@Uraael@blahaj.zone

Uraael

@Uraael@blahaj.zone

I am Uraael.

Pronounced "Yu-RAYL" it's the name of my Soul which exists outside our dimensons of space and time, waiting for me in the car.

Note: what you see in the name box is whatever amuses me that day. Just call me Uraael.

Quiet Scottish Geek. Veteran Defender of Social Justice, Privacy and Human Freedoms. Gentle soul undergoing Kintsugi. Country boy at heart.

I am romantically entwined with @MariaTheMartian, my Twin Flame. ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ. We used to joke that our Love could melt servers...and then Firefish actually died. Um, sorry about that.

FEDIVERSITY:
Proud #Sharkey user since Nov '23
Proud #Firefish user since Feb '23
Proud #Fediverse user since Sep '22.

#Hashtags #Geek #SciFi #Scotland #Politics #Computing #Linux #Software #Music #Writing #PCGaming #Emulation #MentalHealth #AFinerWorld #Humanism #SocialJustice #TransRights #Feminism #AntiFascism #RacialEquality #LGBTQIA+ #MFM #Art #ShinyThings #FreePalestine #HaveANiceDay #OponionsLikeOpinionsButMoreLayered

This profile is from a federated server and may be incomplete. Browse more on the original instance.

Null, to random

Iโ€™m over on mastodon social right now. It has been a great introduction to the fediverse but I am now looking to try out calckey and find a more sustainable server to join.

Uraael,

@madcodger @Null The dev team of Calckey.social are already doing a brilliant job showcasing and celebrating other calckey instances - new sign ups are turned off just now so they're redirecting from there also. I don't think it will fall into quite the same pit-trap as Masto'.social. But, like the Enterprise, there is great value in having a flagship.

atomicpoet, (edited ) to random

I'd like to thank @supakaity for adding an edit feature to . Within a day that I've been able to use this, it's been such a huge quality of life improvement for me. I no longer have to stress out because I misspelled something or forgot a word in a sentence.

She does so much great work. Please show some appreciation and love for this incredible Calckey developer!

๐Ÿ’“

Uraael,

@atomicpoet @supakaity Same. Has made an enormous positive difference to my experience as well. I'm just not that good a typist than I can live without it!

ElizabethLeeCo, to random

๐Ÿšจ
Friends, if you're on Mastodon.social, PLEASE consider moving to another instance.

Other instance admins are considering defederating them because their admin is making spam accounts easier to create.

If you don't know how to do it or are nervous about moving your follows/followers, shoot me a DM and I can help.

(Edited to add) Easy to understand instructions in English here:
https://fedi.tips/transferring-your-mastodon-account-to-another-server/

Uraael,

@glowrocks @AbandonedAmerica @ElizabethLeeCo And right there, the fact you can even mention defederating from mastodon.social in the same breath as 'breaking mastodon' is part of the reason why .social's current course of action is so problematic, quite apart from the fact they've painted a giant target on themselves for spammers. While I have zero problem with flagship instances any that attempt to use their branding power to favour themselves over the rest does the entire network harm.

Uraael,

@Christo98 @ElizabethLeeCo ...for the third time in a week.

Uraael, (edited ) to random

Last post before I go have some lunch and do some decorating: this is also something I love about : emoji reactions.

Just look at that little row of life and colour beneath Chris' post there. Once again it takes something from traditional Social Media, a numerical count of reactions behind one icon, and transforms it into something much more human, much more expressive. With the number of custom emojis available on some platforms (here on Blahaj.zone I have literally thousands) it's a communication artform all by itself.

Uraael, to random

Stay and chat on Calckey or paint my home more beautiful?

'Tis ever a life of difficult choices, readers.

Uraael, to random

Proof, if proof were needed, that I felt the importance of when I arrived here and Johnny-come-latelys like Trottier (๐Ÿ˜) are only playing catch-up. Calckey wants you to use their special features.

