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7-8 march : Fedihacks (fedihacks.zulipchat.com)
submitted 1 day ago by Snoopy@piefed.social to c/fediverse@piefed.social
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Hi everyone :)

The first fediverse hackathon ended. We did translation, some wanted to create a new software or feature. Pretty cool for a event announced the last minute. :)

Usually the hackathon last few days and everyone spend their whole week-end on developping few features, documentation...but that's not how i imagine it.

Two days is kinda short and only give a little boost. 😁

We will organise the fedihack at the beggining of every month. Our aims is to invite new users to contribute to the fediverse and of course meeting each other IRL and have fun like CHATONS do.

CHATONS (kittens) is a collective network of associations that purpose service based on free software. However, we also organize meeting, coordinate our skills for managing the server, or take action against big tech service as gmail, meet people and invite them to the fediverse.

That would be my dream for the upcoming year. ☺️

  • meeting at a coffee, associations...
  • translation
  • wiki : admin & user documentation
  • coding apps & software
  • creating new software
  • talking to people on the street
  • fediparty

But i can't achieve it alone, i need your help. I can't organise it, that's not my best skill. I prefer writing wiki, organize structure and suggesting ideas ☺️

If this project interest you, you can follow our chat on zulip. What do you think ? :)

https://fedihacks.zulipchat.com

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[-] Libb@piefed.social 3 points 1 day ago

If this project interest you, you can follow our chat on zulip. What do you think ? :)

I think this sounds interesting and I (as well as others) may wish to know more... without having to create an account first (on that Zulip platform)? You mentioned writing a Wiki, even though it would be more work maybe this could be worth dedicating a page explaining what it is all about?

Also, I thought I had an existing zulip account (from the Jlailu instance) but it doesn't seem to be working here... another reason to create a fallback page that is available to anyone, explaining the what, who and why? ;)

[-] rimu@piefed.social 4 points 20 hours ago

"Our chat on Zulip" is https://chat.piefed.social and you can use your existing piefed.social password to log in there.

[-] Libb@piefed.social 1 points 13 hours ago

oh, thx a lot. I just did that and it works fine. Now, I can see a few channels/conversations including the Hackaton one (it seems almost empty).

Do I still need to join the https://fedihacks.zulipchat.com to join what Snoopy was talking about? Or is this Hackaton conversation linked to it?

I hope this won't cross anyone but the first few steps using Zulip confirm my first impression during my last attempt a few months back: it's... dense and maybe even complex. One will need to take their time before they can feel comfortable using it, anyone likes me at least ;)

Heck, following the welcoming bot Instructions, I'm not even sure my little 'Hi' message was posted with the other ones inside the existing conversation or as a new conversation. Visually speaking it looks like a brand new conversation that was just just placed below the existing ones but somehow also not belonging to them. A screenshot should make it clearer, my message appears alone under its own title:

tuyv6omlaf4IMHE.png

[-] rimu@piefed.social 1 points 13 hours ago

Oh I'm sorry I completely missed the fedihacks link earlier! I don't know what Snoopy is doing there, that's their own thing.

[-] Libb@piefed.social 1 points 12 hours ago

Thx for the clarification.

[-] rimu@piefed.social 1 points 13 hours ago

Yeah, I know what you mean. Maybe we need a more traditional chatroom as well.

[-] Snoopy@piefed.social 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I think this sounds interesting and I (as well as others) may wish to know more

Well i can't explain more than i already wrote...let's try again 😅

The Fedihack

Its goal

TL,DR : The main goal is achieving an organic collective organization.

Firstly, there is no task for now. It depends on :

  • how many people join us
  • on what you want to do
  • your skills...

What i want to achieve is coordination, teamwork. We need you and together, you included we will share our ideas and contribute together.

For example, for the french translation there are things i couldn't do alone because i needed another french speaking to share ideas and suggestions.

example : wikipedia & collective CHATONS

It is a recurring event like wikipedia one. They reunite together, they met each other IRL and write some page.

I'm part of the collective CHATONS. We have a forum and a matrix room where we work together, decide together, share info on sold computers, co-organize campain against gmail, share tip on how to present free software to new people...

And every year, we do a camp where we talk about free software, ask users for feedback. I presented Piefed at the CHATONS camp.

Why i'm trying to organize a fedihack

I want to achieve the same thing but for the fediverse. Why ?

