Kim SokolNov 19, 2022
@The_Stitched I mean on the timeline, just random unconnnected ats
Show threadCall of the MacabreNov 19, 2022
@kimsokol @The_Stitched
Yeah, that's why unlisting replies should be common courtesy (to not fill timelines with junk). Annoys me too most of the time. Hopefully next source code update adds showing master posts above the replies as a feature.
Show threadKim Sokol
@The_Stitched But see, it seems like no matter what you do there's nothing that says "there is a conversation going on in this thread" that's only exacerbated by unlisting replies. Like I said, I'm new here, I'm trying not to be too quick to judge, this is just my gut reaction first impression. My homes are twitter and sometimes tumblr, both of which are really good at "yes, and" and this place feels engineered to keep each post as isolated as possible.
Nov 19, 2022 at 9:43pmWeb
Show threadCall of the MacabreNov 19, 2022
@kimsokol @The_Stitched
To be fair, Mastodon is still a very young software and one that didn't get much traction until recently. More traffic means more feedback means better fine-tuning the features. I mean early tumblr used to not have replies at all, that's why people commented in tags. My main grab for Mastodon is the decentralized structure that stops any single company (or golden-child man-baby) from making it a money laundering machine.
Show threadKim SokolNov 19, 2022

@melodymacabre man, the last reply was supposed to be to you, I deleted the wrong name lol

And yeah, I get it. Every new site is jank for a bit, and I'm generally not an early adopter. The decentralized structure seems to have advantages, but I still have unanswered questions - what if a server goes down or vanishes without warning? What if the admin goes rogue? What power does the server owner have over your data and privacy? I come from forum culture, I gotta know this stuff D:

Show threadCall of the MacabreNov 19, 2022
@kimsokol
Well since each instance is like it's own site, it's more or less the question of "how can I trust any person on the internet". Generally Mastodon admins advise against using the site for sensitive-info and turn to more secure third-party alternatives if you have to share private info w/ somebody. Bigger servers won't disappear without notice and if there is blood in the water you can move a different instance (all your followers get redirected, posts won't move with you)
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Show threadCall of the MacabreNov 19, 2022

@kimsokol and to add on, the moved account stays inactive and can actually be reactivated once you feel like moving back (the followers jump requires moving from the new account to the old one). The best part of all of it is though, you or your trusted person can actually create your own instance, no questions asked, you're your own Elon and can handle your privacy as you wish.

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Show threadKim SokolNov 19, 2022
@melodymacabre I have my own webspace and even a spare domain name I'm not using and could theoretically host myself I think, but questions still stand - also wondering about security and the like. Also years ago I was with a large and apparently trustworthy host that just completely kicked it overnight, so shit happens. A bit of googling shows there have been past iterations with security vulnerabilities. Decentralization has big positives, but it's not without drawbacks too.
Show threadCall of the MacabreNov 19, 2022
@kimsokol
Oh that's for sure, I'm always anxious sharing sensitive data on the internet so I do enjoy just being a cryptid, but I understand how it's a drawback for people trying to build a brand on here. We'll see where the whole federation business goes in near future, right now I'm treating it like I did every website on the internet circa 2010 - if you even mention your real info a bad-man with a sack full of children will come and take you away (and also steal your money).