Setting up Mastodon: an appropriate social media platform for the 2020s
I’ve moved from Twitter to Mastodon. Here’s why and how.
Why Mastodon?
Twitter has become increasingly toxic and unreliable. Mastodon is: - Open source: No single company controls it - Decentralized: No algorithmic manipulation - Community-run: No advertising or tracking - Better for the planet: Lower environmental impact
Getting started
- Choose an instance (I use fosstodon.org for tech/science)
- Create an account
- Follow people and join conversations
- Use the hashtag #OpenScience to find researchers
My experience
I’ve found the Mastodon community to be more supportive and constructive than other platforms. It’s a breath of fresh air to be in an environment focused on sharing knowledge rather than engagement metrics.
The transition wasn’t instantaneous but has been rewarding. I now have connections across academia, open source, and the cycling community that wouldn’t have happened on traditional social media.
Come find me at: (robinlovelace?)(fosstodon.org?)