For many years that computer networks have existed, mankind has been engineering federated computer communication protocols such as e-mail to allow conversing between humans through computer networks without being chained to one particular platform.

In the recent decades, things have been changing. Those who develop computer communication systems no longer care about interoperability or standards anymore. Developing centralized and locked down communcation systems allows them to assert control and extract value from users. This has been sold to users as a more convenient system of communication, in their words.

As a consenquence, the major communcation platforms have been going through a process famously nicknamed "enshittification", as platforms are trying to squeeze more and more value out of their users. The user experience for those platforms has actively became worse, and users are noticing.

But it doesn't have to be this way. The convenience advantage is a lie. We can build a decentralized chat system again for the modern needs and expectations, on par with centralized systems in terms of convenience. No tradeoffs.

Eida and Glenda are coming. Made by FSKY.