Is There a Decentralized Media Hosting platform for the Fediverse, similar to Imgur?
from Teknevra@lemmy.world to fediverse@lemmy.ml on 09 Jan 16:16
https://lemmy.world/post/24078094

I’m curious if there’s a decentralized platform in the Fediverse specifically designed for hosting media, similar to platforms like:

Imgur

Flickr

ImageShack

ImgPile

mgbox

etc.

While I’m aware of fantastic Fediverse platforms like PeerTube and PixelFed, they are more focused on video sharing or image-heavy social networking.

What I’m looking for is a straightforward platform built specifically to host media (images, GIFs, short videos, etc.) for embedding on other platforms within the Fediverse, such as Lemmy, Friendica, Misskey, or others.

Essentially, a decentralized (preferably Federated) service where the main purpose is lightweight hosting for use on external apps, so individual platforms don’t have to shoulder all the storage and bandwidth demands for image or media content.

Does something like this already exist in the Fediverse ecosystem, or is it a gap that still needs to be addressed?

If not, then I personally believe that it could be a fantastic idea for fostering better interoperability and resource sharing across the Fediverse.

Perhaps name it something like:


PixelPort

A playful blend indicating a “port” or gateway for pixels and media.


FediVault

Combines “Fediverse” and “Vault,” suggesting a secure space for media storage.


Mediabox

Simple and straightforward, suggesting a box where media can be stored and shared.


FediMedia

A straightforward approach that ties the platform directly to the Fediverse.


FediHost

FediHoster

FediHostr

A clear and concise name that combines “Fediverse” and “host,” indicating a dedicated space for decentralized federated media hosting.


I’d love to try and create something like this myself, but I’ll admit I lack the knowledge, time, and energy to bring such a project to life.

I’m hoping this post will inspire some discussion or attention from others who might be interested in exploring this idea further.

Would love your thoughts, suggestions, or knowledge about any projects I may have overlooked.

#fediverse

threaded - newest

Dungrad@feddit.org on 09 Jan 16:22 next collapse

snap.as

poVoq@slrpnk.net on 09 Jan 16:30 next collapse

Pict-rs the software that Lemmy uses to serve images is originally intended for this and can be run in standalone mode.

dessalines@lemmy.ml on 09 Jan 16:34 next collapse

This is a completely solved problem for 24 years now (static data distribution), via torrents.

superkret@feddit.org on 09 Jan 16:35 next collapse

How do I use a torrent to post a meme on Lemmy?

LouSlash@sh.itjust.works on 09 Jan 16:45 next collapse
dessalines@lemmy.ml on 09 Jan 16:56 next collapse

I did add torrent magnet link support to lemmy-ui and jerboa (I think its not deployed yet for jerboa tho). But yes I agree, inline or inplace torrent viewing (for images specifically) is something that ppl should absolutely be working on.

iso@lemy.lol on 09 Jan 17:12 collapse

Do you think serving images from torrent would work? This can be done easily in the browser with Webtorrent, but I think it might be a bit problematic in mobile applications (maybe the image_proxy endpoint could come in handy here for a hybrid solution).

If it is in the roadmap, I can add this feature to the web UI as a start. Because it makes perfect sense :)

dessalines@lemmy.ml on 09 Jan 18:29 collapse

I think its very possible to do with any native apps, where you can bundle in a small torrent librar. Maybe not iOS, because I think they don’t allow torrents, but android and all desktops its possible to load / preload things like images, audio, and video inline. Its not too possible via the web, because most webbrowsers don’t have any bundled torrent libraries.

I have my own thoughts about webtorrents (they didn’t really survive, while the regular torrent network is still strong). It’d be possible to do with webtorrents solely to solve the fact that browsers don’t have regular torrent support, but seeders would be hard to come by, so I don’t think it’d work too well.

Kuinox@lemmy.world on 10 Jan 08:44 collapse

Youtube, but using torrents: joinpeertube.org

eddeeMN@poweredbygay.social on 09 Jan 16:49 collapse

That's hardly the user-friendly and low barrier to entry tool that the op is looking for.

@dessalines @Teknevra

JustVik@lemmy.ml on 09 Jan 16:49 next collapse

Maybe you could use Pixelfed for this.

Kuinox@lemmy.world on 09 Jan 16:52 next collapse

IPFS and then post a link through an IPFS gateway. Some browser resolve IPFS directly, I have one in mind but I don’t recommend it.

eddeeMN@poweredbygay.social on 09 Jan 16:20 next collapse

@Teknevra this is an excellent idea, and would also be useful for when an instance shuts down so that not all media are lost and cached posts broken.

#fediverse #lemmy #mastodon

Teknevra@lemmy.world on 09 Jan 16:54 collapse

Thank you very much.

I thought of it when I noticed that most Lemmy Instances disable media hosting due to storage and bandwidth limitations.

When i asked around, the people who I asked kept recommending me PeerTube and Pixelfed.

But, at least IMO, while still great Fediverse Platforms, not that great at hosting media for other platforms.

poVoq@slrpnk.net on 09 Jan 16:57 collapse

Lemmy can host gifs or videos natively, it is just disabled on most instances due to storage and bandwidth limitations.

Microw@lemm.ee on 09 Jan 18:02 next collapse

For short videos, Loops seems like an idea? Unfortunately there is no embedding of loops in other fediverse software yet, but I’d predict that it will come in the future

originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com on 09 Jan 19:10 next collapse

https://catbox.moe/

supermurs@kbin.earth on 10 Jan 00:48 next collapse

Thanks for the suggestion!

Kuinox@lemmy.world on 10 Jan 08:42 next collapse

That’s not decentralized.

tetris11@lemmy.ml on 10 Jan 12:29 collapse

That’s a comment that starts with Th

scott@loves.tech on 10 Jan 17:51 collapse

Hubzilla has built-in cloud storage, where you can host anything you want, and you can even determine who can see it. Images, videos, documents, binary files, whatever.