The same people are contributing, which is not a bad thing because we love what we do. However we need to improve its development and attract new people.

Why ? If i diseaspear, who will write piefed wiki ? Who will maitain your server ? Moderate this community ? Who will promote the fediverse ?

So i'm trying to create a new culture here and invite you to be part of it. It won't be easy because :

  • we are busy and work on our free time
  • we don't know what to do and we need to share ideas, talk, tell each other : "i can do that and this."

If we talk and share our ideas, it may slowly clear a path. For example, no one asked us if we needed help for fediverse wiki. And i didn't ask either. I just write wiki page and that's all.

[-] Libb@piefed.social 2 points 1 day ago
  • how many people join us - on what you want to do - your skills…

I may want - I don't know - none.

More seriously, it feels... vague and if I may suggest you do something: make it more… practical. Don't be ashamed to be more directive if you want this to move forward. At least in the early beginnings without a few people putting on the ‘leader’ costume, a majority of people would not even notice the project.

The main goal is achieving an organic collective organization.

Keep in mind almost everything organic starts with a tiny little seed, planted in the ground or in a womb. It doesn’t begin its life as an already complex organism—at least not when considered on the surface level but that is probably not the objective of this discussion: complexity comes from the organic being growing and adapting to the conditions ;)

we don’t know what to do and we need to share ideas, talk, tell each other i can do that and this.

I know I’m getting a bit insisting but if you want to invite people don't put the invitation behind a (new) login screen, even if the tool it’s linked to is needed in order to start chatting. A simple Wiki (or webpage) summarizing what you just said here, maybe with links towards what you consider good examples/practice?

If we talk and share our ideas, it will slowly clear the path. For example, no one asked us if we need help for fediverse wiki. And i didn’t ask either. I just write wiki page and that’s all.

I remember having a look at Zulip while I was on Jlailu and I found it... confusing, like really. People (maybe it was you?) mentioned goin to this or that room, clicking this or that and that seemed obvious but I was not even able to find them on the welcome screen. Sinc eI had not planed on leanring to use a new app, I just passed my turn.

Obviously, it may simply mean I’m too dumb (which I’m fine with, don’t worry), or that I would kjust need to take a few more minutes to learn how to properly use it (an hypothesis I would appreciate more than the previous one), but it may also mean it’s just… a tad too confusing to begin with for new users? And a simpler/dumb-proof (me-proof) tool would be more suited to begin with?

This is probably a silly idea but since we’re already using Piefed/Lemmy why not create a dedicated Piefed/lemmy community as a welcome place while reserving that extra chat app for people who would already have decided to commit themselves a little more?

As for contributing, surprising no-one, I will answer I'm a bit busy right now (like, I really am : with my fragile health and after 25 years living at the same place, my spouse and I are preparing to move) but all should be ok-ish around April... fingers crossed.

That being said, no matter how busy I’m, if I can’t write code, I can contribute to translations and, obviously, I can discuss things that need to be discussed. I should also be able to write some how-to (the kind that beginner users will most likely be looking for, not guides for experts which I'm not). But in the end it all depends what work will indeed need to be done and like you noted that would need to be discussed first.

For example, for the french translation there are things i couldn’t do alone because i needed another french speaking to share ideas and suggestions.

This is a fine example of being more directive, imho :)
One I would very happily give you a hand, if you need still need help.

However we need to improve its development and attract new people.

The whole Fediverse badly needs more users/contributions. And I would be tempted to add: more quality content, but I also don’t want to downplay the type of content I’m not interested in reading here, I mean content that is good enough to trigger a desire to participate more from other users.

My personal decision as a new user back then was to comment more (trying to it as regularly as I can, if not daily). And if at all possible, not the ranting/hating on type of comments, something less… negative and more welcoming.

[-] Snoopy@piefed.social 1 points 22 hours ago

I remember having a look at Zulip while I was on Jlailu and I found it… confusing, like really. People (maybe it was you?) mentioned goin to this or that room, clicking this or that and that seemed obvious...

Zulip have a huge learning step when you are not used as any software. I used so many different software, OS that i tend to see common pattern and may not realize the difficulty for other users.

I can explain it again. The main difficulty on Zulip is moving to the correct topic and writting there. Then learning that you can move your message in any topics. I created tutorial to help new users.

This is probably a silly idea but since we’re already using Piefed/Lemmy why not create a dedicated Piefed/lemmy community as a welcome place while reserving that extra chat app for people who would already have decided to commit themselves a little more?

