FediTips

FediTips , 1 day ago to Random stuff

In case you missed it, there are many Mastodon apps for old computers from the 1980s & 1990s:

:apple_old_logo: #AppleII
https://www.colino.net/wordpress/en/mastodon-for-apple-ii

:apple_old_logo: #AppleMacintosh (pre-OS X)
https://github.com/smallsco/macstodon

:commodore: #Commodore64
https://github.com/Havoc6502/MOStodon

:amiga: Commodore #Amiga
https://github.com/BlitterStudio/amidon

:ms_dos: #MSDOS
https://github.com/SuperIlu/DOStodon

:IBM: #MVS
https://github.com/mainframed/BREXXTODON

:Palm_OS: #PalmOS
https://github.com/knickish/heffalump

:windows95: #Windows95
https://github.com/meyskens/mastodon-for-workgroups

#RetroComputing

FediTips , 4 days ago to Random stuff

In case you missed it, Mastodon's search system has lots of "operators", words you can include in a search to narrow down the results. For example to just show your own posts include from:me in your search.

There is a complete list of operators plus instructions for how to to use them at:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-search-for-stuff-on-mastodon

You can use several operators at once to narrow searches further. You can also use a minus sign in front of an operator to exclude certain types of results.

#FediTips #Mastodon

FediTips , 6 days ago to Random stuff

You can use Mastodon with dark mode, light mode or other themes.

On mobile apps this will be in settings, usually under "Appearance" or "Theme" or "Colours".

If you're on your server's website or web app, you can do it this way:

1. Click ⚙️ Preferences
2. Click the dropdown menu labelled "Site Theme" and select the theme you want
3. Click the "Save Changes" button

Some apps and server websites will also have even more options.

More questions answered:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/customising-your-mastodon-interface-colours

#FediTips

FediTips , 8 days ago to News from fediverse

Someone asked how they can publish videos on PeerTube (the Fediverse's video platform). There's a guide to publishing on PeerTube here, it includes suggestions for where to sign up (and also how to make your own server if you prefer):

➡️ https://fedi.tips/how-to-publish-videos-and-audio-on-peertube

If you don't want to publish videos and just want help with watching and following PeerTube accounts, there's also a separate guide for that here:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-use-peertube-how-do-i-follow-peertube-accounts-from-mastodon

#FediTips #PeerTube #PeerTubeTips #Fediverse

FediTips , 10 days ago to Random stuff

If there's a problem on your server and you're not sure what to do (for example if you can't log in), you might want to contact your server's admin.

On Mastodon there is always a public email address for your admin on your server's website's About page, just click on "Learn More" or ⋯ to see it. You don't have to be logged in, the About page is visible to everyone.

The About page also has a list of the server's rules which is useful if you're curious about joining the server.

#FediTips

FediTips , 10 days ago to News from fediverse

The Fediverse is deliberately spread out on thousands of independent servers running many types of software, which connect together to form a single social network.

But why is it like this? Why go to all this trouble? Wouldn't a single large server be easier?

Here is a complete list of reasons why it is very important for a social network to be spread out on many independent servers:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/why-is-the-fediverse-on-so-many-separate-servers

(If I'm missing a reason, let me know in the replies!)

#FediTips #Fediverse

FediTips , 11 days ago to Random stuff

Substitoot is a free open source add-on for web browsers which automatically fetches complete Mastodon threads from the original server. This is useful if you think some replies are missing due to federation issues.

