LibreOfficeFeb 24
We've been on X/Twitter for many years, but it's time to reduce our activity there and instead promote Mastodon as our main social media channel now. So we've done just that: https://x.com/LibreOffice/status/2026204949760131158 – Welcome to all our new followers here 😊
LibreOffice (@LibreOffice) on X

Hello, world! 👋 From now on, Mastodon is our preferred social media channel. It's an open source, decentralised platform – not controlled by tech giants. Follow us here: https://t.co/KZpwR61V5R

X (formerly Twitter)
Show threadOblomov

@libreoffice

XCancel link for those who don't have a Xitter account anymore and are still curious about the replies:

https://xcancel.com/LibreOffice/status/2026204949760131158

LibreOffice (@LibreOffice)

Hello, world! 👋 From now on, Mastodon is our preferred social media channel. It's an open source, decentralised platform – not controlled by tech giants. Follow us here: https://fosstodon.org/@libreoffice

Nitter
Feb 24 at 9:58amWeb
Show threadGary HoustonFeb 24

@oblomov @libreoffice funny, although unsurprising that X users think Mastodon is too hard to use, or otherwise bad.

It's nice hanging out here with the other geniuses who can figure out how to use it.

Show threadJuffo-WupFeb 24

@ghouston @oblomov @libreoffice

We'll, that twitter post has less replies and discussion than this post. 🤷

Otoh, the deranged replies over there are far much funnier.

Show threadOblomovFeb 24

@mndflayr @ghouston @libreoffice

ah, good old quality over quantity again ;-)

Show threadSTPFeb 24
@ghouston @oblomov @libreoffice I do find it strange that there seems to just be this accepted wisdom that 'Mastodon is a usability nightmare'.. parroted widely, including by those who claim to love open source and have tried it. I just don't see it.
Show threadOblomovFeb 24
@SciPolTech @ghouston @libreoffice I can see how people used to be force-fed “content” with minimal or no effort can find a platform where you have to actually make choices is “difficult”.
Show threadStefan BohacekFeb 24

@SciPolTech

I don't think that people are lying?

You could argue that they "just" need to put in a bit more effort, but maybe it's best to find ways to further improve the user experience?

There's some really low hanging fruit, like https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/issues/37690.

@ghouston @oblomov @libreoffice

Show threadSTPFeb 24
@stefan @ghouston @oblomov @libreoffice yeah, I'm all in favour of usability improvements. Nothing complex is ever finished and certainly not perfect. I just don't see how anyone who can function unaided in the general world can't use mastodon, especially someone who has used Twitter / X. Really the only 'issues' I can imagine are initial uncertainty about choosing an instance, and the fact that 'feed' will be very quiet unless / until you proactively populate it.
Show threadSTPFeb 24
@stefan I hope and tend to assume unless shown otherwise that outright lying may is rare, but I do strongly suspect that some people who parrot the 'unusable' line have put zero (or close to) effect in to really trying it.
Show threadStefan BohacekFeb 24

@SciPolTech

"put zero (or close to) effect in to really trying it"

In other words: "You're just doing it wrong."

We need more empathy. We all have different needs and priorities in life. Being better at computers and having the time to invest into learning new things don't make anyone superior in any way.

Show threadSTPFeb 24
@stefan that is all fair, and I certainly support having empathy, assuming good faith, etc. The meaning of my comments are essentially that in my honest opinion Mastodon doesn't have a significantly higher barrier to entry or steeper learning curve than other 'social media' platforms. Additionally, read through the comments on @libreoffice X post and it's hard to avoid the conclusion that there is quite a bit of bad faith / trolling going on in addition to genuine preference for X over Mastodon
Show threadGary HoustonFeb 24
@SciPolTech @stefan @libreoffice there may be some usability problems going on like "I kept getting banned for trolling and abuse" or "I joined a Nazi instance but nobody else can see my posts."
Show threadChewieFeb 25
@SciPolTech @stefan @libreoffice absolutely, and remember that this book apparently needed to exist 10 years ago:
Show threadStefan BohacekFeb 25

@chewie Well.

https://www.dummies.com/book/technology/social-media/general-social-media/mastodon-for-dummies-297020/

@SciPolTech @libreoffice

Mastodon For Dummies | dummmies

Mastodon For Dummies (139419336X) walks you through the steps of signing for this social media platform so you can start posting right away.

Show threadChewieFeb 25
@stefan @SciPolTech @libreoffice yay!
Show threadStefan BohacekFeb 24

@SciPolTech I don't really have much more to add here, just that this attitude of disbelief is not very helpful, and contributes to people's view of the fediverse as gatekeepy and condescending.

Better to listen to people, trust them, and think creatively about how to address their problems.

@ghouston @oblomov @libreoffice

Show threadNiko TrimmelFeb 24
@SciPolTech my pet theory is that for some reason these people are using twitter on desktop. Using Mastodon in an app is ridiculously easy imo, but in webui there is still friction with the federated nature.
Show threadwavefunctionFeb 24

@stefan @SciPolTech @ghouston @oblomov @libreoffice people are "lying" because they're discounting that their friend groups are the ones who educate them.

"There's this new site called Facebook, let me help you sign up." Followed by "everyone can see the message you just wrote. 😳 Let me show you how to..." etc.

Expecting zero friction is exhausting.

Show threadStefan BohacekFeb 24

@wavefunction I don't know, I'm still just not really convinced that people lying about how difficult Mastodon/fediverse is being a major reason people prefer Bluesky.

But then you also say people expect zero friction.

Is this actually true? Any way to back this up?

People complain about user experience on Bluesky all the time. No edit button. No private posts. Etc. And as Bluesky slowly works towards greater decentralization, we'll see more challenges.

But I trust that there will be more attention put towards easing those there, rather than blame the user.

Show threadren (a they/them) 🌈🎶Feb 24

@oblomov @libreoffice Damn LibreOffice, sorry people over there are such weird dicks about doing something you believe in!

Welcome to the Fediverse! It's a fun time!

Show threadSTPFeb 24
@oblomov @libreoffice wow, there is a lot of hate and ignorant nonsense there (and some everywhere, but that's pretty concentrated). Anyway, I'm glad to see you prioritising open tools as well as keeping up the good work of making them.