Bob GlicksteinDec 22, 2022
Mike Masnick ✅

So I wrote this yesterday, and lots of people like it, but I'm kinda of frustrated at all the cynicism of people who IMMEDIATELY insist "no it'll get ruined" or "normal people won't do it" or "most people don't care" or whatever else.

Stop being so cynical. YOU have a chance to help make it a better future. Instead of whining about how it won't work why not try to help make it work? https://www.techdirt.com/2022/12/21/why-would-anyone-use-another-centralized-social-media-service-after-this/

Why Would Anyone Use Another Centralized Social Media Service After This?

So, it’s been quite a year for legacy, centralized social media — and all without any really big change to the laws that govern it (yet — the EU’s are coming into force shortly, but pos…

Techdirt
Dec 22, 2022 at 5:50pmWeb
Show threadAram SinnreichDec 22, 2022
@mmasnick As usual, I agree with you entirely. Thanks for writing it.
Show threadBen CollinsDec 22, 2022

@mmasnick @mmasnick I think what COULD make this place take off is an intuitive app with an incredibly simplified signup flow.

There’s a lot of bullshit out there about how you have to sign up for Mastodon like six times to follow the people you like. The backbone is good here, it just needs a couple of good UX people to build on top of it, which could be anybody. I know that app Ivory is trying this and it could win.

Show threadMike Masnick ✅Dec 22, 2022
@oneunderscore__ yup. I talked a bit about that in my post. About reaching the "Gmail moment" for ActivityPub.
Show threadRob PegoraroDec 22, 2022
@mmasnick @oneunderscore__ Which large tech company with an established user base would be most motivated to use this opportunity to stick a fork in Twitter by offering that easy sign-up experience?
Show threadMike Masnick ✅Dec 22, 2022

@robpegoraro @oneunderscore__ which one wouldn't? I think Meta is too internally focused (though rumors are that Insta team is desperately rushing to build a "Twitter killer"). Google would have done it years ago, but not sure now.

Mozilla seems like a good choice.

Discord and Reddit would also be interesting, but might see it as a threat.

Show threadQuietPartQuietDec 22, 2022

@mmasnick @robpegoraro @oneunderscore__ ooh Mozilla is a good call for market position/ethos

I'd still bet on outside player over them though... They're not exactly the fastest movers

Show threadGavin WerbeloffDec 22, 2022
@mmasnick @robpegoraro @oneunderscore__ I’ll second Mozilla. I think they’re uniquely suited to the task.
Show threadDerek Caelin is writing a bookDec 22, 2022
@Travelbuddha @mmasnick @robpegoraro @oneunderscore__ Should we be reading into the fact that Mozilla doesn't explicitly say they'll be hosting a Mastodon instance? They seem to be leaving the door open to develop a different ActivityPub based service.
Show threadGavin WerbeloffDec 22, 2022
@derek @mmasnick @robpegoraro @oneunderscore__ I came to Mastodon because the best accounts I followed on the bird site came here, not because of an affinity for the fediverse model, so whether Mozilla does Mastodon or something else isn’t as big a deal to me. They have an ethos and track record, which is why I think they’re so well-suited. The technology is secondary to the established corporate culture.
Show threadRob PegoraroDec 22, 2022
@mmasnick @oneunderscore__ Mozilla has already said it will stand up a mozilla.social instance in early 2023. Maybe Microsoft could see an opportunity here in spinning up its own instance? https://blog.mozilla.org/en/mozilla/mozilla-launch-fediverse-instance-social-media-alternative/
Mozilla to explore healthy social media alternative | The Mozilla Blog

Update: Starting May 4, 2023, we’re expanding Mozilla.social to a private beta. If you’re interested, join our waitlist. In early 2023, Mozilla will st

Show threadJxyzn SxyzyxnDec 22, 2022
@robpegoraro Oh, the loving Microsoft embrace.
Show threadDavid Brent 📚Dec 22, 2022
@robpegoraro @mmasnick @oneunderscore__ #Vivaldi already has a Mastodon panel built into its browser. I think that's a step in the right direction.
Show threadluetageDec 22, 2022
@dbsalk @robpegoraro @mmasnick @oneunderscore__ That’s a misconception. It’s just a webpanel, you can load any other instance or any other webpage in one. A Vivaldi feature for many years. There is no integration, other than the instance being a default panel and bookmark.
Show threadDavid Brent 📚Dec 22, 2022
@luetage @robpegoraro @mmasnick @oneunderscore__ I consider setting up the instance as a default on a web panel an integration. And that default web panel wasn't there 6 weeks ago.
Show threadluetageDec 23, 2022
@dbsalk @robpegoraro @mmasnick @oneunderscore__ Because there was no instance. But fair enough, Vivaldi deems it an integration too. Seems like my standards are too high.
Show threadElle SmithDec 22, 2022
@robpegoraro @mmasnick @oneunderscore__ great, a FB or Google type company with my data again—or am I missing something?
Show threadGeorgimus PrimeDec 23, 2022
@robpegoraro @mmasnick @oneunderscore__ Mozilla @mozilla for now.
Show threadComfortably NumbDec 22, 2022
@mmasnick @oneunderscore__ Web interface too. If Twitter expats are met with something like https://elk.zone it would make transition a lot easier.
Elk