➡️ Substitoot for Firefox (also works on Firefox for Android): https://addons.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/addon/substitoot/

➡️ Substitoot for Chrome: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/substitoot-%E2%80%94-improved-mas/oedncfcpfcmehalbpdnekgaaldefpaef

➡️ Substitoot's source code: https://github.com/virtulis/substitoot?tab=readme-ov-file

Would be nice to know people's opinions and experiences about this add-on 🤔

(via @manu)

chnynf , 12 days ago to News from fediverse

Question for the people! -- What platforms on the Fediverse offer the best content discovery capabilities? Services like Flipboard and Threads are integrated into the Fediverse now, we should be getting a lot of contents, but when I search for specific topics, the results are still really sparse.
#fediverse #lemmy #mastodon #threads #flipboard

FediTips , 13 days ago to News from fediverse

The Fediverse's annual music contest/festival Fedivision is back for a new year and is now open for entries. If you're a musician and want to take part please go here as soon as possible:

➡️ https://fedivision.party

You can follow the official Fedivision Song Contest account at:

➡️ @announce

The deadline for entries is next Sunday, voting will be two weeks later.

(NOTE: This contest is just a bit of fun and has no connection to the Eurovision Song Contest or EBU!)

#Fedivision #Fediverse

FediTips , 13 days ago to Random stuff

You can be optionally notified if you forget to add an alt text description to an image, video or audio. Here's how to activate it:

1. Follow @PleaseCaption
2. The account will follow you back
3. If you post media without alt text, PleaseCaption will automatically send you a DM about it

If you want to delete a reminder, ⭐ favourite it and PleaseFollow will delete the reminder.

If you want to stop the reminders, block and unblock the PleaseCaption account.

#FediTips #Accessibility

FediTips , 15 days ago to Random stuff

I'm an unpaid volunteer who runs five accounts and five websites helping people use Mastodon and the wider Fediverse. These all cause monthly bills which I pay.

If you want to help support these sites & accounts, you can buy me a coffee at:

➡️ https://ko-fi.com/fedithing

(No registration, choose any amount, all currenices work.)

...or alternatively become a patron at:

➡️ https://liberapay.com/FediThing

All support greatly appreciated!

❤️ @FediTips, @FediFollows, @FediVideo, @FediGarden & @homegrown

jglypt , 22 days ago to Random stuff

What does this mean to the average #Mastodon user?

Can they control that much other than some new features (like when they added edit post for example)

Surely it can't all be controlled like Twitter was by Elon, since it's all decentralised into instances?

#Instance #askmastodon #mastodon #askfedi #mastodonhelp
https://social.growyourown.services/@FediTips/112344519361606488

FediTips , 24 days ago to Random stuff

There's a clumsy-but-effective way to see all the posts by a specific Mastodon account that use a particular hashtag. Just go to this web link:

(profile's web address)/tagged/(hashtag without #)

For example, if you want to see posts by @FediVideo using the hashtag #FeaturedPeerTube you can see them at:

https://social.growyourown.services/@FediVideo/tagged/FeaturedPeerTube

(This only works for Mastodon accounts.)

If you're not sure what an account's web address is, it's same as its "original page", more info at https://fedi.tips/what-are-original-pages-in-mastodon/

FediTips , 26 days ago to Random stuff

Mastodon's web interface has automated suggestions for people to follow, based on which accounts are most followed by people on your server.

You can choose whether your account is automatically suggested to others:

1. Log in through your server's website
2. Click on ⚙️ Preferences
3. Click on Profile (or ☰ and Profile if on mobile website)
4. Click "Privacy & Reach" tab at top
5. Un-tick or tick "Feature Profile" box, depending on what you want
6. Click "Save Changes" at the bottom of screen

FediTips , 1 month ago to Podcast

Hey podcast fans and podcast makers 👋

You can subscribe to any PeerTube video or audio channel via your favourite podcast app. The RSS feeds on PeerTube are now in a format compatible with podcast apps, more info on how to subscribe here:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/how-to-subscribe-to-peertube-channels-through-podcasting-apps

If you make a podcast, you can publish it through PeerTube. PeerTube accepts audio file uploads, and you can choose whether to have a blank screen or a still image as artwork.

