[rglullis]

> Can't I get access to the social network direct from the source, for free?

For free? No, you can't.

- You (or someone else) will have to develop the software. The source code doesn't just show up magically on github.

- You (or someone else) will have to test the software, triage bugs, help with documentation, etc.

- You (or someone else) will have to pay for the servers.

- You (or someone else) will have to do content moderation

None of these things are free. TANSTAAFL. If you are using it, it will cost you something, it's up to you if you want to pay with your money, your time, or your data.

[plagiarist]

It's funny that you include content moderation in there when that was one of my requests. Are you moderating content beyond your legal minimum requirements?

Come to think of it, did you write all of the Fediverse software you are using? Are you paying those developers monthly? Or did it... appear for free on GitHub? The sense of entitlement here is something else.

I think you would do better if you spend you time thinking of a value proposition instead of being irate at people and demand they pay you. I have no proof you would not be using my data, and I would be linking that (with a credit card) to a real identity. Promising me you won't do that is not a value prop I care about.

[rglullis]

> Are you moderating content beyond your legal minimum requirements?

Yeah, I am. But you know how? By charging for access. It is surprisingly effective at keeping trolls away.

> Are you paying those developers monthly?

Yes, I do support / contribute to their patreon and I also have a couple of PRs on Mastodon documentation to my name.

Time (and my allergy to PHP) permitting, I am also planning to work on Pixelfed and their LDAP authentication.

> I have no proof you would not be using my data, and I would be linking that with a credit card.

You can pay me with crypto as well.