A nimble Mastodon web client

Elk
Show threadCranky DavidDec 22, 2022
@ygalanter @mmasnick @oneunderscore__
this looks interesting to watch - thx.
Show threadPavan YalamanchiliDec 22, 2022

@mmasnick @oneunderscore__ Do you think Mozilla might be able to pull it off with their announcement this week?

https://blog.mozilla.org/en/mozilla/mozilla-launch-fediverse-instance-social-media-alternative/

Mozilla to explore healthy social media alternative | The Mozilla Blog

Update: Starting May 4, 2023, we’re expanding Mozilla.social to a private beta. If you’re interested, join our waitlist. In early 2023, Mozilla will st

Show threadMike Masnick ✅Dec 22, 2022
@pavanky @oneunderscore__ talked about it in my article...
Show threadPavan YalamanchiliDec 22, 2022
@mmasnick @oneunderscore__ sorry for being a dumbass. I'm reading the article now.
Show threadhybrid havocDec 22, 2022

@oneunderscore__ @mmasnick
I've been really enjoying my time with Mastodon, but I definitely have to agree that the official Mastodon apps were not well positioned to take advantage of this upheaval.

It's my understanding that those apps got an extremely late start on development, and were never a priority. But in some ways they do more harm than good in their current form.

Show threadAgroecology LabDec 22, 2022
@oneunderscore__
See also the UX proposals here: https://github.com/mastodon/joinmastodon/issues/250
@mmasnick
UX Suggestion: Design and copy changes to the server page · Issue #250 · mastodon/joinmastodon

Hi there, Server selection appears to be one of the top UX onboarding issues and the biggest learning curve for users migrating from other platforms. Minor changes to the design and copy on the ser...

GitHub
Show threadJoelDec 22, 2022
@oneunderscore__ @mmasnick if TapBots made a version of TweetBot for Mastodon I’d be all over that
Show threadCranky DavidDec 22, 2022
@joelman @oneunderscore__ @mmasnick
they are: @ivory
Show threadJoelDec 22, 2022
@cranky_david @oneunderscore__ @mmasnick @ivory well alrighty then! Wish instantly granted. Thank you! I figured they’d call it TootBot or MastoBot 😂
Show threadJack A RoeDec 22, 2022
@joelman @oneunderscore__ @mmasnick TapBots has a beta app called @Ivory that is close to 1.0 release. The test flight spots have been filling up in a matter of seconds. It feels similar to Tweetbot.
Show threadJeff C. 🇺🇦🇬🇱Dec 23, 2022

@joelman @oneunderscore__ @mmasnick You’re in luck.

https://tapbots.social/@ivory

Ivory by Tapbots :emoji_wink: (@[email protected])

9.05K Posts, 4 Following, 107K Followers · A Mastodon Client for iOS & Mac. We try our best to answer questions here, but sometimes are unable to. We generally don’t see mentions on weekends and holidays. Get stickers and other Ivory/Tapbots goods here: https://cottonbureau.com/people/tapbots

tapbots.social
Show threadbenxDec 22, 2022

@oneunderscore__ @mmasnick

There are absolutely no barriers in place for any web developer to start working on a client with better UX design - don't need to wait on the core Mastodon team or anything.

And with open source fully functioning clients already existing, the code is sitting there ready to be cloned and improved upon.

I have plans myself to implement a bunch of microservices to help deal with some of the clunkyness.

I won't have time to work on any of them until later next year. By that time, though, I'm sure other folk will have already dealt with the any of the particular issues I'm thinking of.

