permacomputing

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Gemini.mdwn (1591B)

      1 **Gemini** is an application-layer [[WWW]] protocol created by Solderpunk in
      2 2019. Gemini and its document format (Gemtext) are somewhat similar to
      3 [[Gopher]] but add some features from modern WWW, such as mandatory
      4 encryption, hyperlinks and URLs. Due to the simplicity of Gemini, there is
      5 already a large amount of fully compliant client software.
      6 
      7 It is of course possible to use [[HTTP]](S)/[[HTML]] in a simple and
      8 restricted way along with limited [[web browser]]s to get similar technical
      9 characteristics. However, a separate protocol makes it possible to have a
     10 separate [[Smallnet]] space, **Geminispace**, where users are guaranteed to
     11 only encounter things that are compatible with their simple Gemini browsers.
     12 
     13 Relationship to permacomputing:
     14 
     15 * Low bandwidth, low complexity, low system requirements. These are partially dictated by the design of the format (no support for inline media, etc.)
     16 * Coexistence with Gopher and HTTP/HTML with no intentions to replace either.
     17 * The lack of inline media makes it easier to have [[local copies|file collection]] of Gemtext documents.
     18 * Solderpunk has written about permacomputing, and at least one of the Gemini clients (Ariane) explicitly refers to permacomputing.
     19 * However, Gemini does not address what can be thought as one of the basic problems of [[WWW]]. Documents are primarily addressed by referring to their servers, so impermanence and broken links can be expected especially as the typical Gemini server is small and private.
     20 
     21 See also:
     22 
     23 * [Project Gemini FAQ (HTTPS/HTML)](https://gemini.circumlunar.space/docs/faq.gmi)