Exploring Mastodon

#1

Post by cratermoon » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 2:46 PM UTC

Re: Exploring Mastodon

#2

Post by ZanyProgrammer » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 4:06 PM UTC

> but the protocol they use to communicate (ActivityPub)

I stopped reading here. Most people who aren't tech savvy (much less professionally famous engineers) aren't going to want to learn this nonsense, much less see cased words like this that reek of geekdom. Everything about Mastodon (and the Fediverse) seems like it's catered to people who are already are (or who think they are) mentally all in on the concept.

I dunno, maybe things will change given enough time, money and new users, but right now Mastodon seems like something that people just post to with very little comments and interaction.

Re: Exploring Mastodon

#3

Post by kawfey » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 4:09 PM UTC

I've played around with mastodon for a few years; it never has had the the dopaminergic algorithm-fueled bite to keep me coming back like twitter does. But that's the good part, I guess.

I think my #1 issue with it is it's fundamental feature - that spaces/servers/communities/domains (whatever the name is) are self-hosted by anyone. That means if they get disinterested, or the power goes out, or they get frustrated, the plug is pulled. They also set the rules, which are too often on two extremes - extremely nit-picky (like cursing or off-topic toots aren't allowed) or a free-for-all.

Re: Exploring Mastodon

#4

Post by riffic » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 4:11 PM UTC

Thoughtworks runs their own instance. They adopted Mastodon a very long time ago.

https://toot.thoughtworks.com/about

Re: Exploring Mastodon

#5

Post by senthil_rajasek » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 4:14 PM UTC

kawfey wrote: post #3

I've played around with mastodon for a few years; it never has had the the dopaminergic algorithm-fueled bite to keep me coming back like twitter does. But that's the good part, I guess. I think my #1 issue with it is it's fundamental feature - that spaces/servers/communities/domains (whatever the name is) are self-hosted by anyone. That means if they get disinterested, or the power goes out, or they get frustrated,…

>That means if they get disinterested, or the power goes out, or they get frustrated, the plug is pulled.

This is addressed in the fedi.tips FAQ,

https://fedi.tips/how-to-use-mastodon-and-the-fediverse-basi...

Re: Exploring Mastodon

#6

Post by delfinom » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 4:16 PM UTC

senthil_rajasek wrote: post #5

kawfey wrote: post #3

I've played around with mastodon for a few years; it never has had the the dopaminergic algorithm-fueled bite to keep me coming back like twitter does. But that's the good part, I guess. I think my #1 issue with it is it's fundamental feature - that spaces/servers/communities/domains (whatever the name is) are self-hosted by anyone. That means if they get disinterested, or the power goes out, or they get frustrated,…

>That means if they get disinterested, or the power goes out, or they get frustrated, the plug is pulled. This is addressed in the fedi.tips FAQ, https://fedi.tips/how-to-use-mastodon-and-the-fediverse-basi...

>However, all of the servers listed at JoinMastodon.org ⧉ are required to give at least three months notice if this happens.

Ah yes, because that's totally going to be legally enforced or something.

Re: Exploring Mastodon

#7

Post by petepete » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 4:16 PM UTC

riffic wrote: post #4

Thoughtworks runs their own instance. They adopted Mastodon a very long time ago. https://toot.thoughtworks.com/about

12,000 Thoughtworkers and only 78 active users on their instance though.

Re: Exploring Mastodon

#8

Post by zzzeek » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 4:19 PM UTC

ZanyProgrammer wrote: post #2

> but the protocol they use to communicate (ActivityPub) I stopped reading here. Most people who aren't tech savvy (much less professionally famous engineers) aren't going to want to learn this nonsense, much less see cased words like this that reek of geekdom. Everything about Mastodon (and the Fediverse) seems like it's catered to people who are already are (or who think they are) mentally all in on the concept. I…

you should log in and see all the very non-tech people who have joined

Re: Exploring Mastodon

#9

Post by thesuitonym » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 4:24 PM UTC

petepete wrote: post #7

riffic wrote: post #4

Thoughtworks runs their own instance. They adopted Mastodon a very long time ago. https://toot.thoughtworks.com/about

12,000 Thoughtworkers and only 78 active users on their instance though.

Active in this instance means online in the last month.

Re: Exploring Mastodon

#10

Post by nr2x » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 4:25 PM UTC

The fact that one has to pick from many different places to set up an account is a massive barrier to entry. Let alone the complexity of moving an account from one host to another is also woefully complex, so if you choose wrong, you’re in for more pain.

I don’t see this platform being able to benefit from the Twitter exodus.

I’m putting my hopes on blue sky/AT which appears to solve the above pain points: https://blueskyweb.org/