Here's one difference between #Mastodon and #Post (I'm not a fan of Post): I posted (at Post) a question about how something works over there. I got 2 "thumbs up" but no answers.

If I do that here, I get a wonderful onslaught of suggestions, replies helping me through the issue.

This has been a public service announcement.

@GottaLaff

Because Mastodon is bottom up rather than top down structured, you see regulars with a vested interest in its success. And the means to help when possible. Users CAN'T do that on commercial sites. They can try, but they're... oh, shall we say 'alienated from the fruits of their labor?'

Cough!

@GottaLaff I asked for help on Mastodon and got wonderful help, no judgement. Anywhere else, not so much. I'm sticking with the elephant 🐘
@LeaBug Same!
@GottaLaff @LeaBug there’s an elitist vibe Uber there. I like mastodon way more
@GottaLaff But only if enough people "see you". For those that are new and didn't bring a bunch of friends to help expand your follows you must do the work yourself, just like twitter. Boost and follow and try different times of the day. I have seen a few "I'm lonely" and yes, it's always hard to move to a new place. Mastodon has so many truly kind people though, it won't take long.
@ncw413 That's not the issue. I have no problem getting a lot of followers, and good ones. It's not about boosts or follows, nor is it hard to move, I'm on several platforms now. It was trying to figure out how something works, and nobody bothered to respond.
@GottaLaff I get you, I'm not using Post anymore for various reasons myself. You have over 5k followers but take the time to communicate with me, I just want everyone to go out and follow new people so they can have those connections too. I followed you, and now follow all the people you mention in your toots and I'm having a great time with it all. I hardly remember what that was like on bird.
@ncw413 I'm so glad to hear this! Yes, I love the engagement here. Thanks for all the feedback.
@GottaLaff this has been my experience as well. My circle has dissipated to some other services (Post, Farcaster, etc). They’ve made claims about the underlying technology of those services being superior to that of Mastodon. While I can’t evaluate those claims, I can say that the community at Masto is far superior. Which is what I want in a social network anyway. #socialmedia
@brndnpink I couldn't agree more.
@GottaLaff I haven’t taken the time yet to really think about all the whys but I know I come to Mastodon first, stay longer and return more often than to Post. We’ll see as time goes on but my guess is that will not change even as Post builds out of Beta.
@DonnaG Same here. I rarely go over there. My time is spent here.
@GottaLaff Another difference: a lot of Qs on #Post get directed at one person (Noam). I've learned to be wary of platforms where one person has so much focus.
@ChrisNelson I didn't notice that, thanks for the info.

@GottaLaff

I feel ya, I'm still trying to learn this. I'll google n see what I can find.

@ryanak Well I was referring to Post, not Mastodon. And I learned that the only way I can fine @ to me on Post is to do a search of my name. Sigh. I have no problem here at Mastodon
@GottaLaff I'm on waiting list for Post
@ryanak Not my thing. I got on early and I use it a little, but I much prefer Mastodon
@GottaLaff
Post is different in many ways...I'm still exploring it. But I've been on there since Dec. 9th & only discovered yesterday how to retrieve all my comments from that which I posted. The last tab on the right under your post brings you to the comments, likes, & replies section like a dropdown from the post. I had no idea when I first started there. I stumbled onto it by exploring. 🤔
You probably know all this...but just in case you didn't, I thought I'd let you know.😊
@NYTupelo7 Thanks but yep! I knew that. My issue was not seeing if someone @ me. The only way to find it is to hashtag my handle in Search Topics and see what shows up. That's ridiculous.
@GottaLaff They admit that they are NEW & have a lot of BUGS yet to deal with...& they don't have many of the basic stuff. Maybe once they fix it up, it will be much better.
What surprised me, was the "tip" button...I thought that was weird. And you can set up your post/articles for only those who pay/subscribe. It's obviously geared for journalists & writers who make money from their articles.
I've heard journalists/writers say they love Post.
I can't pay for articles, but the majority are free
@NYTupelo7 Yeah, I know, bummer. I studied up on Post before joining, and I don't much like a lot of that stuff.
@GottaLaff I know. Me neither. But I'll read the freebies, continue to make comments, & post things that interest me. So I'll explore & watch the evolution of
Post which is still in its infancy. I heard it only started up in September.
@NYTupelo7 Yes, it's very new, and as you said, maybe they should have waited to introduce it. It's way too annoying, but that's not what bothers me. I did a thread on what does: https://mastodon.social/@GottaLaff/109502353958666243
@GottaLaff Gotcha!
The way it is set up makes it not as "social".
I've been using my phone since I'm having problems with my laptop, so I see all the social sites as one single column.
On my laptop I had Tweetdeck with multiple columns including for lists. I loved the format.
I'm hoping to get a new laptop soon.
@NYTupelo7 Oh def. Laptop vs phone, laptop wins. I rarely use my phone for soc media unless I have to
@GottaLaff @NYTupelo7 same here, just calling up the url on Google Chrome
@GottaLaff
I may be getting a new laptop for Christmas...🌲🎁
But if I don't, I'll be buying a new one myself soon. So either way, I'll be able to enjoy the format more. Just a matter of time.
@NYTupelo7 You'll really appreciate it. I hope you can soon.
@GottaLaff I rarely go on there. I like it here better. It’s a different kind of feeling, plus you’re right about people being helpful.
@MB Yes, thank you. I much prefer Mastodon.

