Em 

Ten Tiny Mastodon Newbie Cultural Tips 🐘:

In random order 👇

1. Add Alt-Text to you pictures! It’s the norm here.

2. Use Content Warnings (CW) generously.

3. BE KIND 💚

4. Respect the work that your instance’s admin(s) do for you. Support them financially if you can, this is volunteer work there are no ads here.

5. Read the Code of Conduct and Server Rules for your instance. These are different between instances. You usually can find this information by adding “/about” or “/about/more” after your instance’s website address (which is the same as your instance’s name).

6. Do exchange genuinely with people. Interact!

7. Add genuine info to your profile’s bio.

8. It’s not the best to only use your account here to automatically forward all of your tweets without ever interacting. We are here to be here. This is not an advertising platform, and people might unfollow or mute you for this.

9. Many features that are not like on Twitter have been left out deliberately for a good reason. Respect that. Listen to the Mastodon elders.

10. This is NOT Twitter. It is MUCH better! 🐘✨

BE KIND! HAVE FUN! BE GENUINE! MAKE FRIENDS! ​

Nov 6, 2022 at 11:23pmWeb
Show threadIdealistic Pragmatist Nov 6, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon @chad Referencing #4 above: Chad, do you have a way that folks can support your work here financially?
Show threadKirwanboysNov 6, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon Hi Em, feel a bit foolish asking this question, but it's the 2nd time I've seen the phrase today and I don't know what it means - "add alt text to your pictures" - what exactly is alt text? Thanks!
Show threadAnneNov 6, 2022
@kirwanboys @Em0nM4stodon Alt text is text for vision impaired folks. It describes the image you're posting
Show threadEm Nov 6, 2022

@kirwanboys
Hi! I’m sure many other people are wondering about this as well, do not feel foolish at all 💚

Alt-text is used to add a text description of the images you upload so that people who are visually impaired can know what your image is while using screen readers.

HOW TO❓

When writing a toot (post), you can add an image clicking on the paperclip icon on the bottom menu on the left.

Once your image is uploaded, click on “! No description added” over you image.

You will then see a popup allowing you to add a text description of your image. Try to be as clear as possible in your description.

Click “Apply” and that’s it! You can then publish your toot normally.

Show threadKiwiRedNov 7, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon There's also a few bots who can help with this. If you follow them they'll let you know if you've forgotten to add the alt text to any images you post, so you can go back and fix them.
Show threadMayee, MD (INACTIVE)Nov 8, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon @kirwanboys I follow @PleaseCaption which will message me if I forget to put Alt-text on my photos! 🙂
Show threadKirwanboysNov 8, 2022
@eeyam @Em0nM4stodon @PleaseCaption thanks, that sounds like a good idea, especially when starting out and trying to develop a habit!
Show threadmartinNov 14, 2022
@eeyam @Em0nM4stodon @kirwanboys
yeah, i followed @PleaseCaption
first picture i posted i forgot to add a caption, so i got a message. i was so embarrassed i deleted the toot. can't beat getting told off by a bot 🤣
Show threadMayee, MD (INACTIVE)Nov 14, 2022
@kirwanboys @Em0nM4stodon @martinhinton @PleaseCaption Agree. If u forgot to add a caption, u can either edit ur post or delete/re-draft it 😊
Show threadErskine 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Nov 8, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon @kirwanboys Many thanks for this explanation. I was completely unaware of this and will bear it in mind in future.
Show threadKirwanboysNov 8, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon many thanks Em for your detailed explanation - makes sense to do that, so I shall try to develop it into a habit 😀
Show threadSabrina 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿Nov 10, 2022
@kirwanboys @Em0nM4stodon
Thanks to both of you for asking and answering this, it will help me and many more for sure.
Show threadERATNov 8, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon @kirwanboys
adding alt text and generally being better at accessibility were the nearest things I had to New Year resolutions for 2022 and I gotta confess I've mostly failed, but I'm trying. Awareness & Effort.
Show thread_iVegan Ⓥ 🌱Nov 9, 2022
. @Em0nM4stodon @kirwanboys :
And, as another poster noted, use initial capitalization for words in hashtags to make them more accessible to screen reader devices. E.g., #TootTips
Show threadrose-eaterNov 13, 2022

@Em0nM4stodon

I like that alternative text can be added for images but based on the markup of Mastodon I doubt many people with visual impairments (i.e. the ones who rely on alt text) will adopt this site as much as they should.

