Would you like to create posts longer than 500 characters on Mastodon?
You can have longer posts by moving your account to a server that offers longer posts. I've done a list of well-run reliable servers with larger post sizes at:
https://fedi.garden/tag/larger-post-size
If you're not sure how to move your account to a different server, there's a step-by-step guide at https://fedi.tips/transferring-your-mastodon-account-to-another-server
#FediTips #Mastodon
p.s. For anyone wondering what the post language setting is even for, it allows people to easily filter out posts in languages they don't speak, and also provides a "translate" button below your post if people don't speak your language.
However, this system relies on people using the correct language settings for their posts, so that the system knows which language each post uses.
You can find out more about language settings on Mastodon in the guide at https://fedi.tips/setting-your-language-preferences-on-mastodon-and-filtering-out-posts-in-other-languages
p.p.s. Using the correct post language setting is also important for accessibility:
The language setting of a post determines how a screen reader pronounces it when read out loud.
If you have the wrong language setting on your post, this can make it difficult for blind and visually impaired people to understand it because their screen reader software may not prounce it correctly.
Thank you very much to @elettrona@poliversity.it for pointing out this issue!
Mastodon has an automatic language detector.
If you start writing a post on the website interface, the post language indicator will light up if it thinks you have the wrong setting. When you click on the lit-up indicator it will suggest which setting you should use instead.
The reason it doesn't set language automatically is because the detector is too unreliable for short posts (and Mastodon is by its nature full of short posts).
More info on language settings at https://fedi.tips/setting-your-language-preferences-on-mastodon-and-filtering-out-posts-in-other-languages
p.s. For anyone wondering what the post language setting is even for, it allows people to easily filter out posts in languages they don't speak, and also provides a "translate" button below your post if people don't speak your language.
However, this system relies on people using the correct language settings for their posts, so that the system knows which language each post uses.
You can find out more about language settings on Mastodon in the guide at https://fedi.tips/setting-your-language-preferences-on-mastodon-and-filtering-out-posts-in-other-languages
Mastodon has an automatic language detector.
If you start writing a post on the website interface, the post language indicator will light up if it thinks you have the wrong setting. When you click on the lit-up indicator it will suggest which setting you should use instead.
The reason it doesn't set language automatically is because the detector is too unreliable for short posts (and Mastodon is by its nature full of short posts).
More info on language settings at https://fedi.tips/setting-your-language-preferences-on-mastodon-and-filtering-out-posts-in-other-languages
p.s. Good grief. I'm trying to help people use this place and just got accused of "disinformation" and "causing harm" because they didn't like the way I used the word algorithm in the guide.
Can we please chill out and be a bit more friendly? The Fedi relies on volunteers helping each other and making suggestions in a constructive way.
If I've done something wrong it is brilliant if you point it out, most of the guides rely on people correcting me. But there is no need for personal attacks.
p.p.s. Thank you so much for all the supportive replies! 🙏
It is very motivating if these guides are helping you 😊
Also, thank you to people who disagree with what I write but do so without personal remarks or accusations. Very grateful for you taking the time to make suggestions or corrections or alternative viewpoints.
Is your Mastodon timeline too empty or too full? Are you seeing stuff you don't want to, and missing stuff you do want to see? Is your timeline overwhelmed by someone who shares too many posts?
These and lots more timeline problems are solved in the "How to customise your Mastodon timeline" guide:
➡
️ https://fedi.tips/does-mastodon-and-the-fediverse-use-algorithms-does-it-start-pushing-stuff-at-me-based-on-my-interactions
#FediTips #Mastodon
p.s. Good grief. I'm trying to help people use this place and just got accused of "disinformation" and "causing harm" because they didn't like the way I used the word algorithm in the guide.
Can we please chill out and be a bit more friendly? The Fedi relies on volunteers helping each other and making suggestions in a constructive way.
If I've done something wrong it is brilliant if you point it out, most of the guides rely on people correcting me. But there is no need for personal attacks.
Is your Mastodon timeline too empty or too full? Are you seeing stuff you don't want to, and missing stuff you do want to see? Is your timeline overwhelmed by someone who shares too many posts?
These and lots more timeline problems are solved in the "How to customise your Mastodon timeline" guide:
➡️ https://fedi.tips/does-mastodon-and-the-fediverse-use-algorithms-does-it-start-pushing-stuff-at-me-based-on-my-interactions
#FediTips #Mastodon
If you include a link within a Mastodon post, it will automatically show a "link preview" below the post. Link previews often show an image associated with the link and/or basic information about the contents of the link.
You don't have to do anything special, the preview is generated automatically. It may sometimes take a few minutes to appear if your server is busy.
More info about previews as well as many questions answered at:
➡️ https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-get-a-link-preview-to-appear-in-my-post-on-mastodon
#FediTips #Mastodon
Mastodon server admins, important news!
The Mastodon developers are going to stop suggesting mastodon.social as a "default server".
Instead, the "default" server suggestions are going to be ones for a user's language and/or geographical location.
If you run a public server that fulfils these criteria:
- Running vanilla Mastodon
- Mastodon Covenant compliant
- Have existed for 1+ year
- Have shut-down & disaster plans
...then see this post for details: https://mastodon.social/@Mastodon/115989802617165343
#MastoAdmin
Great news from @Mastodon@mastodon.social at #FOSDEM: they're going to change the default server recommendation away from mastodon.social, to a geographically and linguistically appropriate instance for all new users.
It'll be opt-in for server admins, too, which is great. ❤
️
Fedi.Tips
Fedi.Garden
