Mastodon.social has no advantages at all over any other server.
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Short answer: I wouldn't worry about size on here
Longer answer:
I know most online things are run by corporations, but things are different on here as most servers are run by volunteers and supported by members' donations.
Being a big server can make life more difficult for the person running it because their costs go up. There are plenty of servers that have been going since the beginning of Mastodon which are still small, and the people running them like it that way.
@FediTips Last year, I also created accounts on mastodon.world and hachyderm.io and left them empty. It would be a good exercise to try the import/export functions and move to one of those. I've been curious to see how the move process works.
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OpenBiblio.social seems to be working here when I tried it just now, is it still not working at your end?
About choosing a server, I've got a site for non-technical people at http://fedi.garden where all the servers have promised to be compatible with the points at https://fedi.garden/about-this-site
For more technical people who want a longer non-curated list, try https://fedidb.com/servers (but there are no promises made on that site).
@FediTips Thank you. I just checked, they have been back within the past hour but could only bring back content up to 19 November. This is exactly the kind of thing that makes despair with all technical infrastructure big and small
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@FediTips Thank you. I just checked, they have been back within the past hour but could only bring back content up to 19 November. This is exactly the kind of thing that makes despair with all technical infrastructure big and small
Unfortunately this is a risk with any online service, even the largest
(e.g. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/mar/18/myspace-loses-all-content-uploaded-before-2016 )What was the process by which you chose OpenBiblio by the way? I'm wondering if there's some way to improve the listing site. I don't think I've listed them on Fedi.Garden, were they on JoinMastodon? If they were listed on either site, they should have had daily backups to avoid this scenario.
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@FediTips Thank you. I just checked, they have been back within the past hour but could only bring back content up to 19 November. This is exactly the kind of thing that makes despair with all technical infrastructure big and small
@FediTips Now I feel like a soap opera heroine who suffered from amnesia at christmas, build a new life with what menories cae back and will have to live with five weeks thst will never come back.
Metaphorically speaking of course, but the fediverse / mastodin community is vital for my well being.
Thank you for being a helpful part in it
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Unfortunately this is a risk with any online service, even the largest
(e.g. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/mar/18/myspace-loses-all-content-uploaded-before-2016 )What was the process by which you chose OpenBiblio by the way? I'm wondering if there's some way to improve the listing site. I don't think I've listed them on Fedi.Garden, were they on JoinMastodon? If they were listed on either site, they should have had daily backups to avoid this scenario.
@FediTips First I love libraries a lot and implicity trust them, and different from other organisations I know them and how they are governed.
Secondly I always thought they would self host. Never checked this assumpion until now. Feel a bit stupid now as I could k ow better about German IT infrastructure.I want to stay as far away from big tech and US tech aus humanly possible. So even some European servers are not exactly desirable.
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@FediTips First I love libraries a lot and implicity trust them, and different from other organisations I know them and how they are governed.
Secondly I always thought they would self host. Never checked this assumpion until now. Feel a bit stupid now as I could k ow better about German IT infrastructure.I want to stay as far away from big tech and US tech aus humanly possible. So even some European servers are not exactly desirable.
@FediTips I can't remember how I came across openbiblio in 2022.
Social.Vivaldi.Net was a recommendation from either you another source here and I was looking mainly for a temporary workaround based in Europe with a reliable infrastructure.
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Mastodon.social has no advantages at all over any other server. It has no special status or special privileges, it uses exactly the same software as other Mastodon servers.
In fact I'd strongly advise people *NOT* to sign up on mastodon.social, here are the reasons why: https://fedi.tips/its-a-really-bad-idea-to-join-a-big-server
TL:DR - It's far far too big, it's putting the entire decentralised nature of the Fediverse in danger.
If you want help choosing a good reliable server, have a look at https://fedi.garden
@FediTips@social.growyourown.services bonus on joining smaller servers: You can choose one with a theme and immediately get a general timeline more in line with your interests!
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Mastodon.social has no advantages at all over any other server. It has no special status or special privileges, it uses exactly the same software as other Mastodon servers.
In fact I'd strongly advise people *NOT* to sign up on mastodon.social, here are the reasons why: https://fedi.tips/its-a-really-bad-idea-to-join-a-big-server
TL:DR - It's far far too big, it's putting the entire decentralised nature of the Fediverse in danger.
If you want help choosing a good reliable server, have a look at https://fedi.garden
@FediTips
I think there is definitely something to be said about joining a geographical instance -
@rhizomancer@mastodon.social Also you can also migrate later. I haven't done that yet but @FediTips does offer a guide on how to do it too.
I'd recommend getting used to the Fediverse in your own time. I got used to it own special way fairly soon and up until now the instance I chose did not influence my experience as much as finding nice people to follow and interact with
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p.s. Posting this because new people on other servers were asking if they needed to open an account on mastodon.social or move to mastodon.social. Answer to both is no
@FediTips I think that's the only whole server that I have chosen to block. Bots, advertisements, I think I even saw a phishing scam. noooo thanks.
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Mastodon.social has no advantages at all over any other server. It has no special status or special privileges, it uses exactly the same software as other Mastodon servers.
In fact I'd strongly advise people *NOT* to sign up on mastodon.social, here are the reasons why: https://fedi.tips/its-a-really-bad-idea-to-join-a-big-server
TL:DR - It's far far too big, it's putting the entire decentralised nature of the Fediverse in danger.
If you want help choosing a good reliable server, have a look at https://fedi.garden
@FediTips Always Reblog!
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@FediTips First I love libraries a lot and implicity trust them, and different from other organisations I know them and how they are governed.
