The official Mastodon app is doing something new which is potentially very dangerous to the existence of Mastodon and the Fediverse.
The official Mastodon app now prompts users to join mastodon.social by default, when previously it prompted them to pick a server. If you're new this may sound harmless, but let me explain.
The entire point of this place is to be a social network spread out on as many servers as possible (the reasons are here: fedi.tips/why-is-the-fediverse…).
Actually, when combining this decision with the recent trademark one of not allowing other instances to be named *.mastodon.* there might be a case for questioning Gargron's motives here.
... but I think this is the right move to enable frictionless signups. However, it's now critically important to implement the one-click _complete_ account migration between servers as well.
Basically mastodon.social needs to encourage users to move on from spawn.
I agree. Though as nefarious as both those decisions can appear, I think it's clearly about trying to reduce the friction for new users - even for the trademark changes. The biggest complaints during November last year were about picking servers and people ending up on 'mastodon' urls that aren't moderated.
True, I personally use the Mozilla (chat.mozilla.org) homeserver. I think on Mastodon the biggest UX issue is those not knowing what server to choose when signing up, so presenting a default/fallback option while displaying other good options to at least pique enough interest and make users aware is the best way to go.
So instead of being lost on 'here are tens of different servers to choose from before you join' it would instead be 'here is the main server and all you have to do is click join, but there are some good other options here if you'd like'
Here lies the problem. You think of one server being the “main server”. You have a hierarchy. When there’s a hierarchy it can (will) be abused. Don’t hand over control to anybody. Take it for yourself.
The only two design choices available aren’t “funnel everyone to mastodon.social” or “present a list of thousands of servers.” The default button could automatically round-robin a large list of servers that are known to be run by good actors. This is a solved problem. The solution is not being used, in this case, because, clearly, mastodon.social does want to grow.
Troed Sångberg
in reply to Aral Balkan • • •Actually, when combining this decision with the recent trademark one of not allowing other instances to be named *.mastodon.* there might be a case for questioning Gargron's motives here.
... but I think this is the right move to enable frictionless signups. However, it's now critically important to implement the one-click _complete_ account migration between servers as well.
Basically mastodon.social needs to encourage users to move on from spawn.
#Mastodon
Benjamin
in reply to Troed Sångberg • • •I agree. Though as nefarious as both those decisions can appear, I think it's clearly about trying to reduce the friction for new users - even for the trademark changes. The biggest complaints during November last year were about picking servers and people ending up on 'mastodon' urls that aren't moderated.
So I can empathize with the intention here.
Nour Agha
in reply to Benjamin • • •Benjamin
in reply to Nour Agha • • •To be fair, we have seen Matrix’s main server end up fairly full as a result.
Maybe a more @pixelfed approach would be better? Main server is the first option but other options aren’t behind a secondary action.
Nour Agha
in reply to Benjamin • • •Nour Agha
in reply to Nour Agha • • •Gabe Kangas
in reply to Nour Agha • • •Jürgen Hubert
in reply to Aral Balkan • • •"I have to pick from thousands of instances! Why is joining Mastodon so complicated?"
I don't agree with this decision either, but I can understand why this choice was made.
Aral Balkan
in reply to Jürgen Hubert • • •The only two design choices available aren’t “funnel everyone to mastodon.social” or “present a list of thousands of servers.” The default button could automatically round-robin a large list of servers that are known to be run by good actors. This is a solved problem. The solution is not being used, in this case, because, clearly, mastodon.social does want to grow.
#design #decentralisation #mastodon #fediverse #falseDichotomy