fEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)
​​ Welcome guide for new Tumblr friends ​​

Hi friends! Under this post is a thread of common questions about transfem.social, the fediverse, and Sharkey (our custom software platform). Please take a look and see if your question has been answered. If not, then feel free to ask it here. I hope this can be of some help!

#TransfemSocial #Tumblr #Sharkey
Feb 20, 2024 at 6:23pmWeb
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 20, 2024
What is Cat Mode?
Cat mode is just a fun little thing. It adds cat ears above your profile and (optionally) nyan-ifies your posts. I have it enabled for my PFP, which is where the grey/pink ears come from. (the yellow cat is separate - that's an "avatar decoration".)
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 20, 2024
What post interactions are available?
Post interactions are:
- u-turn arrow = reply, which is exactly what it sounds like.
- rocket ship = boost, which is like a reblog.
- quotes = quote, which is like a boost but you can add a content warning, caption, or hashtags.
- smiley = react, which attaches an emoji of your choice to the post.
- heart = favorite, which applies your default reaction (a heart by default, but I've changed mine to a star to be more like mastodon).
- triple dots = extra menu options (copy link, open in remote, etc).
Show threadGwenTheKween - Find me @kitsunes.club, I don't see anything hereFeb 22, 2024
@fEmber ooohhh, I'm not on the transfem.social instance, is the quote feature that why I keep seeing so many "Re: <post link>"?
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 23, 2024
@GwenTheKween yeah, that would be why. Mastodon doesn't support quotes so Sharkey converts them into that "RE: link" format as a workaround.
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 20, 2024
How do I navigate instances?
Navigating instances is kinda weird on fedi. First-off, you can access posts and users on any instance through transfem.social. You can freely follow remote users and interact with remote posts directly through our instance UI, but they won't show up in timelines or search unless someone here already follows that person (a technical limitation). If you want to follow someone on a remote instance, and you know their handle, then you go to the siderbar and click More -> Lookup and then enter their handle in the format "[at]username[at]instance.domain". That will automatically connect to the remote instance and load the user profile. If you need to access a post that exists but is missing from our instance, then you can instead paste the URL of that post and the same process will happen to load the thread (replies may not load in this way, another technical limitation).
Show threadAutism Jo   🍂Feb 20, 2024
@fEmber don't forget to mention https://fedi.tips 
Fedi.Tips – An Unofficial Guide to Mastodon and the Fediverse

An unofficial guide to using Mastodon and the Fediverse

Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
@ShadowJonathan yes, thank you! that's an excellent resource!
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
What are boost visibilities?
When you boost (reblog) a post (using the rocket icon), you may see a small menu of options. This allows you to customize the visibility of a boost. For most cases, you can just click "public". But say for example, that you wanted to boost something only to your followers. You could click "Followers" and only that group would see the boost.

The different options are:
- Public: standard visibility, will be show in the main timeline of all your follows, in the instance local feed, and in the "known network" of federated instances.
- Home: slightly limited. Will still show in your followers' feeds and on your profile, but will not show anywhere else.
- Followers: the post will only be visible to your followers.
- Local: the post will be visible only to users on the same instance as you.
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
How do I pin a post to my profile?
You can pin any of your own posts by clicking the little triple-dot menu and clicking "pin to profile". If you want to pin someone else's post, then you will need to quote it and then pin the quote.
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
Can I use reclaimed slurs?
Yes, but the social expectations differ between newly reclaimed and fully reclaimed slurs. Fully-reclaimed slurs are terms like "gay" and "queer", which have been in general (positive) use for a very long time. Newly reclaimed slurs are, as you might expect, terms that have only recently gained a positive usage.

You can use fully-reclaimed slurs in any appropriate way. With newly-reclaimed slurs, however, we highly recommend that you apply a CW such as "reclaimed slur" on your post. This protects other users who may not feel comfortable with such terminology. Excluding the CW may result in a personal block from other users or remote instances.
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
What are the post visibility options?
There are four primary visibility levels:
- Public: the post will be visible to everyone on fedi, as well as anonymously through the web client.
- Home (sometimes called Unlisted): the post will be visible to everyone, but will only appear in your followers' home timelines. It will not appear in the Local or Federated timelines. It can be accessed anonymously by anyone with a link to the post.
- Followers: the post will be visible only to people who follow you. Like the Home visibility, it will not be listed in the Local or Federated timelines. It will not be accessible anonymously - login is required even with a direct link.
- Direct: the post will be visible only to people mentioned in the text or listed in the "recipients" field. Like the Followers visibility, it will not be listed in the Local or Federated timelines and cannot be access anonymously.