Show threadBradley_JFDec 23, 2022
@oneunderscore__ @mmasnick Try @tootapp . The sign-up flow even lets you just hit "show random instance" and it gives a little blurb about each one. The app itself has a great UI. It's functional AF but also has fun elements that make it stand out.
Show threadBruce MirkenApr 2, 2023
@oneunderscore__ @mmasnick Having never used any of the popular Mastodon apps out there, I'm baffled by people thinking Mastodon is difficult. I'm about as tech-savvy as the average hamster and I don't have trouble beyond an occasional small, trivial inconvenience.
Show threadcostrikeApr 2, 2023
@oneunderscore__ @mmasnick It'll happen. It's continually improving in general and those needs appear to be well understood.
Show threadPhilip LoringApr 2, 2023
@oneunderscore__ i think what @Flipboard is doing by supporting mastodon in their new app (right now just android I think?) is going to be the tipping point. Fediverse plus curated content streams with a seamless interface
Show threadsuldrew 🚲🏳️‍🌈Dec 22, 2022
@mmasnick bingo. we have the chance to make it better! I say let's do it
Show threadShomilaDec 22, 2022
@mmasnick Agreed and I'm all in to help
Show threadBduzBoopDec 22, 2022
@mmasnick Are you using a phone app? If so, which one?
Show threadMike Masnick ✅Dec 22, 2022
@BduzBoop tusky on android.
Show threadBduzBoopDec 22, 2022
@mmasnick Thanks, I use an iphone, and I didn't see it in the app store, but I appreciate the reply. On a side note, when I was in the market for my first smart phone, my son told me to get an Iphone because they are hard to mess up, so I wouldn't be calling him all the time....
Show threadAndrew SchreckDec 23, 2022
@BduzBoop @mmasnick Metatext for iOS is pretty good (clean interface, easy to use, etc)
Show threadBduzBoopDec 23, 2022
@andrewschreck @mmasnick thanks!
Show threadHammancheezDec 22, 2022
@mmasnick “normal” as some kind of weird judgy thing always rubbed me funny
Show threadJames Smith 💾Dec 22, 2022
@mmasnick people always forget that WE make things what they are. Together. There's no "them", it's just more of "us". ❤️
Show threadpdoconnellDec 22, 2022
@mmasnick Is there a good list somewhere of problems to solve? I'd love to spend time doing as you said and applying lessons from the last many years to the fediverse while we can, but I'm not sure where to start.
Show threadMike Masnick ✅Dec 22, 2022
@pdoconnell hoping to write something next week...
Show threadLee FifeDec 22, 2022
@mmasnick
It's good to shift the conversation as you're doing. Get us focused on how this can be a chance for positive change. Cause it is exactly that! Which is exciting.
Show threadJill MinorDec 22, 2022
@mmasnick great article. I’m a believer. And yes, this does remind me of fun Twitter circa 2010.
Show threadErnie SmithDec 22, 2022

@mmasnick As I've said in the past a lot of social media companies only focus on the onboarding, rather than what the service will look like a few years from now.

Mastodon did the opposite and it's being raked over the coals for it.

The onboarding part can be fixed. The strong controls and infrastructure cannot

Show threadErnie SmithDec 22, 2022
@mmasnick this is why Hive faded from the conversation so quickly. It was all about onboarding, not sustained experience
Show threadJeff GrecoDec 22, 2022
@ernie @mmasnick that and the catastrophic security issues 😬
Show threadTrunkWeekly ✉️ Mastodon NewsDec 22, 2022

@ernie @mmasnick I'd also say that a lot of companies are trying to scale this way - make the first 5 minutes great, then figure out the rest - which leads to empty experiences.

To be fair, that's the biggest complaint that people have with #mastodon these days - the onboarding and First Time Experience.

Show threadbazkie bumpercar | unfluencerDec 22, 2022

@mmasnick these are amazing times. It took over a decade, but finally we are free from the shackles of corporate social media. I had almost given up :)

Also, nice article!

Show threadmalenaDec 22, 2022
@mmasnick 💯 💯 💯
we actually need to develop strategy & tactics for waking up peoples’ natural ability to imagine, create, and dream together. twitter really trained folks to embrace passive nihilism & dystopianism as a way of life
Show threadAnthony DiPierroDec 22, 2022

@mmasnick Is it okay if I whine about how it won’t work while also trying to help make it work?

Sorry, decentralized internet technologies have been consistently disappointing me since about 1999.

Show threadguustDec 22, 2022
@mmasnick tnx for this Mike. I agree with you wholeheartedly. When on twitter I never thought there was an alternative way, it was all we knew. So let's not put our blindfolds on and step into the same trap, by giving our time and creativity to a central org. That's essentially nothing more than an advertisement company.
Show threadKristof ZerbeDec 22, 2022
@mmasnick It doesn't matter if #activitypub or #mastodon succeed in the long run. It's important that people change their mindset, away from walled corporate gardens to independent and federated structures, but this can only be achieved step by step
Show threadMatt MatboxDec 22, 2022

@mmasnick As you said, this is a fork in the road. No one can say whether Mastodon is going to get its breakthrough, however this feels closer to a breakthrough than it ever has.

So let's just realize that all the additional eyeballs and smart people WILL make it better. Easier. And hopefully a true alternative. After all - unless we try, we will never make progress.

Thanks for your article! Important.

Show threadNoel FrenchDec 22, 2022
@mmasnick I was a normal person who wouldn't do it, until I did. I feel like that's the history of everything on the internet.
Show threadaethervision Dec 22, 2022
@mmasnick I agree with you, but a lot of folks aren’t quite there yet. Give them time.
Show threadHal BrownDec 22, 2022
@mmasnick I read your essay. My initial reaction: competition will be good for Mastodon. If a new platform comes up with innovations making it more user friendly in an area then it may prompt another to do the same. I can see some ways Mastodon can be improved. In toots making it possible to use bold and italics would help. The search box on the upper left works well my hunch it is underused. CW, mislabeled, needs to be used more. Navigation is the key or you're adrift in an ocean w/o a compass