Secondly I always thought they would self host. Never checked this assumpion until now. Feel a bit stupid now as I could k ow better about German IT infrastructure.I want to stay as far away from big tech and US tech aus humanly possible. So even some European servers are not exactly desirable.
Damn... that's awful, I can totally understand why you chose them, I would have done the same.
It's very odd they didn't have backups, are they definitely not going to have anything restored after November?
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@FediTips Last year, I also created accounts on mastodon.world and hachyderm.io and left them empty. It would be a good exercise to try the import/export functions and move to one of those. I've been curious to see how the move process works.
Sounds good
You can move back and forth as often as you want, so if you change your mind you can always transfer stuff back.
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Damn... that's awful, I can totally understand why you chose them, I would have done the same.
It's very odd they didn't have backups, are they definitely not going to have anything restored after November?
@FediTips Thank you 🥹
They have written that all data after that is irretrievable
(https://bibcourse.eu/t/https-openbiblio-social-down/284/51)
Being a massive believer in tech redundancy and secure storage of data and documentation this does rock my trust (as a non-tech person myself I rely on experts). I mean, if *libraries* lose data, what is safe in this world?
Of course in my case it is "only" social Media banter. Just after losing 90% of my Twitter mutuals that either stayed or chose Jack's Next Promise I feel strangely vulnarable for losing a community in a time of need. Again.
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OpenBiblio.social seems to be working here when I tried it just now, is it still not working at your end?
About choosing a server, I've got a site for non-technical people at http://fedi.garden where all the servers have promised to be compatible with the points at https://fedi.garden/about-this-site
For more technical people who want a longer non-curated list, try https://fedidb.com/servers (but there are no promises made on that site).
Is there a reason why moderation against for example antisemitism or ableism isn't on the list of requirements?
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Mastodon.social has no advantages at all over any other server. It has no special status or special privileges, it uses exactly the same software as other Mastodon servers.
In fact I'd strongly advise people *NOT* to sign up on mastodon.social, here are the reasons why: https://fedi.tips/its-a-really-bad-idea-to-join-a-big-server
TL:DR - It's far far too big, it's putting the entire decentralised nature of the Fediverse in danger.
If you want help choosing a good reliable server, have a look at https://fedi.garden
I think mastodon.social is "ok" for people to start using. It's like starting high school without knowing anyone or where to find your group. Gradually, you'll discover where the like-minded people are. Then you'll move closer to them.
Choosing an instance is not easy, at least not if you want to do it thoughtfully. The quality of the infrastructure and moderation varies, so you need to compare options - it demands effort.I tell people who get worried when they see people criticising the largest instances to take their time to find their place. Keep posting and following people, and you'll gradually see new instances appear in your feed. There's no need to feel guilty; just observe and be ready to move when you find one that suits you. You can choose based on your language (especially if it's not English, it's very useful to be in an instance where people speak your language), your country or city, or a thematic instance where it'll be easier to find people who like the same things as you, such as games, technology, veganism, art, science etc. There are instances with different features; you can choose one based on trust in a specific admin. There are so many things to consider!
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I think mastodon.social is "ok" for people to start using. It's like starting high school without knowing anyone or where to find your group. Gradually, you'll discover where the like-minded people are. Then you'll move closer to them.
Choosing an instance is not easy, at least not if you want to do it thoughtfully. The quality of the infrastructure and moderation varies, so you need to compare options - it demands effort.I tell people who get worried when they see people criticising the largest instances to take their time to find their place. Keep posting and following people, and you'll gradually see new instances appear in your feed. There's no need to feel guilty; just observe and be ready to move when you find one that suits you. You can choose based on your language (especially if it's not English, it's very useful to be in an instance where people speak your language), your country or city, or a thematic instance where it'll be easier to find people who like the same things as you, such as games, technology, veganism, art, science etc. There are instances with different features; you can choose one based on trust in a specific admin. There are so many things to consider!
Mastodon.social doesn't help new people in any way though? They would find it just as easy starting on (for example) ohai.social.
"Choosing an instance is not easy"
I've tried to make it as possible at https://fedi.garden
If there's any way I can make the site easier feedback very welcome
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Is there a reason why moderation against for example antisemitism or ableism isn't on the list of requirements?
I've tried to build upon the wording on JoinMastodon, as many servers were already complying with that.
But if any server tolerates antisemitism, ableism or other bigotry I will of course remove it from fedi.garden.
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Mastodon.social has no advantages at all over any other server. It has no special status or special privileges, it uses exactly the same software as other Mastodon servers.
In fact I'd strongly advise people *NOT* to sign up on mastodon.social, here are the reasons why: https://fedi.tips/its-a-really-bad-idea-to-join-a-big-server
TL:DR - It's far far too big, it's putting the entire decentralised nature of the Fediverse in danger.
If you want help choosing a good reliable server, have a look at https://fedi.garden
Agree, mstodon.social should close down sign ups if you ask me.
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@FediTips Thank you 🥹
They have written that all data after that is irretrievable
(https://bibcourse.eu/t/https-openbiblio-social-down/284/51)
Being a massive believer in tech redundancy and secure storage of data and documentation this does rock my trust (as a non-tech person myself I rely on experts). I mean, if *libraries* lose data, what is safe in this world?
Of course in my case it is "only" social Media banter. Just after losing 90% of my Twitter mutuals that either stayed or chose Jack's Next Promise I feel strangely vulnarable for losing a community in a time of need. Again.
Indeed, one would expect libraries to take archiving seriously!
