Good morning all…
So, given current political events, the sorry status of Twitter, it’s probable eventual demise and the ramped up toxicity, I have decided to open an account on Mastodon. Do I like it? Yes I do. Is it complicated to use? No, not really, but it isn’t as basic as Twitter.
To create an account you have to join a specific server, or ‘instance’ as they are referred to. You can join others if you want to, and you can even move to a different server. When you post, you are doing so ‘locally’, but you can view and reply to ‘federated’ posts. Which means, posts on other servers than the one you have an account with, and which your server are ‘federated’ with. Your ‘Home’ feed includes the content of everyone you follow, and any hashtags you follow. Whilst it’s slightly more involved than most social platforms currently, I don’t believe that’s a bad thing. If people are prepared to take the time to learn, then it takes more commitment, and that’s a good thing.
If you are interested, here is a handy guide posted on Medium. As for Twitter, well I haven’t posted since early 2021, and I really only go on there to check the news. I don’t like it there anymore and haven’t done so for a very long time. The tempation to delete my account in the last few years has been great, but as I have been on there since 2008, it’s a wrench. I have accrued a lot of follows, (which is strange as I follow so few people). But, longevity isn’t a good enough reason to stay when it’s simply become a horrible place, and looks set to get worse. (ETA: deleted my Twitter account on 25th November, 2022).
I currently have two accounts, one on Mastodon.Art and another on MastodonApp.UK
LORRIEWHITTINGTON@MASTODON.ART Specifically art and design.
TWISTEDWHIMSY@MASTODONAPP.UK General account. Lots of history and archaeology people there.
It’s all new and exciting, and whilst it’s good to move on, hopefully people will show more kindnes and consideration on Mastodon, and more like the courtesy and netiquette of the 90s and noughties, plus it’s good to make changes in ones life.
