Ben Pate 🤘🏻

Howdy! I'm the nerd who's building #Emissary - an ActivityPub server for building custom social applications on the Fediverse.

My first app on this platform is a music sharing server for indie bands, called #Bandwagon. And now I'm also working on #Atlas, a social mapping server for adding Federated annotations to places in the real world.

If you'd like to talk about any of my projects, feel free to DM me here, or on Signal (@benpate.5280)

⁂

Public Key

npub1es6fdp8fkgu508j9egkx6zkkkdy3u5m2tjm3a5t8r8fhvnvm9egqxcvpps

NIP-05 Address

[email protected]

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsvcdyksn5myw28nezu5trdptttxjg72d49edc769n3n5mkfkdju5qpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dsnan8jx

Publishing to

relay.pocketnostr.com

nos.lol

relay.damus.io

Author Public Key

npub1es6fdp8fkgu508j9egkx6zkkkdy3u5m2tjm3a5t8r8fhvnvm9egqxcvpps

Show more details

Last Notes

2026-07-25 21:57:56 CEST

- reply

@nprofile…twh5 @nprofile…4rtz
To use a physical metaphor, we've built technologies that allow anyone in the world to walk into our house and sit at our kitchen table.
Blocklists ban the people completely AFTER they've behaved badly. Shared blocklists let us tell neighbors not to let them in.
In real, human communities, relationships are more complex than binary accept/deny lists. We rely on reputation, relationships, and word-of-mouth referrals.
Perhaps we could model those aspects here, too.

2026-05-23 20:13:06 CEST

#Fediverse, I need your help.
I have a budget for a small contract to improve #Emissary, and am looking for a talented web designer to create a new default theme for the server.
Highlights:
* Probably ~60 hours of work
* Anywhere in the world
* Must be a good person
Details are here:
https://benpate.dev/20260601-html-designer
If you know someone who's great with HTML+CSS+Design, and is looking for a short gig, please share this with them :)
#FediHire #GetFediHired

2026-04-18 22:06:20 CEST

Hey #FediDev community:
Activity Intents are now supported (or soon to be) by the biggest #Fediverse apps out there: WordPress, Mastodon, and Loops (plus a tiny ones, like Forte, streams, PieFed, and Emissary)
It's a fantastic step that brings the social web closer together 🍻
But there's more to do.
What happens if I want to `Follow` but don't already have an account? Our UX still has gaps.
Please check out FEP-7b29 ~ a simple way to connect the dots all the way through new user signup

2026-04-14 23:18:46 CEST

If Russia can block it, it’s not distributed…
https://therecord.media/russia-cracks-down-bluesky-internet

2026-04-14 14:25:36 CEST

Have you seen this news?
#Mastodon just got funding to add end to end encryption into their software.
So, some time next year, you’ll be able to send truly private messages to the vast majority of the #Fediverse
Im so excited about this.
Because it’s an open spec, this opens the doors for every Fediverse app to join the party.
Yesterday, this project was a proof of concept. Today, Mastodon has turned it into a stampede.
#E2EE
https://blog.joinmastodon.org/2026/04/sovereign-tech-agency-funding/

2026-03-09 20:52:33 CET

BlueSky’s CEO is stepping down, to be run (temporarily) by a VC while they look for a permanent replacement.
What do we think this means for BlueSky?
What does it mean for other distributed networks like the Fediverse?
https://www.wired.com/story/bluesky-ceo-jay-graber-is-stepping-down/

2026-02-28 00:53:57 CET

- reply

Yes, I think I like the idea of clients being able to store data on the server however they like. It reminds me of this description of ATProto that I found recently: https://overreacted.io/a-social-filesystem/
I guess my question is: once I store my custom stuff in custom places on my server, how do I publish this so other people can find?
And, object IDs are usually defined by the server. So how would it work to say "create a collection named XYZ and add this object to it"?
@nprofile…nptm @nprofile…d8rs @nprofile…u8dh

2026-02-27 22:15:39 CET

- reply

@nprofile…nptm @nprofile…d8rs @nprofile…u8dh
I e*love* this idea- especially in principle. I say that because I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around this and how it would be used in practice.
Do you think you could post an example workflow (or three) to demonstrate how this would work?
I get that objects could be added to client-defined collections (very cool) but if object/collection IDs don’t have predefined semantics, how will I know where to look to get the data I need?

