Hi from Hive and rural Bedfordshire
Hi!
I just found out about an effort by @livinguktaiwan to introduce people to Hive by explaining what it means to us. This project makes use of @pinmapple to put people on a map so potential Hivers can see if there are locals people they could engage with.
Image from community introduction.
Four years ago I joined a blogging platform called Steemit. I have been blogging on various sites over many years. I even have my own web site that I have posted to hundreds of times for my own amusement. The world has moved towards social media, but the downside has been that our data has been exploited by big companies for their profit whilst we are expected to get by on 'likes'. Steemit offered something different by being built on blockchain technology. This meant that it should not be possible to for anyone to seize overall control and that our posts could be monetised by paying us a share of the cryptocurrency that was generated by the decentralised system. Unfortunately, the way that Steemit was created by a company who controlled a lot of the token led to a hostile takeover following the selling on of the company. However, they community were not going to let this disrupt what they had built up over four years and 'forked' the blockchain to create Hive!
Hive has no CEO. A large number of 'witnesses' elected by users operate computers that process the blockchain. There are multiple web sites and apps that allow you to browse, comment and post with options to use audio and video. This is not reliant on advertising like just about every other service out there. The cryptocurrency is used to fund projects.
The community I joined is unlike any other I have experienced. It is very diverse with people from every country and all of them can earn something. I have encountered artists from Italy, guitarists from Venezuela and Australia plus many more. I have met many of these people in person at global conferences in Portugal and Poland when I financed my trips with what I had earned. There have also been lots of meet-ups all over the UK of which I have attended many.
I do not have a product to sell online. I am an amateur musician, hobby runner and curious geek. Despite this people enjoy what I post enough to reward my posts. I have never made a cent from Facebook or Youtube, but I have done very well from Hive since I joined over four years ago. My posts get far more engagement than I have managed on other platforms, but then I do my best to connect with people and that is how I built a substantial following. You have to put some effort in to earn.
Hive is not Facebook. You cannot restrict posts to just your family. Everything is public, so you have to consider that when you post. That can be good for forming online communities. I am in some with fellow runners and musicians.
I have worked with computers for decades, so I can adapt to new platforms easily. Hive is a little more complex than others. Instead of using your pet's name as a password you have 'keys' which are long and complicated. You should be using a password manager for these as some of them allow access to the funds you earn. It is up to you to keep them secure. There are tools like Hive Keychain that make this more manageable.
Hive also includes games such as monster battles on Splinterlands, becoming a rock star in Rising Star or even brewing beer in Cryptobrewmaster. As well as being fun these all earn you tokens on the Hive blockchain. Some let you win virtual cards that can be worth serious money.
Through Hive I have bought artworks and comics from around the world. I have won prizes in music competitions. I have really become part of something that could change the world. There is so much talk about cryptocurrencies, but usually it is by people who want you to buy something. With Hive you can just invest some time and still earn whilst having the sort of social experience that you might be used to on the mainstream platforms. Even if you are not great at creating 'content' your engagement with it in votes and comments can still earn you something. I would rather support the artists I enjoy than some massive corporation.
You can join Hive via this site or contact me via private messaging to get an account. I can create them for free.
We definitely need more pins on the map in the UK.
Be part of the next wave of online technology and not just a cog in the machine.
Hive five!
https://twitter.com/steevc/status/1310686407309094912
Congratulations, your post has been added to Pinmapple! 🎉🥳🍍
Did you know every user has their own profile map?
And so does every post as well!
Want to have your post on the map too?
Is it easier to onboard people into a dapp or Hive in general?
It seems to be hard either way. I have not recruited many people lately. I have all these account tickets I can use and nobody to take them. Sometimes you cannot give stuff away.
I think we need to give people more reasons to join, whether is directly on Hive or via a dapp. We've talked about the benefits of Hive and the blockchain to death already, and we don't want to dwell on too much about how much you can make on Hive. I figured an alternative approach, to do personal testimonials might be worth trying. You fancy sharing your personal experience as well @enforcer48? 😀
Hive is my Second Life.
Then even the more reason to share, we all love a bit of gozz and insight into people's life 😄
Sounds a great idea by @livinguktaiwan - but very few have subscribed to the project - only 76 with 4 active users. I think, we need some curation support to make it more attractive.
Curation would help, but I will do what I can to help anyway. We desperately need a recruitment drive.
!ENGAGE 20
ENGAGEtokens.I have OCD support to help with curation, but despite my original announcement post which was quite well received by the community, the participation by the community hasn't been as forthcoming as I had hoped for....
Would you interested in sharing your Hive experience with everyone @sanjeevm? Maybe you can kick start for India 😀
One thing: Think carefully before submitting your precise location. I know lots of people are insanely excited about Hive but please consider your personal safety especially when it comes to revealing where you live on the Internet.
I did not set it to where my house is :) Still, people could work it out from other information if they are determined.
It was just a general warning. I'm seeing a lot of scary behaviour form Hive users who are getting a bit carried away IMO. Personal safety has never been more important on what everyone brags about being a decentralised service with no CEO or protection systems in place.
The intro post for this project does say "For security reasons, don't search for your home address. Search for a landmark in your town/city/county/state and click on it."
I have tended to be careful in general by not putting pictures of my kids on public sites or giving away too much personal information, but others merrily share all sorts of stuff. My kids do not post much, but others just don't seem to care. Anything you put online could come back to haunt you, as various people have discovered.
I know lack of privacy and lack of central control are reasons some people do not like Hive. There is the temptation to over-share that must be resisted.
Practice safe hex.
!ENGAGE 20
As I said. You and I are fairly clued up when it comes to the Interwebs but I've seen a large number of people on Hive who openly admit they're vulnerable or at the very least have problems and while all this promoting hysteria that's going on is a positive thing I worry that some might get swept up in that excitement and give details away without giving it some careful thought.
I'm OK because my Internet persona is in fact false and in reality I am part of a royal family that for legal reasons I'm not allowed to talk about. :-)
Does that mean I don't get a knighthood your majesty?
You certainly get to attend a ceremony involving a sword! :-D
image source
Charming!
Na, you're not a Prince Adam.
I thought you died in an elevator with bad knees from all that jumping around in high heels?
ENGAGEtokens.There is so much you can do on Hive, the opportunities are endless for people and I think non Hivers don't realise this. Hopefully, those who are already on the platform can spread the message out.
Thanks for sharing your experience
@tipu curate
Upvoted 👌 (Mana: 30/40) Liquid rewards.
Hive is not perfect, but I feel it has so much potential that is yet to be exploited. I want to see lots more people take advantage of it.
Cheers
!ENGAGE 25
ENGAGEtokens.I am so glad I was introduced to Steem and now I am still here sharing and thriving on Hive. This is a really awesome platform and a good example of how things can be.
We and many others know that is does work, even with all the imperfections. We just have to somehow persuade others that they can benefit too.
Hey @bozz, are you interested in sharing your Hive experience with everyone? It's uses Pinmapple which you're familiar with, just add the extra hifromhive tag. It will be great to get more Hiver's to share their experience with to be newbies 😊
Yeah, I will see what I can do. Is there a deadline? I am probably going to be away from my computer until next week now.
This is an ongoing initiative, no deadline that's why I haven't been too aggressive in pushing it, just prompting people every now and then. I can come and bug you again in a few week time if you want 😊
Okay cool, sounds like a plan!
Hey Steve! stopping by to show support on this post. You do loads for this community; it's appreciated and inspiring :)
Cheers. I just want us to succeed, especially the musicians. I can hope that my small contribution makes a difference.
!ENGAGE 20
ENGAGEtokens.