Elbereth May 2, 2023
Mastodon
You asked for it, and itโ€™s coming. Quote posts, search, and groups are on their way. In the meantime, check out the new onboarding experience launching today. https://blog.joinmastodon.org/2023/05/a-new-onboarding-experience-on-mastodon/
A new onboarding experience on Mastodon

Today weโ€™re making signing up on Mastodon easier than ever before. We understand that deciding which Mastodon service provider to kick off your experience with can be confusing. We know this is a completely new concept for many people, since traditionally the platform and the service provider are one and the same. This choice is what makes Mastodon different from existing social networks, but it also presents a unique onboarding challenge. To make this step easier, we now have a default sign-up option that works with a server we operate. If you wish to leave or join a different server, you can do so at any time.

Mastodon Blog
May 1, 2023 at 4:39pmWeb
Show threadDebbie Goldsmith ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€โšง๏ธโ™พ๏ธ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆMay 1, 2023
@Mastodon Great news!
Show threadFlit ๐ŸฆŠ ๐Ÿ”ฅMay 1, 2023
@Mastodon Can't wait to see the new features! The Fediverse keeps getting better and better - I can't wait for it to be in a state I can recommend to friends and family. ^^
Show threadMigrated to @[email protected] ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ๐ŸŽƒ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ทLuana๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท๐ŸŽƒ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆMay 1, 2023
@Mastodon yay quote toots and search!!
Show threadSkylar Caulfield May 1, 2023
@luana @Mastodon okay one question since your the top comment, will there be an ability to opt out of indexing. I think this important for kiwifarms victims, since often times trolls will search you and ensure you can't have any platform without them
Show threadSkylar Caulfield May 1, 2023
@luana @Mastodon also having your account private isn't a fair solution
Show threadMigrated to @[email protected] ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ๐ŸŽƒ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ทLuana๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท๐ŸŽƒ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆMay 1, 2023
@skymtf @Mastodon That is already an option so I guess
Show threadSkylar Caulfield May 1, 2023
@luana @Mastodon that's for opting out of search engine indexing, not on site search
Show threadOliver ๐Ÿ‘”May 1, 2023
@skymtf @luana Is there even any possibility to opt-out from indexing the other services in the Fediverse?
On Friendica, Pleroma and Calckey everyone can already search and find my posts - which is okay for me, but I understand that this is a completely different situation for other people.
Show threadDisco CatMay 2, 2023

@skymtf @luana @Mastodon you might look what instances they're at, then block those instances ?

Most instances will defederate any other instances supporting trolls if they're signaled to their moderation teams.

Not perfect but at least there are options.

