A beginner's guide to Mastodon, the Twitter alternative that's on fire

[IronLionZion]

https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/08/tech/mastodon-twitter-explainer-trnd/index.html?utm_source=optzlynewmarketribbon

If you’ve heard the word “mastodon” a lot since Elon Musk took over Twitter in late October, here’s why: The extinct mammal is also the name of a relatively small, formerly little-known social network that has skyrocketed in popularity, as many Twitter users try it out as an alternative for connecting with others online.

Mastodon lets users join a slew of different servers run by various groups and individuals, rather than one central platform controlled by a single company like Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. While all of these social networks are free to use, Mastodon is also free of ads. It’s developed by a nonprofit run by Eugen Rochko, who created Mastodon in 2016, and is supported via crowdfunding, as well as by individuals and groups who operate servers.

Users have been fleeing Twitter for it in recent days or at least seeking out a second place to post their thoughts online as the much more well-known social network faces layoffs, controversial product changes, an expected shift in its approach to content moderation and a jump in hateful rhetoric.

In a Mastodon post late Sunday, Rochko said the social network gained 489,000 users in the less than two weeks, and now boasts over one million active monthly users. (For perspective, Twitter reported in July that it had nearly 238 million daily active monetizable users.)

Elon and his crypto bros can go Musk themselves. There are other competitors in various stages of development.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

1. And what is Mastodon's content moderation policy like? nt

[IronLionZion]

4. Quite different

They have described it on their website as decentralized local server based moderation. If you don't like it, just change servers. They also claim no algorithms or ads.

https://joinmastodon.org/

[AllyCat]

5. Yes. It almost sounds like forums here with

A moderator.

[malaise]

2. i prefer Muck themselves

Fusk Muck!

[Delphinus]

3. Thanks for this.

I tried Tribel (the kinder gentler media) and this morning was hit, smack-dab in the face, with Ultra Magat. One was seeing Zelenski in a coffin with Putin leaning over taking a selfi and the other was Biden, die already.

[AllyCat]

6. Tribel is Occupy Democrats founders

They were apparently funding Moscow Mitch in the last election cycle so some are staying away because of that (rumor or truth-hard to find). I follow Omar Rivera on the bird app and he never denied it.

[Delphinus]

10. Oh,

I had never heard of Occupy Democrats! Funding Moscow Mitch?! Yikes!

[AllyCat]

11. It went around here and SM about a month or so ago.

There was a link here but cannot remember who it was from. I hope it isn’t true but folks asking Rivera on his Twitter page did not get an answer that I am aware of. That said, they may have not deigned to respond. I wish I knew. Cannot find much info on line.

[Sienna86]

7. Does anyone recommend a particular server?

I see there are various ones to choose - some based on country location or interests.

[Nittersing]

13. I think this will take some time

I ended up on a server called: mas.to

I don't know if it has a particular slant and I don't know how to look up other servers.

I've just been adding journalists that have published their mastodon addresses and have been adding more from recommendations I've seen.

I noticed one server (something about the arts) that asks people to add a CW (content warning) if you're going to be posting about politics... so there's a learning curve for sure.

[lindysalsagal]

8. I tried to create an account. It got hung up on the email verification

and no emails came to me. Then, it won't allow me past that screen, so, no go.

Didn't work. Right outta the box.

[Nittersing]

14. I had to try three times

and the third time did the trick.

I think they're just really overwhelmed right now.

[lindysalsagal]

16. I finally got the verification email hours later and now I'm in. I'll have a look around.

[BannonsLiver]

9. Meh.

[republianmushroom]

12. I like it

[DavidDvorkin]

15. It takes a bit of getting used to

But the more I use it, the more I like it. It reminds me of Usenet, but wht the speed of the modern Internet.