2026-02-23 22:46:08 CET

- reply

I’m really excited about a lot of these developments. Kudos to Mastodon for continuing to push things forward.
I’m also really curious about shared blocklists in particular.. do you know how I can learn more about how Mastodon will be implementing this?
@nprofile…2zgl @nprofile…wn6p

2026-02-20 04:43:33 CET

- reply

@nprofile…uptt @nprofile…7qas
Is the FEP public? I’ll love to check it out!

2026-02-20 01:53:01 CET

- reply

@nprofile…uptt Hey Scott! I'm so glad you're tackling this issue. I have lots of trouble with DMs on Mastodon. I think you're addressing, these, but here goes:
The biggest one is how easily they're confused with regular messages. I routinely mess this up, and make private messages public, or vice versa.
The next is how hard it is to visualize threads - especially in the existing notification section. I often lose my place in complex discussions

2026-02-19 23:21:10 CET

Great article by @nprofile…7j8f
https://deadsuperhero.com/reimagining-fediverse-advocacy/

2026-02-13 22:42:31 CET

- reply

@nprofile…3eqn
Hey Stripey.. do you think you could draw up something like this? Bonus points if you’ve got enough design chops to make an HTML mockup.
The #Emissary inbox is fully programmable, and you can use different layouts for each “folder” in the system.
This could be as simple to do as making a new folder layout. Or, we might need something more sophisticated.
I can’t do a #Discord view on my own (sooo overcommitted) but how’d you like to make a first pass at what it should look like?

2026-02-12 20:31:45 CET

- reply

@nprofile…twh5
You're exactly right We can certainly delete/block them, but they could run their own server. What happens when open source software we make gets used by bad guys?
There's tons of examples, and fortunately, the community works to shut them down quickly.
But there *is* a difference between open tools being misused vs. actively putting resources towards hosting of hateful content.
I need a statement from Substack on this one.

2026-02-12 20:07:21 CET

A couple days ago, I saw a post here about a literal nazi newsletter hosted on #Substack. I won't repost it because I don't want red and black swastikas in my timeline.
I sent a note to their "terms of service" team asking for clarification, hoping they would say "oh wow, thanks.." and do something about it.
Or maybe at least, they might say "gosh, this is bad, but they're not actually doing anything illegal."
But so far, no response...
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/059/225/311/230/871/original/9ac75a015b59652f.jpeg

2026-02-11 03:37:54 CET

Hey Fediverse: Does anyone know of a local #Library that has successfully launched a #Mastodon instance of their own?

2026-02-10 20:42:16 CET

I see tons of posts about #selfhosting here, and it makes sense. It’s a great option for people who can.
But this excludes the vast majority of regular people who do not have the technical skills to run a data center.
We own it to everyone to make open cloud services that:
- do not put profit first
- do not “own” or “monetize” their users’ data
- resist enshitification by letting users take their data somewhere else
- are as easy and straightforward as the “closed” status quo

2026-02-04 23:02:41 CET

I just signed up for the #FediForum "Un-Workshop" coming up in March. Who else is planning to sign in?
🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️
"Growing the Open Social Web" was already on my bingo card for 2026. I have my own ideas, but I'm more excited to hear what others have to say.
https://fediforum.org/2026-03-growing-open-social-web/
If we blame misinformation on social media for the trouble in our democracies, then growing the #Fediverse (responsibly) may be our best path forward.

