Robert W. GehlJan 12, 2024

@rra and I have a new, #OpenAccess article out: "Shifting your research from X to Mastodon? Here's what you need to know"

https://www.cell.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2666-3899%2823%2900323-9

This article is an opinion piece in which we argue that social scientists cannot simply port their work from X to #Mastodon or the rest of the #fediverse. There are key differences in culture, expectations of privacy, and of course topology to consider.

@commodon @academicchatter

Show threadErwin Ernst eest9 SteinhammerJan 13, 2024
@rwg I would refrain from calling fediverse (or mastodon) a "platform". It's not more or less a platform as is E-Mail (or gemail for that regard). Facebook and X are platforms because they are closed gardens without interoperability, and the term was specifically coined to describe such services. The fediverse is a network, ActivityPub is a protocol and mastodon is a service within this network. @rra @commodon @academicchatter
Show threadRobert W. Gehl

@eest9 @rra @commodon @academicchatter

Thanks for the feedback! To be honest, I don't mind using another term. I think "platform" as a term is borderline meaningless, given how many different ways it's used:
* to describe operating systems
* in reference to gaming systems
* as a means for someone to speak
* as a set of political doctrines
* as a reference to specific corporate social media

So feel free to mentally substitute "service" if you like.

Jan 13, 2024 at 5:39pmWeb