Using Mastodon
Getting started on Mastodon in 5 steps
This assumes that you already have a neuromatch.social account
1. Choose an application (or not)
Most straightforward: just use your browser (https://neuromatch.social/)
Bonus (beginner):
- in App Settings> User Preferences > Appearance (https://neuromatch.social/settings/preferences/appearance), set Enable advanced web interface and slow mode on;
- in User Preferences > Other (https://neuromatch.social/settings/preferences/other), set group boosts in timeline on if you do not want to see new boosts for posts that have been recently boosted
Really want an app? We recommend:
- for Android
- for iPhone
- Ice Cubes: it looks nice, has nice sounds, can do quote-boosts, can follow other servers' timelines, can store drafts; small issues: sometimes double-counts notifications, and cancels Markdown formatting.
- Ivory (see recommendation here: https://neuromatch.social/@markgbaxter/110804105119743705)
- ... [please add ones you like, and why]
2. Setup your language
In App Settings > Other, select the languages that you'd like to see.
Bonus (beginner): check all the other settings!
3. Add a profile photo (yes, it can be your cat)
for more info: https://docs.joinmastodon.org/user/profile/
Bonus (beginner): also fill the rest of your profile info
Bonus (advanced): add one or more 'verified links' to your profile info table (more info: https://docs.joinmastodon.org/user/profile/#verification), e.g. your GitHub page.
4. Send out an Introduction post that contains the #Introduction hashtag
Bonus (beginner): pin it to your profile
Bonus (beginner): see how other Introduction posts are written by by searching for #Introduction in the search menu (https://neuromatch.social/tags/introduction)
Bonus (beginner): check out the Introduction posts to find interesting people to follow
In any case, don't worry: you can always Edit it later, or send a new one!
5. Build your Algorithm: find people to follow
- check your Local timeline
- check your Federated timeline (warning! can be chaotic)
- search for hashtags of interest, follow anyone you want, follow the hashtags too
Don't worry: it will seem empty at first! But as you follow more (active) people, you'll soon feel right at home :)
6. Enjoy!
And ask us (your mods) anything: we'll always be there for you.
Mastodon tips
- Follow first, unfollow later.
- Be the Algorithm: Boost liberally.
- Can't miss someone's posts? Go to their profile and activate notifications.
- Hashtags are your friends, and like your friends, you can follow them.
- Hashtags are really your friends: only them are used for search, without any, your post will be lost in the great Mastodon Void forever (or until you edit it to add a hashtag).
- Be mindful of others: use Content Warnings, use Alt-Text.
Posting
- Markdown - format your posts with markdown!