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On SDF
DATE: 07-07-2024
Have been following the discussion on the Smolnet and Smolweb by gef and userfxnet. They are looking to finish up a Zine initial release here:
gemini://l0tek.press/zine/
If, some how, you made it (back) on gopher to understand what this is about, I kinda have a layman's understanding of the philosophical roots behind what is happening with the 'move'
towards a smaller internet over the years. smolweb (the correct way to write it from what I understand), is a movement to address the 'bloat' seen in the 'corporate web' and bring an
experience that is more information based for the user. From what I've seen, servers can be set up and self hosted (a not so novel idea that needs to be revisted) on devices like
RasberryPI's, etc.. This dovetails perfectly into the concepts behind smolweb because control is shift from the larger hosting companies, like Amazon, and back into the hands of the
end user. With such concepts like AI and Web3 being discussed, smolweb or l0tek runs counter to the corporate web.
When I thought about it, I realized lightweight OS plaforms like Plan9 (9Front) would make great servers for hosting gemini and even gopher. Plan9 is esoteric enough to confound the
corporate web types, while the server could provide content to the end user with a simple gui based browser like Kristall. Plan9 has a super steep learning curve for the uninitiated,
but the services it provides does not have to appear that way to end user. This is why gemini is important.
Depending on where you are at, for a network admin type, this discussion can help discuss the how's and why's around smolweb:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2Q35uFCq8Q (2022 - Rocking the Web Bloat: Modern Gopher, Gemini and the Small Internet)
That discussion should suffice for someone with a basic understanding of computer administration, networking and programming.
However, for the person that got here via dubious means that they don't even understand and who thinks that looking at page in most likely green font on black reminds them of the now
vintage movie, the Matrix - then I will try to help. Maybe you are a researcher, writer or just looking for youtube channel fodder, fine. Know that the topic of making the smolweb
relevant to more of the public is a interest of the creators themselves.
The two terms to use for your research are these : smolweb (a common hacker term that is more specific to the culture) and Small Web (the term most likely used in places like youtube).
Brodie Roberston has a good discussion on it, however its obvious to me that he misses some concepts relative to smolweb culture. There really isn't alot of good information for the
beginner out there on smolweb that one can gather FROM the corporate internet. The discussions are either dismissive, with claims smolweb is 'taking on the man' and 'you can't do
shopping with it', etc.
The best way, I'm seeing, to understand what exacly smolweb 'is' would be to get either a gopher/gemini client or use Kristall (a browser used for both gemini / gopher) - then go
explore. I was beating myself up on how to provide a good understanding for a beginner, just know that you are going to most likely need a gemini capable browser, know a little about
getting around in the shell or find a standard http/https server page that does that work for you.
smolweb is best 'experienced', then you can wrap your head around what it is ... this is like describing a foreign country you've visted to someone that has never been there - it's
just ideal to put them on the plane first. So, grab this browser, you can even install it on, ahem, Windows ...
https://kristall.random-projects.net/
Once you have a copy up and running, you'll need to enable the gopher protocol in settings in the browser.
Both the Kristall page and the Gemini project page have FAQs that you can explore:
https://geminiprotocol.net/docs/faq.gmi
Section 1.1.2 The Gentler answer for everbody else - is the section you want to read.
Once you have Kristall up and running, I'll recommend some starting points:
gopher://gopher.club (hosted by sdf.org)
gemini://sdf.org
If at some point, you get confused and didn't install a client / browser of somesort, just use a web portal:
https://portal.mozz.us/gemini/geminiprotocol.net/
https://warmedal.se/~wobbly/
Either way, that will help to get you into the smolweb/smolnet space so you can start to explore. You'll quickly realize that is happening is that people are sharing uncensored ideas,
with no ads and just putting out content they find relevant. This is a different, and more true to form, way of providing information on the internet.
In fact, it was the way the internet was intended to be.
Another term you'll encounter as you explore is tilde space. Keep this mind. This term is just another way of approaching the concept of smolweb/smolnet.
Once you are 'in', try to locate a document called "Why is Gopher Still Relevant?" - this will help to explain alot more of the 'whys' behind the smolweb/smolnet. I believe this
document is overly represented on may gopherholes (plhogs - just another term for a personal blog) and capsules (gemini pages) - so you'll be able to get the document somewhere.
Ok, I think I've beat this one to death - except I have one more idea to express here that gets brought up in discussions on the smolweb. Most of you many know that the TCP/IP
with ARPAnet is somewhat based in 'myth' - still TCP/IP is very redundant. Ironically, while the myth of TCP/IP being created to survive a nuclear attack on parts of the grid, is just
that - a myth, the point is, it could in theory, do just that - survive. In a world, for say if the US was to get attacked in such a (or similar) manner, the ability to deliver 'full
bandwidth' content would be hampered. What I mean is, we'll most likely being going back to modem era transmits. Barring losing the whole thing, network connectivity would be spotty
return to normal. Smolweb/Smolnet could 'technically' be broadcast via ham radio data protocols over a MAN as well in the worst case scenarios. Is this being done, who knows - people
are still setting up BBS on old computers, it's not 'improbable' to set up a MAN/CAN in such a 'mostly' grid down scenario.
So, yeah - these things 'could' happen. People thought HAM radio was outdated until 9/11 occurred. Who knows, just some thoughts on the more apocalyptic uses of the smolweb/smolnet.
Queue the rotating gif please.
Anway way, I've shared my thoughts with Christopher Knowles of the Secret Sun blog - we'll see if he explores this topic in Syncromystic space.
Hopefully this article helps you get a better idea of the 'hows' and 'whys' of the smolweb/smolnet
Watch this space:
gemini://l0tek.press/zine/
