Charles Gaba

RT @[email protected]

I've only used mastodon for a week. My account just got suspended for:

"Being a capitalist"

I am not sure what that means. But I guess I can fix it by sending some moneros to the server owner?

The Fediverse is not very welcoming.

🐦🔗: https://twitter.com/LefterisJP/status/1593934653114785793

Lefteris Karapetsas | Hiring for @rotkiapp on Twitter

“I've only used mastodon for a week. My account just got suspended for: "Being a capitalist" I am not sure what that means. But I guess I can fix it by sending some moneros to the server owner? The Fediverse is not very welcoming.”

Twitter
Nov 19, 2022 at 9:56pmMastodon Twitter Crossposter
Show threadCharles GabaNov 19, 2022
⚠️ IMPORTANT for new #Mastodon users: While you *can* sign up for an account using any instance/server which is accepting new users, it sounds like it's STRONGLY recommended to stick to one listed on the official @[email protected] website at https://joinmastodon.org/servers.
Servers

Find where to sign up for the decentralized social network Mastodon.

Show threadCharles GabaNov 19, 2022
More to the point, make sure to read the about/description of the instance/server before you join--some are apparently a lot more finicky than others.
Show threadsirgetagripNov 19, 2022
@charlesgaba i went right on Socia, I know you did, haven't had any issue at all, a lot of people I wanted to follow are here.
Show threadJoshua LanderNov 19, 2022
@charlesgaba Basically, join an instance you trust. My instance is only a few months old and doesn’t have many active users, so I can’t get listed yet — but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t join it! In my opinion, the most important thing to look for in a Mastodon server is regular automatic backups, since the experience is largely identical across instances.
Show threadCharles GabaNov 19, 2022
@josh Sure, but in this particular case it sounds like the admin is extremely ornery and hostile, especially if they're locking the persons account so they can't even move elsewhere. w/out losing their follow lists. YOU might not do that but most people making the move aren't gonna know that. Your about page may set them at ease of course, but still.
Show threadJoshua LanderNov 19, 2022

@charlesgaba Oh, there are *definitely* jerks out there in the Fediverse admin world, just like there are jerks in management everywhere. Some admins are looking for reasons to direct you to the server rules and *tap the sign* — all the more reason to read the instance rules before you join.

This admin sounds like they’d be a ton of fun at parties. 🙄

Show threadmargiefeckNov 19, 2022
@charlesgaba the server we're on isn't on the list?
Show threadCharles GabaNov 19, 2022
@margiefeck I think that's because it's the "main" server, though...
Show threadmargiefeckNov 19, 2022
@charlesgaba i cannot figure this out. that suspension you got makes me wonder harder.
Show threadCharles GabaNov 19, 2022
@margiefeck *I* wasn't suspended, the other dude was (actually he was quoting someone else who was).
Show threadmargiefeckNov 19, 2022
@charlesgaba oohhh lol yeah i might actually be too old for this 😂
Show threadDaniel SohlNov 20, 2022
@charlesgaba @margiefeck That, and it's gotten too large. They don't want any more new users at mastodon.social, "main server" or not.
Show threadJason PerlowNov 19, 2022
@charlesgaba what kind of a crazy instance is that
Show threadJason PerlowNov 19, 2022
@charlesgaba rule of thumb, don’t join some 14 year old kid’s basement instance
Show threadJoshua LanderNov 19, 2022

@charlesgaba Read the profile page for the instance you want to join before you join it — rules are different everywhere! Some servers don’t allow commercial promotion *at all* and, yeah, they can be real jerks about it if you break the rules.

Make sure the rules of the instance you want to join are compatible with your use case for Mastodon!

PS: you can’t get banned from Mastodon — just individual instances! They can make a new account.

Show threadGrassroots JoeNov 19, 2022
@josh @charlesgaba Yeah, I went & looked at the About on that instance. I'm pretty good about not doing stupid sh*t online, but I wouldn't want to have to adhere to those guidelines. As a mid 60s y.o. white guy I'd invariably screw up...
Show threadldcoltonNov 19, 2022
@charlesgaba Unlike Twitter where the moderation is an incomprehensible black box, Mastodon's mods are people. And yes, that means sometimes they make mistakes or potentially are just kind of rotten. I think the best practice for new users is to join one of the "safe" instances listed on joinmastodon.org, make some connections, get to know how things work, and then if you want a change of scenery you can move to a new instances where the mods are people you trust.
Show threadCharles GabaNov 19, 2022
@ldcolton Yep, that's the advice others have been giving as well.
Show threadJoe ❌👑Nov 19, 2022
@ldcolton @charlesgaba I think a more likely problem right now is overwhelm from sudden growth: too many new people to keep up with, some of whom will be trolls or people testing boundaries.
Show threadMichele Nov 20, 2022
@charlesgaba This is why it’s important to read the server rules before joining one. The rules for octodon.social are utter nonsense:
Show threadLisa GlassDec 10, 2022
@charlesgaba lol! I am so not ready for this!