feditips

feditips, 3 months ago (edited 3 months ago) to random

If you're reading this post, you're viewing or following my old account. Please follow my new account instead at:

➡️ @FediTips

Thank you!

(If you have any problems with following the new account, contact my personal account at @FediThing)

feditips, 4 months ago to random

📣 I'm moving the FediTips account to another server.

The new address to follow is:

➡️ @FediTips

I'm just about to start the automatic migration procedure, so it should move your follow over to the new account seamlessly, but if you want to follow the new account manually straight away you can do so (it won't mess anything up).

The new server is my own one, it's where FediFollows, FediVideo etc are already.

If there are any problems, contact my personal account at @FediThing

feditips, 4 months ago to random

1. Meta/Facebook has a horrific track record on human rights:

• https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/ethiopia-facebook-algorithms-contributed-human-rights-abuses-against-tigrayans
• https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/dec/06/rohingya-sue-facebook-myanmar-genocide-us-uk-legal-action-social-media-violence
• https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/18/17587080/mark-zuckerberg-holocaust-denial-kara-swisher-interview

2. Meta/Facebook is trying to join the Fediverse. We need to defederate them.

3. If you're a server admin, please defederate Meta's domain "threads.net" (here's how on Mastodon https://fedi.tips/how-to-defederate-fediblock-a-server-on-mastodon/)

4. If you don't run your own server, please ask your server admin to defederate "threads.net". Your admin is listed on your server website's About page.

feditips, 4 months ago to mastodon

(One for techy people today...)

Command line / terminal fans!

You can use Mastodon through a command line interface or a terminal user interface using the third party app "toot" for Linux etc:

➡️ https://toot.bezdomni.net

It's free and open source, find out more at the link.

This also works with Mastodon-compatible servers.

By the way, this app toot has nothing to do with the other third apps Toot! or Tooot, they just have very similar names.

#CLI #TUI #Mastodon #CommandLine #Terminal

feditips, 4 months ago to random

Some apps on here are offering AI/LLM for certain features such as entering an image description automatically.

If you are abled and sighted, please don't use these features.

If you are sighted and able to enter descriptions yourself, it would be better for the planet if you enter descriptions manually. Manual descriptions avoid anyone having to cause environmental damage.

So-called "AI" features damage the planet:

https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/12/05/1084417/ais-carbon-footprint-is-bigger-than-you-think/

https://www.nature.com/articles/s42256-020-0219-9

https://oecd.ai/en/wonk/how-much-water-does-ai-consume

feditips, 4 months ago (edited 4 months ago) to random

Every account on Mastodon and the Fediverse has a unique account address, it will look something like this:

@ (username) @ (server)

You can find anyone's address by looking at their profile page, the address is written underneath their display name in a smaller font.

Account addresses are handy if you want to tell people about your account, people can paste your account address into the search box on their server which will make your profile appear.

Lots more info at https://fedi.tips/whats-my-accounts-address-how-do-i-follow-other-peoples-addresses-how-can-people-follow-my-address/

feditips, 4 months ago to random

In case you missed it, the fedi.tips website has a complete list of all the ways to discover people to follow on Mastodon and the Fediverse:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-find-accounts-to-follow-on-mastodon-and-the-fediverse-how-do-i-find-my-friends/

If there's a method missing from the list, let me know!

feditips, 4 months ago (edited 4 months ago) to random

You can see trending posts, hashtags and links on your server by browsing its "Explore" section.

-On website or web app click "Explore" or # on the right of screen

-On official apps click 🔍 magnifying glass at bottom, and leave search box empty

-On third party apps interface will vary, but usually it's called "Trending" and often in settings menu

Lots more info about this including why things trend, how server admins can prevent dubious things trending etc at:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/where-are-the-trending-posts-and-hashtags-on-mastodon/

feditips, 5 months ago to random

Have you ever noticed an account on here labelled "Automated" or "Bot"?

It means the account is a bot, operating automatically without a human doing the posting.

This might sound odd, but there are many useful and entertaining #bots, for example posting sports results or weather bulletins or public domain art. Other bots run interactive games of chess or D&D campaigns or text adventures.