2026-02-02 01:00:56 CET

- reply

@nprofile…twh5
I’ll try to post some screenshots when I have them, so you can see where this is heading. I think the UX is critical for this to work right, and I think it will feel really smooth and natural when we roll this out.

2026-02-01 18:24:16 CET

Wouldn’t it be cool if you could send encrypted DM’s on the Fediverse BEFORE you could do it in Bluesky? #JustBetweenUs
#nevent1q…6yyg

2026-01-14 00:26:24 CET

#JustBetweenUs
I've just sent the first end-to-end-encrypted #MLS messages from one #Emissary instance to another.
News from around the USA really has me down, so it's important to celebrate the little wins 🎉
And, there's still so much to do. But with equal quantities of luck and caffeine, I can screencast some early prototypes for you before too long.
I believe #E2EE is important for the #Fediverse because it will give us more ways to use this network, and expand what people can do here.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/890/374/628/090/248/original/42f2bef50049322d.jpeg

2025-12-29 21:36:55 CET

It's live.
I've just released my final software update for 2025, which includes 100% fidelity account migrations between #Bandwagon servers.
This long-overdue enhancement means that everyone can take their identity to any other #Emissary server on the #Fediverse. EVERYTHING moves with you.. music uploads, album sales, everything. And, your followers are forwarded to your new address.
There's plenty more, including a 2025 recap, and some plans for 2026 here: https://bandwagon.fm/2025-december

2025-10-10 01:06:45 CEST

Pspsps #Fediverse
I'm collecting info for a Federated #Map server. Something that would let people share info and comment on what's going on at specific places out in the world.
There are lots of ways this might be useful to our community, so I've written a super-rough-draft spec on my website.
https://benpate.dev/annotated-maps
Just like #Bandwagon, this app would sit on top of #Emissary so most of this is already built. We just need to connect the dots.
#AskFedi #FediHelp
https://mastodon.social/@benpate/115335093845889524

2025-10-07 23:51:08 CEST

Could you all help me brainstorm something?
Do you think there would be any use for a Federated location sharing app? Something that would let you mark an annotate locations in the world to share places of interest with your friends or to publicize things that are happening.
We could make a distributed, location-based search engine that pulls up all of the annotations within some radius.
Yes? No? I’d love to hear if this community thinks it would be valuable.

2025-08-28 18:53:57 CEST

I'm glad to support the Fediverse Security Fund (https://nivenly.org/docs/programs/fediverse-security-fund/), which is working to bring responsible disclosure to Fediverse projects.
This is the kind of work that our ecosystem needs to compete with the big players out there. This, and a thousand other initiatives like it.
You're doing good work, fellow humans :)

2025-08-17 00:37:02 CEST

I stumbled onto a cool, forgotten word: #Fungible
"(of a product or commodity) replaceable by another identical item; mutually interchangeable."
I think the Fediverse needs #FungibleHosting and #FungibleAccounts so that user accounts (and even whole server instances) can be easily backed up and ported to a new location with minimal effort.
What would it take to accomplish this?

2025-08-16 19:34:14 CEST

I'm a software developer working on a bunch of #Fediverse things: #Emissary, #Bandwagon, and bandwagon.fm - with several more in the pipeline.
It's a pretty strange mix that doesn't really fit today's Fediverse, but it makes sense when you see the end goal.
I got an opportunity at #Fedicon to explain myself, so here it is:
https://spectra.video/w/eod3ybLu7sHzAEMihej8km
It's not the greatest talk about Fediverse tech, but it's the best I've got so far, and I hope it inspires you to make great things here with me.

2025-07-15 23:09:26 CEST

After months of work, I'm excited to share these updates to #Emissary that let you sell #Music on the #Fediverse with #Bandwagon.
* Use YOUR OWN Stripe account
* Sell music as digital downloads
* Sell exclusive memberships to band updates
* 0% fees from me
This is free for everyone now, and will become a part of Bandwagon Premier when it launches later this year. More details are in the blog post:
https://bandwagon.fm/2025-july
Let's go make some noise.

