Hey Fediverse!
I'm micr0, creator of @altbot, the open-source bot that helps generate alt-text for images on the Fediverse to make content more accessible.
What's New in 2.1?
After successfully moving image processing to local hardware with version 2.0, I've now brought video processing capability back - but with a major privacy upgrade! Altbot can now generate descriptions for videos completely locally and privately without sending content to Google or any other third-party services.
Important note: Currently, video processing is visual-only and doesn't include audio transcription. The audio processing Google was doing was some serious black magic fuckery that isn't possible to replicate locally with current technologies. But the visual descriptions are excellent and totally private!
With this update:
- All processing happens locally with zero data retention
- Complete privacy for all content
- No data used for training models
- Videos processed with the same privacy standards as images
I've also maintained Altbot's focus on energy efficiency - while video processing naturally requires more resources than images, I've implemented it to be as efficient as possible, keeping power consumption to a minimum while still delivering great results.
Thank You for Your Support!
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped me reach my donation goal on Ko-fi with the 2.0 launch! Your generosity made it possible to set up the local processing infrastructure that powers this privacy-focused service.
The response from the community has been incredible, and it means so much to know that privacy and accessibility are values we share.
What's Next for Altbot?
I'm already working on exciting future developments:
- An Altbot API that will allow developers to integrate alt-text generation into their applications
- Direct integration with Fediverse software platforms - I'm collaborating with instance developers to make accessibility a built-in feature!
Remember that Altbot has always been and remains fully open-source, with self-hosting being a core feature from day one for anyone who wants to run their own instance.
Supporting Ongoing Development & Infrastructure
Altbot currently runs on hardware in my home, which means I'm covering all the electricity costs for powering the GPU server that processes your media. While I've designed the system to be energy-efficient, running a dedicated AI server still impacts my monthly power bill.
Monthly donations would be especially helpful in sustainably supporting:
- Ongoing electricity costs
- Time spent on development and maintenance
- Future infrastructure improvements
Even small recurring contributions can make a huge difference in keeping this service running reliably and allowing me to dedicate more time to improvements!
Ways to Support:
I've added the ETH option for those who prefer crypto or don't want to use PayPal!
Version 2.1 also includes various internal improvements and bug fixes that make everything run more smoothly behind the scenes.
Thanks again for your support in making the web more accessible without compromising on privacy!
Feel free to boost or reach out with questions! For press inquiries: inquiries@micr0.dev
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