Mastodawn

Joshua Topolsky

Things I would love to see Mastodon implement (at least on the biggest “main” servers):

1: Integrate “find your friends” from other networks (especially twitter) in onboarding
2: Make following people universal / simpler without having to copy/paste a user’s full handle (should be one click no matter where you are)
3: Give users an *option* to find / discover accounts related to their network (personalized)

Claire Phillips Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky I'd like to add to that video capability. Could it be better?

Dag Dec 17, 2022

@clairep @joshuatopolsky Only issue I see with implementing video is money and bandwidth. People are hosting servers often at a financial break even or a loss, there has to be some monetization to host video. Perhaps that could be a premium paid for to pay for the bandwidth costs.

Claire Phillips Dec 17, 2022

@3fecta @joshuatopolsky Right. Monetization would make sense though Mastodon may simply not want to join that rank of social media.

Antonio Piccolboni Dec 17, 2022

@3fecta @clairep @joshuatopolsky jitsi video is based on direct browser to browser connection so there shouldn't be large serving costs. https://meet.jit.si/

Jitsi Meet

Join a WebRTC video conference powered by the Jitsi Videobridge

zendaimyo Dec 17, 2022

@clairep @joshuatopolsky video wouldn’t make sense unless activity pub could support hosting it split from the server

Dr. Fyzziks Dec 17, 2022

@clairep @joshuatopolsky agree that better video support would be great. I think that's going to be an issue due to videos being hosted on instances. They eat up so much space: too expensive for smaller instance admins.

The preferred method of including videos in a post is to upload to a 3rd party service like YouTube or Vimeo & link from there.

Maybe what we need is better support in various Mastodon client apps that make that 3rd party integration seamless?

Claire Phillips Dec 17, 2022

@drfyzziks @joshuatopolsky That sounds like a bit of work for someone like me but maybe useful for those working on breaking newsworthy clips.

@joshuatopolsky

#2 should definitely be implemented natively — way too much friction there — but in the meantime, have you seen this bookmarklet generator that redirects you from pages on other servers to the same page on your own?

it is *life changing*. h/t @imurray

https://homepages.inf.ed.ac.uk/imurray2/code/mastodon.html

Mastodon website bookmarklets: Instance changer and Toggle CWs

daniel s.Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky integrating find your friends would require twitter allowing each instance to create an app and if they're not even letting you link to each instance, approving their apps would never happen

daniel s.Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky number two would be great but as a temp workaround, though it's obviously a pain in the ass to ask every user to install a chrome extension, there is this https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/mastodon-profile-redirect/limifnkopacddgpihodacjeckfkpbfoe/

Mastodon Profile Redirect

Makes it easier to follow Mastodon Profile URLs from other instances.

AlexLapins Dec 17, 2022

@selfagency @joshuatopolsky re 2: Not sure if this is true for all instances, but If I'm using the advanced web view, search turns up names outside of my instance, and, if I click on a profile, the follow button works (i.e. I don't have to copy the full address, re-paste it into search and then follow. Not sure if the search results only include users someone on my instance already follows.

v̾i̾t̾r̾i̾o̾l̾i̾x̾Dec 17, 2022

@selfagency @joshuatopolsky

FediAct extension let's you follow, like and reply in a seemless way regardless of which server you are on. Works great!

https://github.com/lartsch/FediAct

GitHub - Lartsch/FediAct: Chrome/Firefox extension that simplifies interactions on other Mastodon instances than your own.

Chrome/Firefox extension that simplifies interactions on other Mastodon instances than your own. - GitHub - Lartsch/FediAct: Chrome/Firefox extension that simplifies interactions on other Mastodon...

GitHub

MsConduct Dec 18, 2022

@vitriolix @selfagency @joshuatopolsky I don’t even understand what one is talking about when they mention different servers here. I wish someone would write a guide for how to use this site.🤷‍♀️

v̾i̾t̾r̾i̾o̾l̾i̾x̾Dec 18, 2022

@MsConduct @selfagency @joshuatopolsky think about it like email, it's a very similar concept

Jonas Daehnert Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky Is number 2 even possible? Or is it because of decentralization that there is no other way so far?

Scott.Dec 17, 2022

@phonedesigner @joshuatopolsky apps do #2 very well. Unlike other sites there is a rich unrestricted API for the tooter.

DistrictDave01 Dec 17, 2022

@maxburn @phonedesigner @joshuatopolsky I was gonna say, I use the Mastodon app and can follow whoever I want. 🤷‍♂️

jakobdorof Dec 17, 2022

@phonedesigner @joshuatopolsky @maxburn which apps? metatext has been terrible with it so far

Scott.Dec 17, 2022

@jakobdorof
After I found Toot! I stopped using the others.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/toot/id1229021451

Ivory isn't ready yet but sounds good.

