General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA beginner's guide to Mastodon, the Twitter alternative that's on fire
If youve heard the word mastodon a lot since Elon Musk took over Twitter in late October, heres 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. Its 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
(33,643 posts)IronLionZion
(45,380 posts)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
(16,135 posts)A moderator.
malaise
(268,665 posts)Fusk Muck!
Delphinus
(11,824 posts)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
(16,135 posts)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.
I had never heard of Occupy Democrats! Funding Moscow Mitch?! Yikes!
AllyCat
(16,135 posts)There was a link here but cannot remember who it was from. I hope it isnt 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
(2,148 posts)I see there are various ones to choose - some based on country location or interests.
Nittersing
(6,341 posts)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
(20,570 posts)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
(6,341 posts)and the third time did the trick.
I think they're just really overwhelmed right now.
lindysalsagal
(20,570 posts)BannonsLiver
(16,288 posts)republianmushroom
(13,454 posts)DavidDvorkin
(19,465 posts)But the more I use it, the more I like it. It reminds me of Usenet, but wht the speed of the modern Internet.