Overview - patchwork-hub/patchwork_dashboard GitHub Wiki
This is a very brief overview of Patchwork's architecture.
Patchwork is a little like a classic lego kit - a lot of pieces that can be arranged in various ways to produce unique outcomes. But there are themes throughout all the technology - community, connectivity & safety.
Patchwork Dashboard
The Dashboard is the framework which supports all aspects of Patchwork. By itself, it delivers easy configuration of your server through a user friendly dashboard where Server Admins can manage their server with ease.
Ruby Gems can be installed and enabled using radio buttons to bring extra features including custom spam & moderation filters, Federation controls, guest sign-in with any Mastodon account and advanced features for your users.
You can build on top of the Dashboard with Patchwork's community features. This allows you to create dedicated spaces, known as Channels, in your server with their own rules.
Patchwork Hubs
Some Gems give you access to Hubs which provide off-server services that are shared with the wider network of Patchwork enhanced servers and evolve collectively with the participation of other admins.
Features include more moderation tools, timeline fine tuning, discover other Patchwork servers, custom themes, newsletters and third party plug-ins.
Patchwork Channels
Connect your Channels hosted on your server with the wider social web and bring more people into the conversation. Patchwork introduces mechanisms to connect local Channels with users on other servers, 3rd party apps and beyond. You can also import Channels to your server from the wider network as extra timelines.
Patchwork App
End-users on Patchwork servers are supported with a full suite of apps for desktop, web, iOS & Android straight out of the box. These are built with Patchwork in mind, offering the fullest experience - celebrating connections and communities, and dropping addictive algorithms and engagement hunting.
Patchwork Hooks
Hooks are small code changes that can be made to any Fediverse app which will allow them to process and render the unique features of a Patchwork enhanced server. This means end-users can still get the benefits of Patchwork features from their favourite app.
channel.org
We offer a membership service, channel.org, to help you discover, understand & get the most out of the social web.
By joining channel.org you get insight into the latest research in the social web, 1:1 support in getting started as well as opportunities to network with other members.
channel.org is designed with socially beneficial organisations in mind: news & media outlets, academic institutions and NGOs, as well as independent or small publishers and researchers. We can help you become early adopters and embrace a new vision of social media.
Is Patchwork for me?
Patchwork can be deployed by anyone - organisations, groups or individuals - if they’re new to the Fediverse or old hands.
There are specific configurations of Patchwork we recommend depending on whether you are:
- An organisation
- Running a server just for you
- Running a server for others
The Newsmast Foundation
Our mission is to change social media for good. We’re a UK based registered charity, diverse, democratic and committed to making social media work by building safe, committed knowledge-sharing networks.
We have a unique opportunity to seize the social internet from Big Tech and put it in service of users and society.
Our flagship app, Newsmast, is our answer to profit-controlled media and our celebration of connections. It’s powered by Mastodon and part of the decentralised social web.
We champion the work of journalists, academics, charities and NGOs – together with diverse voices, marginalised communities and people on the ground. Pooling facts, knowledge and ideas to tackle the biggest challenges worldwide.
The social web
The social web is a decentralised network of platforms, servers, apps and more. The emergence of the social web has created a unique opportunity to seize the social internet from Big Tech and put it in service of users and society.
At its core are values:
- Safety - kept free of harassment, spam, hate speech & illegal activity.
- Openness - connect across platforms and move your account if you choose.
- Freedom - you’re in control of your space & your data.
- Trustworthiness - transparent and accountable with published code.
It encompasses everything bedroom projects & charities like us, to tech behemoths like Threads and Wordpress. Its an exciting new chapter in the internet's evolution.