Notices by Mastodon Migration (mastodonmigration@mastodon.online)

Some feel like Matrix is a better alternative to WhatsApp due to its being decentralized.

X to Mastodon, Instagram to Pixelfed, WhatsApp to Matrix, Facebook to Friendica, YouTube to PeerTube, TikTok to Loops

Here is a revised graphic:

#GlobalSwitchDay #PublicSocialMedia

Global Switch Day. February 1st 2025.

Spread the word.

Switch to Public Social Media

X to Mastodon, Instagram to Pixelfed, WhatsApp to Signal, Facebook to Friendica, YouTube to PeerTube, TikTok to Loops

#GlobalSwitchDay #PublicSocialMedia

Public Social Media

The choice is clear.

Mastodon
Owned by: No one and everyone
Structure: Public non-profit
Number of distributed nodes: Thousands
Post length: 500 characters and more
Can edit? Yes

Bluesky
Owned by: Venture capitalists
Structure: Corporate for profit
Number of "distributed" nodes: One
Post length: 300 characters
Can edit? No

#PublicSocialMedia

The reports are coming in from all over the Fediverse. While pixelfed.social is understandably working to accommodate the huge influx of new users, other Pixelfed instances are operating just like normal.

Users report these Pixelfed servers are running just fine:

https://gram.social/
https://pixey.org/
https://pixelfed.au/
https://pixelfed.art/
https://pixelfed.de/
https://pixel.infosec.exchange/

Don't worry about being on the main insrance, all Pixelfed servers talk to each other.

@aral

Thank you Aral for putting it so clearly. This "communitywashing" BS is super destructive because it takes money, energy and focus away from legitimate public endeavors to rid us of the influence of billionaires. These guys are in effect a poison pill for truly open public social media. Hard to express how devious and horrible this initiative is. They should be ashamed, but shame is obviously not an emotion they are capable of.

Apparently Meta is afraid of Pixelfed. Clearly, @dansup is doing something right. Can't imagine a bigger compliment.

"CONFIRMED: Facebook has *banned* anyone from linking to Pixelfed. #metablockingpixelfed"

h/t @ajsadauskas

Maybe tech media should pick this up. Seems like a good story!

@beyondmachines1 @pixelfed

But what a great start, huh?

Perhaps you could phrase your recommendations in a more constructive way?

If you use #Bluesky be sure to install a tracker blocker.

Thanks to @BlurryBitsPhoto for calling attention to this privacy nightmare: https://pnw.zone/@BlurryBitsPhoto/113804648365475726

Apparently Bluesky ranks among the worst in their experience for trackers.

Here is a comparison of the uBlock Origin filter log for bsky.app versus Mastodon 👀

(Note: had to cut off the bsky.app page as the log just went on and on yielding dozens of blocks and kept streaming in.)

@mekkaokereke

So to be very clear. You are saying a big part of the problem is 'Followers only' replies.

@Bam @mekkaokereke

Yes, very aware of the issue. Just wanted to highlight the specific vector of abuse.

Not really sure what other purpose this reply mode serves. Do many (any) people use 'Followers only' for anything other than this kind of harrassment?

@infosec_jcp

MUST... CONNECT... MUST... TOAST

So, over in the astronomy world there is some consternation about a tweet from eminent satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell.

Apparently "Starlink Precipitation" is now a thing. And yes, you got that right, Starlink precipitation is pieces of Elon Musk's fucking internet satellites raining down from space.

See also this post from @carlysagan: https://mastodon.social/@carlysagan/112448150797509408

Want to find ACTIVE journalists on Mastodon? This spreadsheet is just amazing. A couple days ago Martin Holland @mho posted a project of his to promote journalists. It starts with known journalism accounts from the @tchambers list, but also tracks their activity, so you can see who is actually posting regularly.

This is an absolutely wonder resource, and a great asset for the fediverse!

Check it out!

⏩https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uWj0j_AL6YQMK87U7_CFpvudK-Aygtx7Bea3fbjxgyo/edit#gid=1993864896

Martin's Feb. 7th post: https://social.heise.de/@mho/111891959279804843

#journalism #lists

This is so cool! WordPress is absolutely crushing it!

"The WordPress ActivityPub plugin has been updated to version 2.0. The major feature of the release is better comment federation... “When you respond to comments from the fediverse on your blog, they will now be federated. This allows you to finally engage in (threaded) communication back and forth directly from the comment section of your blog!”

https://fediversereport.com/wordpress-activitypub-plugin-updates-to-v2-0/

Congratulations @pfefferle! Amazing work!

#WordPress #ActivityPub

@Gargron @rexum

Think that the focus on ads misses the point. The primary issue is not the display of ads, but rather the collection and analysis of Fediverse user personal data and content, and the use of it for profiling the user. The concern is that such data is taken from the Fediverse and is used to fill out Meta's profile of the user and then exploited for whatever purpose, including but not at all limited to ads.

@Gargron The bigger concern would be that a Fediverse user might start getting ads on other platforms about honey, just because they follow someone on Threads and also follow beekeepers.ninja or simply post on Mastodon about bees.

But this is not just about ads. It is about data privacy and what Meta claims authority to do with data and content pulled from the Fediverse.

@Gargron Yes, but this does not address the issue. The concern expressed here is the use of this identity data, as well as Mastodon user content and interactions, for the purpose of Threads broader business services, including ads.

As described in the document Supplemental Privacy Policy: https://help.instagram.com/515230437301944

#threads #DataPrivacy

IMPORTANT. Threads stated policy is to collect and exploit Fediverse user personal data without explicit consent.

Now is a very good time to review Threads Terms of Use (https://terms.threads.com/terms-of-use) and Supplemental Privacy Policy (https://help.instagram.com/515230437301944).

Note just by following a Threads user or replying to a post, Meta claims they are entitled to your personal data.

And what do they say they will do with your data? Provide you with "business services (including ads)."

#threads #DataPrivacy

@tchambers @pfefferle

This and promote those benefit discussions using a Fediverse account dedicated to advancing this capability. This account should also contain the directory discussed above, as well as how to instructions. Kind of a one stop Fediverse shop for WP integration. If the account posts regularly accounts like @tchambers, @feditips, this account and other promoters will certainly boost regularly.

One of Mastodon's premier independent journalists, @Brandi_Buchman is going through a tough patch right now. The job market has dried up. She is scrambling for meaningful work, posting here and trying to make ends meet. Best known for her amazing coverage of Jan 6 on Daily Kos, Brandi is now freelancing for Law and Crime and looking for her next solid gig.

Check out her report on Jack Smith's response to Trump's latest nonsense >>> https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/without-regard-to-numbers-wealth-or-rank-special-counsel-rails-against-trump-scattershot-first-amendment-claims-as-demand-for-special-exception/

You're the best Brandi! Stay strong.