Mastodawn

@Hicsumus @paco The podcasters include @Casey of Platformer fame, and also @kevin who's the NY Times tech reporter.

So very prominent and respected tech journalists.

They've written a lot about the problems with social media over the years.

So as an experiment, they decided to try setting up their own social network using Mastodon, and encouraged their listeners to join.

So far, around 2000 listeners have signed up.

And I personally hope it works 😊

#theforkiverse

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visionaire Jan 11

@aj

But it is a Mastodon instance right? So all users are part of the Fediverse with all the problems that the Fediverse has.

@Hicsumus @paco @Casey @kevin

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Paco Hope Jan 11

@visionaire

Right: it is a #Mastodon instance. So all #theforkiverse users are part of the #Fediverse with all the benefits and potential that the Fediverse has.

Then, to be honest, I don't understand all the fuss that's being made there.

@aj

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Paco Hope

@visionaire It’s just new people discovering the fediverse. No more, no less. Like when #fuckaas came online or any other server that has a sudden spike in membership. There’s no fuss. Just the frothy enthusiasm of new people trying something new and hoping it will be good.

I’m trying to be enthusiastic right back at them. I want to make them welcome. Help them stay. I’m following a bunch so they have followers and see interactions. I boost their stuff so they get exposure. I’m trying to make their feeds less empty.

I’m trying, frankly, to give them the opposite of the finger-wagging, grouchy welcome that new users have often gotten. One thing at a time. Get them in and enjoying themselves. Gradually introduce them to the culture without putting them off.
@aj

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Just Sarah Jan 11

@paco @visionaire @aj I'll be following the hashtag to see where this goes. Hopefully more here and less on the other more antisocial meeeja platforms.

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visionaire Jan 11

@WanderingWitch @paco @aj

I'm not sure if it's helpful, but it will lead to users of theforkiverse.com not seeing themselves as part of the #Fediverse, but rather as an independent network. The first problems have already been encountered by Mastodon users. Suddenly, there is a hashtag CatsofForkiverse next to a cat picture with the hashtag CatsofMastodon, with no mention of a Fediverse.
The point is to integrate and involve the people who are joining the Fediverse with the new instance, not the Forkiverse (!). I am not doing that with this separation.

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Paco Hope Jan 11

@visionaire It’s all opinion, not fact, but I think it’s different. Lots of instances have a distinct culture AND they federate. Infosec.exchange where I am, mastodon.art, beige.party.

When I hear what they say about “forkiverse” (particularly in the podcast episode from its creators) their entire point is federating with the wider fediverse. The creators even understand the difference between mastodon the software and fediverse the network of compatible systems.

We can debate their intentions and likely outcomes, but only time will tell.

@WanderingWitch @aj

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sammypanda Jan 11

@paco @visionaire @WanderingWitch @aj I think it's fine if they are happy with it. Much cooler if they wanna be siloed on mastodon, than choosing to be siloed on some custom thing 🫡

All for folks curating and finely managing their space and their company. It's probably healthy to have that option 🥰