Unless the markup can differ from server to server if owners have control over it? If so I would seriously consider making my own server to iron out the issues.

Show threadThe JulesterNov 7, 2022
@kirwanboys @Em0nM4stodon I just asked the same thing
Show threadDaveNov 8, 2022
@kirwanboys @Em0nM4stodon I’m so glad you asked that. Alt-text?????
Show threadTeknikal_DomainNov 6, 2022

@Em0nM4stodon Unfortunately, as much as I see the reasons why, I think the whole "CW everything" point is a probably going to cause a bit of friction.

I've been here for some time, and even I'm not going to double the time it takes to post something just to reference through the common terms and phrases used for applying CWs.. and then read what I wrote three times to make sure I've labeled it correctly.

Sometimes I want to talk. Not have to label everything with a warning.

Show threadCrab Computer/SOB_IINov 7, 2022

@tek_dmn @Em0nM4stodon I mean use your judgment, but the friction is the point. This is meant to be a slower and more intentful community as far as I can tell

Spoilers and trigger warnings are very appreciated, because if they're not there then some people will be harmed

Show threadVenom of VenusNov 7, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon alt text is also beginning to be the norm on Twitter also tbh
Show threadLitotesNov 7, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon Sounds nice. But if people start to migrate to Mastodon... is it not better to stay open minded?
Show threadKim Crawley (she/her) 😷🍉Nov 7, 2022

@Em0nM4stodon

Thank you. I notice way, way less trolling on this platform. Trolling as in targeted harassment. That alone makes Mastodon superior.

Show threadShlomo ShizgalNov 7, 2022
@crowgirl @Em0nM4stodon
Isn't that just a function of the people currently on Mastodon ?
If there's a massive migration of users from Twitter, won't we encounter the same trolls here ?
Show threadKim Crawley (she/her) 😷🍉Nov 7, 2022

@sane_guy

@Em0nM4stodon

Good point. But moderation policies vary from server to server. Your server is much more popular than mine. In my theory, my smaller server might be more efficient with moderation. But I hope yours is good with moderation too.

If a server finds that another server has an untreated troll problem, the server can blacklist the other server.

Show threadJohn GuthrieNov 7, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon And, remember
Show threadJonathanNov 7, 2022
@Dreamer9177 Is Wil really the best icon for this? 😅 also, if you to know more about him than you ever wanted to know, listen to his episodes here https://gatesmcfadden.com/podcast/
Show threadJohn GuthrieNov 8, 2022
@jonathan Wil was the one who made the phrase famous online
Show threadJonathanNov 8, 2022
@Dreamer9177 I just remember all the drama when he was here 😅
Show threadPaul RiismandelNov 7, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon Thank you!
Show threadJaesiahNov 7, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon What is Alt text? (def a newbie here)
Show threadK~Nov 8, 2022

@Em0nM4stodon
I have a culture question:

When I first got here, I was advised that it's a good idea to set the visibility of reply posts to 'unlisted', so that feeds don't get cluttered with replies which only make sense in the context of a thread.

But looking around, I see that almost no one is following that advice. Every reply is set to 'public'. (Except mine!)

So my question is should we care? Does it matter if reply posts are public or unlisted?

Show threadEsther Lim Nov 8, 2022
@karadoc @Em0nM4stodon I try to remember to do it but forget a lot. If there was a way to set it up automatically that would make it easier. I do feel like if ppl hate it, they can just filter their feed to only show posts (and not replies).
Show threadToby PhillipsNov 8, 2022
@karadoc @Em0nM4stodon yeah, I definitely put my replies as unlisted. Unless I either (a) forget, or (b) intentionally want to post my response directly onto my local feed
Show threadwebhatNov 8, 2022

@karadoc @Em0nM4stodon I believe replies which don't add value to the timeline, iow: "Yes," "No," "I don't know." should be unlisted. Asking a thoughtful response that could be it's own toot could be public, if you want to share it.

As there is no search function any reply you toot as unlisted will only be see by the OP, people who expand the OP's toot, the followers of whomever boosts your toot.

