There are several protocol components you can run independently, each filling a different role and having different complexity levels
If you mean the PDS, not sure if it is simpler than the unknown point you are looking to compare against. Bsky did just announce that you can migrate back to their PDS hosting to make trying out alternatives a one-way trip
I know we can do all this by just posting to Bluesky. But I want to give usernames, host the data on our end, and I’d prefer using the protocol but not be directly associated or dependent on Bluesky.
1. Run the PDS, many people who would not group themselves with technical folks do this. (data hosting, handles)
2. Use or create an alternative client app, depending on if you want to intermingle Bsky data
3. Relay, moderation, algorithms. If you want to divest completely from Bluesky, there is more to run. If you build your own lexicon, you have to do all the moderation and algorithms, among the many other things.
