Glos Air #DFIU #PEFBNov 18, 2022
John Bull

My one-tweet Mastodon starter advice:

1. Pick a server where people are likely to post generally about stuff you're most interested in.
2. Follow interesting people on other servers, who will boost interesting stuff into your home feed. THEY are your algorithm.

Nov 18, 2022 at 9:39amWeb
Show threadWonkityNov 18, 2022
@garius I ended up choosing an instance that is focused on my city because half of what I used Twitter for was proximal news, though I am strongly considering migrating to mastodon.art because honestly I just want to see cool pictures and having an uncurated stream of it under the local tab is super enticing.
Show threadIndrek Lobus 🇪🇪🇺🇦Nov 18, 2022
@garius How does on go about finding interesting people on other servers if one cannot see what they’re tooting? 🤔
Show threadCouscousNov 18, 2022
@IndrekLobus
any instance can see any federated toot (just like i saw yours from my french instance since these toots are public 😁 ), there are a few rules for messages to get federated, but you wont really notice it actually
@garius
Show threadEaterOfSnacksNov 18, 2022
@IndrekLobus @garius searching hashtags works pretty well
Show threadJack Beauchamp-StansfieldNov 18, 2022

@garius Sage advice. Not knowing much about it i rolled my own, and it's definitely had something of a penalty when it comes to finding others, but I'm getting the hang of it now.

I would also add:

Follow hashtags you find interesting - new feature introduce with the 4.0 release earlier this week and it's very useful.

Show threadNamarieAlways 🕊️Nov 18, 2022
@garius And also look up ways to migrate to a different server, it’s pretty simple!
Show threadAdam Abou-NasrNov 18, 2022
@garius anyone know an account that boosts good memes?
Show threadAdveetya KachiarNov 18, 2022
@AdmanAbou @garius Anyone how to migrate to a different server?
Show threadAdam Abou-NasrNov 20, 2022
@adveetya @garius you just make a new account and link them in your account settings
Show threadAdam Abou-NasrNov 20, 2022
@adveetya @garius but I haven't tried it
Show threadPJ "Vote Green" CoffeyNov 18, 2022

@garius

This is true to a certain extent.

I must VERY MUCH recommend the use of Lists of people because then you can have a custom thread of people, e.g. you're on "Interesting people" because you drop good knowledge. It was only when I was wondering where you all were that I clicked on said list and was like "New Timeline!"

Show threadPJ "Vote Green" CoffeyNov 18, 2022

@garius I got so excited I made a guide.

https://mastodon.ie/@Homebrewandhacking/109364316672178088

#Lists #Mastodon #JustNerdThings

PJ Coffey (@[email protected])

Attached: 2 images · Content warning: Lists: Making Custom Timelines by interest, an illustrated guide.

mastodon.ie
Show threadLostatsea369Nov 18, 2022
@Homebrewandhacking @garius very well done! Thank you for your time in curating & compiling such an easy and direct 'how to'- greatly appreciated!
Show threadOz GrrlNov 18, 2022
@Homebrewandhacking @garius how do you create lists?
Show threadPJ "Vote Green" CoffeyNov 18, 2022

@ozgrrl09 @garius

I made a thread with pictures and put it in answer to the excited list comment.

Show threadAliNov 19, 2022
@Homebrewandhacking @garius Yep, and make one of your lists the Mods on your server, so if you suspect things are going a bit tits up you can check their posts easily to see if they've updated about any issues.
Show threadPJ "Vote Green" CoffeyNov 19, 2022
@miss_scatty @garius ooh that's a good idea. Thanks!
Show threadMichelle Laverick MusicNov 18, 2022
@garius ah. Failed at the first hurdle. I set up my own server & there’s only me & 2 other tooters on there 🤪😝😜
Show threadJohn BullNov 18, 2022
@michellelaverick tbh i may do that at some point! 😆
Show threadJonny NexusNov 18, 2022
@garius My attempt at an analogy for this was choosing a pub from which you will WhatsApp your friends. https://mastodon.social/@jonnynexus/109356022858070828
Show threadJonny NexusNov 18, 2022
@garius Or as a screenshot…
Show threadAndi HNov 18, 2022
@jonnynexus
I love the pub analogy "Local" 🙂
Show threadJonny NexusNov 19, 2022
@AH_99 You know I hadn't even realised that! (That the Local tab is therefore analogous to "going down my local"). :)
Show threadAndi HNov 19, 2022
@jonnynexus
It does, especially when the server admins are the landlords (cafe owners) and will bar people that step out of line 🙂
Show threadJonny NexusNov 19, 2022
@AH_99 At the moment, I'm on the default, mastadon.social. (Which some people say isn't so great, and I confess I don't bother reading Local).
Show threadJon ConnortonNov 18, 2022
@garius I ended up creating a server for my family and friends and named it after my cat. It’s surprisingly pleasant doing this.
Show threadJane K. O'HaraNov 18, 2022

@garius

@StevenShorrock one for you 😊

Show threadKat Nov 18, 2022
@garius I don't get the server thing at all. The app doesn't let me view my server specifically or even info about it, and the magnifying glass shows people from all servers so... Where's my server? What was the point of picking one? I can see stuff from all, people from all. I don't see the restriction of choosing one.
Show threadMatt BKNov 18, 2022
@meowlygrowly @garius if you are using the official app, go to magnifying glass and then "community." That should be your local feed. Other apps make this easier to find.
Show threadpadmapriyadvlNov 18, 2022
@mburtonkelly @meowlygrowly @garius and how do i find other servers! ? so confused… 
Show threadMatt BKNov 18, 2022
@padmapriyadvl it's OK to be confused! What do you mean by "find other servers"? Finding people to follow on other servers, or finding a list of other servers?
Show threadpadmapriyadvlNov 18, 2022
@mburtonkelly hey matt so i see some friends of mine on other spaces (servers?) and i don’t know how to follow them. so just wondering how this works. rest i am getting a hang off :))
Show threadMatt BKNov 18, 2022

@padmapriyadvl
If you know their address (@[email protected]), you can paste that full thing into the search. They should pop up.

