A question about defederation
say there are three instances, A, B and C. if A is not federated with B, users from those two instances can't interact (right ?) but what if both are federated with C ? would both indirectly be able to interact ? if there is a post on instance C and a user from B comments on it, would that comment be visible on all three instances ?
Yes, comments from users on instances A and B on a post on C are visible to users on all three instances. De/federation is a way for admins of a specific instance to control which users can interact with posts on their instance. Eg: beehaw defeds sh.itjust.works so users from sh.itjust.works cannot interact with posts on beehaw. Users from both instances can interact with each other on posts on lemmy.world though.Edit: In reality, beehaw has defederated both sh.itjust.works and lemmy.world. In my theoretical example, only sh.itjust.works has been defederated.EDIT: I actually tested it and I'm wrong! I logged into my beehaw alt account and came to this thread but I can't see this comment as it's from sh.itjust.works. Because my comment is hidden, I also couldn't see the thread attached to this comment section so the comment thread looked empty.
Sorry for confusion.
(except for that Beehaw is also defederated from lemmy.world)
Shit, bad choice of third instance... Who hasn't beehaw defederated?
Basically, every major instance that isn't sh.itjust.works, lemmy.world, lemmygrad.ml, or exploding-heads. They moderate in favor of "federate by default, defederate if it becomes a problem, refederate if the problem is addressed"
Lemmynsfw.com is not defederated from beehaw.
Edit: don't ask me how I know.
What's the deal with Beehaw defederating with so many?
If they don't want to be part of the wide fediverse, why pick software designed for it?
I think they are using it exactly as intended, the software is specifically designed to be decentralized and gives instance admins the power to de/federate as they choose.
Let's say when meta releases their activitypub thing, should everyone federate with them just because they are on the fediverse and will likely have a lot of users?
I was under the impression that A won't see comments of B even if posted in a community in C
You are correct, sorry. I've edited my post.
Wait, so if I am from A and comment on a post on B and a user@c from C (which A has defedrated) comments on my comment, I get a message/notification indirectly from user@c via B?
So defederation blocks direct interaction but not discourse on "neutral ground (B in this case)"?
Nevermind, see my edit - I was wrong.
I see, thanks for testing it, I'm a bit disappointed though (with lemmy, I mean)
Honestly, I don't like this either. It's definitely unfortunate.
Fun fact: Beehaw defederated with Lemmy.world as well.
I think it depends. Not entirely sure though. Now given the context of Lemmy right, you can certainly post to instance C from both A and B. Even if your instance (either A or B) will not fetch messages from each other (due to not federating) you can always go see the messages through instance C (not logged in). That probably works for all defederation scenarios but that is also a very loosely defined interaction as both parties will have to do the same.
A diplomatic answer I know.