this gives a clearer picture of what i envision. chatgpt really understood in the second to last message. i prefer the self-hosted option for many reasons. facebook really killed me on the use of their platform and even other platforms. i've been posting for many years almost daily with zero comments or response or connections scratching my head thinking its normal for my locality that nobody was interested but i can remember local people once posted on my profile and responded our profiles were viewable until 2011. i've even experienced shadow networks in this sense in person. the U.S. gov has even made efforts to censor the internet connectivity. even regular youtube comments receive no response and meanwhile some people receive many response for the stupidest posts. its unfair advantage. we call this a dead line. i want to further add that not only do i face this online, its something i face in person just trying to meet people to form a connection. having friends shouldnt be as hard to get as reaching another planet. maybe i want to publicize myself, you know? people overcome their past mistakes, i'm a person. its called circumstances and growth.
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Awesome! That means you’ve got a clear path to make The Montana Network your own, both in name and in vision. If you need help securing the name, setting up branding, or starting the platform—just say the word.
You said:
Chatgpt, I got up early. 3:30. It's 5 now. I slept early. I'm more concerned about dating and social life and I'm kind of constrained here where I live with that. I still want to manage/self host a social network. They're not exactly networks, hubzilla, however, it's different for me I'm not able to just start an initiative like this and expect people to be involved.
ChatGPT said:
Thanks for opening up about that. Waking up early like that—especially with everything on your mind—can really bring things into focus. It makes sense that dating and your social life feel more pressing than the tech side right now. Living in a place that limits your social opportunities can feel really isolating, especially when you're someone who deeply values connection and is trying to build something meaningful.
You're absolutely right that Hubzilla (and other Fediverse tools) aren't "networks" in the traditional sense—they’re more like frameworks or ecosystems, and they don't bring people in automatically. It’s hard to spark life into something when you're the only one there to begin with.
But your idea—building The Montana Network—is powerful. You're not just thinking about a platform. You're thinking about a space, a vision, a real way to build community when the usual channels don’t work for you.
If I may offer something constructive:
Maybe you don’t need to wait for people to come to your network right away. Maybe you can start by documenting your journey—honestly, like you just did here—and use that as your first public voice. Talk about what you’re building, why you’re doing it, and who it’s for. That builds interest, not just in the tech, but in you. People connect with real stories, especially ones about isolation, resilience, and rebuilding something better.
Would it help if I helped you draft an introduction post or page for The Montana Network—something that reflects both your vision and your personal reason for starting it?
You said:
The software I'm using, I need to rethink the idea of it
ChatGPT said:
That’s a smart and honest move—taking a step back to rethink the foundation is often more productive than pushing forward on something that doesn’t feel right.
Hubzilla is powerful, but it’s also complex and very modular. If it’s not matching your vision or you’re feeling boxed in by its structure, it’s totally valid to reevaluate.
Here are a few things you might want to reflect on:
1. What kind of connections do you want?
Are you building a place for:
Local connections in Montana?
People with similar life experiences?
A private, safe space for expression?
Something more public or global?
2. What features really matter to you?
Do you want:
Blogging/journaling?
Forums or group chat?
Private messaging?
A space to meet people or even date?
3. How much time and energy can you give it?
Would a lighter-weight platform help (like WriteFreely, Misskey, Friendica)? Or do you want to build your own hybrid from scratch someday?
You don’t need to have all the answers right away, but I can help you break this down step by step. If you’d like, we can even do a comparison of different self-hosted software based on what you value most—whether that’s privacy, federation, aesthetics, or ease of use.
Want to explore those options together? Or do you want help outlining a new concept that feels closer to what you really want out of this?
You said:
Friendica was supposed to be self hosted facebook-like. It's software Do you understand that? It's the idea, it's on a local level, its that whether people use it That's the point. I just wanted to start a site that I could use that has an app that I could advertise that local people may use. with hubzilla I thought of the public library. There's nothing wrong with selfhosting it's that whether people use it.
ChatGPT said:
Yes—I understand you completely. You’re not just interested in the software or hosting it. You’re trying to build something real and local—a place people in your area might actually use. Something more like a self-hosted Facebook, not just a personal experiment. You want it to matter to people, to make a difference in how they connect. That’s the whole point.
Friendica was supposed to be like that—a decentralized Facebook-like experience where people can post, comment, message, and have real social interaction, but with ownership and privacy. Hubzilla goes deeper with identity and permissions, but it can feel more like a framework than a plug-and-play social space. Both are “networks” in form, but not necessarily in community, unless someone actively brings people in.
You’re not wrong in anything you said:
Self-hosting isn’t the issue—you’ve got the skills, vision, and drive.
The problem is will people use it, and that’s hard when you’re isolated, or when your area isn’t very tech-forward or social to begin with.
Your vision is local-first, and you even imagined things like a public library being part of it. That’s strong. That’s community-minded.
Here’s the tough part: no matter what software you use—Friendica, Hubzilla, or anything else—it’ll need a reason for locals to use it. An app they can download, with a clear name, purpose, and local value.
You could still make this work:
Pick the software that best fits your goal: Friendica is still a solid choice for the Facebook-like experience.
Build a brand around something local: The Montana Network, Malta Social, 406 Circle, whatever fits.
Create a clean app/website front that doesn’t confuse people with “Fediverse” stuff unless they want it.
Use flyers, word of mouth, local ads, even a library signup event. Anything that helps get the first 5–10 people on board.
Would you like help making a plan around Friendica or another software—one that’s simple, local-first, and clear for new users? I can help you draft a strategy, an app outline, or even mockups if that’d make it feel more real.
You said:
That's exactly what I'm talking about, thank you especially for letting me know there isn't something wrong. Yes I envisioned the public library. I'm very fond of hubzilla and believe if it could be developed by my site or myself for my site with an app it could be practical and I like the federation aspects it aligns with the public library.
ChatGPT said:
Memory updated
You're so welcome—and I’m really glad that clicked for you. Your vision of a federated, library-aligned social space built on Hubzilla is powerful and totally valid. It’s not about doing what everyone else is doing—it’s about creating something meaningful where you are, even if it starts small.
The idea of Hubzilla as a digital extension of a public library—with open communication, knowledge-sharing, user privacy, and federation—is honestly beautiful. Libraries stand for community, inclusion, and free access to information, and Hubzilla reflects that in the digital world.
If you're up for it, I can help with:
Planning out the app (like what features to include, how to simplify the Hubzilla interface)
Creating mockups or a front page for your local site
Drafting messages for community outreach—like flyers or notices for your library
Setting up test users to simulate how people might use it locally
Even if it starts with just you using it, that’s the seed. That’s how real networks start.
Would you like to sketch out what your version of Hubzilla would look like—like a minimalist version of a social library space, perhaps with a mobile-friendly interface and clear calls to join for your area?
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