@phonedesigner @joshuatopolsky

‎Toot!

‎Toot! is a client for the Mastodon social network. It is beautiful, and full of character and whimsy. What makes Toot! special? - It is delightful. It is full of beautiful design, animation, amusing details and hidden treasures. - It is fast and robust. It caches data locally to let you read withou…

App Store

jakobdorof Dec 17, 2022

@maxburn @joshuatopolsky @phonedesigner thanks for the rec. $5 upfront feels a bit steep just to find out if their search functionality is adequate for me, so i’ll probably wait for more of a consensus to build first

Scott.Dec 17, 2022

@jakobdorof good question, I never use it and assumed it only worked on local server. Guess not though, I don't even have that server on my subscribed list and I’m getting results there. Not sure how federated search works.

David Moore Dec 17, 2022

@phonedesigner @joshuatopolsky I don’t understand number 2. I’ve never had to do that to find anyone. I simply go to search and type their name. Hit the result and hit follow.

Jonas Daehnert Dec 17, 2022

@davidmoore @joshuatopolsky @maxburn @DistrictDave01 Usually it works for me and the suggestions appear. But sometimes I have to enter the whole handle in the search. This can already be a hindering factor for newbies.

togamid Dec 17, 2022

@phonedesigner @joshuatopolsky I don't think so as it would require the remote instance to know what your home instance is. But as the browser treats it like any other website, it has no way of knowing that other than you explicitly typing it in.

MrCopilot Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky onboard finder would be easier to implement if it wouldn't rely on the other sites data & login.

Spitballing, maybe a dedicated share to twitter button during sign up to be able to verify poster as legit owner of that handle.

Otherwise, I'd guess fighting a coding war with the thin-skinned guy with more resources to waste his and your time is not gonna make the sprint any time soon.

Franziskus Domig Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky 1. https://fedifinder.glitch.me/ 2. That would be a bit more complicated. 3. depending on the instance you're on there might be interesting people already around ("Local", in your case this would be https://mastodon.online/public/local which is quiet "big" and not on a specific interest/region/etc.

I get it though. The UX is not yet the best we could get.

Fedifinder

Fediverse accounts of your X/Twitter followings

Christopher Jones Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky Try using http://www.movetodon.org. It will scrape your Twitter follows for mastadon account names and allow you to bill follow. It may not get everyone but it’s pretty effective.

Movetodon: Finds your Twitter Friends on Mastodon

srcurran Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky a form of similar accounts (e.g., people you follow follow these accounts) would help make the feed feel fuller for new users.

Hal Brown Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky I just tooted this (see image) recommending that everyone follow tooters who follow them.

David Wasman💫Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky movetodon.org/ works well to find friends from Twitter. You may have to re-runit every couple of days as folks find ways to add their links. I added over 100 the 1st time I tried it, then another 10 yesterday.

Sloan Studio Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky For following, just make it an option from the list view on the handle. Right now your options are Mute, Block, Report, Bookmark, Share (on official iOS client). Just add Follow/Unfollow to that list so that Boosts that expose you to new accounts can easily become a follow.

stephen ryner jr. 🦉Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky you forgot “stop showing me boosts of posts I’ve already seen before,” which would let me follow a lot more people without muting their boosts

Daniel Smith Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky allow me to filter out bots when I am searching for someone (I know someone who has not migrated, but has 6 bots pointing at them.. oy!)

Sir Siers Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky #2 is the top of my wish list

ProgGrrl Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky

Yes!

I would keep an eye on what is going on with that app Ivory… From the guys who did Tweetbot.

Hoping they’ll have nifty things of this sort. (And no, I am not participating in the beta.)

Jason Raimondi Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky I know this isn’t exactly what you’re asking for, but this tool was super helpful in finding my twitter contacts on Mastodon.

https://fedifinder.glitch.me/

Fedifinder

Fediverse accounts of your X/Twitter followings

Shelenn Ayres Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky All of these tools exist.

Mortimer Peabody Aloysious III Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky I'd also add being able to follow other servers and see posts there. So that if I follow the science server, all of the posts from that server show in my feed.

Sundazed Dec 18, 2022

@giraffe_gorilla @joshuatopolsky this seems cool. I have a variety of interests and would love to peek into topic specific servers.

