1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,000 All right, welcome to your deep dive. 2 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:04,180 This time, you've sent in some seriously cool stuff 3 00:00:04,180 --> 00:00:05,220 about PeerTube. 4 00:00:05,220 --> 00:00:06,220 PeerTube. 5 00:00:06,220 --> 00:00:09,500 Yeah, it's a project by this French non-profit, Framosoft. 6 00:00:09,500 --> 00:00:11,300 We've got their GitLab page right here. 7 00:00:11,300 --> 00:00:14,580 And also, the Join PeerTube website. 8 00:00:14,580 --> 00:00:15,340 Interesting. 9 00:00:15,340 --> 00:00:17,500 It's like you're really digging into alternatives 10 00:00:17,500 --> 00:00:19,700 to those massive video platforms we all know. 11 00:00:19,700 --> 00:00:21,700 The YouTubes of the world. 12 00:00:21,700 --> 00:00:24,220 Exactly, and you're specifically interested 13 00:00:24,220 --> 00:00:27,420 in how creators and viewers could have more control, right? 14 00:00:27,420 --> 00:00:30,300 Yeah, I think that's a crucial aspect these days. 15 00:00:30,300 --> 00:00:31,300 Absolutely. 16 00:00:31,300 --> 00:00:33,220 But before we go full steam ahead, 17 00:00:33,220 --> 00:00:34,860 got to give a shout out to our sponsor 18 00:00:34,860 --> 00:00:36,940 for this deep dive save server. 19 00:00:36,940 --> 00:00:39,300 They're all about providing hosting solutions 20 00:00:39,300 --> 00:00:41,660 that help you take control of your online stuff. 21 00:00:41,660 --> 00:00:43,340 Kind of fitting, given the topic, huh? 22 00:00:43,340 --> 00:00:44,700 Right, it all ties in. 23 00:00:44,700 --> 00:00:48,260 You can check them out at www.saveserver.de. 24 00:00:48,260 --> 00:00:50,220 OK, back to PeerTube. 25 00:00:50,220 --> 00:00:52,500 Our mission, should we choose to accept it, 26 00:00:52,500 --> 00:00:54,940 is to really get what PeerTube is all about. 27 00:00:54,940 --> 00:00:55,980 Sounds like a plan. 28 00:00:55,980 --> 00:00:58,020 Why it exists in the first place, 29 00:00:58,020 --> 00:01:00,780 and what makes it different from, say, YouTube. 30 00:01:00,780 --> 00:01:02,740 Think of this as your express lane 31 00:01:02,740 --> 00:01:05,580 to understanding this whole alternative video scene. 32 00:01:05,580 --> 00:01:09,560 So first things first, what is PeerTube, like, at its core? 33 00:01:09,560 --> 00:01:11,060 Well, what's really interesting is 34 00:01:11,060 --> 00:01:13,740 that instead of just one mega platform, 35 00:01:13,740 --> 00:01:15,900 PeerTube is designed as a network. 36 00:01:15,900 --> 00:01:16,940 A network, of what? 37 00:01:16,940 --> 00:01:19,940 Of loads of different independent video platforms, 38 00:01:19,940 --> 00:01:21,100 all linked together, of course. 39 00:01:21,100 --> 00:01:23,180 So instead of one gigantic warehouse of videos, 40 00:01:23,180 --> 00:01:26,440 it's more like a network of smaller libraries. 41 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:27,860 Yeah, that's a great analogy. 42 00:01:27,860 --> 00:01:30,380 And they can still share their catalogs with each other. 43 00:01:30,380 --> 00:01:34,020 So who are the masterminds behind these interconnected 44 00:01:34,020 --> 00:01:34,780 libraries? 45 00:01:34,780 --> 00:01:38,140 That would be Framisoft, a nonprofit from France. 46 00:01:38,140 --> 00:01:39,700 Ah, France. 