The idea is good :) i have this community !fediverse@piefed.social and the chat is ready for quick organization. So for me it is enough as we are small. Lastly, i manage too many communities. :)

There is another reason, i may create one later but the fedihacks is for the fediverse and i prefer piefed, there is a conflict of interest. Matrix isn't good for what i want to achieve. Zulip chat is neutral and have nice feature for organization. :)

Keep in mind almost everything organic starts with a tiny little seed, planted in the ground or in a womb. It doesn’t begin its life as an already complex organism— [...]

But that's the first step :)

I'm trying to reach people, i'm trying to group them. I did my best to explain why i want to create a fedihacks and what we can do :)

  • meeting at a coffee, associations…
  • translation
  • wiki : admin & user documentation
  • coding apps & software
  • creating new software
  • talking to people on the street
  • fediparty

So the first thing is grouping us together then you share what you want to do. The general list is ready...Later we can organize more precise tasks for the 7-8 March.

Precise tasks will come later : they will come themselve because we found issue, goal...during our discussion.

When you create a project, a collective, the first step is never clear. It is lot hard work.

The first step is what we do right now, in the comment : we group together, we share ideas and talk. That's why we created several posts on fedihacks and we will continue to do so.

That's a nice follow up with the reccuring monthly post "what software feature do you enjoy the most". It give us some design idea, allow us to explore, get some inspiration.

Once we have a core for fedihack with several people, it will change drastically and self organize. For now, there is just few of us.

For example, let's take Wikipedia. I want to do a wiki page but i never tried it. I come to this event, that's the first step. i don't ask wikipedia what we will do, i go there. I discover how it works then i decide if it is for me or not.

Then someone explain to me how wikipedia works, give me some training then ask me what are my hobbies and invite me creating a page about my hobbies.

We could do a OpenStreetMap session too. You come, tell us about you, then we explain and invit you to map some area.

I can discuss things that need to be discussed. I should also be able to write some how-to (the kind that beginner users will most likely be looking for, not guides for experts which I’m not). But in the end it all depends what work will indeed need to be done and like you noted that would need to be discussed

This part is helping me a lot. :) As i said, the fist step is coming here, the second step is discussion than the precise task will show themselve. Look below, we will slowly turn it into a more directive one like you wanted. :)

Which fedi software do you like ? Have you found a wiki about it ? Was it easy to understand ? Are wiki complex to read and understand ?

I mean content that is good enough to trigger a desire to participate more from other users.

You already know that we do our best, we simply share what we like and think. And you are already understand and trying to improve in your own way. :)

That's kinda why i want to organize the fedihacks : promote the fediverse with good wiki, good apps, good promotion. Any help is welcome. :)

[-] Libb@piefed.social 2 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 12 hours ago)

This part is helping me a lot. :) As i said, the fist step is coming here,

Please check my reply to Rimu's comment: I joined piefed’s own Zulip instance (are those called instances ?), do I still need to join yours?

For example, let’s take Wikipedia. I want to do a wiki page but i never tried it. I come to this event, that’s the first step. i don’t ask wikipedia what we will do, i go there. I discover how it works then i decide if it is for me or not.

100% with you on this. But at the same time if I need to login into some 'complex' piece of software (I’m not describing or criticizing the software here, I know too little of it yet, I'm just describing my first reaction to using it) to just be informed of when/where that event is taking place it's more than likely I won't participate in it simply because I won’t get the information.

There is another reason, i may create one later but the fedihacks is for the fediverse and i prefer piefed, there is a conflict of interest. Matrix isn’t good for what i want to achieve. Zulip chat is neutral and have nice feature for organization. :)

As someone who may have succeeded at managing a handful of projects and who may also have impressively failed at managing a few others, I would be tempted to say confusion/hesitation is one of the worst enemy for any project in its early stage, at least.

Also, neutrality may not be that important either (bear with me) and the moment that neutrality turns into hesitation it also instantly becomes a dangerous foe. At least, once again, during the beginning phase of any project.

A project is a passion, or it better be if one wants it to thrive. No passion is neutral. I love with a passion what/who I love. I may even hate some stuff with a passion. There is no neutrality (just my decision to not allow my passion to go uncontrolled ;)

So, to me neutrality is a bit of an illusion and a trap. As you noticed already, we all have preferences. And I think we should be fine with them and learn to built on top of them, together with sometimes diverging preferences.

