To all the new folks joining up after seeing @Graham_LRR tweet about having moved over here from Twitter:   
If you have any questions about how to get your account configured, which app to try (official is bad), or anything else, I'm only an @ or DM away.
Also, servers on Mastodon can upload their own emoji/emotes, so we have a _bunch_ of them. Here's a sampling:
         
PS: you can also find @desertbus and @DB_VST here on kind.social. They're not posting much right now, but they'll be in full swing during the run for #DBFH2023.
@Texan_Reverend @DB_VST it’s true, we’re here!
@desertbus @Texan_Reverend @DB_VST time for me to learn some new skillz
@sugarsh0t @desertbus @Texan_Reverend @DB_VST The new skillz, hopefully very similar to ye olde skillz
@sugarsh0t @desertbus @DB_VST I am available to chat anytime. Feel free to @ or DM me, and we can have a Discord call or something to just talk through any questions, concerns, comparisons, whatever you need. I'm here to support you.
@Texan_Reverend @desertbus WE are planning MANY things, SOON...
@Texan_Reverend Thanks for the heads up on the VST / DB accounts! I've been using the official app on Android, there's better ones though?

@buzzbros2002 Here's my three post thread about my top preference, the Progressive Web App:
https://kind.social/@Texan_Reverend/110584196834249023

And here's my pinned post of app suggestions:
https://kind.social/@Texan_Reverend/110583816863513513

Texan_Reverend (@[email protected])

I'm going to formally take the stance that the Mastodon PWA is the best app to start with on Android. iOS won't allow it to push notifications, so I can't recommend it as easily unless you don't mind that or workarounds. The PWA (Progressive Web App) is basically the mobile-formatted website in a standalone app shell. It doesn't hide options or features like many apps do - including the official one. It also makes clear when a profile isn't displaying all their posts due to federation quirks. 1/

Be More Kind
@Texan_Reverend what are some good apps to use? Preferably on android.

@BatTech My top picks are the following, and each have their benefits, depending on the experience you want.
Mastodon PWA (basically just the website in a standalone app shell)
Tusky
Fedilab

PWAs are Progressive Web Apps which can be installed by signing in to your account on kind.social via Chrome on your Android device and selecting Install from Chrome's three-dot main menu button.

@Texan_Reverend can you recommend apps for iOS and macOS that sync the position in the timeline? I really miss that feature since Tweetbot is no more.
@offissa It's my understanding that Ivory has that now, and I don't know of any others off the top of my head which offer it. Here's their site:
https://tapbots.com/ivory/mac/
Ivory for Mac

A Mastodon app based on the award-winning Twitter app for Mac.

Tapbots, LLC.
@offissa @Texan_Reverend I can’t speak to if it syncs on macOS because I do not, in fact, have a Mac, but the app Toot! syncs between my iPhone and iPad very well. And does show server specific emojis. Plus really easy to add alt text, which is pretty big here.

@Texan_Reverend So what I am hearing is that I need to move over to kind.social for the emojis alone!

Also, what is the preferred app for Android? The official one has been aggressively *fine*

@ComplexedOne Here's the post I just made for apps:
https://kind.social/@Texan_Reverend/110583816863513513
Also, here's my pinned guide to migrating your account if you decide to go ahead with that:
https://kind.social/@Texan_Reverend/110167270006123376
Eric (@[email protected])

Using Mastodon on mobile? Avoid the official app, as it oddly lacks core features. Instead try one of these: Android Mastodon PWA (basically the website in a standalone app shell) Tusky Fedilab iOS Ice Cubes Toot! Ivory - paid, made by Tweetbot dev PWAs are Progressive Web Apps which can be installed by signing in to your account on kind.social via Chrome on your Android device and selecting Install from Chrome's three-dot main menu button. Also via Safari, but notifications don't work.

Be More Kind
@ComplexedOne Personally, I use the PWA. I like that it's consistent with the desktop website experience, and it's the only one that let's me still perform admin and moderation tasks.
My spouse and several friends prefer Tusky which has a more Twitter-ish interface.
Fedilab is also solid and arguably does the best job with threads, as it draws lines to connect replies like Reddit does.
@ComplexedOne PS: here's my personal Android app recommendation.
https://kind.social/@Texan_Reverend/110584196834249023
Texan_Reverend (@[email protected])

I'm going to formally take the stance that the Mastodon PWA is the best app to start with on Android. iOS won't allow it to push notifications, so I can't recommend it as easily unless you don't mind that or workarounds. The PWA (Progressive Web App) is basically the mobile-formatted website in a standalone app shell. It doesn't hide options or features like many apps do - including the official one. It also makes clear when a profile isn't displaying all their posts due to federation quirks. 1/

Be More Kind
@Texan_Reverend It looks like Ivory doesn’t display server specific emotes.
@SadlyGoose That's a shame. Unfortunately, the most complete iOS solution I've had described to me is to use a free app like IceCubes or Toot! for notifications and a maybe few features combined with the PWA installed via Safari for most of the actual browsing and usage.
@Texan_Reverend @Graham_LRR I would love advice because I am on the official and did just this lol

@comp_cas Here's my pinned apps post:
https://kind.social/@Texan_Reverend/110583816863513513
Here's my recommendation:
https://kind.social/@Texan_Reverend/110584196834249023
And here are a couple posts for new users:
https://kind.social/@Texan_Reverend/110584010417813694
https://kind.social/@Texan_Reverend/109322804611819455

If you're on iOS, the most complete/effective app solution I've had described to me is to use a free app like IceCubes or Toot! for notifications and a maybe few features, combined with the PWA installed via Safari for most of the actual browsing and usage.

Eric (@[email protected])

Using Mastodon on mobile? Avoid the official app, as it oddly lacks core features. Instead try one of these: Android Mastodon PWA (basically the website in a standalone app shell) Tusky Fedilab iOS Ice Cubes Toot! Ivory - paid, made by Tweetbot dev PWAs are Progressive Web Apps which can be installed by signing in to your account on kind.social via Chrome on your Android device and selecting Install from Chrome's three-dot main menu button. Also via Safari, but notifications don't work.

Be More Kind
@Texan_Reverend @Graham_LRR You may have the official Can't Draw Horses Club bee horse emote to add to the server if you wish.
@aiamethyst I hope you don't mind the tweaking I did to brighten it a little. In the original color, it kinda disappeared on dark mode apps. 
@aiamethyst Also,  
I appreciate you sharing with the server.
@Texan_Reverend It's great to be here Rev. Which as a person of the Hebrew faith is surely the first time I've used those words in that order. Now I can stop worrying about the rich space lizard burning down the birdhouse!
Eric (@[email protected])

Hi there, new folks! Here are a few tidbits to help you get oriented with Mastodon. The Main/Home timeline is like classic Twitter - posts, replies, & reposts from accounts you follow with no ads. Local timeline is public posts from accounts on your server. Federated timeline is public posts from accounts on servers with a connection to your server - someone on your server follows people on those servers or people on those servers follow someone on yours. 1/

Be More Kind

@Texan_Reverend If I'm on Mastodon.social, how easy is it to follow/interact with people on here (or other servers for that matter)?

Supposed this is a test of sorts.

@QuestingWiest Generally, as easy as emailing someone who uses a different service. You open their profile from a post or by searching for their username, then click/tap Follow. After that point, their new posts and boosts (reposts) will show up in your main timeline, in reverse chronological order, without any ads. There can be occasional syncing quirks from this interconnected servers model which I'd be happy to discuss if you want to know more. However, the main timeline function is solid.