Smugness turbines engaged: ๐Ÿ˜‡๐Ÿ˜‡๐Ÿ˜‡๐Ÿ˜‡๐Ÿ˜‡๐Ÿ˜‡๐Ÿ˜‡๐Ÿ˜‡๐Ÿ˜‡ ๐Ÿ˜‡

RE: https://blahaj.zone/notes/9b0eenfmv9

Anzeliane, to random French
@Anzeliane@eldritch.cafe avatar

Plants and tits fan account ๐Ÿ˜”๐Ÿ™

Uraael,

@Anzeliane

TarkabarkaHolgy, to random
@TarkabarkaHolgy@ohai.social avatar

Another fun fact:

The Hungarian version of "the tables have turned" is "visszanyal a fagyi"

Which literally translates into

"The ice cream licks back"

๐Ÿฆ

Uraael,

@TarkabarkaHolgy

...I love this. โ€‹:blobcat_hearthug:โ€‹

atomicpoet, (edited ) to fediverse

MFM-enabled emoji animations have given me a "Eureka!" moment over the past few days -- and I think this might be the Fediverse's killer feature.

"But they seem so inconsequential!" some of you might protest.

Yes, but inconsequence often turns into consequence. 140 characters were once considered inconsquential. Ditto photo filters. The same is true for video loops on Vine and TikTok. And yet they all prove to be impactful.

But before I talk further, for those who aren't aware, what is MFM?

MFM stands for Misskey Flavored Markdown. It's a custom flavor of the Markdown syntax tailored specifically for the social network platform, but has since been adopted on and . And I have no doubt that other server software will plan their own compatibility soon.

MFM extends standard Markdown syntax with additional features and customizations to enhance the user experience. Here's some unique features:

  1. Additional text formatting options, such as font size and color, allowing users to extend customization of text

  2. Flexible syntax for links, quotes, code, and math

  3. Custom emoji support, and animation thereof

It's this last feature that might be the Fediverse's killer feature. Why do I say that?

They are attention grabbing. When someone sees an animated emoji, they cause a post to stand out.

They're also incredibly expressive. More so than mere text-based communication, emojis by themselves convey so much in one character. When you add animation into the mix, they add motion and dynamism, which enables people to express themselves vividly and creatively.

MFM animations invite unique customizations allowing for unique expressions. This fosters a sense of belonging and identity amongst people who share this unique form of art, enabling opportunities for in-jokes and unique community symbols.

They are instantly shareable, which creates buzz and draws more people to the Fediverse.

In my own observations, MFM-enabled emoji animations draw more engagement and reactions which leads to more activity -- as has been the case with calckey.social.

They are novel. While emojis may be available on all platforms, MFM-enabled emojis provide a unique and fresh experience -- attracting even more people who are drawn to this innovative feature.

MFM-enabled emojis result in the decentralized nature of the Fediverse having a more cohesive community. Because they can be shared amongst multiple servers and multiple server software, this gives the Fediverse that's presently not duplicated on Big Social.

This may foster a sense of belonging, building close-knit communities empowered by this unique means of communication. Inevitably, this may attract more newcomers to try their hand at this niche-for-now feature. This will help the Fediverse differentiate itself from the mainstream social media platforms.

But of course, the biggest reason MFM-enabled emoji animations could be the Fediverse's killer feature is simply because of stuff like this:

๐ŸŒž
๐ŸŒง๏ธ ๐ŸŒง๏ธโ›ˆ๏ธ**
๐ŸŒˆ ๐ŸŒˆ

(Thank you @Stellaluna for this excellent demo.)

Unfortunately, Mastodon does not display MFM-enabled emoji animations. But to really appreciate this demo, visit this link: https://calckey.social/notes/9eqm90uxjg

Uraael, (edited )

@atomicpoet @Stellaluna

MFM is what first attracted me to โ€‹:calckey_full:โ€‹ three months ago. I wanted the higher character count but other services offer much higher than even Calckey does (NB: I recently read that the software allows up to 8k characters - Admins, am looking pointedly at you here holding out on us).

But back then with less than 200 users on calckey.social MFM just wasn't being used by anyone. I still did it, now and again, because I really did love using it but it was only when the migration influxes started a few weeks back that others took to it and suddenly it took off into this other expressive community language containing some of that spark of the early internet where folks were seeing what new tools like Flash could do. I love that it even got a touch competitive, folks inspiring other folks to try new and crazy concepts. It's a sub-sub-sub-sub culture that I'm delighted to be a part of and what's more the barrier to entry is so low almost anyone can join in the fun.

And you're right; it's a feature you can't get anywhere outside the Fediverse, and even Mastodon doesn't support. That makes it very special and worth shouting about.

In regards to the Fun component, you're spot on as well. Social Media cannot help but be full of some very sober and serious discussion topics. It's supremely cathartic to be able to step away from all that for some code art silliness.