To make a parallel, it's a very similar problem to what has been happening with too many of our media and journalists for the last 30 years or so.

Many are more or less openly claiming they're just here to inform their readership/viewership as neutrally as possible (objectively, they often say), which is not true: we’re never neutral (nor is our choice of tools) and as human beings we’re always subjects to our own personal biases, even more so when we don’t learn to be aware of them. As a reader looking to get informed by reading newspapers myself, I much prefer journalists who do not try to hide their personal biases and preferences, those who assume them. That helps me spot those biases and find a way to deal with them. For example, each day I receive a few different newspapers with the mail, each one belonging to a different political obedience, only one belonging to my own. In doing so, I’m doing my best to prevent any of them, even more so the one I would be the most tempted to ‘believe’ because we share the same values, to feed me a single undisputed opinion disguised as ‘objectivity or neutrality’ without it being contradicted by at least one other voice. But enough about that.

When you create a project, a collective, the first step is never clear. It is lot hard work.

True that. But if no one takes any initiative… normally, I would have used the word ‘leadership’ but it’s clear you don’t wish to go that road so I won’t ;)

So, if no one takes any initiative, using their own personal passion/energy, even for a short period of time at the beginning, people joining will most likely just be sitting there. Not doing much. That initial initiative is not bound to last forever or to go undisputed,it’ sjust there to be the required foirt push forward.

Here again, it’s probably enough chatting. I will join your Zulip (I’m so generous :p) and if we can discuss anything/start doing something it will be better to discuss it over there… that is, if I manage to learn to use that Zulip thing ;)

[-] Snoopy@piefed.social 1 points 11 hours ago

True that. But if no one takes any initiative… normally, I would have used the word ‘leadership’ but it’s clear you don’t wish to go that road so I won’t ;)

I did take the initiative to push and create the fedihack event merely because i was organizing a meeting with @takapapatapaka@tarte.nuage-libre.fr to solve issues with french translation.

My ideal organization is self-management. And also i hope someone can help me, you ? :)

Also, neutrality may not be that important either (bear with me) and the moment that neutrality turns into hesitation it also instantly becomes a dangerous foe. At least, once again, during the beginning phase of any project.

Yes but it is important for this project. I did translation for Piefed, wiki for Piefed, i suggest ideas for Piefed...so i'm not the right person for achieving what i want for the fedihacks. It's not PiefedHacks but FediHacks.

That's a way to balance. When other projects will be here, i will fell more at ease to suggest things we can do. :)

Fedihack needs to grow beyond Piefed and reach Lemmy, Loops, Mastodon, Mbin, Nodebb, Peertube, Pixelfed, Vernisage...mobile app, then we will work together, help each other. :)

[-] Libb@piefed.social 1 points 12 hours ago

Reply to myself: I'm really starting to think this Zulip hates me. I just tried to join and here is what it told me:

6TetBkb7E45wXSv.png

I will look at the piefed instance you also mentioned, instead ;)

[-] Snoopy@piefed.social 1 points 12 hours ago

Ah that's a huge mistake from my side 😱 The chat is private....you need a link to join this chat...i didn't check the settings... 😞

That's the best way to kill a project 🥹

[-] Libb@piefed.social 2 points 11 hours ago

No harm done, as far as i'm concerned ;)

Let me know if you change it so I can try to join. If not the piefed instance should do, or maybe the other zulip where we've started chatting already?

[-] Snoopy@piefed.social 1 points 10 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago)

For now, let's discuss on piefed chat. I will slowly explain you how the contributing thing work and zulip chat.

Then you will graps better how to handle the fedihack event. :)

[-] Snoopy@piefed.social 1 points 1 day ago

The Zulip Chat

We chose Zulip for the fedihacka because it works very well for organization.

Example 1

You want to organize a coding session to add a missing feature for loops

  • go to channel "general"
  • create the topic "Loops : auto-translate video"
  • and users can share idea, code...
  • once done, you can mark the topic "Loops : auto-translate video" as resolved

Example 2

A user talk on channel "general" about indian translation, you can make the disucussion clearer :

  • create the topic "indian translation" in "translation" channel
  • then move the discussion there

And lastly, there is only one app & it works well. I had lot trouble with the fragmented ecosystem of Matrix...

this post was submitted on 14 Feb 2026
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