Very rough explanation:

An instance is just a single distinct computer (server) running the Lemmy software. You have a bunch of these separate computers running the Lemmy software. These computers - together - form the Lemmyverse. (I’m purposely leaving out Fediverse, activitypub).

Each user (no matter what computer/instance they signed up with) has the ability to comment on any post made within this system of cooperating computers (The Lemmyverse). We can also subscribed to each other’s communities (ie; forums, subreddits).

That’s basically it. The ability to share posts and to comment on each other’s posts. You can’t use your login details across Lemmyverse since each computer is distinct.

Some of these distinct computers may decide they don’t want to be part of this Federation of cooperating computers. For the most part they can disengage from this Lemmyverse. For the most part… but the software is still on version (about) 0.18.2 and so complete (or temporary) disengagement from Lemmyverse is still in development (ie; coding, logic decisions, etc).

the extension would be even more interesting if it could work on any link on the web:

A disqus replacement? Now that would be interesting indeed.

I don’t think there’s a single “main” computer anymore. My home computer is Linux Mint Cinnamon. My mobile computer (which I use nearly as much as my desktop OS) is Android.

My next smartphone is going to allow installing a privacy-respecting custom ROM (because Linux on mobile really isn’t there yet). Once I do that, I’ll focus on f-droid apps only. Something to look forward to.

I can’t believe that with the API pricing the way it is, it’s financially viable to continue developing this app. It only makes sense if Spez offered this (and some other developers) a backroom deal (complete with NDA).

Spez has shown himself to be a lying, vindictive douche. If he can make Christian Selig look bad (for exposing reddit and Spez himself for what he is), it’s something he would appear to relish. The way Spez doubled-down on his vindictive and defamatory statements during the AMA just goes to show that there’s no level he won’t sink to.

Also, if the API pricing was lowered - it’s a last minute sign of back-tracking given the immense backlash it has caused.

The initial API pricing was meant to drive out all reddit clients. It seems to me that reddit clients still operating after July the 1st have received (much) lower API pricing (or are not being charged at all - in the case of RedReader). It’s just too expensive otherwise.

That, or Christian made a pretty expensive mistake…

I wouldn’t put a lot pass /u/spez, including offering special deals on API pricing. Especially if he thinks it would make Christian Selig look bad.

It’s precisely the kind of thing a lying, gaslighting and vindictive /u/spez would do.

My sentiments exactly. I wonder what it’s like for the reddit staff to work with such a gaslighting, condescending and deceitful boss.

We owe the Apollo dev a lot for shining a bright light at the leadership of reddit and specifically /u/spez.