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   𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™ (doomscroll@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:30:01 JST 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™

   • Daniel Supernault

   Welcome everyone! Today I'm joined by Daniel Supernault / @dansup, creator of Pixelfed and Loops, two very different bets on what ethical social platforms can be. You're invited to follow along, or participate directly, by using #Fediverse. Your questions and observations are part of the signal.

   • Embed this notice
     Daniel Supernault (dansup@mastodon.social)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:29:48 JST Daniel Supernault

     in reply to

     @Doomscroll Loops, it's much newer of a project and the ecosystem is evolving fast (federation, then mobile apps, then project website, then beacon.joinloops.org and now the push.loopsplatform.com service).

     The moderation on Loops is also a bit different compared to Pixelfed, we see more reports for AI content than on Pixelfed and due to the way the FYP works, there is more urgency with reacting to Loops mod reports ASAP

   • Embed this notice
     Daniel Supernault (dansup@mastodon.social)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:29:49 JST Daniel Supernault

     in reply to

     @Doomscroll Loops most likely, the community is much newer, and less established.

     #Fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™ (doomscroll@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:29:49 JST 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™

     in reply to

     • Daniel Supernault

     @dansup Which app depends more on your judgment, central coordination , or fast decision making? #fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     Daniel Supernault (dansup@mastodon.social)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:29:51 JST Daniel Supernault

     in reply to

     @Doomscroll Most likely Pixelfed, because it has much more data and users, like Direct Messages for example.

     A coordinated campaign against Loops and its For You algorithm could be a bigger long-term threat though.

     #Fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™ (doomscroll@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:29:51 JST 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™

     in reply to

     • Daniel Supernault

     @dansup Which app could lose trust faster if something went wrong? #fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™ (doomscroll@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:29:52 JST 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™

     in reply to

     • Daniel Supernault

     Good question, @dansup. Let’s explore this on a couple of diffrent levels.

     If one app were compromised through a bug, exploit, or abuse vector, which one would suffer more irreversible damage? #fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     Daniel Supernault (dansup@mastodon.social)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:29:53 JST Daniel Supernault

     in reply to

     @Doomscroll Compromised in what way?

     #Fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     Daniel Supernault (dansup@mastodon.social)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:29:54 JST Daniel Supernault

     in reply to

     @Doomscroll So Pixelfed is highly influenced and inspired by Instagram.

     We did consider building Loops into Pixelfed, however, opted to build the vertical scrolling video feature into its own separate app, allowing us to keep Pixelfed algorithm free and maintain the photo first experience that users have come to expect from Pixelfed.

     #Fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™ (doomscroll@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:29:54 JST 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™

     in reply to

     • Daniel Supernault

     @dansup Which app is more fragile if compromised? #fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     Daniel Supernault (dansup@mastodon.social)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:29:55 JST Daniel Supernault

     in reply to

     @Doomscroll By 2016, the software was showing its age, and hard to maintain/update with its custom php backend.

     I did start building an ActivityPub plugin for GNU/Social (rebranded from StatusNet) in 2018, but grew frustrated with the lack of participation from the maintainers who didn't want to seem to merge my PRs.

     That's when I started Pixelfed, using a modern php framework, Laravel.

     #Fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™ (doomscroll@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:29:55 JST 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™

     in reply to

     • Daniel Supernault

     Okay, @dansup. Pixelfed and Loops solve very different problems. What core principle do they share that made you comfortable building both under the same philosophical umbrella? #fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™ (doomscroll@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:29:56 JST 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™

     in reply to

     • Daniel Supernault

     @dansup what did you learn from your experiences running a StatusNet server that you carried forward into your other projects or rejected? #fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     Daniel Supernault (dansup@mastodon.social)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:29:57 JST Daniel Supernault

     in reply to

     @Doomscroll I was drawn in by its use of oStatus, which StatusNet pioneered and was the precursor to ActivityPub.

     I operated a StatusNet server between 2012-2016.

     #Fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     Daniel Supernault (dansup@mastodon.social)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:29:58 JST Daniel Supernault

     in reply to

     @Doomscroll Hi, thanks for having me.

     My name is Daniel Supernault, I'm a self-taught 36 year old full stack developer from Canada.

     I came to Mastodon in late 2016, when it first started. I wasn't that active until I came back in early 2018, right before ActivityPub was finalized.

     #Fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™ (doomscroll@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:29:58 JST 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™

     in reply to

     • Daniel Supernault

     I have to ask, @dansup, what was the appeal of Mastodon when there were so many other social media platforms to choose from?

     #fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™ (doomscroll@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:29:59 JST 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™

     in reply to

     • Daniel Supernault

     Hello, @dansup, thanks for joining us today to talk about Pixelfed and Loops. Before we get into those topics, give us some background about yourself. Who are you, and how did you come to Mastodon?

     #Fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™ (doomscroll@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:30:00 JST 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™

     in reply to

     Just a quick heads-up: our conversation with Dan is happening asynchronously. That means it won’t move at a steady pace the whole time. Questions and replies may come in waves, depending on what’s happening in our everyday lives: phone calls, meetings, coffee refills, or the occasional bathroom break. Think of it as a relaxed, come-and-go conversation rather than a live broadcast.

