Is your Mastodon timeline too empty or too full? Are you seeing stuff you don't want to, and missing stuff you do want to see? Is your timeline overwhelmed by someone who shares too many posts?

These and lots more timeline problems are solved in the "How to customise your Mastodon timeline" guide:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/does-mastodon-and-the-fediverse-use-algorithms-does-it-start-pushing-stuff-at-me-based-on-my-interactions

#FediTips #Mastodon

Does Mastodon and the Fediverse use algorithms? How do I customise what’s in my timeline if there’s no algorithm? | Fedi.Tips – An Unofficial Guide to Mastodon and the Fediverse

An unofficial guide to using Mastodon and the Fediverse

p.s. Good grief. I'm trying to help people use this place and just got accused of "disinformation" and "causing harm" because they didn't like the way I used the word algorithm in the guide.

Can we please chill out and be a bit more friendly? The Fedi relies on volunteers helping each other and making suggestions in a constructive way.

If I've done something wrong it is brilliant if you point it out, most of the guides rely on people correcting me. But there is no need for personal attacks.

@FediTips The way you used the word was fine. Most people - a vast majority - don't consider simple chronological display to be an "algorithm" in any sense of the word. (Frankly, it ISN'T an algorithm, but convince them of that. Sigh.)

You're doing great work and at least I appreciate you for it. 
@arthfach @FediTips
Sorted in chronological order is absolutely an algorithm.

@jannem @arthfach

It is by the dictionary definition, it isn't by common usage. What the dictionary says on technical matters often diverges from common usage.

Maybe the clearest example is "computer": Most people use that word to mean a laptop or desktop PC/Mac and not a smartphone. But going by the dictionary definition of "computer", the smartphone ought to be called a computer too.

I'm trying to use common usage as I'm mainly aiming my guides at new and non-technical people.

@FediTips @jannem @arthfach It is hard to overestimate exactly how much you need to eliminate jargon from your language in order to reach a non-technical audience. And yes, that can be frustrating, as "jargon" means specific things to those who require specificity in their work...but insisting on the same specificity from everyone just ends up not working. I gave up on "hacker" a long time ago; now it's just part of a code switch.