47 00:01:39,700 --> 00:01:41,420 That explains the Frama part. 48 00:01:41,420 --> 00:01:43,980 Right, and that nonprofit status is super important. 49 00:01:43,980 --> 00:01:45,860 It tells us they're not in it for the money, 50 00:01:45,860 --> 00:01:48,880 like, say, a Google or a Facebook. 51 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:50,460 Meaning they're driven by something else. 52 00:01:50,460 --> 00:01:52,640 Exactly, and when you look at their work, 53 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:56,540 it's all about values, like user privacy and control. 54 00:01:56,540 --> 00:01:58,480 They're not seeing users as products 55 00:01:58,480 --> 00:02:02,820 to be mined for data or bombarded with ads. 56 00:02:02,820 --> 00:02:03,420 Exactly. 57 00:02:03,420 --> 00:02:05,540 Now, one of the most striking things about PeerTube 58 00:02:05,540 --> 00:02:08,340 is that it isn't under the thumb of any single company. 59 00:02:08,340 --> 00:02:11,140 Right, there's no one entity calling all the shots. 60 00:02:11,140 --> 00:02:14,540 So no shadowy algorithms curating what you see, 61 00:02:14,540 --> 00:02:20,300 no obscure moderation policies dictated by one overlord. 62 00:02:20,300 --> 00:02:21,740 It really flips the script on how 63 00:02:21,740 --> 00:02:24,020 we think about online power dynamics. 64 00:02:24,020 --> 00:02:27,300 Because with PeerTube, each individual platform owner 65 00:02:27,300 --> 00:02:29,980 gets to decide what content flies on their site 66 00:02:29,980 --> 00:02:30,980 and how it's managed. 67 00:02:30,980 --> 00:02:32,660 It's all about decentralization. 68 00:02:32,660 --> 00:02:34,580 Plus, and this is a big one, PeerTube 69 00:02:34,580 --> 00:02:36,420 doesn't rely on advertising. 70 00:02:36,420 --> 00:02:38,660 And it doesn't track your every move. 71 00:02:38,660 --> 00:02:40,900 Music to many people's ears, I'm sure. 72 00:02:40,900 --> 00:02:44,220 Definitely a huge plus for those who value their privacy. 73 00:02:44,220 --> 00:02:46,700 Now, all of this talk about decentralization. 74 00:02:46,700 --> 00:02:49,140 How does it actually work in practice? 75 00:02:49,140 --> 00:02:50,940 Well, they leverage some really nifty tech. 76 00:02:50,940 --> 00:02:52,740 Ever heard of peer-to-peer sharing? 77 00:02:52,740 --> 00:02:53,420 Vaguely. 78 00:02:53,420 --> 00:02:55,180 Isn't that like quarantine or something? 79 00:02:55,180 --> 00:02:55,620 Sort of. 80 00:02:55,620 --> 00:02:57,620 It's a central part of how PeerTube operates. 81 00:02:57,620 --> 00:02:58,620 OK, bring it down for me. 82 00:02:58,620 --> 00:02:59,220 Sure. 83 00:02:59,220 --> 00:03:03,100 Imagine a super popular video, tons of people watching, 84 00:03:03,100 --> 00:03:05,900 instead of that video data all coming from one server, which 85 00:03:05,900 --> 00:03:06,940 could get overloaded. 86 00:03:06,940 --> 00:03:08,400 Right, it'd be like a traffic jam. 87 00:03:08,400 --> 00:03:09,100 Exactly. 88 00:03:09,100 --> 00:03:10,960 With peer-to-peer, the viewer's computers 89 00:03:10,960 --> 00:03:12,620 actually help share the load. 90 00:03:12,620 --> 00:03:13,540 They're all chipping in. 91 00:03:13,540 --> 00:03:14,380 Yep. 92 00:03:14,380 --> 00:03:16,860 Each computer becomes a mini distributor, 93 00:03:16,860 --> 00:03:19,140 sending bits of the video to others. 94 00:03:19,140 --> 00:03:21,140 Huh, so everyone's helping each other out. 95 00:03:21,140 --> 00:03:21,780 I like that. 96 00:03:21,780 --> 00:03:23,100 It's very efficient. 