this post was submitted on 22 Feb 2025
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That's understandable, primarily I would define it as being in active development that ensures it remains at least functional (for example, compatible with modern versions of their target platforms), since the main way I see projects failing is by lack of development for upkeep. One-and-done projects are possible, but change is the only constant, and factors beyond the project's control can make it non-functional
In my opinion, the internet seeing, for example, corporate-run parts of itself go to walled gardens (something I've heard mentioned before in this discussion), would be fine.
Take YouTube, it is extremely entrenched to the point that when I tell some people I don't ever actually go to YouTube[.]com, they act as if it is a life requirement I have magically shirked.
It is not. There are other platforms. There are other media.
If YouTube simply shut down tomorrow, the internet would live on. If it required a monthly subscription and required an account, the internet would live on. Some would give in and use it, some wouldn't, and they would put more pressure on projects such as PeerTube to succeed.
In all of this, the "internet" (A bunch of interconnected servers using the HTTP(S) protocol), is still alive. It just changed.
Let's not convince ourself that the floor will fall out from under us because you will have content that ceases to exist, or, more likely, you just have to pay.
If it were the 80s, you could probably see similar ideas. How could tech ever be anywhere close to usable if you just used free software? Well here we are. You can. And at least for me, its damn good.