#PeerTube #FediTips #Podcasts #Podcasting #Podcast

FediTips , 1 month ago to Random stuff

There is an unofficial reminder bot on the Fediverse. It can remind you minutes, hours, days, weeks, months or years later. To use it, just mention the bot in a post or reply and include the period you want to be reminded after. For example:

@ remindme @ mstdn.social 1 week

To be reminded in a DM, include the word "dm" in small letters:

@ remindme @ mstdn.social dm 1 week

(Remove spaces in the address to make it work, I've only included spaces to avoid setting off the bot!)

#FediTips

FediTips , 1 month ago to News from fediverse

The third party Android app Fedilab (which lets you use Mastodon, PeerTube, Pixelfed, Friendica etc) is now free on Google Play, and continues to be free on F-Droid too. If you haven't tried it yet, this might be a good time:

➡️ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.fedilab.android

➡️ https://f-droid.org/en/packages/fr.gouv.etalab.mastodon

(It was previously paid on Google Play and free on F-Droid.)

There's a review of the app on the fedi.tips website:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/fedilab-for-android

#Fedilab #FediTips #Fediverse #FOSS #Mastodon #PeerTube #Friendica

FediTips , 1 month ago to Privacy

Do you want to have a locked-down account on #Mastodon where only people you specifically choose can see your posts?

You need to do two things:

1. Switch on your account's follow requests, this will allow you to screen who can follow you. (More details at https://fedi.tips/restricting-who-can-follow-you-in-mastodon)

2. Set your default posting visibility to "Followers only", so that only people you've chosen can see your posts. (More details in the "Default Visibility" section of https://fedi.tips/who-can-see-my-posts-in-mastodon-how-do-i-send-dms-in-mastodon)

#FediTips #Privacy

FediTips , 1 month ago to Twitch

The Fediverse has a Twitch-style live streaming and chat platform @owncast:

➡️ https://owncast.online

You can follow OwnCast accounts from Mastodon etc, streams will post when going live.

If you just want to see OwnCast in action: https://live.retrostrange.com

You can use your Mastodon etc account to verify your identity in OwnCast streams' chat.

Anyone can make an OwnCast server, though at moment it requires some tech skill (more info at https://owncast.online/quickstart/).

#FediTips #Twitch #Alternatives

FediTips , 1 month ago to Random stuff

If you're an ordinary Mastodon user, the "block domain" option does not block servers, it just mutes them. It hides their posts from you, but does not hide your posts from them.

Only server admins can do actual blocks through defederation, preferably on a server that has activated "authorized fetch".

For example, if you want to avoid threads.net, you need to join a server that has defederated threads.net. (You can find nice servers that block threads.net at https://fedi.garden)

#FediTips

FediTips , 1 month ago to Random stuff

Tips for making posts more accessible to blind people:

-Add text descriptions to images & videos
-Make first letters of hashtag words capitalised, e.g. #DogsOfMastodon
-Don't use long strings of emoji
-Don't do "sarcastic text" with random capitalisations
-If you see #Alt4Me in a post with an image, reply with a description and tag #Alt4You (you can also reply with a description for any post lacking its own alt text)

More info about all of these at:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-make-posts-more-accessible-to-blind-people-on-mastodon-and-the-fediverse

FediTips , 1 month ago to Random stuff

I'm an unpaid volunteer running five accounts and five websites to help people use Mastodon and the wider Fediverse. These all cause monthly bills which I pay.

If you want to help support these sites & accounts, you can buy me a coffee at:

➡️ https://ko-fi.com/fedithing

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

...or alternatively become a patron at:

➡️ https://liberapay.com/FediThing

All support greatly appreciated!

❤️ @FediTips, @FediFollows, @FediVideo, @FediGarden & @homegrown

FediTips , 1 month ago to Random stuff

Content Warnings (CWs) are a way of hiding your post behind a warning message, so that people can choose whether they want to view it right now.

Sometimes CWs might be used for discussing potentially disturbing topics, but they are also useful for lighter things like avoiding film spoilers.

Here's a complete guide to using CWs on the Fediverse, including how to switch them off if you prefer:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/how-to-use-content-warnings-cws-on-mastodon-and-the-fediverse

Let me know if I've missed something!