Show threadSkylar Caulfield May 2, 2023
@cmdrDiscoCat @luana @Mastodon I feel like tech.lgbt really good about that, Im copying their fedi block list
Show threadChema Hernรกndez GilMay 1, 2023
Glad to hear quote posts are coming. Not because I wanted them, but because I am tired of reading the debate.
Show threadEnby SharkMay 1, 2023
@chema @Mastodon honestly, truly. I feel like the devs couldn't win with quote toots; they were damned if they did, and damned if they didn't. Hopefully there will be the option now or in the future to disable quote tooting on a toot if the tooter so desires.
Show threadJoe โŒ๐Ÿ‘‘May 1, 2023
@cozymel @chema @Mastodon I don't see how there can be an option, because some Mastodon apps are already displaying toots with a link to another toot as a quote post. The way to stop people from using a feature for harassment is not to ban the feature, but to ban the harassment (with strict moderation).
Show threadEnby SharkMay 1, 2023
@not2b @chema @Mastodon think outside the box. You are parroting one of the biggest (valid) criticisms of Mastodon development: the prevailing narrative has been "this is the way we've always done it" instead of "how can we improve?" Banning harassment hasn't really worked for any social network so far and strict moderation has its own pitfalls (e.g., banning entire large instances, which punishes the people on that instance who weren't engaged in harassment).
Show threadJoe โŒ๐Ÿ‘‘May 1, 2023
@cozymel @chema @Mastodon I can turn that around. Quote posts can be a tool to alert people to harassers, and Black Twitter has used that to address inadequate moderation. They are coming one way or another; as I said, clients are already starting to display links to toots as quote toots.
Show threadOliver ๐Ÿ‘”May 1, 2023
@cozymel @chema The whole quote post thing has been a long time coming. Keeping the thing at the out of the official app was only an idealistic impairment of newcomers. With Graze, everyone on Mastodon has had them for a while, they're already implemented in the apps like @tooot and they're perfectly common in the rest of the Fediverse as well.
The lack of implementation has been just a show at the end. And itยดs good to see it ending.
Show threadcrumbcakeMay 2, 2023
@cozymel @chema @Mastodon Fortunately adding a "disable quotes and/or embeds on this toot" should be pretty trivial to add, it just has to change the way the post preview generates.
Show threadMad Dog Ace RunMay 1, 2023
@chema
I agree. I never figured out what the big deal was...
Show threadChema Hernรกndez GilMay 1, 2023
Well, it's coming and I am sure the folks who wanted it will be happy. I hope at least.
Show threadPatMay 1, 2023
@chema @Mastodon ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚
Show threadShannonMay 1, 2023
@chema @Mastodon I hear you on that one.
Show threadChema Hernรกndez GilMay 2, 2023
Well, this post blew up. Almost 170 likes. I don't have a Soundcloud, but at least you can follow me if you like my snark.
Show threadรฆon May 1, 2023
@Mastodon horrendous productbrain here lads. absolutely murdering the vibe
Show threadcoldclimateMay 1, 2023
@aeonofdiscord @Mastodon nailed it
Show threadthe roamerMay 1, 2023

@aeonofdiscord @Mastodon

Yup. Sad day. The wrong decision, and the horrible marketing language does not bode well either.

Show threadEthan ๐ŸŒ’May 1, 2023
this sucks and is only going to increase harassment of marginalized people
Show threadZbigniew 'Emill' Pล‚awecki โ™ฟ๏ธ๐ŸŽฎMay 1, 2023
@Ethancdavenport this ^ quote toots are the end of the Mastodon as we know right now
Show threadthe roamerMay 1, 2023

@emill1984 @Ethancdavenport

Sadly, yes. A capitulation.

Show threadOliver ๐Ÿ‘”May 1, 2023
@emill1984 @Ethancdavenport People all over the Fediverse use them all the time. Even all the Mastodon-apps are implementing the feature gradually. Playing dead does nothing but frustrate newcomers.
Show threadTroed SรฅngbergMay 1, 2023
@Ethancdavenport Not saying that might not be the result - but Mastodon admin and moderation is vastly different to other services. There's no invisible global moderation team making decisions you can't affect here.
Show threadEthan ๐ŸŒ’May 1, 2023
@troed donโ€™t talk to me like i donโ€™t know how things work. i am a moderator on my instance.
Show threadNate HarrisMay 2, 2023
@Ethancdavenport boo hoo.
Show threadEthan ๐ŸŒ’May 2, 2023
@nwithan8 eat shit and choke
Show threadThe Cuddlepunk CubMay 1, 2023
@Mastodon please no quote posts. One of mastodons greats strengths is that it encourages interaction over attention seeking.
Quote posts are a massive step backwards.
Show threadBenMay 1, 2023
@solarbear Quoting is an _integral_ aspect of how some communities interact, and is something I've seriously missed since coming to this platform.
Show thread(Matthew)=> ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐ŸŽฎ๐Ÿ’ป๐Ÿ“–May 1, 2023
@ben_zen @solarbear quoting posts with an easily accessible hyperlink back to OP is also an integral aspect of social media dogpiles.
Show threadBenMay 1, 2023

@mdstevens0612 respectfully, that already exists today, in way that does not provide for traceability. I can link to any post in another one, but there is no trace of the connection between the two the way a quote-post has.

