ZengaDec 17, 2022
Jeff Jarvis
Welcome new neighbors. My best tips:
1. In preferences, switch to advanced web interface.
2. Switch to light mode. You will thank me.
3. Complete your profile & write & pin a post introducing yourself *before* you start following other folks.
4. In the Notifications column settings, under quick filter bar, turn on "display all categories" (separates replies from boosts from new followers).
5. Try movetodon.org to find folks from the Dodo site.
More here: https://medium.com/whither-news/on-joining-mastodon-d539eed5e41a
On Joining Mastodon - Whither news? - Medium

An academic friend asked for help joining Mastodon. I wrote a detailed email in response that I thought it might be useful to others. I’m also going to teach a master class in Mastodon at my school…

Whither news?
Dec 16, 2022 at 12:41pmWeb
Show threadTodd JordanDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis I'm all in but man does Light mode almost blind me. :)
Show threadJeff JarvisDec 16, 2022
@tojosan In dark mode, purple against gray is damned hard to discern.
Show threadTodd JordanDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis Good point. I'm going to have to find more theme choices. The contrast on white is much easier to read. The Witch themes are worse.
Show threadSue WDec 17, 2022
@jeffjarvis @tojosan Some good tips here Jeff - thank you. Just to say, I personally prefer the dark mode (kinder on my eyes) and don't seem to have a problem with seeing the purple in the dark mode myself, but everyone is different, so each to their own 🙂
Show threadAndrew MadkahtaDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis Light mode? Every developer is screaming "You will burn for that!" lol.
Show threadDr. Brandy SchillaceDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis trying to switch to light mode; can’t find it!
Show threadJeff JarvisDec 16, 2022
@bschillace Web interface. Settings.
Show threadDaniel CostaDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis. the light mode tired more the eyes ,than the dark mode .
Show threadMagic Mike Gooner Dec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis outstanding advice! B
Show threadAdministratorDec 16, 2022

@jeffjarvis Jeff, as another older fellow who wears glasses, I just can't figure out your love of Light Mode. 😆

Dark Mode is a godsend to my tired eyes.

Show thread🦇 Jennie Rigg 🏳️‍🌈 (she/her)Dec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis you can take my dark mode from my cold dead hands :þ
Show threadGuramDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis Can't say no to a dark mode.
Show threadTrisha NCDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis I'm loving the advanced mode!
Show threadGFunk1369Dec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis Good info thanks👍
Show threadStefan SchollDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis "Slow mode" is a good idea, too.
There's so much going on right now that you would miss it otherwise.
Show threadDavid MyersDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis Sorry if I followed you and then did an intro, but the random post I saw was so helpful I had no choice. I might unfollow you later, and I never followed you before on Dodo in any event. But what I've seen is too helpful to unfollow you just yet!
Show threadWinterblinkDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis I was iffy on multi column until I saw your video showing it off to a journalism class, and I learned a lot about how to use it better than I had been. Now I really like it.
Haven’t sold me on light mode though 🤣
Show threadNicolas PettiauxDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis has cuny opened an instance for its professors and students as MIT ?
Show threadNicolas PettiauxDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis how many and which US press have opened their own mastodon instance ?
Show threadmdargeDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis same with me. It will take time to complete my profile. as once posted it will stay for long in remembrance. Pictures have to be customized. I am on to take some new ones soon.
Show threadGabrielle GueronDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis
I’m so spoiled I have not entered this from a laptop’s browser. Will try those options soon (over Christmas break).
Show threadNadine McSpadden 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️💙💚Dec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis I would add: follow hashtags and create lists (for example, I made a list of all the Hoosiers I've encountered). And in the advanced web interface mode, create columns for the hashtags and lists you want to stay on top of. That has helped my experience here immeasurably. #HoosierMast
Show threadSarah Gray 🇮🇪 🇬🇧 🏳️‍🌈Dec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis Thanks for the tips, Jeff. Done. Inc intro pinned post.
Show threadChris HanrettyDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis Are there Mastodon-specific reasons for preferring light mode? (I think I will use light mode because it avoids huge jumps in screen brightness when tabbing through windows)
Show threadJon StokesDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis And definitely try Slow Mode, because you will probably like it.
Show threadBig Head TalesDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis Thanks Jeff, this was extremely helpful!
#TwitterRefugee
Show threadSteven MackDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis thanks! This is super useful
Show threadSusan RinkunasDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis advanced web interface is tweetdeck-ish for those who like that!
Show threadAn Accidental PastorDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis You are absolutely right about light mode and advanced web interface. Reminds me of a tamed version of TweetDeck.
Show threadChris CatsgrinDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis light mode is a straight no, but I appreciate every other advice... looking around a new place
Show threadThe Tech Lord ⊕ `Lex PendragonDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis Been here nearly four years and I didn't know about that 'Display all categories'. Thank you!
Show threadFleetDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis Is there a way to make it full (or more full) width of the screen, especially in advanced view? There is *a lot* of room at the side to expand column widths
Show threadJeff JarvisDec 16, 2022
@FleetAdmiralJ You can add more columns.
Show threadpaigeDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis thanks for the recs!
Show threadbuffalinDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis OMG, my geriatric eyes thank you for the 'appearance' settings tip! 5 minutes on here and already people are so much nicer and more helpful than 13 years at #twitter. Thank you!
Show threadDiddly Old FartDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis how do you pin a post? Which app are you using?
Show threadRadiDaddyDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis Thanks for the tips! I haven’t been able to figure out how to pin a post, but I’m wondering if it’s because I’m using the iOS app.
Show threadJackie1225Dec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis Thank you for your suggestions! Very helpful for a newbie!
Show threadMarina JongkindDec 16, 2022
@jeffjarvis What mode uses the most energy?
Show threadKarl ☕️Dec 17, 2022
@jeffjarvis These were great suggestions! I've been using the iOS app and decided to figure out the desktop version.
Show threadKarl ☕️Dec 17, 2022
@jeffjarvis The one I would add is "Enable ''Slow mode': Hide timeline updates behind a click instead of automatically scrolling the feed."
Show threadPhil Marinucci MultimediaDec 17, 2022
@jeffjarvis Does iOS have all the features you mentioned? I’m using the app, don’t see an advanced option. Also don’t see the option to pin posts.
Show threadDon RacineDec 17, 2022
@jeffjarvis can you give me a link for a how to (profile,notification etc)tutorial? I’m new here and never did much on twitter. Thanks
Show threadJeff JarvisDec 17, 2022
@DonRacine It's all in this post. At the end is a video version of everything in the post. https://medium.com/whither-news/on-joining-mastodon-d539eed5e41a
On Joining Mastodon - Whither news? - Medium

An academic friend asked for help joining Mastodon. I wrote a detailed email in response that I thought it might be useful to others. I’m also going to teach a master class in Mastodon at my school…

Whither news?
Show threadZengaDec 17, 2022
@jeffjarvis I cannot pin a post in iOS otherwise very nice stuff!
Show threadandreagreenDec 17, 2022
@jeffjarvis Thank you for the list of tips. So helpful. I'd already switched to light mode, wow, how much better that was!! ..and have now taken your advice about the advanced web interface. Excellent, thanks again!
Show threadMeganDec 17, 2022
@jeffjarvis Thanks for the tips, they make the experience significantly better, as promised!