Decentered S1E2: Making Sora, with Takiyoshi Hoshida
Jan 18, 2024
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Takiyoshi Hoshida, a Fediverse app developer, shares their background in coding, frustrations with the Fediverse, and their vision for the future. They also discuss upcoming features for Sora, challenges with integrating blue sky support for Android and iOS, and the importance of user feedback.
Sora SNS app enhances the user experience in the Fediverse by providing algorithm-based prediction system for personalized and diverse selection of posts.
Hashida's focus on creating a familiar and intuitive experience in Sora SNS minimizes the learning curve for new users and prioritizes user comfort and attention to detail in app design.
Deep dives
The Sora SNS app aims to offer a great user experience in the Fediverse
The Sora SNS app, developed by Hashida, provides a user-friendly experience for users in the Fediverse community. It focuses on features that enhance the discovery of interesting content and accounts. By offering an algorithm-based prediction system, the app surfaces relevant posts from users you don't follow, creating a more dynamic timeline. Sora also addresses common frustrations with the Fediverse, such as the initial empty timeline when signing up, limited discovery options, and challenges with federation. It aims to bring the Fediverse community together by allowing users to seamlessly connect with and explore multiple platforms, including Mastodon, Miski, and BlueSky. Sora offers both a basic free version and a Sora Pro version with additional features like multiple hashtags, bookmark folders, post sorting options, and encrypted messaging. The app is continuously being improved and future updates may include voice podcast features, end-to-end encryption for chats and calls, and support for additional platforms.
Creating a Familiar User Experience in the Fediverse
The Sora SNS app strives to provide users with a familiar and intuitive experience by incorporating features commonly found in mainstream social media apps. Hashida focuses on minimizing the learning curve for new users by offering a smooth onboarding process and an initial list of interesting accounts and hashtags to follow. The app also allows users to control their timeline by liking, reposting, and opening links to fine-tune their content preferences. Sora's algorithm-based prediction system ensures that users receive a personalized and diverse selection of posts, enhancing their discovery of new accounts and content. The app's design prioritizes user comfort and attention to detail, such as not interrupting background music and providing haptic feedback for enhanced usability.
Challenges and Innovations in Supporting Different Fediverse Platforms
Sora SNS faces the challenge of adapting to different protocols and APIs of various Fediverse platforms. Hashida has successfully integrated Mastodon, Miski, and BlueSky support by addressing metadata differences, custom algorithms, and unique features of each platform. The app also ensures a unified user experience by providing similar functionality across different platforms. Hashida plans to continue expanding platform support and is open to integrating other Fediverse platforms as well. Additionally, Hashida is considering open-sourcing the connector framework and publishing white papers to promote collaborations and innovations within the Fediverse development community.
The Vision for Sora SNS: Enhancing Discoverability and Unity in the Fediverse
Hashida envisions Sora SNS as a tool that brings unity and discoverability to the decentralized Fediverse community. The app aims to enhance the user experience by bridging the gap between different instances and allowing users to explore and discover interesting content beyond their own communities. Hashida believes in the power of openness and seeks to create an environment where every user's voice can be heard and valued. By continuously improving the app and incorporating user feedback, Hashida strives to make Sora SNS the go-to app for users across the Fediverse, promoting togetherness, discovery, and a consistent user experience.
The story of one Fediverse app developer and his journey from developing a love for computers to building one of the most versatile apps on the network.
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