So, to follow this to its most absurd conclusion, should posting hyperlinks be blocked?

Show thread(Matthew)=> ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐ŸŽฎ๐Ÿ’ป๐Ÿ“–May 1, 2023

@ben_zen starts with "respectfully" and ends with one of the most "so you hate waffles" sentences I have even seen.

So like, a little disrespectfully, you have correctly identified there's a problem with traceability, but just consider this; When a thing is made easier to do, it gets done more often. To follow your thinking to its most absurd conclusion, should we just put every user's takes with their email addresses on billboards in Times Square?

Show threadBenMay 1, 2023

@mdstevens0612 hardly. But to say that the only or greatest use of quoting is harrassment is to ignore the real, actual data about who uses it and for what!

And while I respect concerns about harrassment, that is a human issue and is not something to be solved by technological means. We can build systems that are harder to use to harass, but saying the equivalent of "nobody wants this for legit reasons" ignores entire communities who use it extensively.

Show threadHughsterMay 2, 2023

@mdstevens0612 @ben_zen Indeed, and that's why i hope they don't try to copy Twitter by turning the Boost button into a menu and adding "Boost with comment".

I get the point about traceability but the "always notify OP author" and "show all QTs in a list under the OP" features were IMO a big part of what made QTs so negative.

Show threadZekeMay 2, 2023
@mdstevens0612 @ben_zen @solarbear how is it integral when one can screenshot or otherwise describe an interaction? I've never been dogpiled harder than on mastodon once I've disagreed with an original post and subsequently had to deal with their every follower. This is anecdotal and hyperbolic so it's not something to prove or disprove, and I am solidly in the "neither pro nor con but bored with the debate" camp.
Show threadBenMay 2, 2023

@Zeke I can actually do better than anecdotal remarks; here's a great place to start on what makes Black Twitter a vibrant community and a look at what people use quotes for: https://privacy.thenexus.today/black-twitter-quoting-and-white-toxicity-on-mastodon/

And then there's Mastodon and "it's so nice here", which is to say that as soon as you posit that things aren't entirely on the up & up, people bring out the knives. A person has even told me that quoting is like heroin!

Black Twitter, quoting, and white views of toxicity on Mastodon

Does quoting really cause toxicity?

The Nexus Of Privacy
Show threadZekeMay 2, 2023

@ben_zen totally believable on the latter point. I was expressing incredulity at the other poster's claim re dog piling fwiw.

As a yte boy I've been sitting the black masto discussions out but appreciate the link--will give it a read

Show threadBenMay 2, 2023
@Zeke
aaaah, sorry!
Show thread(Matthew)=> ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐ŸŽฎ๐Ÿ’ป๐Ÿ“–May 3, 2023
For someone claiming to be neutral, you sure have strong feelings aligning with the pro camp. If you're bored, don't participate. Otherwise just own your position bud, this thing of "I'm neither for A or B but I have some strong disagreements with B" isn't the aloof neutrality you think it is.
Show threadMolly in MissouriMay 1, 2023
@solarbear @Mastodon i think it's too late. Hopefully a way to mute them, and opt out. I fled Twitter for the last time in 2016 after qt/dogpile accounts made it too damaging to my mental health. Fingers crossed, but worst case i find a server that prohibits them and blocks instances that allow them and we get right back to communicating.
Show threadthe roamerMay 1, 2023

@whatzaname @solarbear @Mastodon

Perhaps that is tge future. Separation into two sub-networks: a viral Mastodon copying twitter features, and a proper Mastodon maintaining all those elements that support considered dialogue rather than broadcasting.

Show threadGareth KitchenMay 1, 2023
@the_roamer
I've been pondering this re the black Mastodon concerns, which are certainly valid. My thinking was drawing me in the direction of a split because, ultimately, Mastodon has been designed to protect minorities. Whilst not mutually exclusive I think the compromises will lead to a much less recognisable and much more messy, centralised, environment.

