Bluesky, a decentralised social media platform backed by former Twitter CEO and founder Jack Dorsey, has recently gained significant attention as users clamour for invitations.
The platform, currently in its beta stage, is led by CEO Jay Graber, who was selected due in part to her background as a cryptocurrency developer.
Although still in its early stages, many users have expressed excitement about the potential of Bluesky as an alternative to Twitter.
The platform, which has drawn comparisons to Mastodon due to its federated universe of individual servers, aims to provide users with more control over their social media experience. While Mastodon’s federated structure has been criticised for being confusing, Bluesky has not yet implemented these separations between communities.
I'm now on @bluesky, it's pretty cool so far. pic.twitter.com/V42MZkuN92
— George Allison (@geoallison) April 29, 2023
In recent days, Bluesky has seen an influx of tech media and other notable users from Twitter, generating increased interest and demand for invitations. The platform’s timeline, or “skyline,” has quickly filled with users posting with an energy reminiscent of Twitter’s early days.
Bluesky has been available on Apple’s app store since February, with Android and beta web versions recently added. According to Data.ai research cited by Bloomberg, the app has been downloaded for iOS more than 240,000 times, with about half of these installs occurring in April. Bluesky CEO Jay Graber reports that 1.2 million people are currently on the platform’s waitlist.
Access to the platform remains exclusive, with invite codes being distributed every two weeks. A representative for Bluesky stated that the team would occasionally “arbitrarily” hand out extra invite codes to activate more users. As the platform continues to grow and develop, it remains to be seen whether Bluesky will become a true contender in the social media landscape.
For many users, Twitter has become an indispensable tool for newsgathering, providing real-time updates on a variety of topics and offering insights from experts in various fields. As Bluesky gains traction, there is hope that it can serve a similar purpose, enabling users to stay informed and connected with the latest news and developments.
As the platform continues to attract journalists, influencers, and subject matter experts, Bluesky has the potential to become a valuable resource for newsgathering. However, the success of this function will largely depend on the platform’s ability to foster a diverse and engaged user base, as well as the implementation of features that facilitate information discovery and sharing.
If Bluesky can successfully emulate the newsgathering benefits of Twitter, it could become an attractive alternative for users.
Thanks for the pointer, just downloaded it hopefully a useful and welcome alternative to the Muskiverse
Gosh. Yet another form of intrusion via algorithm. Cynical me 😂
looks like the ability to create even stronger eco chambers to ensure flat earth types can get their validation without having facts get in the way.
That may well be a property of both eco and echo chambers?
Or just a function of my inability to type and proof read.
Dorsey was too woke for Twitter, he was one of the main problems before he left. I’m glad he left and Elon took over.
Please explain your understanding of the term WOKE. Most of the folks on the right politically appear to have no idea what the term actually means, or if they do, deliberately misconstrue the meaning for their nefarious political agenda. Also I don’t know how relevant accusing someone as being WOKE is rely to this discussion thread. If are a Musk fan, fine but no need to demean or insult someone else. So tired of reading nonsensical political diatribes in a well informed military forum such as UKDJ, from folks who clearly more often than not live in the past. Good… Read more »
It’s called “Free Speech.” Many people do find the concept disturbing.
I do not, as a rule, “pile in”. If you are tired of reading diatribes? Scroll past or as some people say, “jog on”. Those people who “live in the past”? They were usually the people who served in uniform for many decades. And finally, there is no right or left. Take a close look and you will see it is a fundamental human right enshrined in law. It is called, simply, having your own opinion.
Just what the world needs, another forum for fake news…
Shock horror! I am on none of these and I still survive 😄
Me neither! About the only true thing David Cameron ever said was “too many tweets makes a tw*t”. And I don’t mean twit.
“For many users, Twitter has become an indispensable tool for newsgathering, providing real-time updates on a variety of topics and offering insights from experts in various fields.” 😂
That sounds like it was written by the Twitter PR Dept – except for the fact Musk probably fired all of them 😏
Twitter is a perpetual rage machine where the posting of actual facts is best regarded as a fluke. Like Talk Radio it simply seems to give people an opportunity to rant on subjects where they have no actual knowledge or qualifications, only prejudices.
Mastodon is a free software. Try it and Take back the control.
JUST FREE SOFTWARE
I forgot Matrix.
Shameless marketing attempt 👎
Exactly
Given he’s wrong, no, not “exactly” lol.
I wrote this article because I like the platform and wanted to share information about it in the hopes others move over to it. It’s not marketing, we haven’t been paid and quite frankly, you’re talking horse piss.
I do have a Twitter account, but I rarely post anything on it. Sure, it is a useful tool to follow certain defence experts for info, but beyond that, I’ve no interest in “social media.”
So I would not use this Blue Sky, but thanks for the heads up, as I’d never have heard of it otherwise!