You think choosing a Fediverse server is hard? Try uploading your passport. So I tried Gander. Before you’re allowed to post, you need to verify your humanity. You can do that through an organization you’re associated with, such as your place of employment. Not part of an organization that can verify you? Then you’re directed to Canada Post’s Identity+ app, which requires proof of aliveness and uploading your Canadian passport. And as we’ve all learned from the Fediverse, friction prevents community growth. If you’re not familiar with Gander, it’s a made-in-Canada social network aimed at Canadians, in part as an alternative to American-dominated social media.
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It’s based on AT Protocol, and apparently you can view content from Bluesky. But beyond the verification hurdle, the app clearly isn’t ready for prime time. There are numerous obvious bugs. For example, while I was composing a post, it lost my cursor and wouldn’t scroll downward as I kept writing. I also think that if Gander is going to survive, it needs to integrate with the Canadian Fediverse. There’s already an established community here. Gander doesn’t have one yet.