Find out more at:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/why-are-some-accounts-marked-bot-on-mastodon/

...and some good bots to follow:

➡️ https://fedi.directory/tag/bots/

feditips, 5 months ago to random

If you're new here, there's a tradition that you make post telling the world a bit about your account with the hashtag #Introduction

(You don't have to, it's just a fun little thing on here that many choose to do!)

You can also do this if you've been here a while with the hashtag #reintroduction

Introduction posts are also handy to pin on your profile so people browsing your account can quickly see what you're about. More info about how to pin posts here: https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-pin-my-posts-on-my-mastodon-profile/

#FediTips

feditips, 5 months ago to random

You can create threads on Mastodon using the traditional method:

1. Post first part of thread
2. Reply to first part with second part
3. Reply to second part with third etc

Some third-party apps and services also have thread creation tools.

It's a good idea to number threads so that people who notice one part will explore the rest.

Also, set first post to "public" visibility but replies to "unlisted", to avoid filling public timelines.

Lots more info on threads at https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-post-a-thread-on-mastodon/

feditips, 5 months ago to random

Reminder that you don't need to use your real/legal name on here. You can call yourself whatever you want (as long as you're not impersonating someone else).

You also don't need to have a photo of yourself, or any photo at all. Blind users often don't use photos on profiles, so don't be surprised if you see a profile with an empty space. An empty picture is not a sign of a spammer on here.

The only info you need when signing up is a working email address, and only your server's admin sees it.

feditips, 5 months ago (edited 5 months ago) to random

In case you missed it, you can turn any #WordPress blog into a server on the Fediverse, so that people on Mastodon etc will be able to follow your blog.

There's lots of info on how to do this (plus common questions anwered) at:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/wordpress-turning-your-blog-into-a-fediverse-server/

The software that makes this possible is called "ActivityPub for WordPress", it's just been updated to v 1.3.0 now with support for threaded comments:

➡️ https://mastodon.social/@pfefferle/111528228006760923

You can follow the software's lead developer at @pfefferle

feditips, 5 months ago to fediverse

#PeerTube is a type of Fediverse server for hosting video and audio. It's free open source software, so anyone can set up their own server (just like Mastodon).

Because anyone can start their own server, it's extra-important that there are safe ways to discover and search nice videos on PeerTube.

I've tried to create a safe PeerTube search/discovery service at:

➡️ https://fedi.video

If you want to know more about how to use PeerTube see here:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/peertube-video-hosting-on-the-fediverse/

#FediTips

feditips, 5 months ago to random

If you want to screen who follows your account on Mastodon:

1. Log in through your server’s website or Mastodon web app
2. Click on your profile image to go to your profile page
3. Click on "Edit profile"
4. Click on "Privacy and Reach" tab
5. UN-tick box marked "Automatically accept new followers"
6. Click "Save changes" at bottom of page

Any new follows will need your approval, and a padlock 🔒 will appear on your profile.

More info about this on fedi.tips website: https://fedi.tips/restricting-who-can-follow-you-in-mastodon/

feditips, 5 months ago to random

I'm a volunteer who runs many sites & accounts to help people use Mastodon & the Fediverse.

If you want to help with running costs, buy me a coffee at:

➡️ https://ko-fi.com/fedithing

(No registration, choose any amount, all currencies work)

...or become a patron at:

➡️ https://liberapay.com/FediThing

Sites & accounts:
@feditips & https://fedi.tips
@FediFollows & https://fedi.directory
@FediVideo & https://fedi.video
@FediGarden & https://fedi.garden
@homegrown & https://growyourown.services

feditips, 5 months ago to books

In case you missed it, the Fediverse has an alternative to Amazon's Goodreads called BookWyrm, which is a social reading platform.

Existing Goodreads users can import their data into BookWyrm.

BookWyrm's entry on fedi.tips is now updated with common questions answered:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/bookwyrm-a-social-network-for-people-who-enjoy-reading/

Also see BookWyrm's official website at:

➡️ https://joinbookwyrm.com

...and follow their official account at:

➡️ @bookwyrm

#BookWyrm #Books #Reading #GoodReads #Alternatives #Fediverse

feditips, 5 months ago to random

Have you tried using Mastodon, Pixelfed, PeerTube, BookWyrm etc through web apps yet?

