says exactly what it does / what it's for

Just because the name says exactly what the product does and what it's for, that doesn't automatically mean it is good. In fact, imo it is bad in a lot of cases.

Do you think Instagram would have gotten as popular if it was named FlexGallery, or if Nextdoor was named SpreadRumorsActVaguelyRacistForum, or if Twitter/X was named PopularityContestShortMessagesAndBadNewsSourceSpaceWithSomePorn?

I personally would say "no" to all of those, and it isn't just because the names get unnecessarily long and ugly. McDonalds would never rename itself to Cheap Passable Fast Food Restaurant.

Re: Scuttlebutt social network: a decentralised platform

#29

Post by sleepybrett »

cutler wrote: post #3

Rethink the name. Seriously.

Scuttlebutt in america is a very common word used to describe gossip.

I love the parallelism between 'scuttlebutt' and 'water cooler talk' .. they both describe gossip and they are both named for people standing around a source of drinking water telling stories.

Re: Scuttlebutt social network: a decentralised platform

#30

Post by nine_k »

losvedir wrote: post #23
todd3834 wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don’t think this should be downvoted. It’s a valid point and potential lesson for anyone thinking about reviving or doing something similar. While this might not be the only issue I wouldn’t doubt that the name might prevent a larger audience.

Why? I think it's a fine name, better than most, because it's a normal English word that says exactly what it does / what it's for. You're not just saying that because the word happens to end in "butt" are you? Or am I missing something?

A name that makes many of your friends smile ironically is not a name that would induce a network effect, except maybe in marginal communities ("bitards").

A name must not be even remotely silly, else it will be laughed out of the (already crowded) room.

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