Q: What is this Gemini thing?
A: A newly (2019) designed Internet protocol focusing on being much, much more light-weight compared to the Web (www). By design it’s free from user-tracking, commercial advertising and such. It is capable on distributing media files like images, sound files, etc, but the actual pages are text-focused (and thus content focused). Head over here if you want to learn more.
Q: What’s wrong with the Web?
A: Far too much to be listed here. But think for yourself: Do you really enjoy all the intrusive advertising? Isn’t it such a waste of time to stay up to date on blocking as many of those attacks on your privacy all the time? Doesn’t the Web feel like it’s overrun by, well, hordes of people lacking even the most basic ideas of civilization and culture? I could go on and on here, talking about modern browsers becoming more complex than some entire operating systems and things – but I guess you either got my point by now or we simply disagree on this matter. I’ve written much more on that topic in this post.
Q: Does Gemini really think it can replace the Web?
A: Not at all. It’s an attempt to create a better place online. There’s no need to choose only one unless you want to. A lot of people browse Gemini when they are in the mood for some quiet, distracted reading of interesting things and continue using the Web where they either have to or were it even makes some sense.
Q: What is “bi-posting”?
A: Some people post some or all of the content they create both on the Web and on Gemini. Making something accessible over two protocols is called bi-posting. Others are posting it e.g. in Gopherspace, too, and thus tri-post.
Q: How to get started?
A: Since GemText – the HyperText format for Gemini – allows for a subset of what HTML can do, it’s possible to convert it. There are two Web proxies that you can use if you just want to take a peek at Gemini content. Just replace the "gemini://" with either "https://portal.mozz.us/gemini/" or with "https://proxy.vulpes.one/gemini/" and you will be able to access Gemini capsules with your favorite Web browser. If you intend to visit Geminispace more often, you may want to install a browser that supports it natively, though. Using those browsers provide a much nicer experience that the pages translated to boring HTML.
Q: What Browsers are available?
A: There are multiple actively developed browsers. Visit this page (proxied) and pick one – or heed my recommendation and take a look at Lagrange, a beautiful and friendly Gemini client that has a lot of features that people usually take for granted with browsers (e.g. inline image support, tabs, bookmarks etc.). If you want something simpler, give the graphical browser Castor. Maybe one is already packaged for your OS or distro of choice.
Q: Are you serious about Gemini?
A: Yes I am. Quite some other people are, too. I bi-post content I want to make available more easily to an audience that browses the Web only. At the same time I hope that this content is a chance to help readers become at least aware of Gemini’s existence. Some other content will only be available via Gemini. And I even make an (ongoing) effort to transfer some of my older Web content over to Gemini.
Q: Should I also move to Geminispace?
A: Admittedly, Geminispace is not for everybody; if it was, it would turn into what it was created not to be. If you’re a person who’s into tech (and why would you read this if you weren’t?), enjoy concepts like minimalism, “less but better” and such and you feel that the idea of starting over is kind of intriguing – give it a try. Only you can judge if you like it.
Q: No, really: Do you actually believe we can make a difference?
A: Awww… Stop wasting time reading this FAQ on the sucky Web and get on the train already! 😉 Time will tell if we’ll succeed (largely depending on what meaning you put into that) – but only if we dare doing it in the first place!
eerielinux 