Mortimer Peabody Aloysious III Dec 18, 2022

@Sundazed @joshuatopolsky right!?!? I'm not super familiar with the base level protocol and the platform programing. I hope this is doable. For right now it was suggested lists can do the same with a bit more legwork.

burndive Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky

#1: "Find my friends" typically relies on the user providing their entire list of contacts to the platform (a privacy nightmare). This is then checked against information stored by the platform, such as email address or phone number. Phone numbers aren't collected by Mastodon servers, and email address aren't disclosed between instance servers. The best we have is information provided publicly, such as a two-way-linked Twitter account.

Adam R Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky Definitely agree with 1, I just joined yesterday and it's hard to find people.

Jenn Lazo Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky I used this https://debirdify.pruvisto.org Which I’m sharing here now to help anyone that is looking. I tweet at people **over there ** to put their mastodon email in their profile (not the link since links are blocked now) so this can find them.

Debirdify

This is a web app that helps you find out which of the people you follow on Twitter are on Mastodon/in the Fediverse already and follow all of them easily.

Zircean Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky #2 seems tough on the web. if i am browsing on mastodon.online, im not logged in to my account on hachyderm.io, and thats more or less by design afaict. a mobile app wouldnt have this issue though i guess?

definitely agree that its really annoying though, hope they do come up with a better way

ericarnal Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky
"2: Make following people universal / simpler without having to copy/paste a user’s full handle "
This is my main pain point. It would make the ux far more friendly just to do this. No idea how to do it though

Ned Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky
I consistently see #2 mentioned but have never had this come up. Is this only if you are using a browser?

Chaos Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky try the chrome and Firefox extension from @bramus for profile redirecting for easier follows.

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/mastodon-profile-redirect/limifnkopacddgpihodacjeckfkpbfoe

Mastodon Profile Redirect

Makes it easier to follow Mastodon Profile URLs from other instances.

JennX Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky I sometimes can't follow someone without logging into a server. And I have yet to find anyone I actually know, though I'm finding a whole new set of people here, and it's finally starting to feel worth checking in.

[email protected]Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky A little friction and work is good, though. Just sliding into something new, or "sharing" from one platform to another, defeats the purpose of the internet for me: my purpose has been:

1. Keep your accounts and presences separate: work, fun, disparate interests.

2. Keep finding and refreshing people and themes: refresh is important: the internet is continually in flux and even my best friends whom I follow can become stale.

3. ... I can't remember!

"Zero friction" may be a tech ideal just as "100% sugar" may be a tastebud's ideal. But it's a NO [mom voice].

Jonah Stein Dec 17, 2022

Feels like the 2nd one is the easiest to accomplish and will reduce confusion and community"support" requests the most.

@joshuatopolsky

Caeden Kane, Councilor Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky no issue with #2 for me, but finding people is a pain in the arse.

Jim Morrison Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky on the finding-friends front … anyone have any experience of using this tool? https://twitodon.com/

Twitodon - Find your Twitter friends on Mastodon

Agroecology Lab Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky

This is a good workaround for 2) https://github.com/lartsch/FediAct#installation

GitHub - Lartsch/FediAct: Chrome/Firefox extension that simplifies interactions on other Mastodon instances than your own.

Chrome/Firefox extension that simplifies interactions on other Mastodon instances than your own. - GitHub - Lartsch/FediAct: Chrome/Firefox extension that simplifies interactions on other Mastodon...

GitHub

schneider_EF Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky While we're at it: Allow building lists with accounts you don't follow in your main timeline. Special topics to visit from time to time but keeping main TL readable and balanced. Sorry if this newbie overlooked something.

dse Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky make the sign up process simpler by removing the choices. It took me a few tries to find a working server. Most people will leave on the first try. For Americans do not even show them all these .de .lol servers. It scares them away. Need a single massive load balancer.

Antonio Piccolboni Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky These are interesting ideas and the right place to submit them is https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/issues

mastodon/mastodon

Your self-hosted, globally interconnected microblogging community - mastodon/mastodon

GitHub

IF Fritzsche Dec 17, 2022

@joshuatopolsky But the first is doable easily … just not set up by Mastodon itself but it is doable …

Corinne Podger Dec 18, 2022

@joshuatopolsky There's a solution to (1) already - it's called "MovetoDon" and you can find all your Twitter followers and accounts you follow - and follow them here with one click. You can also hide followed accounts and refresh every few days as new people arrive here. https://www.movetodon.org/

Movetodon: Finds your Twitter Friends on Mastodon

Lora Dec 18, 2022

@joshuatopolsky also I like to use dark mode because of a physical malady but the cursors are black on top of the black background. It would be really nice to fix that too. It’s a minor point but some of us really need it.