I understand what it means to FOLLOW someone, but what does it mean to SUBSCRIBE to them (by clicking on the little RSS logo)?
@peterdrake Every Mastodon account has an RSS feed. Basically subscribing here means not following them, but subscribing to their RSS feed instead.
It's useful for a few cases. For example, their server might've blocked Qoto, but we can still see their content (sorta), then we can follow their public posts by subscribing.
Or they have a locked account where they are very strict on accepting new followers, but you like their posts and then you could subscribe to them so you don't miss out on their cool posts.
@trinsec Hmm. I tried subscribing to an account of someone on a server that doesn't federate with qoto, but the subscribe button is grayed out.
@peterdrake Yeah when a server blocks Qoto that one might be hit or miss. If you don't mind me asking, what account would that be so I can see it too?
@trinsec @mooncube, as suggested in @FediFollows's directory. Apparently their server doesn't federate with qoto because qoto federates with some other abusive servers.
Now it looks like I am "subscribed" to them. We'll see if their next post shows up in my feed.
@peterdrake Yeah, subscribing's possible. Their posts can come with a delay and might have some missing. A server block makes the whole thing a bit iffy, but it's something.
I am also subscribed to somebody from that instance. He can't see my posts, but I can respond to them. And others from other instances who also follow him can interact with me. It's kinda funny. :P
