Skyfire LumiaFeb 2, 2023
Nick @ The Linux Experiment

Every time I talk about @Mastodon in one of my videos, I get comments telling me they couldn't figure out how to ue it, or that it's too complicated.

So, I mae a complete guide to #Mastodon: how to create an account, how to find people to follow, how to use it, and the general etiquette here!

(Of course, you all already know all of that, but now you have a reference guide you can share with people who struggle to join us here!)

#opensource #Linux #fediverse

https://youtu.be/1ypCRB_3Q_k

How to use MASTODON: the COMPLETE GUIDE (join, use, find people to follow, etiquette...)

YouTube
Jan 25, 2023 at 5:34pmWeb
Show threadHera [Yaseenist] HarperJan 25, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon This is awesome! It’d be great to see one on Peertube and/or Pixelfed too!
Show thread XeroLinux Jan 25, 2023
@thelinuxEXP Gazouillis ? Huh ? Bon ben this explains why my French cousin didn't understand what tweet meant !
Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 25, 2023
@TechXero Haha not many people use that word, but the most “French must never use anything from English” persons do 😂
Show thread XeroLinux Jan 25, 2023
@thelinuxEXP Ah I see.. Seems my cousin is one of them lol
Show threadOmarSuarezJan 25, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon cool 😎!👍
Show threadStrange New Words (Adam)Jan 25, 2023
@thelinuxEXP Are you allowed to post a link to this video on Twitter?
Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 25, 2023
@strange_new_words I don’t use my Twitter account anymore, I just keep it to avoid impersonation
Show threadPradeep MalarvannanJan 25, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon I actually need a similar video about Pixelfed. I couldn't make it to the UI and login properly yet
Show threadCleo Menezes Jr. 🌵Jan 25, 2023

@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon
Very cool!

Unfortunately, the need for a guide kind of speaks to how unfriendly the Mastodon is in the first place.
I mean, it's not friendly to the general public who don't understand some technology concepts like decentralization. In this case, I think it will be niched and that's okay.

Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 25, 2023
@CleoMenezesJr @Mastodon I mean, a TON of people didn’t understand Twitter either without help
Show threadCleo Menezes Jr. 🌵Jan 25, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon But at least they download the app > click on "create an account", after it's created and logged, the rest is learning to use the app, and not understanding "what is an instance?", " what do u mean it's federated or not?", "Mastodon or Fediverse?".
I know ppl evolve with technology. Before, many people did not understand what "creating an account" was, today it is common and makes sense to them. I hope this all makes sense to people in the future, but for now it's a niche.
Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 25, 2023
@CleoMenezesJr @Mastodon people managed to figure that out for email, ISPs and a lot of other services where they picked a particilar provider. It’s no different here!
Show threadCleo Menezes Jr. 🌵Jan 25, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon Perhaps we are talking about different audiences.
There are a lot of people here who don't have great skills with technology, I don't want to say that using Mastodon is almost like reading a manual on how to defuse a bomb, but it's totally different from what people are used to. In this sense, adoption is slower and for the time being it is a niche.
The problem isn't day to day usage, it's just the barrier of entry which is learning these basic concepts. A matter of time.
Show threadIslamic Audiobooks CentralJan 26, 2023
@CleoMenezesJr @thelinuxEXP @Mastodon Maybe the default signup on joinmastodon should be a simplified process which automatically selects an instance based on your preferences and interests but a prominent advanced/customised signup visible for tech savvy users...?
Show threadLayla LowJan 25, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @CleoMenezesJr @Mastodon Seriously, unless you just created an account on twitter, logged in, and accepted whatever trash the algorithm spewed at you. Oh. Hey. That’s the problem it’s that.
Show threadrosbeefandinoJan 25, 2023
@thelinuxEXP hoo !! Please share the peertube link 🤐 ;)
Show threadFabian【ファビアン】🏳️‍🌈Jan 25, 2023
@thelinuxEXP I use #ArchLinux
Show threadADJJan 25, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon
Had created a Mastodon account a long time ago but never used it but this video on YouTube prompted me to give it another chance. Thanx!
Show threadSoozcatJan 25, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon There's a very strong correlation between people who say "Mastodon is too complex and difficult to use" and people who have over 1,000 followers on Twitter
Show threadMauwuroJan 25, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon now I only need to bring my friends to Mastodon!
also is there a way to move my user to another server?
Show threadMajorSlapshotJan 26, 2023
@mauwuro Just moved my account follow this https://mstdn.social/@feditips/107939441820299376
Fedi.Tips (@[email protected])

