Saskatoon software developer creates Twitter alternative
With fears Twitter could crash, a Saskatoon software developer is creating a new platform.
Joel Hill is starting “Flatlander,” a social network designed for people in the Canadian prairies to stay connected.
“If Twitter dies, or if people decide to leave, they’ll go to all these different corners of the internet and our network will dissolve … that central hub we all had together,” Hill tells CTV News.
Flatlander’s feed will look similar to Twitter, but it will be hosted on open-source, free software — such as Mastodon.
Hill describes Flatlander, and other open-source solutions, as a “safe place for everyone to land if Twitter implodes.”
Unlike Twitter, Flatlander will be community-based — not hinged on one person, or driven by profits and algorithms.
Hill said his idea for Flatlander began after Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter.
In October, Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion. After closing the deal, the new CEO fired about 3,700 employees and told existing staff to commit to “extremely hardcore work” or leave the company. Musk’s ultimatum resulted in more workers resigning.
Under the apparent staff shortage, Hill said it’s possible Twitter could collapse at any moment.
He’s planning to launch Flatlander in 2023 — but there’s still a lot of work to do, Hill says.
“We’re going to need a way to keep it going. We’re going to need a way to accept people’s money, accept donations and put it to the server cost. We want to be open and transparent about that,” Hill says.
Hill is also working on ensuring the platform is moderated with community standards and guidelines.
People can sign up for Flatlander updates online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Amish youth experience a rite of passage called Rumspringa. It’s not what you might think
The idea of “Rumspringa” has a specific spot in the American imagination. A rite of passage for young people in some Amish communities, Rumspringa is seen by most outsiders as a wild time away from strict Amish rules, when teenagers can experiment with the modern vices of the world.