     #Fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     Daniel Supernault (dansup@mastodon.social)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:34:35 JST Daniel Supernault

     in reply to

     @Doomscroll I'd say both.

     Pixelfed does definitely boost reputation and credibility of Loops, but that comes at a cost.

     Some Pixelfed users are resentful of Loops and how much time I've spent on it.

     #Fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™ (doomscroll@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:34:36 JST 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™

     in reply to

     • Daniel Supernault

     @dansup Does Pixelfed’s reputation boost Loops, or does Loops endanger Pixelfed? #fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     Daniel Supernault (dansup@mastodon.social)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:44:37 JST Daniel Supernault

     in reply to

     • ieeespectrum
     • Privacy Guides
     • Rusty__Shackleford
     • Awet Tesfaiesus

     @Doomscroll Yes, these accounts are a few of my favourites: @privacyguides, @Awet, @Rusty__Shackleford, @ieeespectrum

   • Embed this notice
     𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™ (doomscroll@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:44:38 JST 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™

     in reply to

     • Daniel Supernault

     That’s interesting, @dansup. I hadn't considered the resentment factor, but that makes sense.

     I have more questions about the development, logistics, and philosophies of these apps and their place in the Fediverse, but first, who are a couple of users on Loops you currently enjoy and think people should follow? #fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     Daniel Supernault (dansup@mastodon.social)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:52:36 JST Daniel Supernault

     in reply to

     @Doomscroll Yes, I really do!

     #Fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™ (doomscroll@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 10:52:38 JST 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™

     in reply to

     • Daniel Supernault
     • ieeespectrum
     • Privacy Guides
     • Rusty__Shackleford
     • Awet Tesfaiesus

     @dansup @privacyguides @Awet @Rusty__Shackleford @ieeespectrum What so you enjoy about what they post to Loops?

   • Embed this notice
     Daniel Supernault (dansup@mastodon.social)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 11:16:23 JST Daniel Supernault

     in reply to

     @Doomscroll Oh, its the variety of content for me. Rusty has experimented with trying to find the best presets for optimal resolution as we've continually improved the quality of the video, and its really cool to see.

     Awet is the first politician on Loops, which is very exciting.

     #Fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™ (doomscroll@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 11:16:24 JST 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™

     in reply to

     • Daniel Supernault

     @dansup sorry, typo. I meant, what DO you enjoy about what they post? #fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     Daniel Supernault (dansup@mastodon.social)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 11:48:54 JST Daniel Supernault

     in reply to

     @Doomscroll Not writing enough tests to ensure new code was working as expected.

     We now use phpstan (level 5) in Loops development, without having to write any tests!

     https://phpstan.org/

     #Fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™ (doomscroll@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 11:48:56 JST 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™

     in reply to

     • Daniel Supernault

     @dansup That IS very cool. I followed Awet.

     This is repurposed content, but I got a kick out of this Loop:

     https://loops.video/v/dEa779xfhe

     What mistake did Pixelfed make early on that directly shaped how you're designing Loops? #fediverse

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     Daniel Supernault (dansup@mastodon.social)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 13:34:14 JST Daniel Supernault

     in reply to

     @Doomscroll Over engineering the web frontend and admin dashboard, with dark mode support, internationalization and a complex snap scroll pagination feed with for you support.

     Same with the 3rd generation Loops mobile app, it’s much more stable, faster/responsive and feature packed.

     #Fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™ (doomscroll@zirk.us)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 13:34:16 JST 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖒𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖑™

     in reply to

     • Daniel Supernault

     @dansup What did you overcorrect for with Loops? #fediverse

   • Embed this notice
     Daniel Supernault (dansup@mastodon.social)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 13:35:45 JST Daniel Supernault

     in reply to

     • schwim

     @schwim @Doomscroll the blurred images on pixelfed could mean the server is down or unavailable.

     As for the loops app, that’s an ancient version. Uninstall it and get the new version here https://github.com/joinloops/loops-expo/releases/download/v1.0.1.24/v1.0.1.24-release.apk

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     schwim (schwim@mastodon.social)'s status on Wednesday, 04-Feb-2026 13:35:47 JST schwim

     in reply to

     • Daniel Supernault

     @Doomscroll @dansup while I have you here, since I've tried to use pixelfed and loops, pixelfed shows nothing but blurs and loops is just a login error. It's been this way since the apps were released.

     Pixel 9

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     schwim (schwim@mastodon.social)'s status on Monday, 09-Feb-2026 08:41:48 JST schwim

     in reply to

     • Daniel Supernault

     @Doomscroll @dansup thank you so much for your help. I downloaded the new loops app and its working great. I'm still having issues with pixelfed however. My account is on pixelfed.social, I am trying on a different phone and the issue is the same. Does this mean my account is on a defunct server? Or that the accounts I followed might be on defunct servers?