Definition:
PixelFed is a federated social platform designed for image sharing, offering similar functionalities to Instagram. As part of the Fediverse, PixelFed is positioned as the open source and decentralized alternative to Instagram. Its open source nature allows it to be freely modified and hosted on different server instances, eliminating the dependency on a single central server.
PixelFed is part of a set of tools that promote the democratization and decentralization of the Internet, with a special focus on privacy. Its goal is to protect user data from being exploited by large corporations for commercial purposes.
How to register on PixelFed
Registering on PixelFed is extremely simple. Simply access https://pixelfed.social,create a user by filling in the required fields (name, username, email and password) and verify it by email.
After verification and login, the tool is accessed, with a simple aesthetic and very similar to that of Instagram.
Pixelfed features
PixelFed is a social network that has a simplified interface with the following functionalities in both its PC and mobile versions:
- My Timeline: This function allows you to see the images and publications of the people you follow. It is a personalized space where you can keep up to date with updates from your friends, family or any user of interest. The timeline is updated in real time, ensuring that you don’t miss any recent posts.
- Public Timeline: The public timeline shows posts from a wide range of users, not just those you follow. It’s ideal for discovering new content and users, exploring trends and seeing what the wider community is sharing.
- Discover: This section is designed to help you find content that might be of interest to you. It uses algorithms that analyze your interactions, such as “likes” and comments, to recommend images and users that might align with your preferences. It’s a great way to expand your horizons and find interesting new accounts to follow.
- Create new post: The functionality to create posts is intuitive and straightforward. You can upload images, accompany them with descriptive text and add hashtags to increase their visibility. Hashtags help categorize content, making it easier for other users to find it when searching for specific topics.
- Account settings: In this section, you can customize your PixelFed experience. Options include changing your password to keep your account secure, configuring notifications according to your preferences (for example, receiving alerts about new followers or comments), and adjusting privacy settings to control who can see your posts and who can interact with you. In addition, you can manage other settings, such as account linking and interface customization.
Advantages of PixelFed
PixelFed offers a number of benefits that set it apart from traditional social networking platforms, especially for those who value privacy, control and decentralization. Some of the main advantages include:
- Decentralization: Being part of the Fediverse, PixelFed does not depend on a central server. This allows users to choose from multiple instances or even create their own, encouraging diversity and reducing the concentration of power.
- Enhanced privacy: PixelFed prioritizes user privacy. Data policies are managed on an instance-by-instance basis, allowing administrators to set rules that respect users’ privacy rights.
- Open source: As an open source platform, PixelFed allows developers to inspect, modify and improve the software. This encourages transparency and innovation, as anyone can contribute to the development of the platform.
- User control: Users have significant control over their experience, including instance choice, data management and privacy settings. This empowers users to make informed decisions about their online presence.
- Community and collaboration: PixelFed has an active community of developers and users who collaborate to improve the platform. This ensures that the platform continually evolves to meet the needs of its users.
- No intrusive advertising: Unlike many commercial social networks, PixelFed is not designed to monetize through intrusive advertising. This means users can enjoy a cleaner, more content-focused experience.
- Interoperability with the Fediverse: Being part of the Fediverse, PixelFed can interact with other federated platforms, such as Mastodon, which expands the possibilities of connection and communication between different communities.
- Community focus: PixelFed instances are often managed by local or thematic communities, allowing for a more personalized experience relevant to the interests of its members.
These advantages make PixelFed an attractive option for those looking for an alternative to traditional social networks, offering a more controlled, private and communal experience.
How to create a PixelFed instance on your own server
PixelFed is an online application that does not need any installation by users. However, anyone can have their own server. The PixelFed source code is available in the following GitHub repository:
To create an instance of PixelFed on your own server, follow these general steps. It is important to have some technical knowledge, as the process involves setting up a web server and managing databases. The following is a basic guide:
Prerequisites:
- A server with root access or administrator privileges.
- A domain or subdomain configured for the PixelFed instance.
- SSL certificate to secure connections (Let’s Encrypt can be used).
- Basic knowledge of command line and server administration.
Server preparation
- Ensure that the server has a compatible operating system installed, such as Ubuntu.
- Install a web server such as Nginx or Apache.
- Install PHP (PixelFed requires PHP 8.0 or higher) and the necessary extensions.
- Install a database, such as MySQL or PostgreSQL.
- Install Composer, a tool to manage PHP dependencies.
Cloning PixelFed repository
- Access PixelFed’s GitHub repository. https://github.com/pixelfed/ to obtain the source code.
- Clone the repository on the server using the command
git clone https://github.com/pixelfed/pixelfed.git
- Navigate to the directory of the cloned project:
cd pixelfed
Installation of dependencies
- Use Composer to install the necessary dependencies:
composer install
Pixelfed Configuration
- Copy the example configuration file:
cp .env.example .env- Edit the
.envfile to configure the database, mail server and other essential parameters. - Generate an application key:
php artisan key:generate
Database configuration:
- Create a database and a user for PixelFed in the database management system.
- Execute the migrations to create the necessary tables:
php artisan migrate
Web server configuration
- Configure the web server (Nginx or Apache) to point to the PixelFed directory
public/. - Ensure that the server is configured to handle HTTPS connections.
Start PixelFed
- Use a process manager such as Supervisor or PM2 to run PixelFed and ensure that it remains active.
- Access the configured domain or subdomain to verify that PixelFed is working properly.