@GottaLaff I was just going to toot about how much I love Mastodon too! The toots are timely and the people are polite. It's like social media Canadian style.

I 2nd your public service announcement..

@DWade25 Woot! I love your "Canadian style" analysis. Perfect!

@DWade25 @GottaLaff

One thing I really love is the absence of unwanted rightwing crap and the ever-present tweeting of Elmo.

Over the past few months my bird timeline was invaded by cranks and crazies and my normal follows seemed to disappear. I miss them so much. How nice to find some of them here! And meet new friends.

@nastynana16 I totally agree! I'm so used to the constant attacks on the bird that it took a bit to get used to the peacefulness and thoughtful discussions here. It's just so nice! And I love the way it's set up..
@GottaLaff i keep forgetting to check my Post account. 7 days now....
@TinCanWin It isn't my thing. I do post there just to keep the account going, but I'm not much interested.
So true. People on #fediverse is very helpful and interactive, specially when you use secific hashtags to reach more people who can really help in some way
@abid Yes, and it's great
@GottaLaff I feel like there is way more interaction here, than on Post & largely positive. There you post something and it’s crickets. Over there many people want to follow others and read “thought leaders.” I am happy reading those people but I don’t put them above nonfamous people. It feels like a monetized popularity contest over there. Plus almost everyone I meet here seems like a really cool person I’d like in real life! That’s awesome! So many interesting smart progressive folx!
@crutherford I agree. Apples/oranges.
@GottaLaff When I started on Mastodon, I didn’t even ask a question and had several people offering me tips to get started and tutorials on how the site worked.
@GottaLaff I'm still posting over there, but it's been a smoother ride over here at the Mast
@dana Completely different experiences
@GottaLaff and a more agreeable one
@GottaLaff Thanks, Laffy. I’ve found the Mastodon community to be very supportive. Last night I asked about alt text & got a complete tutorial.
@Bwheatnyc Oh wonderful! I’m so glad you’re staying.

@GottaLaff I decided to forego Post because supposedly it's run by some kind of right-wing millionaire or something? That's what I've been told, I don't know the veracity of that. I just don't feel like registering for another social media thing. I already have Instagram and now this and just leave my old Twitter page parked and locked for now until I decide what I'm going to do with it.

There's still a bunch of Oklahoma-based and arts/culture accounts I want to follow there that haven't made it over here (and perhaps might not).

@timekiller_s Yeah, I still have my Twitter account too, until I see what happens.

I never used Insta because it’s owned by FB

@GottaLaff I hate that it's owned by Meta. They jerk around artist Jesse Duquette on an almost daily basis (he's the guy behind some brilliant anti-Trump, anti-MAGA cartoons, which used to be published under the name The Daily Don). I'm not very active there anymore AND I suck at photography (even with a phone).