2025-06-30 23:54:28 CEST

- reply

Yes.
To be more explicit, and in the context of Bandwagon, album sales are just buying premium access to album downloads. Albums are federated, but the one-time purchase is not.
But you can also make a premium feed using “circles” letting followers buy access to a stream of updates that ARE federated. Members-only items come through as DMs from an otherwise public “Follow”
@nprofile…0tle

2025-06-30 22:23:10 CEST

I’m calling it here. New work on online payments and private news feeds in #Emissary is done.
I still need to do thorough QA and write documentation, but all of the major features are feature complete.
It’s been a frustratingly long road - nearly three months since this kicked off - but I’m super excited to get this out the door.
Expect some cool videos soon, and a final release in the next few weeks.
🎉

2025-06-29 17:45:43 CEST

I'm often grumpy about how "loose" the #ActivityPub protocol is. So it's important that I also point to positive examples of how to do it well.
https://w3id.org/fep/b2b8: "Long-form Text" is a great set of concrete terms and concepts that moves the #Fediverse forward in some really good ways. As we continue growing beyond "microblogging" we need this, and more stuff like it.
Thank you to @nprofile…20d6 for putting your time into this document. It's a solid investment for everyone.

2025-06-25 22:58:20 CEST

- reply

Hey Sebastian, it's awesome that the Social CG is looking into this topic. I scanned your notes, but I'm not totally following your conclusions.
It looks like these are interactions for a C2S mobile app to build stuff on a server. I like the idea of listing out the actions that can be taken on a particular object.
But I don't see how this helps me when I find a URL on the open web. Can you help me understand how this information would be used?
@nprofile…6k2c @nprofile…3wy7

2025-06-25 22:38:38 CEST

- reply

3. The site queries my WebFinger entry, looking for an link relation matching my request. So, if I clicked "Like", then the server looks for a relation like: "https://w3id.org/fep/3b86/Like"
4. The server replaces necessary tokens in the link and forwards the user to that URL. For our "Like" example, it would be to a page on Mastodon where I could submit the "Like"
5. "on-success" and "on-cancel" values complete the process, closing pop-ups, or returning to the original page
@nprofile…3wy7 @nprofile…xt5t

2025-06-25 22:32:59 CEST

- reply

The workflow goes like this.
1. User is browsing some site out there and clicks a button to start an activity with that content: Like, Share, whatever.
2. If this is the first time on this site, the site asks them to enter their Fediverse handle (e.g. @nprofile…kzgj). This is stored to simplify subsequent activities.
3... (darned Mastodon character limits)
@nprofile…3wy7 @nprofile…xt5t

2025-06-25 22:29:37 CEST

- reply

I would love to. I'll get you more details in a reply, but the best start I have is my speed demo from last FediForum: https://fediforum.org/2024-09/
The video is here: https://spectra.video/w/uoxpmziv5MYe6LFEuLdhwH?start=4m53s and the part we care about starts at about 2:49
@nprofile…3wy7 @nprofile…xt5t

2025-06-25 22:13:29 CEST

- reply

That would be amazing. Thank you!
Even token support from Mastodon (like adding to WebFinger results) would help this FEP gain traction.
I'm out of my element in Ruby, so I can't supply an actual PR, but I'm happy to support this project any way I can. So if anything comes up, I'll be there to help.
@nprofile…xt5t @nprofile…3wy7

2025-06-25 22:02:06 CEST

- reply

Yes, for sure. Everyone there must be unimaginably busy, so I wouldn't expect it to just jump right into source code any time soon.
But I'd love to get this onto Mastodon's radar somehow.
Mastodon is the tipping point for nearly all improvements to the ecosystem, and I strongly believe this kind of interaction would do wonders for the Fediverse.
So if you have any guidance on how to raise the visibility of this I'd love to know how to proceed.
https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/issues/33984
@nprofile…xt5t @nprofile…3wy7