Additionally, there is a secondary visibility control. Directly to the right of the post visibility selector is a little rocket icon (looks just like the boost button). This button will defederate your post, preventing it from being sent to any remote instances. The primary visibility will still apply, with the caveat that remote users - including followers - will be unable to view the post.
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
What needs a content warning?
This is fairly subjective, but a general rule of thumb is to apply a CW to anything that may be triggering to the reader or inappropriate for some viewers. A few specific examples are:
- anything visibly lewd (text is a bit subjective)
- nudity (even non-sexual nudity)
- examples of bigotry
- politics (especially if it includes bigotry)
- traumatic events (particularly abuse and (C)SA)
- mentions of suicide
- particularly negative mental health postings

For more examples, see the attached post by @Bard

RE: https://transfem.social/notes/9pye0pzz2x81011r
Bard :rat_pan: (@Bard)

Because it's bound to come up, here's a handy list of some topics and content you should consider using content warnings on for new users: Nudity (your own or in art) Discussing sex Hornyposts Eye contact Food Politics Mental/physical health (usually abbreviated to MH or PH) A shitpost you might consider cursed If anyone has some key suggestions I forgot, please sound off in the replies

TransFem Space
Show threadBard  Feb 21, 2024
@fEmber Glad to be helping out with this, and thanks for putting these guides together Ember. You really do go above and beyond.

(For more examples on my quoted post please check the replies. I do NOT have the spoons to go in and edit all that in)
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
@Bard I'm glad people appreciate my effort! 💙 As I often say, I care very deeply for this space so writing up a bunch of guides is well worth the time.

(I totally understand about the spoons ​​)
Show threadSparky Luna LailaFeb 21, 2024
@fEmber @Bard can I duplicate some of the guides?
sorry
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
@Sparky @Bard@transfem.social wdym by duplicate? You can certainly repost if you'd like!
Show threadSparky Luna LailaFeb 21, 2024
@fEmber @Bard referencing them in a Page I mean
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
@Sparky @Bard@transfem.social wait a what? Is that a Sharkey feature???
Show threadSparky Luna LailaFeb 21, 2024
@fEmber @Bard firefish also has this
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
@Sparky @Bard@transfem.social TIL
Show threadSparky Luna LailaFeb 21, 2024
@fEmber @Bard and if you are ever in doubt about CWing something, the answer is "yes".

Don't know what the CW should be? Just state that you don't know what the CW should be
Show threadSparky Luna LailaFeb 21, 2024
@fEmber @Bard I use "Cw: what" for those cases
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
Do I have to follow / accept follow requests from the staff?
No! While we'd certainly love to connect, you're not at all required to include us in your social circle. It is your circle, after all!
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
How do I report a post for moderator review?
First off, thank you! We rely on user reports as a key part of our moderation workflow, so every post reported makes us all a little safer.

Reporting a post is easy. First, open the post. Then do this:
1. Click the triple-dot menu in the bottom-right. A popup menu will appear.
2. Click "Report", which should be near the bottom. A "Report someone[at]some.instance" window will appear.
3. In the "Details" box, add a summary of the problem below the "-----".
4. (optional) Describe additional context and information that you feel might be relevant.
5. Click "Send".
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
How do I report an entire user account, not just a post?
It's very similar! Instead of opening a post, open their profile. Then do this:
1. Click on the triple-dot menu in the top-right, near the follow button. A similar popup menu will appear.
2. Click on report, which should be near the bottom. The same report window will appear.
3. In the "Details" box, explain what the problem is and fill in any relevant details.
4. Click "Send".
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
Do you use bots or machine learning to process reports?
No! All reports are handled by human moderators / admins, and there is no "AI analysis" or pre-filtering as on many commercial platforms. You don't have to worry about including the right keywords or anything, and it's totally fine if you can't write a clear summary of the issue. We will reach out to you via DMs if there's ever any confusion.
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
oh, and all of our staff are trans women so we understand TERFy shit like transphobia disguised as innocuous "debate".
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
Why do some usernames have an extra "(at)something.other" at the end?
This means that the account is from a different fediverse instance, not transfem.social. As you may know, our server is "federated" - meaning that we have technical integration with other communities running similar software (including Mastodon). We can interact with users on those other communities, and vice-versa. On their servers, it's us who have the "(at)transfem.social" suffix!
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
Can I edit my posts?
Yes! Just click the triple-dot menu and select "Edit". That will re-open the post entry form for that post. You can also select "Delete and edit", which will actually delete the post and make a new one with the edited content. This is useful if you need to redact the change history (which is visible) or if the existing replies will no longer be relevant after the edit.
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
Will certain keywords or topics result in my post being less visible?
No! We use a chronological feed rather than an algorithmic one, so there's no "downranking" or anything like that. Some topics may attract less attention, but that's individual choice by other users. Not any kind of platform restriction.

