Angelica OntiverosJul 27, 2023
FediTips has moved!

Anyone can set up and run their own server on here.

This is great for lots of reasons (outlined here: https://fedi.tips/why-is-the-fediverse-on-so-many-separate-servers/) but it also means that a small minority of servers may be run by nasty people, and potentially contain nasty content.

Fortunately, most server admins use server blocks to prevent their users having any contact with rogue servers.

If you see something bad on here, it's important to report it so that your admin can take action. Click on ⋯ and "report" to report a post.

Why is the Fediverse on so many separate servers? | Fedi.Tips – An Unofficial Guide to Mastodon and the Fediverse

An unofficial guide to using Mastodon and the Fediverse

Jul 26, 2023 at 7:02pmWeb
Show threadFediTips has moved!Jul 26, 2023

p.s. If you're interested in setting up your own server, you don't need to be technical or rich. It can be done through "managed hosting" services which handle all the technical stuff on your behalf, and starts from about $10 a month for a small server.

I run a website all about using managed hosting at https://growyourown.services/grow-your-own-social-network/ and it includes a step-by-step non-technical guide to making your own Mastodon server at https://growyourown.services/making-your-own-mastodon-server-in-10-steps/

Grow your own social network – Grow Your Own Services

Show threadSergioJul 26, 2023
@feditips thanks for Sharing this. It definitely brings many thoughts and ideas to mind 🤔🤔
Show threadLuis E. AcevedoJul 26, 2023
@feditips It will be nice, but there aren't many people yet...
Show threadCamJul 26, 2023
@feditips is it strictly true that there is no moderation to worry about for single user instances? I guess it's not traditional "moderation", but as Mastodon instances cache content from other servers it would presumably be legally prudent to make sure you're not accidentally caching content that could land you in trouble.
Show threadFediTips has moved!Jul 26, 2023

@bitflipped

I guess it depends on what you mean by moderation 😁

Yeah, if you're following accounts or groups or relays with potentially bad content you would need to keep an eye on that.

Show threadDemocracy Dies in DumbassJul 26, 2023
@bitflipped @feditips there is in that you and your instance can always be blocked from other servers..
Show threadCamJul 26, 2023
@ShredderFeeder @feditips I don't think other servers would know anything about the content that your instance caches. It's more making sure you're hot holding on to anything dodgy even though nobody can actually see it.
Show threadDemocracy Dies in DumbassJul 26, 2023

@bitflipped @feditips you can set retention periods to a minimum for foreign content. I think as long as 1 day..

But if you do t follow anything sketchy you don't have to worry about it.

Show threadLeisureguyJul 26, 2023

@feditips

Interesting: $10/month is exactly what I contribute to my current instance, since the volunteers there take care of all the upkeep and maintenance.

Show threadcodiefzJul 26, 2023
@feditips I'd be really interested in deploying my own instance. However, one thing I was wondering about was the whole legal aspect of it. Like would I be responsible for everything the users post? I feel like proper moderation is bound to become increasingly difficult with rising numbers of users.
Show threadFediTips has moved!Jul 26, 2023

@codiefz

I am not a lawyer, but it's my understanding that the legal position depends on where you live. In some countries you may be responsible for everything they post.

It's probably better to start with a single person server to get used to the idea, then see how you feel. Some people open it just to friends, and others open it just to small numbers of strangers. Whatever you do, moderation will always be easier on smaller servers.

Show thread#[deprecated] QyriadJul 26, 2023
@feditips I would be far more concerned about the legal concerns tbh. Do you have any guides on navigating that as A Person rather than a corporation with lawyers?
Show threadFediTips has moved!Jul 27, 2023

@Qyriad

I'm not a lawyer so I can't really give legal advice, and laws vary from country to country anyway.

You would need to consult a legal expert in your own country to be sure.

Sorry! :/

Show threadAratakaJul 26, 2023
@feditips tbh it’s better to start your own instance, managed hosting is often very overpriced and really stingy on storage. Taking the time to setup an instance is more worth it imo!
Show threadFediTips has moved!Jul 27, 2023

@Arataka

The price isn't bad, $10 a month including hosting and the hosting company doing all the techy labour seems pretty good! 😃

But if you have the technical skills and time to do the techy stuff yourself it will always be cheaper and more flexible.

Show threadLorrie WJul 26, 2023

@feditips

Who gets the "Report"

*Their* server Admin?
Or
*My* server Admin?

I've had one that I wanted to "report"

Show threadFediTips has moved!Jul 26, 2023

@LorrieW

It goes to your admin and optionally theirs too.

When you use the report function, it asks you whether you want to also send a copy anonymously to their admin.

Show thread👍Maximum Derek👍Jul 26, 2023
@feditips Are their resources to help admins keep up with rogue or otherwise problematic instances? Like is there a group that announces or maintains a list of problematic servers admins might want to block or defederate with?
Show threadFediTips has moved!Jul 26, 2023

@bishma

Yes. There's the hashtag #FediBlock and there are also various ready-made blocklists you can upload to your server.

More info including links to the blocklists at https://fedi.tips/importing-ready-made-server-blocklists-on-mastodon/

Importing ready-made server blocklists on your own Mastodon server | Fedi.Tips – An Unofficial Guide to Mastodon and the Fediverse

An unofficial guide to using Mastodon and the Fediverse

Show threadTahomaSoftJul 26, 2023

@feditips Thank you!

One thing that comes up in my day job periodically is the financial capability of a utility, such as a drinking water system. To a lesser extent, the same question applies to the Fediverse; small operators need to have a financial model that allows them to keep the system maintained and operational.

What are the current best practices for server admins to be able to continue providing services for their users?

Show threadFediTips has moved!Jul 26, 2023

@tahomasoft

Most servers depend on donations from their users. If you use a server it's a good idea to send some money to your admin, they usually have a donation link on the server's About page.

Show threadTahomaSoftJul 26, 2023
@feditips Thank you!