Hello #Mastodon! I am making the jump from X to here. Too many of my #science and #medicine buddies left X. If you switched from X, how do you like it here? #introductions
@ScienceGirl
Like others in this thread, I still have many more followers on X than here. But I also have much more engagement here. This may depend on one's topic. But my topics (#OpenAccess, #OpenScience, #OpenData, #ScholComm...) overlap with yours. Plus, here we have #OpenSource, no ads, and no worries about lending our weight to the network effects enriching a dangerous man+company.
@ScienceGirl I love it here. I had “7000” “followers” on X and by the time I had 700 here I had more and better engagement. People tend to be lecture-y but I block the worst and use it to my advantage by asking for advice on things that search no longer works for (which e-bike to buy, etc). My only regret is fewer experts here, but I hope that will change
I deleted my X account a month ago, while I have been running a profile here since a year.
After Musk's latest on Ukraine and mRNA vaccines, I just had to leave X.
My followers and engagement shrunk by a factor 4, but it's ok.
Let's say mastodon is good for the peace of mind of scientists 👍 , less so for the good virality of science communication, but there's margin for improvement.
(also one must understand the algorithms here too!)
I LOVE it!!! :blobcatchristmasglowsticks: :ablobcatrave:
I feel much more comfortable & at ease here. I feel like I can be more myself here, too. It's been a great community so far ❤️
@ScienceGirl It's awesome, engagement is so much better. Remember you need to follow a lot of people to keep your timeline active. Literally just follow everyone and weed out people as you go.
@Bam@ScienceGirl@aliza These are super helpful diagrams!
For people I follow that I always want to see their posts in one place regardless of where they are, I have just created a list. Add everyone to the list that I want to always see, and then just read updates on the list. I follow more people than I add to the list and then dip into those now and then on the home timeline when time permits (e.g. interesting folks but who post/boost way too much don't go directly on the list).
@ScienceGirl@Bam@aliza Not all phone apps support lists well, so you may have to check if you choose one. I'm currently using "Toot!" which does it okay.
@ScienceGirl I use the mobile website. There are several apps. Both for Android and/or for IPhone.
Apps do what they want to do. They can differ. @Bam@aliza
@ScienceGirl Very much! Although I suggest finding a smaller server than mastodon.social - it's grown so large it's actually causing performance issues. If you're old enough to remember BBSs and usenet, Mastodon reminds me very much of that. Find a "home" BBS (now mastodon server) where you like the sysop, community, & rules, but still access the rest of usenet (now fediverse) and follow/talk to people on other servers. Local yet global. Also browse interesting hashtags to find folks to follow!
@ScienceGirl yeah! You can even follow hashtags directly but that can get a bit spammy for some. But they’re a great way of finding interesting people with like interests to follow. @feditips has lots of useful tips too if you don’t already follow them!
unfortunately, a while ago, you could use a couple of different websites to track down people from Twitter over here, but musk pretty much killed all of that.
Just start following people and start following hashtags. Best way to find the folks you’d like to see in your timeline is to do a search by hashtag and when you see an interesting post, follow that person.
Dont worry about what instance you or they are one, it really doesn’t matter that much.
Actually it matters a great deal in terms of exposure and how quickly you gain followers.
There are a great many instances which block to the point of eliminating a huge swath of the network. Joining one of those instances vs an instance that is more conservative in their blocking will make a HUGE difference.
Also how well federated an instance is makes a huge difference in your posts discoverability.
By the way I run QOTO, and we are a STEM exclusive instance. We also have one of the biggest footprints int he fediverse as we have nearly-open federation (we provide tools for our users to choose their own federation)
So noted and I agree but when I first joined it was people stuck in indecision on what instance to the point of panic. It’s not that big a deal but yes, you want to look around a bit first and yes, there are some to avoid.
@ScienceGirl Twitter became like the tabloids that used to be at the grocery store check out, avert your eyes and block-block-block, and Mastodon is more like having a conversation with a neighbor you met saw at the Meetup group for your hobby or fandom, and are chatting with them in the grocery line.
However, ymmv and depends on the instance you land on, the admins and mods running the show, your willingness to futz with buggy apps sometimes, & getting back in practice at kind interactions.
@ScienceGirl put a nice long pinned intro post, don’t rely just on search (which is relatively new and not universal) but use hashtags liberally, and provide alt text for any images you post. These were the first lessons i learned when i started using my stashed account here last year. Also, people interact more with their followers and follows here. Find and follow some people who aren’t like you, and they’ll lead you to other interesting folks. Welcome.
@ScienceGirl Hi ScienceGirl! Glad you’re here. I think you’re going to like it. To help get started, check out @feditips. Lots of great tips on how to get started.
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