XMPP Realtime Blocklist Protects XMPP Groups From Spammers, Implemented In Major Server Software
⚡️@takebackourtech | SOURCE

I'm proud to share a recent development in XMPP, the development and adoption of a real-time blocklist.

Problem: Because XMPP allows anyone to create an acct without personal info, certain bad apples can disturb XMPP groups. When these people get banned, they can simply hop to a different XMPP chatroom - since XMPP is completely decentralized the second server will not know a spammer has joined until its too late.

XMPP server owners knew they had a problem, so they formed a working group and built a solution in the form of a real-time block list.

Solution: The XMPP real-time blocklist can be adopted by any server and can sync with a shared blocklist co-managed by other XMPP server operators. Now when a spammer is caught in one group, they're caught in all groups using the RTBL.

My part in this was simply asking the development team of ejabberd (a popular XMPP server software) to implement the module that would make a real-time blocklist possible for anyone using their software. They accepted the request and it got implemented recently. This functionality was already implemented in most major servers and this was the last one - it's a big deal for public groups everywhere.

Today's a good day to try XMPP.

Have you joined #TBOT's XMPP room yet?
- Register for XMPP here
- Join our chatroom: tbot@group.chat.above.im

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FlatHub Redesign Released Out of Beta
⚡️@takebackourtech | SOURCE

Have you used Flathub, an app store for Flatpak format apps on Linux?

Its been a while since I've installed something from Flathub, but I do remember it being convienient for Ubuntu/Debian based machines. Now Flathub has a new redesign.

Check it out: https://flathub.org

Its impressive to see Flathub grown to over 2,000 apps. Now you can see new apps, recently updated, and 'verified' apps so you ensure you're getting an a genuine app from popular developers.

I think they need to add a toggle for 'proprietary' (looking at you Spotify)

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What is OpenStreetMap?
⚡️@takebackourtech | SOURCE

Working on a very important video this week on mapping - and of course we will be covering OpenStreetMaps.

If you aren't using it yet for personal navigation, you should try it - you would be surprised at the Points-Of-Interests it can pickup, thanks to the million+ contributors.

https://www.openstreetmap.org/

OpenStreetMap is a free, editable map of the whole world made by people like you. It was started in 2004 in the UK, out of frustration with the lack of availability of good map data that was free to use.

OpenStreetMap includes data about roads, buildings, addresses, shops and businesses, points of interest, railways, trails, transit, land use and natural features, and much more.

The map is created and maintained by nearly 5 million registered users and more than 1 million map contributors in every country in the world, using free tools and software. The data is used by local people, volunteer groups, companies, governments, software developers and more.

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