#FediTips #ContentWarnings

FediTips , 1 month ago to Random stuff

You don't have to use Mastodon through its official app! There are many better alternatives including third party apps, your server's website, web apps etc.

Here's a guide to help you get started with exploring all the different kinds of Mastodon apps:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/which-apps-can-i-use-should-i-use-the-official-app-or-a-third-party-app/

If you're a techy person, there are also some more unusual choices you might like such as retro apps for classic computers of the 1980s/1990s, or CLI/TUI apps for text-based interfaces.

#FediTips #Mastodon

atomicpoet , 1 month ago to Fediverse News

So far, only 2,800 Threads accounts have turned on Federation. Of the ones I see, they’re quite active.

I suspect the reason for the minuscule federated accounts is because Threads users can’t see replies from the Fediverse yet. Why would you turn on federation if you’re oblivious to interactions from the Fediverse?

Nevertheless, we’ll see what happens once communication becomes two-way.

@fediversenews

FediTips , 1 month ago to Random stuff

RSS fans!

• You can follow Mastodon accounts on RSS by adding ".rss" to the end of a Mastodon profile's web address.

• You can follow RSS feeds on Mastodon by using the RSS Parrot service (https://rss-parrot.net) which turns feeds into Fediverse accounts.

• PeerTube accounts have RSS options on their follow button, and can be followed from podcast apps.

• Friendica has particularly advanced RSS features.

More info about all of these at https://fedi.tips/following-mastodon-and-fediverse-accounts-through-rss/

#RSS #FediTips

FediTips , 1 month ago to Random stuff

In case you missed it, you can use Mastodon's "Lists" feature to create themed mini-timelines with accounts you select. You can then hide these accounts from your main timeline if you want, so that it isn't so crowded.

➡️ https://fedi.tips/how-to-use-the-lists-feature-on-mastodon

...and if you're on a computer, you can combine Lists with the "Advanced Web Interface" mode to have lots of themed timelines on a single screen:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/how-to-activate-mastodons-tweetdeck-style-advanced-web-interface/

You can pin as many Lists as you want, and also hashtags etc.

#FediTips

cliffwade , 1 month ago to Random stuff

I want to share this publicly, as I feel there are other admins out there that might want to see it and possibly chime in here as well.

https://social.growyourown.services/@FediTips/112163544709115656

@FediTips which is the same person(s) who own/run @FediGarden has confirmed to the DM's they have sent.

I've provided some feedback for them, and would love to see other admins do the same possibly.

@britt @Whiskeyomega @beardedtechguy

#MastoAdmin #MastoAdmins #Admins #Mastodon

FediTips , 1 month ago to Random stuff

If you're a Fediverse admin, this is a plea for you to defederate threads.net

#Threads is part of Meta/Facebook, and their track record on moderation is as horrific as it is possible to be:

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/dec/06/rohingya-sue-facebook-myanmar-genocide-us-uk-legal-action-social-media-violence

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/ethiopia-facebook-algorithms-contributed-human-rights-abuses-against-tigrayans

https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2022-02-20/facebook-accused-of-letting-activists-incite-ethnic-massacres-with-hate-and-misinformation-by-survivors-in-ethiopia/.

The victims of prejudice, violence and genocide cannot "block" attackers that were radicalised online. Victims of bigotry and hatred cannot opt out of being beaten up or murdered.

Please defederate Threads/Meta/Facebook 🙏

FediTips , 1 month ago to Random stuff

Mastodon DMs are not end-to-end encrypted. In theory admins could manually see DMs in their server's database. (The same is true on Twitter/X etc.)

If you want encrypted communications, I'd recommend XMPP (aka Jabber). It is federated into servers like Mastodon, but designed for encrypted messaging & calling.

