Update the fediverse animation so that messages flow both ways

[stefanbohacek]

jointhefediverse-animation.webm

Right now it just looks like all messages are being sent to a central point. Ideally, they should also be sent out to show that conversations are happening.

To anyone interested in contributing, please share your idea or a mockup before you start writing any code so that you don't waste your time making something that might not be used!

Also, I can't seem to be able to add alt text to the video, so here's a description of the screenshot taken from https://jointhefediverse.net:

A short animation showing several circles organized in a larger circle, each containing a logo of a different fediverse platform (Masodon, Pixelfed, etc).

There is another circle in the center, larger, with no icon. Each of the smaller circles are connected to the larger circle in the center with a dashed line, along which envelopes are animate as being sent out from the smaller circles towards the center.

A brief description of what the fediverse is placed next to this animation.

[stefanbohacek]

Also open to replacing the animation altogether with something that better reflects the flow of messages in the fediverse. This is just something I was able to find that I could use for free.

To me, the center represents a fediverse user, or perhaps their local server, which I think makes sense, but again, looks like you can only read what is being posted and not respond back, as if using an RSS reader.

[philiprenich]

A really simple fix would be to add alternate to the animation properties in animate.css
https://github.com/jointhefediverse-net/jointhefediverse.net/blob/main/public/css/animation.css#L120

    -webkit-animation: move-dot1 5.5s linear infinite alternate;
    animation: move-dot1 5.5s linear infinite alternate;

You may want something more subtle, as the the envelopes get sent out again once returning to their service, but that might get you started for now.

[stefanbohacek]

@philiprenich You're a genius, love it!

I'll keep this issue open for now, as I'd like to explore more ideas, but this definitely is much better.

Thank you so much!