2025-06-25 21:46:26 CEST

- reply

I opened issues with many of the most popular projects. Fortunately, this kind of thing can be rolled out incrementally, starting with adding a few easy records to WebFinger results.
Further down the road, you could enhance it to include other kinds of interactions that aren't possible now (remote Blocks, anyone?)
Andy, what would be my best next step in getting this on the radar at Mastodon?
@nprofile…xt5t @nprofile…3wy7

2025-06-25 17:38:03 CEST

- reply

That’s Tim. Fantastic article! I’ll have more to say after I re-read this a dozen times, but I want to get out early with an answer to #3: remote actions…
This is why I built fep-3b86 “Activity Intents” which lets people take remote actions from their home server with one click and zero fuss. No JS, no funny protocols required.
Could you please weigh in on this?
@nprofile…3wy7 @nprofile…kgua @nprofile…utzm @nprofile…007f @nprofile…qtlf @nprofile…gs0x @nprofile…xt5t @nprofile…2skd @nprofile…6zhx @nprofile…fflq @nprofile…t5f4 @nprofile…98rg @nprofile…5q8k

2025-06-11 20:12:41 CEST

- reply

Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you for boosting this, Flipboard.
And let’s not forget #WhatCorySaid about our opportunity to grow beyond corporate silos of surveillance capitalism.
We have powerful tech in our hands. It’s spread beyond the corporate data centers to be in reach of everyone.
Let’s make a better Internet: one-by-one, bring your normie friends to the Fediverse.
@nprofile…r4x7 @nprofile…zwgs @nprofile…2skd @nprofile…74c4 @nprofile…hx87 @nprofile…el04 @nprofile…t5gc

2025-05-30 06:39:17 CEST

- reply

👀 One more thing for us #FediDevs to keep an eye on…
@nprofile…3wy7 @nprofile…3ram

2025-05-06 18:24:47 CEST

Awesome #Bandwagon news: I've just pushed a number of cool updates to bandwagon.fm - including newly revamped profile pages that are smarter, more streamlined, and easier to manage.
The new profiles highlight your albums, concerts, and news posts separately, showing each in its own customized layout.
If you're already a Wagoneer, then sign in to see the results of the spring cleaning. And if you're a musician and you're not on Bandwagon yet, well…. you know what to do :)

2025-03-01 23:23:23 CET

- reply

Okay, got it.
It looks like there was a "space" character at the end of your username. That was probably messing things up.
Can you try again and see that it's working for you?
Also, in case it helps, I have a task on the project list to clear up stuff like this, to prevent weird/invisible characters from messing up usernames in the future: https://github.com/orgs/EmissarySocial/projects/1?pane=issue&itemId=93438661
@nprofile…9z8h

2025-03-01 23:18:43 CET

- reply

@nprofile…9z8h no worries. That should be enough. I’m looking now.
And, presume away. I’m easy and will chat with anyone. 🤓

2023-09-04 17:55:36 CEST

- reply

@npub1grx…uxfe Careful. If you’re concerned about bad luck, remember that bubble wrap may impede your mobility when the fire ants invade.
But seriously, hope you get better soon. Medical trouble can be so scary.

2023-09-01 23:17:58 CEST

- reply

+1 for every project Vince touches 😎
@npub1grx…uxfe @npub13d3…qqjx

2023-08-18 21:35:00 CEST

- reply

OMFG this is amazing, and it fixes what is probably the biggest thing holding back Fediverse development for God-knows-how-long. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I’m going to owe you such an enormous debt when this ships. @npub120z…33r2

2023-08-08 01:30:01 CEST

- reply

This is so easy to underestimate. My first steps into the open source world have been very small in comparison, but i still feel naked, like all of history is looking back at me, saying “dude, why are your commit notes so lazy?” So, good for you, working out what you want on your terms, before you publish it to everyone. @npub12ty…vnqc @npub1h7s…02qp