First post here. Love this concept, but not sure I understand the distinction between different decentralized social networks, or even how to find the right server in each. Is there a community directory? I am looking for academia. If this post is boring to you, sorry here is a kitten.
@kgary Welcome to mastodon. I'm relatively new myself, but I started finding interesting people by using the search. Searching for interesting hashtags also showed who are writing about interesting topics, so that was a good way to find more people to follow. Actually more than a few of those people are from other mastodon servers. Turns out, it doesn't matter because the different servers are not isolated.
Hello Kgary, and welcome to Qoto.
Love the kitten, thank you!!
Enjoy the network and all it has to offer. If you are new to using Mastodon, there's a good guide here: https://lifehacker.com/a-beginner-s-guide-to-mastodon-1828503235
Any question, just ask, and someone will try and help out.
Have a good day!
Our system admin here, @freemo is a scientist and could help suggest possible academic connections.
For now I gave you a link to anew user guide which helps understand the operations in this new "fediverse" (Federated Universe).
We have access to posts made in any of the hundreds of instances, servers out there. People in any of them might be reading this thread, and might reply with suggestions of their own, so the word is out.
The network here is smaller, more humane, not corporate controlled and without the algorithms that control what people see in their timelines in the large corporate owned sites.
A lot of good ideas, to try and find a way back to better days in the Internet.
You will add content to your own feed by finding good people to follow. Since you posted the super cute kitty, I assume you enjoy cats? He have a bot here supplying nice pics all the time.
@catpostingbot is the one, just visit and add a follow and you will see the posts in the "Home" feed list.
I would recommend using a laptop or desktop computer for serious reading and fun, mobile does work but doesn't do the network justice. 😉
Enjoy your stay! I just joined about a month ago.
@kgary
You are very welcome.
Regarding your work and research topics, are you familiar with the Slowly app? it's available in both android and iOS, and it allows people to find and correspond with pen pals all over the world.
I think it has major implications for MH, as it allows people to connect even if not knowing anyone with similar interests locally.
I discovered it 6 months ago, and have spent many many hours writing letters and reading my penpals responses.
Might be more for adults but there are younger people using it too. A controlled edition with some kind of age filtering and security would be wonderful for Education applications (i am a retired teacher myself).
https://getslowly.com/en for more info.
Great app, won various accolades on Google Play and App Store.
@design_RG @PunaisetPimpulat @freemo
Thanks Rob! Actually I am a dog person, but people seem to respond to cats!
I get the architecture and concept, but I am finding several decentralized SNs out there and guess I just need to get used to finding what I am looking for.
I am also a researcher in mHealth apps for pediatric chronic diseases including anxiety/depression, and leveraging the power of a community-based SN is of interest but tricky due to PHI/PII issues.
I grabbed the Musky Android app, seems OK for now.
Again thanks for the quick responses, this is great!