Web apps are sophisticated websites that can be installed on your phone or tablet, and once installed they act like apps (for example they can use your phone's notifications).

They're very easy to install and use, easier than app stores! There's a complete guide here:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/how-to-install-web-apps-for-mastodon-and-the-fediverse/

Web apps aren't just bookmarks any more. If you haven't tried them lately, this might be a good time to have a go.

feditips, 5 months ago to random

You can customise your Mastodon profile page to include text, images, animations and links to websites, other accounts etc. Links can also be verified as belonging to you, which makes them handy in verifying your identity.

More info on doing all of these at:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-customise-my-profile-how-do-i-upload-a-profile-banner-how-do-i-verify-my-account/

You can also expand your introductory material by creating a post about yourself using the hashtag #Introduction, and then pinning it to your profile. (More info on pinning: https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-pin-my-posts-on-my-mastodon-profile/)

#FediTips

feditips, 5 months ago to mastodon

Do you want your posts to be as easy to discover as possible? You might want to opt into the "full text search" system.

By default, posts on here are only searched by hashtag. However, if you opt into full text search, all the words in your entire posts will become searchable by other people.

Instructions on how to opt in are here:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-opt-into-or-out-of-full-text-search-on-mastodon/

(If you don't want this to happen, don't worry, it's off by default.)

#FediTips #MastoTips #Mastodon

feditips, 5 months ago (edited 5 months ago) to random

People on mastodon.social, are you seeing the multicolumn ("advanced") interface by default, even if you didn't activate it?

Have had a couple of reports now of this happening, has mastodon.social made it the default by accident?

It used to be the default years ago, but since then the simpler single column interface was made the default. Multicolumn shouldn't be appearing by default.

If it happens to you, instructions for switching back to normal at https://fedi.tips/how-to-activate-mastodons-tweetdeck-style-advanced-web-interface/

#MastodonSocial

feditips, 5 months ago to fediverse

Do you need help with using Mastodon and the Fediverse? Especially if you're a beginner or unsure about techy things?

You can ask by messaging me or replying to this thread, and I'll try to help or find someone else who can help. Don't worry if a question seems silly or basic!

You can also look things up on the guide at https://fedi.tips, which has an "essentials" section at the top and a complete list of answered questions below that.

#FediTips #MastoTips #Fediverse #Mastodon

feditips, 5 months ago (edited 5 months ago) to random

There's a recent video by @canadiancivil about why people should join Mastodon and the Fediverse.

It takes a VERY different approach to other vids you may have seen.

It's, um... very straight-talking with some strong language 😱 and written by someone who found Mastodon too confusing. This is possibly video's strength though, as it may reach people that others cannot.

Anyway, see what you think, and if you know someone who might find it useful share it with them:

➡️ https://urbanists.video/w/aaf9d24b-d537-423e-aa87-5dc34da79fc2

feditips, 5 months ago (edited 5 months ago) to random

You can subscribe to any PeerTube channel via most podcasting apps.

1. Go to PeerTube channel
2. Click on arrow on right side of "Subscribe" button
3. Copy the link from "Subscribe via RSS" option (if you're using a phone, long-press and select "copy link")

Use this link on your podcasting app.

For example, on Apple Podcasts:

1. Go to Library
2. Click ⋯ in top right
3. Select "Follow show by URL"
4. Paste the link

PeerTube lets you upload video or audio, so it can host any kind of podcast.

feditips, 5 months ago to random

If you want to, there's an option on Mastodon to hide your followers and follows lists:

1. Log in through your server’s website
2. Click on "Edit profile" if you’re on desktop website. If you’re on mobile website click on your profile icon in the top right corner, then Edit profile.
3. Click on "Privacy & Reach" tab
4. Scroll down to "Show follows and followers on profile", UN-tick this box
5. Click "Save Changes"

You will still be able to see your follows/followers, but no one else will.