Well, since Twitter seems to be determined to die and I'm apparently determined to have placeholders on virtually every replacement...
Uh, hello world. I have NO idea what I'm doing on here yet.
@DrNerdLove don't be fooled by all this talk of instances and whatnot, I just treat it like Old Twitter - lots of sharing, follow *everyone* who looks even vaguely interesting to begin with (you can always unfollow them later) and ask for recommendations/follow recommendations where you can. When it's populated it's very Twitter-like (but without the algorithm), though hardcore Masto ppl might be annoyed with me for saying this.
Feb 9, 2023, 4:10 PM@DrNerdLove hi! Welcome to this side pf the internet, hope you’ll have an amazing time!
@DrNerdLove You follow people. Then people follow you. Then you talk about stuff. Then you become friends. Then you marry them. Then you block them.
Also: use content warnings for things that could be disturbing/excessively hilarious and try to add alt-text to the pictures you upload so people with visual problems can enjoy them too.
@DrNerdLove hello, welcome, you'll figure it out. Follow a LOT of people, even if you don't think you'll be super interested in their interests. An active feed will make it feel like busy like twitter and you can weed out irrelevant folks later. And they will boost (retweet) stuff you ARE interested in. Go wild.
@DrNerdLove None of us know what we're doing. Welcome aboard.
@DrNerdLove Well, you've taken the first step, which I find admirable. Having been more active here starting last April, here is what I've found useful as a new-ish Mastodon user and someone who is somewhat new to the Fediverse concept:
1. Read this very good explainer about how Masto is and isn't like Twitter or other social media sites you've used before: https://mastodon.help
1/
@DrNerdLove 2. Create an #introduction post replete with hashtags which, then follow the tags in your post to find people with whom you want to interact. Pin that post to your timeline.
3. Start reading the posts in this series of posts to gain an understanding of the history of discrimination against Black people on Mastodon: https://roiskinda.cool/2022/11/recuerda-pv-chapter-1-the-start-part-1.html
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@DrNerdLove 4. Create your own #hashtag and start posting under it. I've staked my claim on the #PublicAdministration one as well as the #CommunityDevelopment ones. Revel in the fact that you can now say that you're the founder of the hashtag (if no one else has indeed posted in the tag before or is not as prolific as you).
5. Read a lot, and also respond a lot. But not too much!
6. Accept the fact that Quote ReTooting is not an established practice and learn why. 3/
@DrNerdLove 7. Have fun with your replies to random people on the same Masto server as you or on the Federated timeline, but be kind.
8. Do not forget to include Alt-Text on your image uploads. It's rude not to do so.
9. Also, don't use hashtags if you don't self-identify with the community and/or social identity. That is also rude because of how differently Masto is structured compared to other social media platforms.
4/
@DrNerdLove 10. Finally, ping me if you have specific questions, because I'm always happy to help my friends.
4/End
@DrNerdLove I'll offer my advice based on my own experiences: There's no algorithm to send stuff to you. You need to ask for it -- and you will get it, without someone else deciding what you "should" see. Follow hashtags. Follow people who post cool stuff under those hash tags, and boost them. Follow people the aforementioned cool people follow. You'll quickly find your feed full of the actual content you want to see, plus content you didn't explicitly ask for, but which was posted by people who are interested in the same things you are, and thus, you will find other things they like.
Basically, if I see even one or two interesting posts, I follow the poster; if it turns out they're a jerk, I can unfollow or block them, and still follow any new hashtags they may have introduced me to. (As it turns out, jerks may still be interested in cool topics or ideas; you can follow the ideas w/out including the jerk.)
@LizardSF @DrNerdLove I totally agree with this advice. I'll add that with the addition of using a translator widget like the one for Chrome by DeepL, you can now follow people who post in those subjects but who don't write in English often. Increased social media feed diversity is definitely the way to go. https://www.deepl.com/translator
"(As it turns out, jerks may still be interested in cool topics or ideas; you can follow the ideas w/out including the jerk.)"
This part of your advice? It's so excellent, wise, fair, and direct in a way that it's difficult to refute. You should have that put into calligraphy and make prints available or whatever it is people are doing to monetize their own writing.
@DrNerdLove Hey, Doc, nice to see you!
Feb 9, 2023, 7:30 PM@DrNerdLove Welcome! I hope you find Mastodon the way I found it - smaller but much higher quality.
Things to keep in mind:
- Instead of the official app, use a different app. I use Tusky on Android.
- Engagement numbers (likes and boosts) are not federated. Only those visible to your instance are counted.
- When viewing another user's timeline, you'll only see posts visible to your instance. This might be incomplete. In the menu, select "Open original page" to see all the posts.
Who advises the advisors?!
(Welcome! Hello, person whose work I've read, happy to see you here!)
@DrNerdLove Oh my God I am so excited to see you here! Yours was one of the few Twitter people that I really missed.
@DrNerdLove I am sorry I got so excited I lost my grasp of grammar.
@DrNerdLove What is that Lilli Von Schup says the the Sherif?
"Welcommen, Bein venu, comeonin"
@DrNerdLove None of us do…