Maybe there is too much focus on Mastodon rather than many of the other systems out there that may already do things better. ยฏ\_(ใƒ„)_/ยฏ

@whatzaname @solarbear @Mastodon
Show threadthe roamerMay 1, 2023

@gruff @solarbear @whatzaname @Mastodon

It may be the only feasible outcome, but I find the splitting scenario hard to like. I will reflect some more on it!

Show threadMolly in MissouriMay 1, 2023
@gruff @solarbear @Mastodon @the_roamer i think things are sorting out ok. I haven't seen indication of anything better elsewhere, and my server/instance is a healthy inclusive environment. I think it will be possibke to continue to participate here without opting in to QT and if One Server to Host Them All becomes an issue , together the communities will work out a way to keep communicating without being drowned out by promoted posts and ad-bots.
Show threadthe roamerMay 1, 2023

@whatzaname @gruff @solarbear @Mastodon

Thank you for injecting a dose of optimism into the debate. I certainly am in need of such a boost, feeling rather glum atm. Hoping you are right!!

Show threadGareth KitchenMay 1, 2023
@whatzaname
Sadly, the status quo does not address the black mastodon issue. These other new features don't either and could potentially exacerbate it. I think this is the most overlooked requirement and addressing is mandatory and it's an intractable problem.
@solarbear @Mastodon @the_roamer
Show threadMolly in MissouriMay 1, 2023
@gruff @solarbear @Mastodon @the_roamer We will just need to keep working at it then. By we i mean the people, mostly volunteers, maintaining various servers; my part online is to support only servers that meet my standards of anti bigotry anti racism antinazi anti LGBTQIA+ and actively work to ban servers that permit the above. Personally I am also anti capitalist but don't block therm.
Show threadGareth KitchenMay 1, 2023
@whatzaname
Yes for sure. I think ultimately things will remain much as they are. Conflict will flare up and die down. A continuous churn of users. An imperfect and probably inequitable equilibrium. The more I think about it, the more I think this is about best that we will ever get.
@solarbear @Mastodon @the_roamer
Show threadMolly in MissouriMay 1, 2023
@gruff @solarbear @Mastodon @the_roamer i am cautiously more optimistic. Without the profit incentive and with many servers willing to enforce rules our own SCOTUS (USA ) won't, i think it's possible to improve upon what is here, making it more inclusive and diverse, while remaining unprofitable which will ultimately weed out the worst of the bad actors. Racism dies out when it lacks #capitalist backing.
Show threadGareth KitchenMay 1, 2023
@whatzaname
I'm glad you're an optimist, I need balance at times. :)

@solarbear @Mastodon @the_roamer
Show threadthe roamerMay 1, 2023

@gruff @solarbear @whatzaname @Mastodon

Wish I could be as cool about these developments as you guys are. If I'm honest, I see only decay.

It's the language of the announcement that really hits me.

"You asked for it ..." I beg your pardon? Some people asked for it, others asked for it to be stopped, until very recently the very person making the announcement was against it himself. And now we pretend it's just a missing feature that is being added. The dishonesty doesn't encourage trust.

Show threadMolly in MissouriMay 1, 2023
@the_roamer @gruff @solarbear @Mastodon clunky messaging isn't always dishonesty. I will wait and see. Meanwhile, have you ever heard of a community timebank? I think i want to start one. While i am waiting and seeing about A LOT of things. ๐Ÿคž
Show threaddeutrinoMay 1, 2023

@the_roamer @whatzaname @solarbear @Mastodon the fediverse already has "neighborhoods" segregated on many lines (the biggest being use of mutually-intelligible character sets).

it's likely these neighborhoods will continue to expand and diversify, especially as Mastodon continues on its techbro trajectory.

Show threadthe roamerMay 1, 2023

@solarbear @Mastodon

Agree. A sad day. Those who aggressively demanded features supporting attention-grabbing broadcasting seem to have got what they wanted. We have to await implementation details, but my flags are on half-mask today.