Show threadwebhatNov 8, 2022
@karadoc @Em0nM4stodon and if you're unsure about the reach, you could always Delete and Redraft with the reach you feel is correct for you
Show threadBarry DevereuxNov 8, 2022

@karadoc @Em0nM4stodon

It makes sense that the visibility is configurable. Sometimes a reply is just a reply (e.g. "Yup") and should be unlisted; sometimes a reply can stand as its own post or is of more general interest (such as yours) and should be public.

Show threadaprettyadayNov 8, 2022
@karadoc @Em0nM4stodon Thanks for this question! I've only understood now how to unlist answers via the little open padlock button, but as far as I can see this feature is implemented in metatext, but not in the mastodon app, which might also explain why it's not more widely used?
Show threadPJNov 8, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon I am struggling with descriptions, put out a pic there but didn’t quite know how to describe it! This is it
Show threadreddwharfNov 8, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon
May I respectfully add an 11th.
While I appreciate your intentions, Instead of posting the ten tips, offer a link for those who might need it?
Far more respectful and in accordance with Mastadon rules.
Show threadClive ThomsonNov 9, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon what’s alt text?
Show threadSean of LondiniumNov 9, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon I would re-twt this to the birdsite if I new how!
Tip # 10 ...👍👍😀
Show threadSean of LondiniumNov 9, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon P.S. #Twitaspora
Show threadThe JulesterNov 9, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon how will we know when there is a translator available for our Instance?
Show threadPeteNov 9, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon thanks, how do you add alt text? Do you just add a description in the body of your toot or is there a tab to do so?
Show threadOviNov 9, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon This really helped me. Thank you 
Show threadLaOneHumanNov 9, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon I added text to my picture this time as you suggested, but I don't see it, did I do something wrong? Thanks.
Show threadCGZ for DemocracyNov 10, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon thanks for lookin out! Seems like subtle differences can be significant so I appreciate it.
Show threadErebNov 10, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon Hi there! This is actually my first time posting on the Fediverse. I'm not a twitter user, I decided to check all this out amidst the chaos after a decade on Tumblr and Mastodon is blowing my mind! Do you have any quick compares/contrasts that you or anyone reading could share about Mastodon culture vs. Tumblr culture?
Show threadK-DogNov 10, 2022

@erebidaean @Em0nM4stodon

I’m new as well. You’ve got a follow from me…🙋🏻‍♂️😉

Show threadMiakoda Nov 10, 2022

@Em0nM4stodon
1 - I'm working on the habit.

2 - I don't post a lot of stuff that requires it.

3 - Doing my best... Easier since this place isn't infested with MAGAts

4 - My admin's on my list of places to toss a few bucks when income starts meeting the bills

5 - Read those. They're not bad.

6 - That's the best part!

7 - I suck at talking about myself, but it's accurate to the best of my knowledge

Show threadMiakoda Nov 10, 2022

@Em0nM4stodon

8 - I disabled most of my cross posting. The only thing deliberately left is forwarding my gaming related tweets, as my console allows me to easily post screen shots and clips to Twitter. I hope they add Mastodon.

9 - Takes getting used to

10 - AGREED

Show threadOliver Romain 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇪🇺 ☮️Nov 12, 2022

@Em0nM4stodon Bad advice: do not use content warnings generously unless you post distressing stuff.

Here is all the advice you need:

https://mastodon.help/

Mastodon Help - Guide

A thorough introduction to Mastodon

Show thread™Sıɹ ∀upʎ ᴚǝǝlǝʎ 🇬🇧Nov 14, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon sorry, what is Alt-Text and how do I do it?
Show threadTommy DANGerous 🧙‍♂️Nov 15, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon great tips!
Show threadDewey Ritten Nov 18, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon I'm glad I am following your account.
Show threadhackitzzi✨Nov 18, 2022

@Em0nM4stodon I’ll be honest, I am quite enjoying that people chat with each other more and it’s genuine conversation. Certainly not feeling afraid to dive into the comment section (very unlike my feelings mostly haunting Twitter).

Thank you for the tips!

Show threadVJShordee 🇺🇦Nov 19, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon I’m screenshoti g this. Thanks
Show threadVJShordee 🇺🇦Nov 19, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon can you plz explain what is alt text is?
Show thread@Cosine ​ 🇺🇦Nov 19, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon
Awed! 😂​
Show threadLuciferNov 21, 2022
@Em0nM4stodon make lots of friends and relationships 😈🍻