There's a non-technical site to help people sign up on existing servers:

➡️ https://joinjabber.org

To start a server, there's a managed hosting service at:

➡️ https://snikket.org

dw_innovation , 1 month ago (edited 1 month ago) to News from fediverse

We started this account less than 6 months ago. It's going pretty well – thanks to you: 4.2k followers, lots of interactions, questions, and comments. 🎉

A couple of weeks ago, the European Broadcasting Union (#EBU) asked us to write a guest article about our experience with #Mastodon / the #Fediverse, explain the basics, and point out the advantages. :mastodon:

Challenge accepted. 👍

So here's the finished post by @lxplm, hot off the #blog press. ⌨️

🔽
https://www.ebu.ch/news/2024/03/public-broadcasters-of-europe-lets-all-join-mastadon

mastodonusercount Bot , 2 months ago to Random stuff

15,000,132 accounts
+148 in the last hour
+2,930 in the last day
+66,689 in the last week

FediTips , 2 months ago to Random stuff

Mastodon's search system has many special commands called "operators" which let you tweak what the results show.

To use an operator just include it in your search, and it will filter the results in the way you want. For example if you just want results that have polls, include the operator "has:poll". Operators let you filter searches by date, author, post type, language and more.

There's a complete list of operators and more tips about Mastodon searches at:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-search-for-stuff-on-mastodon

FediTips , 2 months ago to Random stuff

It can be really useful to know when a post was written, so that you know whether the information is current or not. You can see this on any post by looking at its "timestamp".

If you're browsing posts in a timeline, the timestamp will be in a post's top right corner. Recent posts will show minutes, hours or days since publication, older posts will show a date.

If you click on a post, the timestamp will be shown as a full date and time along the bottom of the post.

#FediTips

Screenshot of a timestamp highlighted at the bottom of a post. It gives the exact time and date as 29th February 2024, 16:23.

FediTips , 2 months ago to News from fediverse

The server mastodon.social is currently down due to technical problems at their hosting provider. However, other servers on Mastodon and the Fediverse are working fine because they are totally independent.

This is one of the many advantages of a decentralised network, one server going down doesn't affect the others. There are also other even more important reasons why this place is spread out on lots of servers:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/why-is-the-fediverse-on-so-many-separate-servers

#FediTips #Fediverse

FediTips , 2 months ago to Random stuff

⚠️ Mastodon admins!

There's a setting called "content cache retention period" that you should leave blank. If you put any numbers in there, it can start permanently breaking threads on your server.

This feature is NOT intended for general use on normal servers.

Thread all about it here:

➡️ https://social.growyourown.services/@homegrown/111376516797327772

There's a pull request on Github for moving this to a "danger zone":

➡️ https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/pull/27733

Added a page to fedi.tips:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/mastodon-admins-leave-the-content-cache-retention-period-blank/

#FediAdmin #MastoAdmin

FediTips , 2 months ago to Random stuff

I run several websites & accounts helping people use Mastodon & the Fediverse, I have to pay their bills.

If you want to help you can buy me a coffee:

➡️ https://ko-fi.com/fedithing

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

...or become a patron:

➡️ https://liberapay.com/FediThing

Thank you! ❤️

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

FediTips , 2 months ago to Random stuff

There's a strong tradition on here that you should add alt text descriptions to any images, videos or audio files you attach to a post. These descriptions are important because they make attachments accessible to blind and/or deaf people

However, some people can't write alt texts due to their own disabilities. If that's the case, they can include the tag #Alt4Me in their post to request help. Others who want to help can reply with an alt text description and the tag #Alt4You.

#FediTips

FediTips , 2 months ago to Random stuff

If you prefer, you can use Mastodon entirely through the web without any app at all. Mastodon has an excellent web-based interface which tends to get the latest features first.

To access the web interface, just go to your server's website and log in with the same details that you use on the app. More info at:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-log-in-through-the-website-help-my-password-doesnt-work

You can also install the website as a web app:

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

The website works on computers, phones and tablets.

#FediTips #Mastodon