I know there's been a backlash to them as well but that's perfectly natural and I'm super happy the tools to limit MFM are here now for anyone that feels it is too much for them.

But holy smokes yes let's absolutely celebrate something unique and special to this place.

TLโ€‹:DR:โ€‹

๐Ÿ‘

Uraael,

@picard @atomicpoet @Stellaluna

Joyful: YES. I think that's key as well. I haven't ever seen anyone use MFM in a negative context. Not once. Compare that to GIFs, another type of visual language the Social Media communities embraced, that regularly get used to dunk on people with derisive expressions, and MFM wins hands down. That's exceedingly special.

MariaTheMartian, to random

I have a book in me. I know it.
I have so many stories.
I have been through some crazy stuff and seen some things. I often think of turning my stories into a book. I have dozens of stories on my computer and I work on this sometimes. Maybe one day...a book by Maria The Martian. ๐Ÿ‘ฝ

Uraael,

@MariaTheMartian It is now my life's purpose to coax this out of you.

You want help with proof-reading or editing or someone saving you from all that pesky credit, I'm your Human.

Uraael,

@MariaTheMartian So...have you started it yet? โ˜บ๏ธ

HINT HINT

Uraael, to random

LOL. After yesterday's exposure to our life-giving star my tanned head is now a completely different shade to the rest of my peely-wally Scottish body.

I look like a fat matchstick ๐Ÿ˜‚

jacklaridian, to random

Uraael,

@jacklaridian Those are some very kissable lips, Superman. ๐Ÿ’‹

jacklaridian, to random

Finally all caught up on the and really enjoying these DC animated films. I really hope they continue under @jamesgunn

Uraael,

@jacklaridian @jamesgunn The DC animated films are great, aren't they? The Tomorrowverse entries really surprised me by how good they are. The whole presentation stepped up a notch.

Uraael,

@jacklaridian I loved that one. Need to catch up with Long Halloween soon, I think.

atomicpoet, to random

On calckey.social, thereโ€™s an intense debate about .

https://calckey.social/channels/9eovpp07ym

Uraael,

@atomicpoet Pack it up. Social Media has peaked and we can all go home now. ๐Ÿ˜‹

Uraael, to random

Wow, quiet here tonight.

I wonder what everyone's up to? ๐Ÿค”

(Lord of the Lost to win, please)

KTElliottMicro, to random

Kiddo #1 wanted to watch Star Wars. Her dad tried to suggest she should start with episode I, not IV ๐Ÿ˜ฑ๐Ÿ˜ฑ๐Ÿ˜ฑ๐Ÿ˜ฑ๐Ÿ˜ฑ๐Ÿ˜ฑ

VERY relieved to announce that I won that one. Kiddo started with A New Hope. And loved it!

Uraael,

@KTElliottMicro Hahaha, nice to see I'm not the only one.

Uraael, to random

I'm sorry, everyone. Scotland ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ is up for Sale. Please speak to Galbraith to register your interest in owning one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Uraael,

@MariaTheMartian If you buy the country you can make your own laws? If you make the NHS dole out Irn Bru on [free] prescription you'll be able to do anything you want.

Leftlane, to random

My favorite part of gardening is watching it change from the pic on the left to the one on the right in just a few months.

A bright summer flowerbed with green lawn, lots of green and several colors of flowers.

Uraael,

@Leftlane These are Magiks I must learn someday soon. Stupendous work, though. That second shot is โ€‹:blobfoxflower:โ€‹

Uraael, to music

Mystic Crock

Carbon Based Lifeforms

Sundial Aeon

Solar Fields

Dreamstate Logic

Aes Dana

If any or all of these words take your mind to far off hyperspace realms we should definitely be friends

๐Ÿ˜Œ

Please enjoy this mathematical energy vibration from another dimension: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9jvRgkvWqo

NB: This post is best viewed from an MFM-enabled Fediverse platform, e.g Calckey

Uraael,

@MariaTheMartian Hahahahahaha yes, i had a splurge because I hadn't used it for a while! I think I was deliberately trying to break someone's eyes ๐Ÿ˜.

Good luck reading "Dreamstate Logic" there, folks! ๐Ÿ˜†

Uraael,

@MariaTheMartian

๐Ÿค”

...Plastic crock?

Uraael,

@MariaTheMartian I'm clearly too innocent for such things, Maria, says he planning one of the frankest and filthiest posts he's ever written. โ€‹:blobcat_googly_blep:โ€‹

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