(and yes - that means your 18+ account is not hidden or restricted in any way. just please be sure to use appropriate content warnings!)
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
What do the "#NoArchive #NoIndex #NoSearch #NoBridge" hashtags do?
These are all special hashtags intended to control the behavior of certain 3rd party tools that integrate with fedi.

- NoArchive requests that the profile and posts should not be included by fedi archive services.
- NoIndex and NoSearch request that the profile and posts should not be indexed by any cross-fedi full-text search applications.
- NoBridge requests that the profile and posts be excluded from any cross-network bridges, like bots that mirror posts between Fedi and BlueSky.

These all come with a caveat, which is that only good-faith actors will respect them. You are welcome and encouraged to include them on your own profile, if desired, but be aware that some shady services will just ignore the hashtags.
Show threadSparky Luna LailaFeb 21, 2024
@fEmber but their efficiency is just as much as robots.txt's efficiency
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
@Sparky that's correct - these are all just requests. Bad-faith actors can totally ignore them!
Show threadCaroline AnnMay 1, 2024
@fEmber I hope this comes across as a good faith question — I am new and still trying to wrap my head around the idea of the fediverse and ActivityPub. But isn’t the interoperability and cross platform nature the point? Or have I misunderstood the purpose of federation?
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)May 2, 2024
@caroline_ann That's a totally valid question! I see it like this: ActivityPub (and federation in general) are meant to enable disparate social groups to form up into one larger network. Cross-platform bridging is certainly a part of that, but it's not always desirable. For one thing, the communities are different. ActivityPub-to-Twitter bridges, for example, are infamous for exposing vulnerable people to a wide audience of nazis and bigots. Privacy and safety features cannot be reliably enforced across a bridge, so it's important that everyone has the ability to opt in / out of those services.
Show threadCaroline AnnMay 2, 2024
@fEmber Got it! Thank you for the clear answer!
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)May 3, 2024
@caroline_ann no problem! 💙
Show threadDawn Tåke 🌙 Feb 20, 2024
@fEmber
...What happened? I'm not locating any hard facts. Cool whatever's happening. Tumblr is a dumpster fire (affectionate) so getting more people from there will probably be good.
Show threadControllerCatFeb 20, 2024
@Tourma @fEmber Looks like the ceo of #tumblr had a terfy meltdown and has started nuking the accounts of trans/nb folks. https://mstdn.social/@noellemitchell/111965596110351528
Noelle :verified: (@noellemitchell@mstdn.social)

Wow so apparently the CEO of Tumblr/Automattic is transphobic. Definitely won't be using wordpress.com for my blog now that this has come to my attention. Enjoy living in the middle ages Automattic. It's 2024 now. I'm going to be deleting my WordPress account. I included a link below of someone explaining the situation better than I can because I'm so pissed right now. #blog #Tumblr #Wordpress #automattic #tech #web #SocialMedia https://meow.social/@Owlor/111965306198887400

Mastodon 🐘
Show threadDawn Tåke 🌙 Feb 20, 2024

@ControllerCat @fEmber

Thanks. Glad I don't use tumblr more or less anymore. Of course, even with the prior management and "female presenting nipples" it's not been great for a while.

We need Cohost or Pillowfort to federate so there is a more tumblr-like experience for them. :P

Show threadEmmaFeb 21, 2024
@fEmber hi hi, ty for this. is there a straightforward way to reduce whitepsace and maybe reaction sizes? I'm used to tumblr and discord and the whitespace & size here make it hard to see more than a single post at a time, I feel very zoomed in and dont want to screw up my browser settings lol. (I swapped to the classic theme already, I think I prefer it but its hard to say so far)
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
@coral there's not much control over whitespace, but there are a few settings that can be set to maximize use of screen space.

