I am attempting to put together a simple explanation for fellow non-techies about AT protocol, hopefully with visual aids. I am not completely a "non-techie" (once upon a time, I was a system programmer for a multinational bank), but it's been a long time since I dwelled in the tech world (I programmed in COBOL, if that gives you an idea).

Two small dinosaur figures made from old electronic components face each other on a painted prehistoric landscape. Each dinosaur has a gray rectangular body with a short grey wire cable ending in a connector, green painted legs and tail, and stands between green palm trees. Faint orange flying reptiles are painted in the sky above.
Two small dinosaur figures made from old electronic components face each other on a painted prehistoric landscape. Each dinosaur has a gray rectangular body with a short grey wire cable ending in a connector, green painted legs and tail, and stands between green palm trees. Faint orange flying reptiles are painted in the sky above.

My question for you AT Protocol gurus out there: Does the following analogy convey the idea behind AT Protocol? My plan is to help explain AT Protocol with some simple cartoon-like visual aids but before starting any drawing, I want to make sure I have to right analogy.

Separate vs one shared road:

Imagine that every social media or social publishing company was a car. Today, most have their own private roads. If you leave car to ride in another, you leave your audience behind. AT Protocol is an attempt to build one main shared road system instead.

The roads aren't owned by any one company. Anyone can build a vehicle that follows the rules of the road. You aren't choose a road when you choose an app/platform - you're choosing a vehicle to travel on the same shared road system.

That's important because it means your audience can stay with you even if you decide to switch vehicles.

Or is there a better visual analogy I could use?

Why should creatives be excited about AT Protocol?

I would also like to simply explain why my fellow creatives should be excited about this technology, including giving examples of how AT Protocol could help them in their work.

My question for you AT Protocol gurus out there: Is the following an accurate list of examples of how AT Protocol can benefit creators? Are there any others I could include?

Examples of how AT Protocol may help creators someday:

  1. 1.

    Creators can change apps without starting over. With AT Protocol, the goal is that your identity and followers move with you. Your readers don't have to rebuild their connection with you.

  2. 2.

    Creators have one identity everywhere. Readers will recognize you, not which app you're using. It's similar to owning your own website instead of relying on a social media username.

  3. 3.

    Creators can be more easily discovered. Today, if someone enjoys your posts on (name platform you're using here), many of us, hope that the reader also notices the link in our profile. With AT Protocol, someone may like your post but will immediately also be able to find your other work without leaving the broader ecosystem. Discovery becomes much more connected.

  4. 4.

    Readers can use different apps while still following you and your work. You don't have to convince everyone to use the same platform.

  5. 5.

    AT Protocol can help lower the barrier to creating niche communities because new apps can specialize. Someone might create an app just for children's book creators, for example. Or one that looks like Pinterest, or one geared toward poets, etc. Instead of starting from zero users, these apps can connect to the same social network.

Does the above sound accurate? Feel free to let me know if I have anything wrong, or if you have other/better examples to include.

Once I know I have my basic info correct, I will work on and explainer post that combines visual and text info.

I'm also compiling a list of basic AT Protocol resources, though I have found most a wee bit too technical for the intended audience of my explainer post. However, I figure it might be useful for those who want to find out more.

AT Protocol: Building The Social Internet
Wikipedia explanation of AT Protocol

Any other resources I should add to this list? I am especially looking for beginner guides and simple tutorials.

I welcome any/all feedback!

Note: I realize this simplification of an ultimately complex and layered technology is likely inadequate for conveying the full glory of AT Protocol. My goal, however, is to start with a visual analogy that will hopefully be less intimidating to my fellow creatives that the explanations currently circulating, and to help more people better appreciate why AT Protocol is something Good (and why they should get excited about it).

Feel free to reply in comments or reply to my Bluesky post:

Debbie Ridpath Ohi's avatar
8h

Seeking feedback from AT Protocol gurus out there! I'm hoping to put together a visual explainer post geared toward fellow non-techie creatives (esp #KidLit authors & illustrators). Instead of multi-post long thread on Bluesky, I'm using @leaflet.pub. debbieohi.leaflet.pub/3mpdy5a53z22u

AT Protocol: explanation for non-techies?

AT Protocol: explanation for non-techies?

Working on an explanation without tech jargon, for fellow creatives

https://debbieohi.leaflet.pub/3mpdy5a53z22u