Servers are safer to use if a setting called "authorized fetch" (also known as "secure mode") is switched on. Ordinary members cannot activate it, it can only be activated by the server's admin.
When it's activated it makes blocks much more effective and greatly reduces unwanted interactions.
You might want to ask your server admin to switch it on. If they're unsure about it, they can find lots more info and step-by-step instructions at https://fedi.tips/authorized-fetch
#FediTips #Mastodon
FediVideo first began five years ago today in 2020! 🎂
The earliest archive of the account is at https://web.archive.org/web/20201124232436/https://mas.to/@fedivideos
The very first PeerTube video boosted was "Plan 9 From Outer Space" which was on a server that has since closed down, but you can watch the same film in a new upload at https://fedi.video/w/qXMBpCax3AgF9RLWgy4p2M
The earliest upload which is still on its original server is the excellent animation "Caminandes 3: Llamigos" which you can watch at https://video.blender.org/w/23f3ef79-15dc-44c5-aa45-cf92e78a4509
Anyone want some cake? 🍰
When helping people on here there are four links that seem to come up quite a lot. Perhaps these are useful for you too? 🙂
- Non-technical, easy-to-understand guides to using Mastodon and the wider Fediverse: https://fedi.tips
- How to discover more accounts to follow: https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-find-accounts-to-follow-on-mastodon-and-the-fediverse-how-do-i-find-my-friends
- How to make your own account more discoverable: https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-get-more-followers-on-mastodon-and-the-fediverse
- How to move your account to another server: https://fedi.tips/transferring-your-mastodon-account-to-another-server
#FediTips
p.p.p.s. Looks like Mastodon gGmbH are now discussing this issue, really good to hear them being proactive! 👍
Let's give the new leadership a chance and see what they come up with 🙂
https://hachyderm.io/@haubles/115587793572335619
Raw numbers are perhaps not enough to get across just how bad the centralisation of the Fediverse by mastodon.social is. I've done a chart to show this visually, hopefully this will make the situation clearer?
Given the circumstances, getting people to join any other server except mastodon.social would greatly help decentralise the Fediverse. It's no longer big vs medium vs small, it's more like supergiant deathstar mastodon.social vs everyone else 😞
#Mastodon #Fediverse #MastodonSocial
If you're looking for Christmas presents, you might want to buy some unique gifts from the many independent artists who are here on the Fediverse 🙂
You can discover art and craft gifts by browsing these hashtags:
➡
️ #FediGiftShop
➡️ #ArtForSale
(I know Christmas is still some way off, but as independent artists usually sell by post it's better to order early.)
Servers show trending posts based on what server members boost, and what the accounts they follow boost. A single-member server may not have enough data to show trending posts.
However, help is at hand! If you're on a server without trends, you can follow a Hypebot account which boosts trending posts from selected other servers. For example this one is popular:
➡️ @hypebot@tldr.nettime.org
Combined with Mastodon's new fetch-all-replies feature, all servers can participate in trending discussions.
#FediTips
p.s. This isn't the only hypebot, you can search for others and they have different lists of servers that they boost trending posts from.
Also, if you're a techy person you can set up your own hypebot which you can customise to your own liking: https://codeberg.org/tante/hypebot
Servers show trending posts based on what server members boost, and what the accounts they follow boost. A single-member server may not have enough data to show trending posts.
However, help is at hand! If you're on a server without trends, you can follow a Hypebot account which boosts trending posts from selected other servers. For example this one is popular:
➡️ @hypebot@tldr.nettime.org
Combined with Mastodon's new fetch-all-replies feature, all servers can participate in trending discussions.
#FediTips
p.s. This seems like a good moment to thank @Gargron@mastodon.social
Obviously I disagreed with his recent stance on server onboarding, but that isn't an attack on his overall achievements.
For me Eugen's best moment was in 2022 when he was asked to sell out by multiple VC companies but he said no:
"Rochko told the Financial Times he had received offers from more than five US-based investors (which he turned down)"
https://www.ft.com/content/de808736-2e05-4c3b-a53c-55b170ae9efd
He passed the test that others (including Bluesky) have failed.
p.p.s. Also, @Gargron@mastodon.social changed the Fediverse's overall approach to onboarding by thinking about ordinary users instead of technical hobbyists.
Mastodon wasn't the first Fediverse platform, but it was the first one to aim itself at a general audience. JoinMastodon.org was a breakthrough because it assumed no technical knowedge or desire to self-host.
Another greatest moment was Mastodon's 2018 official animation: https://fedi.video/w/cbQE3NRw76FayQCSdb14TU
Mastodon sold the concept of the Fediverse to many people.
Mastodon gGmbH has just issued a new blogpost:
➡️ https://blog.joinmastodon.org/2025/11/the-future-is-ours-to-build-together
Some highlights:
- Eugen has stepped down as head, his replacement is @mellifluousbox@mastodon.social (Eugen will continue as an advisor)
- Mastodon gGmbH and its US-based 501(c)(3) intend to transition to a Belgian non-profit and transfer their assets there
- Eugen has sold his Mastodon-related assets (including the trademark) to the 501(c)(3) for €1 million, these will eventually be transferred to the Belgian non-profit
#Mastodon
p.s. This seems like a good moment to thank @Gargron@mastodon.social
Obviously I disagreed with his recent stance on server onboarding, but that isn't an attack on his overall achievements.
For me Eugen's best moment was in 2022 when he was asked to sell out by multiple VC companies but he said no:
"Rochko told the Financial Times he had received offers from more than five US-based investors (which he turned down)"
https://www.ft.com/content/de808736-2e05-4c3b-a53c-55b170ae9efd
He passed the test that others (including Bluesky) have failed.
Fedi.Tips