Go to Client settings -> General and set all of these:
- Note display -> Collapse boosts you've already seen (on).
- Note display -> Collapse files (on).
- Note display -> Load conversation on replies (off).
- Note display -> Always expand long notes (off).
- Note display -> Show a gap between posts on the timeline (off).
- Note display -> Reaction display size (Small).
- Note display -> Note design -> Limits the maximum width of reactions and display them in reduced size (on).
- Appearance -> Font size (smallest).

If you have some technical skill, you can likely conserve much more space by manually tweaking a theme or loading custom CSS.

Beyond that, your best option may be to enable the "Deck" UI which supports multiple columns of posts in a more concise format. I don't have much experience with that, but you can enable it by clicking "More" in the sidebar and then selecting "switch UI".
Show threadEmmaFeb 21, 2024
@fEmber I tried the deck UI and got lost and kinda panicked and went to the classic one instead lol. These settings look like they'll help a lot though, gonna swap them ty.
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
@coral lol I had the same problem with deck UI. It's really popular with Twitter users, but I just can't get used to it. ​​

Please let me know if the settings help!
Show threadEmmaFeb 21, 2024
@fEmber I think the only other question I have for now (that may be one other tumblr users have as well) is if there is a way to see all quotes in a chain without clicking through? It'd be great if they all showed together but it seems like it only ever shows one quote at a time?
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
@coral I don't think so, unfortunately. Sharkey was built to prioritize direct replies over quotes so there's some unfortunate oversights and feature gaps. I'll pass that suggestion along to the devs ​​
Show threadEmmaFeb 21, 2024
@fEmber unfortunate! I really like how it leads to longer discussions on Tumblr, I feel like having to click to see more quotes or replies really reduces the amount of longer form additive posts. It would be wonderful to see something like that added to a platform like this, I don't think I'd have any reason to use another platform if it did happen
.
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
@coral I did ask about this, and apparently there are some technical limitations that make this really difficult. Quotes are considered to be separate posts so the system doesn't track them as a group, which it does with replies. That makes it slow and inefficient to load the whole chain.
Show threadEmmaFeb 21, 2024
@fEmber thats unfortunate, I suppose a way to see replies would function similarly but idk. Just gonna try and get used to how things are for now and see how I like it. Ty again for the help ^-^
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 22, 2024
@coral no problem! The reply feature here is really good, and can work instead of quotes in many cases. Maybe that could work?
Show threadEmmaFeb 22, 2024
@fEmber mhm! its what i've been using in the meantime, I think i prefer it over quotes anyway, but its unfortunate that it only shows one at a time and you have to click to see context. still nice overall though
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 22, 2024
@coral it should show you all of the replies at once, up to a certain limit based on screen space.
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 22, 2024
@coral ohhh it's my fault! One of the settings I gave you makes that happen ​​
Show threadEmmaFeb 22, 2024
@fEmber omg really? XD
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 22, 2024
@coral yeah I'm pretty sure that's why sorry
Show threadEmmaFeb 22, 2024
@fEmber no worries! I just checked and I didn't even have that setting disabled, I think I realized what it did and kept it on. Regardless, It only seems to effect posts which are already focused and not ones on the TL. I think this is standard for other sites like twitter, but its a change of pace from places like tumblr or co-host.

On those sites it will show the full context of a thread every time a reblog is made. Replies have a different section you can click on, they're basically comments, and reblogs work as additions that always show the original post chain up until the most recent addition. Replies here seem similar to replies there so I was hoping quotes worked similarly to reblogs, but it seems quotes are different entirely, and replies are still closer to reblogs, they just don't show the full context on the timeline, only if you click on the message to see more.

Sorry if I overcomplicated this lol, I was trying not to write an essay but hopefully this makes sense

(example picture)
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 22, 2024
@coral oh I see what you mean. I'm not aware of any option for that, but it would be really nice.
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 22, 2024
@coral set "load conversation on replies" back to "on" and see if that helps
Show threadgreeeen :nb_verified::verifiedbi::verifiedlesbian:Feb 21, 2024
@fEmber what do the "#NoArchive #NoIndex #NoSearch #NoBridge" hashtags do?
Show threadfEmber (moved to @hazelnoot)Feb 21, 2024
@green that's a great question! they each have different meanings, so I'll make a separate post for that.