UPDATE: If you want to transfer your account to another server, here's how to do it: ➡️ https://fedi.tips/transferring-your-mastodon-account-to-another-server This guide is a bit longer than other guides as it includes moving your followers, follows and blocks/mutes/bookmarks. (By the way, sorry for people seeing notification of this post edit. I had to edit as the original contents were somewhat out of date. As this post now links to my website instead, you won't get any future update notices for this post.)

Mastodon 🐘
Show threadroyal Jan 25, 2023

@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon I'm halfway through and this is great so far!
I think I've found one factual error.

The federated timeline is not a timeline of every post from everybody using Mastodon.
It's every public post from everybody *followed by people on your instance*.

So, if I'm on an instance for people who like gardening, its federated timeline shows me what *other people who like gardening follow*.

If you're on a general-instance like mastodon.social, it's going to feel like everybody.

Show threadroyal Jan 25, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon If you're on a small special-interest instance, your federated timeline will be smaller and more specific than if you're on a big general-interest instance.
Show threadroyal Jan 25, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon Also, I loved hiding "the fact that you use Arch Linux" behind a CW!
Show threadkeyshooterJan 25, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon can't wait to see this, i am expecting john mastodon to master-don
Show threadKeith BöhlerJan 25, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon This is a good intro. I myself will try and do better and make use of the CW and description of images.
Show threadBjössiJan 25, 2023
@Mastodon @thelinuxEXP I wanted access to Fediverse but didn't understand Mastodon (probably because I never used twitter). I found Friendica, for me this was easier to get a hang of 😀
Show threadRune Ranch - ルーン・ランチJan 25, 2023
@thelinuxEXP Hope this helps others to understand and use Mastodon. I’ve gotten the same answer from friends saying that Mastodon is confusing. Much of it seems to do with them not being able to find people to follow.
Show threadshanenJan 25, 2023

@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon

Really hard sell to make people jump through hoops. So here's my suggestion to ignore some more:

Add features to make Mastodon friendlier. For example, to help me migrate to the best Mastodon server for my interests.

Let us pay for those features. If enough people are willing to cover the costs, then great. If not, the proposal should be improved and offered again until enough people like it.

#CSB is my idea of a way to do these two things. But deafening silence...

Show threadFrintonJan 25, 2023

@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon

Hi Nick! This is Frinton, one of your YouTube subscribers. I'm giving Mastodon a try ... all because of you! (Thanks!)

Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 26, 2023
@frinton @Mastodon Welcome!
Show threadNerea ZetaJan 26, 2023
@frinton @thelinuxEXP @Mastodon
Same
Show threadLunaChockenJan 25, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon oh hello! I watch a lot of your videos especially the Linux distros and stuff. It's great to see you on the "Fediverse"!
Show threadShayne YestalJan 25, 2023
@thelinuxEXP Fantastic job on this video!!
Show threadShadow HeartJan 25, 2023

@thelinuxEXP no edit function on the Mastodon official app? Nick I'm using the Android Mastadon app and yes it has the edit option. Using the ... On your post will show edit as an option. Is this still not a thing on iPhone?

Note: This is edited text.

Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 26, 2023
@Sh4d0w_H34rt It’s not available on iPhone, no
Show thread  Jan 25, 2023

@thelinuxEXP It definitely isn't as simple as "use google login," but it's also not that complicated.

I think the biggest hurdle is the paradigm shift from "there's ONE twitter" (because let's face it, most will be coming from twitter) to there are many mastodon ser--- "instances."

But there are also a lot of little details regarding picking an instance that affect the overall experience.

Sadly I'll probably watch this video lol.

@Mastodon

Show threadScooter 🏳️‍🌈 ⚽ 🚴‍♂️ 🐻Jan 26, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon OMG! My server is on several screen caps on your video! I feel famous.... 😂 
Show threadVehementHamJan 26, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon Dude what are you taking about . I don't even know how boosting works.
Show threadKevin PereauJan 26, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon thank you
Show threadIslamic Audiobooks CentralJan 26, 2023

@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon Thank you. I'm boosting using my personal account. If you could please correct the typos "ue" & "mae" it will look nicer and make it more likely for new people to click through hopefully.

You can edit posts on both @Fedilab and @Tusky I think.

Show threadDungeonsJan 26, 2023
@thelinuxEXP Thanks for the cameo :)
Show threadcardryJan 26, 2023

@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon

Video that I needed most to start using mastodon.
Successfully create an account months ago but still figuring how to actually use it.

Show thread@drewscornerJan 26, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon This is great because even if I am on Mastodon now that doesn't mean I fully understand the how and why. More content like this will always help make people comfortable and confident with the platform.
Show threadtechJan 26, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon
i like that you included a proper description on the image on your post.
really helps us blind people
btw, i had an account here before. but didn't use it that much. but, this video is the last push i needed. and i love your content.
Show threadNickJan 26, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon great video. Love your content and I'm here because of your recent videos. Glad to have a FOSS decentralized social media app to use now. Keep spreading the word!
Show threadMessias JuniorJan 26, 2023
That you @thelinuxEXP you video made me want to be more active here.
Show threadALFJan 26, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon i think this was watt "evangelized" me 2 join mastodon. it was some years ago. i nvr joined twitter. This is where i heard the term "toot" for the very 1st time!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGJW34aVmwE
A Closer Look at Mastodon, The Twitter Killer!

YouTube
Show threadPaulo RibeiroJan 27, 2023
@thelinuxEXP I used to run a home Jabber/XMPP server, so Mastodon's decentralized model immediately made sense to me. 🤓🙌
Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 27, 2023
@prcr Yeah, it’s how the internet used to be, but people got so used to siloed applications that don’t talk to others that it now seems hard to pick a provider for social media!
Show threadPaulo RibeiroJan 27, 2023

@thelinuxEXP Indeed, and that is quite worrisome. I have some relatives who confuse Facebook with "the Internet". 

I'm hopeful that this movement involving Mastodon starts a gradual shift back to a more open Internet. Recently, I even had a non-technical person saying she was considering going back to hosting her own blog. 🙌

Show threadNick @ The Linux ExperimentJan 27, 2023
@prcr For the longest time, my mom thought her OS was OpenOffice, and internet was called Explorer 😓
I also hope we’ll see the internet returning to a more open model, the fediverse is a good step in the right direction!
Show threadALFJan 27, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon how to pick a mastodon server? watt nick says is not wrong, i jus won't do things that way. Goto the fediverse observer & select mastodon. select a server that is accepting new signups, speaks your language, has a good % uptime & good number of users. The system only shows 15 servers per page, so go thru the pages slowly.
https://mastodon.fediverse.observer/list
Fediverse Observer checks all sites in the fediverse and gives you an easy way to find a home from a map or list or automatically.

Mastodon Sites Status. Find a Mastodon server to sign up for, find one close to you!

Show threadRafgasJan 27, 2023
@thelinuxEXP @Mastodon I really liked the email comparison, it can do more, just like you say, but email is the first federated email. Good video overall! Bien bossée mec!