97 00:03:23,100 --> 00:03:25,660 And this part is specifically based on a technology 98 00:03:25,660 --> 00:03:26,580 called WebTorrent. 99 00:03:26,580 --> 00:03:27,780 WebTorrent. 100 00:03:27,780 --> 00:03:28,300 Got it. 101 00:03:28,300 --> 00:03:28,780 Yeah. 102 00:03:28,780 --> 00:03:31,340 So is that it, or is there more to the tech side? 103 00:03:31,340 --> 00:03:34,140 There's another important element, Activity Pub. 104 00:03:34,140 --> 00:03:36,860 It's basically a common language, if you will. 105 00:03:36,860 --> 00:03:37,860 Well, language for what? 106 00:03:37,860 --> 00:03:40,500 For different PeerTube platforms to talk to each other, 107 00:03:40,500 --> 00:03:42,660 even other platforms like Mastodon. 108 00:03:42,660 --> 00:03:45,400 Wait, Mastodon, the social media thing. 109 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:46,340 The very same. 110 00:03:46,340 --> 00:03:48,780 With Activity Pub, you could follow a PeerTube channel 111 00:03:48,780 --> 00:03:50,020 from your Mastodon account. 112 00:03:50,020 --> 00:03:51,060 Wow, that's pretty wild. 113 00:03:51,060 --> 00:03:53,740 Makes the whole internet feel more interwoven. 114 00:03:53,740 --> 00:03:54,380 Exactly. 115 00:03:54,380 --> 00:03:57,300 It's all about building a more connected and open web 116 00:03:57,300 --> 00:03:58,780 experience. 117 00:03:58,780 --> 00:04:01,140 So what does all this mean for the average person, 118 00:04:01,140 --> 00:04:04,140 whether you're a diehard video watcher or someone thinking 119 00:04:04,140 --> 00:04:05,700 about making their own content? 120 00:04:05,700 --> 00:04:08,260 Well, for viewers, it opens up a whole world 121 00:04:08,260 --> 00:04:10,860 of niche communities, each with its own vibe 122 00:04:10,860 --> 00:04:12,260 and moderation style. 123 00:04:12,260 --> 00:04:14,780 And no pesky ads interrupting your viewing pleasure. 124 00:04:14,780 --> 00:04:15,460 Right. 125 00:04:15,460 --> 00:04:17,640 Plus, you get more control over your data. 126 00:04:17,640 --> 00:04:19,020 And the PeerTube player itself is 127 00:04:19,020 --> 00:04:21,620 pretty slick with features like chapters and previews. 128 00:04:21,620 --> 00:04:22,660 Chapters? 129 00:04:22,660 --> 00:04:23,420 Like in a book? 130 00:04:23,420 --> 00:04:24,020 Yep. 131 00:04:24,020 --> 00:04:25,900 You can jump to specific sections 132 00:04:25,900 --> 00:04:28,820 of a video really handy for longer content. 133 00:04:28,820 --> 00:04:29,580 That's cool. 134 00:04:29,580 --> 00:04:30,900 Now, what about the creators? 135 00:04:30,900 --> 00:04:32,000 What's in it for them? 136 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:34,100 Well, they get to tap into communities 137 00:04:34,100 --> 00:04:36,660 that align with their values, no more worrying 138 00:04:36,660 --> 00:04:40,180 about whether their content fits some corporate algorithm. 139 00:04:40,180 --> 00:04:41,820 And they can actually talk directly 140 00:04:41,820 --> 00:04:44,060 with the moderators of the platform they're on. 141 00:04:44,060 --> 00:04:46,860 It's a much more personal and collaborative environment. 142 00:04:46,860 --> 00:04:49,980 Plus, PeerTube has tools to automatically sync content 143 00:04:49,980 --> 00:04:52,420 from other platforms, like YouTube. 