**Abu Godot** @abgd@octodon.social · Apr 10, 2017, 09:18

**Abu Godot** @abgd@octodon.social · Apr 10, 2017, 09:18

Abu Godot @abgd@octodon.social

I fantasized last night about an algorithm that converts instance names or even full handles to a small set of emoji to give each a unique fingerprint that takes up little screen space but allows instant visual recognition.
does anyone think this would actually be a good idea?

J. @yair · Apr 10, 2017, 10:41

J. @yair · Apr 10, 2017, 10:41

@abgd The 'display name' Could possibly be used for that. One of many problems, though, is that it can contain only very few emojis.

**Abu Godot** @abgd@octodon.social · Apr 10, 2017, 10:56

**Abu Godot** @abgd@octodon.social · Apr 10, 2017, 10:56

@yair I haven't done the math yet, but considering how many emoji there are, I'm guessing three might be enough to encode a larger namespace than the fediverse would ever need.

**mux2000 :microphone: :guitar:** @mux2000 · 2017-04-10T10:57:13Z

mux2000 :microphone: :guitar: @mux2000

@abgd @yair #FamousLastWords ;)

Apr 10, 2017, 10:57 · Web · 0 · 1

**Abu Godot** @abgd@octodon.social · Apr 10, 2017, 11:01

**Abu Godot** @abgd@octodon.social · Apr 10, 2017, 11:01

@mux2000 @yair Well, I tried to do the math, I think it's actually about 176 million combinations. Could there conceivably ever be that many instances?

**mux2000 :microphone: :guitar:** @mux2000 · Apr 10, 2017, 12:03

**mux2000 :microphone: :guitar:** @mux2000 · Apr 10, 2017, 12:03

@abgd @yair Yes. It would have to mean that Mastodon will becomet the primary way by which the human race communicates, but if that happens, and the average instance only hosts a few people, it could. Plus bots and abandoned instances still running etc..