Chris TrottierNow you can create a Mastodon account within @ivory.
But unlike @mammoth, new users are given a choice of servers to join.
Here’s a screenshot of the Mastodon sign-up page inside the app.
Bart Decrem
Mike Fraser@bart @atomicpoet @ivory @mammoth @fediversenews Not sure how this is going to help with the problem of user concentration on the big instances.. Mastodon works better when we're spread out.
maegul@mike @bart @atomicpoet @ivory @mammoth @fediversenews yea, it comes up again and again for me …
I think it’d work well if there was a special instance or kind of instance just for newcomers so that you can feel out the space before you migrate to an instance you like.
Apart from network effects directing people to instances, I’m not sure choosing an instance as a newcomer makes sense.
@maegul @bart @atomicpoet @ivory @mammoth @fediversenews Agreed, an instance where you could make a temp account so you could instance shop. Then it would prompt you to choose an instance after 30 days, then your account goes read only after 45 days until you choose an Instance.
@mike @bart @atomicpoet @ivory @mammoth @fediversenews exactly.
For many in the big instances (incl myself), that’s effectively why they are there. Except laziness kicks in and people just stick around and bloat the big instances.
@maegul @bart @atomicpoet @ivory @mammoth @fediversenews Also migrating still isn't the easiest thing in the world. Once you end up somewhere you need a pretty compelling reason to leave. FYI our sign ups are open 😉 https://thecanadian.social
@mike @bart @atomicpoet @ivory @mammoth @fediversenews yea, if a newcomers instance were to happen, I think some effort would have to be into helping the migration process one they move on.
Kevin Davidson@mike @maegul @bart @atomicpoet @ivory @mammoth @fediversenews I suggested something like this a while ago. Something interactive, guided or mentored. Maybe something like a freshers fair with stalls for instances actively recruiting. But that seems like it could turn into scammers, pickpockets and cults lurking outside train stations to pick on easy marks.
Kevin Davidson (@[email protected])
@[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] I can see a role for a crèche instance for those who are lost, aren’t trying to reconnect with with a pre-existing social group, weren’t sent an invite link by a friend. An instance that actively encourages new users to follow interesting accounts, interact with them and then push them out of the nest into the wider Fediverse once they have a better feel for it.