144 00:04:52,420 --> 00:04:53,820 So you don't have to start from scratch 145 00:04:53,820 --> 00:04:54,820 if you're already on YouTube. 146 00:04:54,820 --> 00:04:55,620 Exactly. 147 00:04:55,620 --> 00:04:58,460 And creators still get analytics to track their performance, 148 00:04:58,460 --> 00:05:00,260 plus live streaming capabilities. 149 00:05:00,260 --> 00:05:02,380 So they're not missing out on the essential tools. 150 00:05:02,380 --> 00:05:02,900 Nope. 151 00:05:02,900 --> 00:05:06,600 It's about giving creators more direct control, more ownership 152 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:08,260 of their audience and content. 153 00:05:08,260 --> 00:05:10,620 Now, it's important to remember that Framersoft isn't 154 00:05:10,620 --> 00:05:12,740 on some mission to crush YouTube. 155 00:05:12,740 --> 00:05:13,260 Right. 156 00:05:13,260 --> 00:05:16,420 PeerTube is meant to be an alternative, 157 00:05:16,420 --> 00:05:17,940 a different path. 158 00:05:17,940 --> 00:05:20,760 A free and decentralized one, to be precise. 159 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:22,860 The key is offering choice. 160 00:05:22,860 --> 00:05:26,580 More independence, transparency, community ownership. 161 00:05:26,580 --> 00:05:28,100 Those are the guiding principles. 162 00:05:28,100 --> 00:05:31,540 They even call it an ethical and open source digital common, 163 00:05:31,540 --> 00:05:32,780 which is a pretty cool concept. 164 00:05:32,780 --> 00:05:34,300 Something that belongs to everyone 165 00:05:34,300 --> 00:05:36,540 can be shaped by everyone. 166 00:05:36,540 --> 00:05:37,620 Love that. 167 00:05:37,620 --> 00:05:39,660 And it's crucial to remember that since Framersoft 168 00:05:39,660 --> 00:05:43,940 is a nonprofit, PeerTube relies heavily on donations. 169 00:05:43,940 --> 00:05:47,060 It's a community-funded project, reflecting their commitment 170 00:05:47,060 --> 00:05:48,620 to non-commercial development. 171 00:05:48,620 --> 00:05:51,140 So to sum it all up, PeerTube provides a way 172 00:05:51,140 --> 00:05:54,620 to engage with online video, both as a viewer and a creator, 173 00:05:54,620 --> 00:05:57,140 within this web of independent platforms. 174 00:05:57,140 --> 00:06:00,020 It prioritizes privacy, empowers creators, 175 00:06:00,020 --> 00:06:03,140 and operates outside the traditional big tech sphere. 176 00:06:03,140 --> 00:06:05,140 And it's all thanks to the hard work of Framersoft 177 00:06:05,140 --> 00:06:06,900 and the support of its community. 178 00:06:06,900 --> 00:06:08,660 So we've reached the end of our deep dive, 179 00:06:08,660 --> 00:06:10,260 but it begs a bigger question. 180 00:06:10,260 --> 00:06:13,140 What kind of online video experience do we truly value? 181 00:06:13,140 --> 00:06:16,380 And what role can decentralized platforms like PeerTube 182 00:06:16,380 --> 00:06:18,460 play in the future of online content? 183 00:06:18,460 --> 00:06:19,500 Something to ponder. 184 00:06:19,500 --> 00:06:20,200 Definitely. 185 00:06:20,200 --> 00:06:22,340 Thanks for joining us on this exploration. 186 00:06:22,340 --> 00:06:24,140 And hey, if you're interested in taking 187 00:06:24,140 --> 00:06:25,620 more control of your digital life, 188 00:06:25,620 --> 00:06:29,940 remember to check out SafeServer at www.safeserver.de. 189 00:06:29,940 --> 00:06:31,180 They can help you out with that. 190 00:06:31,180 --> 00:06:32,340 They sure can.