So is #CatsOfMastodon a thing??

@shadysdad Feel free to start one. #CatsOfMastodon This is Merry

@shadysdad

It's overall such a gentle place compared to much of social media. As a newbie I recommend following everyone you interact with, or interacts with you to fill up your feed - then later you can unfollow or get more picky
You can also follow hashtags just like people so things like # IceHockey, or # CatDad (without the space) can lead you to other people who share your interests!
Welcome

@shadysdad
Welcome.

@TheOldGuy What a beautiful cat Merry is. Thank you for the share.

@deirdrebeth I’ll definitely do that. Appreciate the advice. It’s all a bit overwhelming at the moment. What the trick to picking the best server?

@pitd thank you! I’m starting the think I made a very good decision with Mastodon!

@shadysdad leading off with a cat post was a great decision. An introduction post helps a lot also.

@shadysdad

#caturday is the best day, but every day is Caturday on Mastodon! Glad you’re here, and thanks for the cute cat pic!

@shadysdad

I picked one totally randomly and have been really happy with it. Picking one where you already know an IRL life can be good. I lean towards not recommending the one you're on currently because it's so huge the moderation can be...lacking.
If you're punny beige.party may be filled with your people. If you're a writer then wandering.shop might be.
You can totally move servers. @FediTips can be a useful follow too.

@deirdrebeth @shadysdad

If this is any use, I run a website highlighting well-run reliable servers at https://fedi.garden

By the way, welcome to Mastodon ShadysDad

Feel free to ask if you want help with using this place, and there's also lots of help for new people on the website at https://fedi.tips

@shadysdad Very much a thing; there are a ton of cat people here. Glad to have you join us!

@FediTips @deirdrebeth hi thank you for the offer! So if I want to switch my instance, now I understand it a little better, I would lose the few followers I have collected? Or is there a way of moving without losing this?

@shadysdad Welcome! Welcome!

Always good to hear from fellow cat dads! About anything. Whatever you feel like saying.

@shadysdad very much a thing

@shadysdad Also re-posting other people's posts is good for everybody.

@shadysdad

They're is a way, but if you only have a few it'd probably be way easier to set up the new one, and then reach out to the few to say "I'm here now, will you follow my new account before I close this one" and then give them a few days

Here are the instructions for a full transfer:
https://fedi.tips/transferring-your-mastodon-account-to-another-server/

@FediTips

@deirdrebeth @FediTips brilliant. Thank you, I’ll have a look later. Really appreciate the help.

@shadysdad @deirdrebeth

Yup, if you're just starting it's a LOT easier to just make a new account on the different server.

The transfer process is mainly meant for people who have been here a while and don't want to lose what they've built up

@FediTips @deirdrebeth I’ve requested to join the Ohai instance. Just waiting for the approval. Once it’s approved, I’m guessing I just close this account down?

@shadysdad

Get your new one set up, then post here what your new one is, then shut this one down after a day or so
@FediTips