• rand_alpha19
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    3320 days ago

    I thought the term “Fediverse” specifically referred to software that uses ActivityPub to federate content across instances. Like how Git is decentralized, but it’s not federated. Now I’m confused.

    • Possibly linuxOP
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      020 days ago

      I’ve also seen it used for software like Nextcloud. Not to say that is the proper use as Nextcloud isn’t even close to being related.

  • EmasXP
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    3220 days ago

    First time hearing about Briar. So it’s like Signal but can also be used via Bluetooth if close enough?

    • @[email protected]
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      1820 days ago

      Also, messages travel trough Tor, so you get P2P and identity. The coolest IM.

      The hardest too, because you should only add contacts verified face to face. (Technically you can add remote contacts but they’ll be marked as not fully trusted.)

      • @kautau
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        320 days ago

        How does it work through Bluetooth if messages go over Tor? Is Bluetooth purely used for contact discovery?

        • @[email protected]
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          20 days ago

          Bluetooth is used as a fallback for creating local offline mesh functionality in case of a full internet shutdown. It will also keep working between devices in the same local wlan, even when the internet connection to the wlan router is cut off.

          The idea is to get maximum censorship resistance to the degree where you can still get information flow in case of a full government/military shutdown. You can even sync chats over external storage devices like usb drives or sd cards. All using the same level of encryption as usual ofcourse. Tor is just used because the internet is inherently non anonymous and leaks your identity and location without it.

          When you create group chats, for example for a big protest movement, then every device that joins the group will act as a entry and exit node meaning you can mesh together many people with varying degrees of internet access. Below the diagram from their website to give you an idea.

          • @kautau
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            520 days ago

            Ah that’s pretty cool, thanks for explaining

    • @[email protected]
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      1120 days ago

      That, and also it’s decentralized and sends all messages through the tor network if Bluetooth isn’t available

    • Possibly linuxOP
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      620 days ago

      Sort of. Briar can do private messaging. However, Briar also supports Blogs and Forms. The neat part is that it is totally decentralized with traffic going over Bluetooth, WiFi and Tor. It is designed to communication in situations where an advanced adversary is targeting a group. It can be used a protests and such.

      The downside with Briar is that it requires that something is online always. You can setup a old phone as a mailbox but it is still inconvenient.

  • borZ0 the t1r3D b3aR
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    2820 days ago

    Post this to the Briar sub/lemmy/space, they need content :)

  • SagXD
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    1720 days ago

    Briar is the coolest messaging technology I have ever seen. But very few people use it.

    • @[email protected]
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      519 days ago

      Because it doesn’t exist! Mastodon is a conspiracy created to distract us, so we don’t act. New World Order is coming!

  • @TropicalDingdong
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    620 days ago

    heh heh heh. I still keep a copy of Briar on all my phones.

  • @not_that_guy05
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    220 days ago

    Wife and I love it when we have to talk about one of our kids. They don’t know what it is so that’s the best part.

      • @not_that_guy05
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        119 days ago

        My wife and I can talk about our kids without having to worry about them finding the text msg as we use it as a backup msg app. We let our kids use our phones for games at times and well kids are kids and will go through shit they aren’t suppose to.

    • Possibly linuxOP
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      20 days ago

      Just Tor

      I2p has limitations and isn’t nearly as well proven as Tor. I still think it is pretty solid but Briar is designed to be used in very dangerous situations. I2p simply isn’t as reliable yet. In the future this could change. I have no hate against i2p but I personally wouldn’t use in a dangerous place like Hong Kong.