Still too many thinks Mastodon is one website with "too strict rules", but it's also hard to explain without using any technical terms that it's multiple "services" and you can still see everyone's posts regardless of what site you have account on. Many don't realize that there are a lot of us.
I do get why people are reluctant to join, but at the same time I'm frustrated about those "I won't join because it's too politically left" or "I won't join because reasons". They don't realize they can find their own community. This bugs the hell out of me. #Mastodon#MastodonMigration#TwitterMigration#Twitter#RIPTwitter#TwitterDown
@rolle I find the email analogy works best for explaining how Mastodon works.
There's no single email service. You either run your own (which very few do) or join somebody else's (Gmail, etc.)
But regardless of which email service you join, you can still exchange emails with people on other email services without having to create separate accounts on each one.
The analogy breaks down a little bit when it comes to defederation, but I find it otherwise helps a lot.
@cwdolunt@rolle Well, that's how defederation is used in theory.
In practice, it's also used for all kinds of other reasons, including personal disagreements between different instance admins - and they're not uncommon. It's this part that isn't really analogous to email blacklists. Nobody wakes up one day to find out Gmail has indefinitely blocked Hotmail because of a dispute between CEOs.
@rolle I joined today, after what just took place with Twitter.
Did look into joining earlier but got mentally stuck with selecting a server. And felt that way again - there are so many and it is not clear (to stupid me) what impact the choice has.
Anyhow now that the (other) platform seems to be literally burning, I did just pick the one that seemed somehow neutral (mastodon.online).
Could this be affecting others? And could this be somehow clarifed to stop stopping joining?
@rolle Could someone explain - in simple terms - what real difference the choice of server makes, and how to make the choice both considerately and easily.
Based on joinmastodon.org on the other hand "Follow anyone across any Mastodon server from a single account" while "Each server creates their own rules and regulations, which are enforced locally ... Join a server with the rules you agree with..."
The rules sure differ, some being more specific. But seems hard to assess impact up front.
@mjpk The stricter the rules, the bigger impact, they could limit lots of folks outside your influence. I wouldn't choose very politically far right or left instances if you prefer discussion etc. I usually recommend generic instances who allow most of the stuff and are based on good manners, like mindly.social, mstdn.social or mas.to.
@rolle yeah same here lol. It's a new concept to people. The majority of folks have never experienced a social networking system like this. They don't understand a version of the internet where a social media platform isn't run by one centralized big tech company.
Add comment