Constance VariableApr 9, 2017
I don't think follow bots are a good idea, because they make the federated timeline the same on every node. Without them, the federated timeline is still an expression of the interests of the node's users.
Show threadHallå KittehApr 13, 2017
The Ambassador idea is an interesting variation on this theme.

https://a.weirder.earth/users/mykola/updates/309

@[email protected]
Show threadConstance VariableApr 13, 2017
@clacke it's interesting, but retweeting 'most popular' stuff around the network is exactly the kind of algorithmic mood making that I had hoped we'd left behind on twitter.
Show threadHallå KittehApr 13, 2017
@lambadalambda I don't know. Depends on how you do it, and the scale of the instances. For a small and new instance, I think an ambassador bot that presents a "best of" of the instance adds something useful to the mix.

The idea that bots don't pollute the public and federated timelines is a good one.
Show threadConstance VariableApr 13, 2017
@clacke I guess I just don't have much faith in 'best of'.
Show threadHallå KittehApr 13, 2017
@lambadalambda That's fair. But if bots stay out of generic timelines and you don't follow the best of-bots, everyone is happy, no?
Show threadConstance VariableApr 13, 2017
@clacke sure, you can trash up your instance any way you want :)
Show threadHallå Kitteh
@lambadalambda My *timeline*.
Apr 13, 2017 at 7:10amWeb
Show threadConstance VariableApr 13, 2017
@clacke I still fills up the federated timeline with an algorithmic (instead of relationship-based) selection of notices. It's not as bad as a followbot, though.
Show threadHallå KittehApr 13, 2017
@lambadalambda Like I said, if we could sandbox them that would be great. Voluntary followers only.