Once you can see a person's profile, there should be a "Follow" button you can hit.

For example, if you go to my profile @mburtonkelly, you can click follow. <--This link might just show up as @mburtonkelly instead of @ mburtonkelly @ scholar.social (spaces added).

Show threadpadmapriyadvlNov 18, 2022
@mburtonkelly ah yes! that worker! thanks a lot :)
Show threadKat Nov 18, 2022
@padmapriyadvl @mburtonkelly @garius I don't think you have to worry about servers unless you're making a new account on one. If you want to follow people I guess you just search hashtags for people. I'm honing my own follows from all kinds of servers but have yet to see a single person on my own (on the Android app).
Show threadpadmapriyadvlNov 18, 2022
@meowlygrowly @mburtonkelly @garius ok got it. thanks!
Show threadKat Nov 18, 2022
@mburtonkelly @garius local feed of people I follow from all servers, not my local server. Unless mine is just pretty much empty. I think your server is under the community tab in the magnifying glass.
Show threadMatt BKNov 18, 2022

@meowlygrowly I highly recommend using an app that isn't the official one. Tusky for Android and Metatext for iOS are good ones. They make it easier to switch between home, local, and federated timelines.

I *think* the tab to the right of "Community" in the official app is the federated timeline.

Show threadKat Earthren LiuNov 19, 2022
@meowlygrowly @garius
If you click on "Local" that's just the folks on your server. At least that's how it works on the desktop app and on Metatext. The Mastodon app doesn't seem to have that feature?
Show threadKat Nov 19, 2022
@shaktinah @garius from what I can tell, home 🏠 symbol is people I follow. The magnifying glass has Posts | Hashtags | Community | News | For You. My suspicion is that community is my server 🤔 I'll use the browser version when I'm at my computer next and check that out. Thanks!
Show threaderibosotNov 18, 2022

@garius For me, there are 2 problems with step 1.

First, I'm interested in a very wide range of stuff, and that range is ever widening.

Second, just because I like stuff, it doesn't follow that I want to join a community of people who talk about nothing but that stuff day and night. In fact, quite the opposite.

Is there a server for people like me? If so, I imagine it's called mastodon.eclectic or something.

Also, doesn't this reinforce the creation of internet bubbles?

Show threadOz GrrlNov 18, 2022
@eribosot @garius you’ve summed up my apprehensions perfectly 👏🏼
Show threadChaosNov 18, 2022
@eribosot @garius I'm the same way. I suspect the more "general" ones that are dot social, would be good for that... But I don't know.
Show threadFloNov 18, 2022

@garius can I change servers?

What's the sweet spot for server size and number of servers?

Show threadChris MalmeNov 18, 2022

@garius

The fact I saw this because @davidallengreen reblogged it says it all!

Show threadMillennial Dad Nov 18, 2022
@garius Ive signed up for 3 different servers at this point, and they all seem to be either general, geography based, or specific, VERY specific niches. I hope this expands over time, or otherwise I don't see the point unless you want to box out the crowd intentionally.
Show threadOz GrrlNov 18, 2022
@MillennialDad @garius I agree
Show threadPete Alex Harris🦡🕸️🌲/∞🪐∫Nov 18, 2022

@garius
Yes.

It also doesn't matter much which server you start on, because if enough of the people you followed on twitter have mastodon accounts, you can follow them and build your list of interesting people regardless of where they are.

Partly why I picked a geographically-based server, to keep it simple.

Show threadmathewNov 18, 2022
@garius funnily enough I blogged precisely that a few days ago.
https://mathewlowry.medium.com/am-i-on-the-right-mastodon-instance-a0aee14ca00f
Am I on the right Mastodon instance? - Mathew Lowry - Medium

I paid almost no attention to which Mastodon instance I joined a week or two ago — after all it doesn’t matter ‘cos it’s federated, right? As far as I can work out, quite a bit: the other users on…

Medium
Show threadFrankMNov 18, 2022
@garius How dies one switch servers?
Show threadslidemanNov 18, 2022
@garius , newcomers don’t know where others will post stuff they’re interested in.
Show threadOllyNov 18, 2022
@garius How do you switch/follow people on other servers?
Show threadSean McCabeNov 18, 2022
@garius
Well said. For example there's no need to follow major accounts because if you follow a couple of people with similar interests, those accounts will be boosted into your feed in no time.
Show threadJohn BullNov 18, 2022
@darthstar exactly.
Show threadKarenNov 18, 2022
@garius I'm not sure how this platform works yet.....I guess I will have to poke around.
Show threadAisteach (they/them) 🏳️‍🌈Nov 18, 2022
@garius DIY is awesome.
Show threadtravisthespacedadNov 18, 2022
@garius Thanks for the advice! Can you change servers once you're on?
Show threadJohn BullNov 18, 2022
@travisthespacedad yes. your followers will come with you (so to speak). but your posts won't.
Show threadJeremyNov 18, 2022
@garius I wanted to join a server focusing on democracy. (I'm in favor. 😀 ), but democracy.town is closed to new sign ups. Any suggestions?
Show threadSueNov 18, 2022
@garius
Good tip thanks John