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0 pointspmlnr4y ago0 comments

Gemini is a dead end.

If it was backwards compatible with gopher, with added TLS I might even consider it a good idea, but this is just plain text with links.

The true power of web used to be self expression. This is why geoticies was a big thing, why myspace worked, and why Flash defined an era.

It's not a great idea to reduce options for creativity; instead, we should encourage it again.

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tpoacher4y ago

> but this is just plain text with links.

I think this unnecessarily reductive. I disagree for two reasons.

1. Technical. The restrictions are on the protocol side. Not the browser side. It's up to the browser to convert links to "more than" links.

The Lagrange gemini browser is a good example of that. E.g. if it detects a link to an image, it adds that image inline.

2. Behavioural. Protocol restrictions do not immediately equate to inability to be creative. In my short stint in geminispace I've already witnessed some wonderfully creative content, ranging from writing, poetry, ascii art, a tictactoe/chess server, and even interactive fiction games.

anthk4y ago

No is not. It's just Gopher rethinked for display-independent devices.

Most Gopher users are aware of Gemini and viceversa, so often provide both services.

Also, Gemini provides options to set ascii-art as -optional- making Gemini one of the best hypertext services for the blind ever.

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