Incredible to think about that we got it right the first time (with email) and still had to spend the last 20 years complaining about centralized social networks.
It’ll probably follow Zipf’s law, like most things.
Okay, based on that article Zipf’s law seems to mostly apply to languages. Cities, for example, don’t follow it.
The thing about email is that the software is proprietary. Each of these providers has their own implementation of the interface, features, and integration with their tools (Google drive, photos, etc).
As long as lemmy servers run lemmy software, this won’t happen, or at least won’t be an issue as you can move to another server and not have to change your usage habits.
However if some server owners decide to fork Lemmy and develop their proprietary server, overhaul the UI, add features and attract users, it will start to become a problem.
Email had standardized protocols and clients for 50 years, and still does.
Most people just use the web interface
Maybe you do.
They didn’t use to, anyway.
But also what you’re describing is a solved problem and you’d think it’d be nice for you to learn that.
I really do want to point out, Gmail is gonna get a massive lead as time goes on.
Doing parental consent forms for my schools library, most of the parents email were yahoo, Hotmail, etc. but EVERY SINGLE student email was Gmail, with the exception of like 10 out of (at least) 300 pages(edit: to clarify, 300 pages is 300 emails)
Been on Gmail since it was invite only. It really is best in class. Hate on Google all ya like, but they got a lock on email early in the game.
And for those that think getting away from it is a matter of choosing another email provider, I’ll say that Gmail does loads more than deliver email. Authentication is a huge and obvious use. Reading comments around here leads me to believe that many don’t understand Google for Business and how integrated an org can be with those services.
Another note, just because the domain isn’t gmail.com doesn’t mean it isn’t served by Google. For most companies it would be insane to host their own services and cheaper to let Google handle it all.
This is a terrible distribution and the semi-centralisation and gatekeeping by the established actors is one of the reason email is dying.
I think we can do much better than that 👍
Email has been “dying” for 20+ years. I’ll believe it when I see it.
yeah its hard for an essential service to die. I will spout one of my super downvoted opinions but I think every government should be providing email service the same way they provide physical mail service. With all the rights currently given to physical mail. Im not saying as the only option and im being idealistic in thinking we can do like what we did with physical mail in this modern time. But I don’t care. Its essential and there should be a version people have that is a right and cannot go away.
I’m not sure why the USPS shouldn’t be the sole provider of email in the US.
Why in the world should it be?
No profit motive and no private interests.
I’m sure there could still be private carriers, just like there’s still private delivery services like UPS and FedEx, but I don’t see why the average person should be relying on a private company for essential infrastructure.
You really trust the US government to control your communications? Especially given the last 20 years?
There exist plenty of free email platforms right now. I’m not against the government providing one, but unlike physical packages, sending an email to Bumfuck, Missouri doesn’t cost any more than sending it across town.
There’s the cost of the ISP, and for that I think there should be a municipal option for sure, to provide service to unprofitable regions just like postal mail and rural electrification.
There’s a reason they’re trying to destroy and privatize USPS. It’s highly unionized and the workers won’t let them use USPS against us.
Also, while we’re at it, USPS should also provide municipal internet.
federation and the concept of communities have always been a little awkward together since it’s based on sunreddits where there is only one always.
The only ways this pans out is with having one server where the community is most successful to eat up the others or having like two or three who hate each other
