Might get banned from the #forkiverse for this, but I think I need the Algorithm.

Doctor Steve Brule

@jdmsn make sure to follow @drstevebrule for all your health and wellness needs

Doctor Steve Brule

@jdmsn also there's a thing on the right side "Trending" and "Live Feeds"

OK dad.

@jdmsn You shalt not be banned!! Only a week in or so myself, but It’s a really jarring experience coming off of other social media. I feel you, and unfortunately, the Fediverse is a lot more upfront effort. Following some hashtags is a great first-step, and then find some people on your server that you find interesting and follow them.

Yes, explore the greater Fediverse, but know that there is *quite a bit* of hostility to AI and newer users (Alt your images, OR DIE). Lurk before you leap!

OK dad.

@jdmsn This guide also just dropped! https://social.growyourown.services/@FediTips/115973733213949600

Zoon

@jdmsn People think they’re against “algorithms”, but they shouldn’t be. An algorithm is just a set of formal instructions, like a recipe. Chronological is still an algorithm!

The problem isn’t algorithms, it’s algorithms set by those who don’t have our best interests at heart.

I would like to see an option to implement custom algorithms, either universally available across the #fediverse, chosen by administrators at the local instance level, or individually.

Fedi.Tips 🎄

@jdmsn

Hey there

This guide might help, it's intended for new people in this situation: https://fedi.tips/does-mastodon-and-the-fediverse-use-algorithms-does-it-start-pushing-stuff-at-me-based-on-my-interactions/

I'd also highlight the guide on how to discover people to follow ( https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-find-accounts-to-follow-on-mastodon-and-the-fediverse-how-do-i-find-my-friends ) and how to make yourself more discoverable ( https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-get-more-followers-on-mastodon-and-the-fediverse ).

There are also lots more guides for new people at https://fedi.tips and feel free to ask if you want help, I'm trying to provide tech support around here

molly

@jdmsn do you feel like this feeling of needing an algorithm is a problem for you? Do you wish you didn’t feel that? Trying to pinpoint if you want literal tips for finding stuff on the fediverse, or help navigating the feeling of algorithm dependence.

me

@jdmsn

Who to follow?

Try searching a bunch of hastags of topics you are interested in.

You can also follow hastags here.

Do a introduction post and include that as a hastag.

Follow the introduction hastag

Follow lots of people. A few hundred at least to get your home timeline buzzing.

Take a punt on topics you know nothing about. It can be a interesting way to learn. I recognised and got fixed a security vulnerability at work, by reading posts bt infosec people here.

me

@jdmsn

If someone seems knowledge or interesting. See who they follow or followers them. Then scroll though a few posts.

Search for the Fedifollows account. They puts out hand crafted lists of interesting people by topic.

They and others have mastodon directories and starter packs. Google will find them.

Have a look at the different. live feeds and trending.

me

@jdmsn

There are also are thousands other instances outside of the fork, with lots of interesting people

Kristy

@Zoonpolitikon this soooo much. I love algorithms when WE can control them and they are transparent. No to black box algorithms controlled by the corporate fascist overlords!

Kristine

@jdmsn but the bunch of random people are sooo nice! We will try to be less random and even nicer. Can we beat your need for Algorithm this way?

Kristine

@OKdad ALT OR DIE a well-known strategy to living

Matthijs

@jdmsn I am the same, but https://streetpass.social/ is a useful tool for finding people.

veroandi_br

@jdmsn

I think it's like social media was before 2015-16. We always had to actively search for content to follow, read, and comment on. The difference from traditional TV at that time was that on the internet, we could watch whatever we wanted, instead of letting TV stations decide for us. With television, we could only change channels with the remote control, but the content was presented without our active choice - like Meta/TikTok do today.

Many people here have already written some useful tips to help you find content. It's true that we have a hard time interacting with strangers on the Fediverse, since our families and friends don't come here. That's the hardest part, maybe.

All this to say that Forkiverse works like many other Internet platforms before the invention of behavioral algorithms, and that millions of people have been using social media this way since the 2000s!

CGI

@jdmsn Like others have mentioned, you need to observe a bit and decide which currents you want to point your canoe towards. I've seen political, angst, movies, music, gaming, programming, inane insanity, and people that occillate between a mix of those. You are never locked in, you can adjust as you go, and you can BE THE ALGORITHM, NEO. Best of luck to you. Don't look for anything intelligent from me.

Tim Chambers

@jdmsn Following hashtags you care about is one discovery tool. Here is another: https://fedidevs.com/starter-packs/

Rakz

Hey, since @print followed me nice :), i found your @jdmsn thoughts.
I don't have much experience with the old algorithm based social media and I wouldn't claim that I am very connected here. I'm too paranoid to write much personal stuff anyway.
But for me the fediverse is very inspiring. I got to know #microfiction here and even started to write my own small stories recently.

Do you like to let me know how you found the #forkiverse and why so many people joined at the same time?

Fedinaut

@OKdad @jdmsn

No, the Fediverse is not hostile.

zotheca

@OKdad

I think this is a misunderstanding, but there is also a lack of information about why people in the Fediverse often value photos that include alt text.

An alternative would be to simply hide all photos without alt text. This works with most ActivityPub projects. It would therefore be easy for people to hide these images or block people who refuse to comply (this is not about forgetting to do so occasionally).

Why do people point this out?

The Fediverse brings together many people who reject the increasing practice of right-wing media actors to exclude people.

That is why active anti-discrimination practices are part of the moderation rules found in almost all Fediverse systems, despite all their differences. The instance “theforkiverse.com” also writes in its rules: "Be inclusive of all people and points of view. This is particularly true for Black, Indigenous, and people of color, and people in the LBGTQ+ community. We will remove any homophobic, transphobic, misogynistic, or racist content without discussion."

Even if it is not explicitly stated, in my view this also implies corresponding behavior against the exclusion of people on the basis of a disability. Tolerating intolerant behavior has not worked since the “tolerance paradox” at the latest.

People want to have a better virtual social network in the Fediverse; they don't want minorities or people who are discriminated against and excluded on the major right-wing platforms because of a disability to be marginalized.

That's why many people are campaigning for users who post photos to remember to include alt text. Without alt text, people who rely on screen readers because they have visual impairments are excluded.

How can it be that advocating for inclusion is perceived as aggressive? Didn't the Forkiverse want to be a place that completes the Fediverse and makes the internet a better place?

And now I'm reading the same whining we hear from white men on X when they have to use alt text. Crazy world.

#Forkiverse #Inclusion #Handicap #accessibility
#Fediverse

@jdmsn