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opensocial
With social and search traffic declining, publishers need new ways to connect with readers.
In this #DotSocial episode, @mike talks with @404mediaco's @jasonkoebler and @ProPublica's @ben about the benefits of decentralization.
"I think what's really missing is the human-to-human connection and the human curation ... Our informal tagline is 'by humans for humans.' We really just want someone to look at our stuff and send it to their friends in a group text or talk about it out loud or add it to a stream on the fediverse," Jason says.
https://about.flipboard.com/fediverse/jason-koebler-and-ben-werdmuller/
#Podcast #DotSocial #Media #Journalism #ActivityPub #SocialMedia #SocialNetwork #Fediverse #OpenSocial
Something to SNS providers and software can learn from the gaming industry is name filters.
Majority, if not all, online #games implement a RegExp-based or manual input name blocklist. In the socmed landscape, software like Mastodon should implement it to prevent any handles **and** display names with "Mastodon" in it.
Instance admins and moderators should be able to add new entries as they see fit. They can choose between RegExp matching or manual input.
It is an effective way to minimize fake accounts pretending to be the platform, instance, service, and/or software. For example, the Mastodon **software** is currently being bombarded by fake accounts about "Mastodon account verification", with "Mastodon" in either their handle or display name, or both.
Other social media software and platforms should implement it as well. Of course, it is not the ultimate solution, but it at least adds another layer to enable admins and moderators to fight against scammers and phishers pretending to be official accounts or channels.
Tags: #SNS #SocMed #SocialMedia #Mastodon #SocialWeb #OpenSocial #Fediverse #Bluesky #ATmosphere #Moderation
In another news-packed week, here’s a thread full of palate-cleansing custom feeds created with Surf about everything from queer country music to the demoscene. Here's a quick guide to creating a custom feed.
#SurfSocial #SurfFeeds #OpenSocial #OpenSocialWeb #Flipboard #CustomFeeds
PSA: Scammers and phishers are now using open registration Pixelfed instances pretending to be Pixelfed support/admin/verification/payment processor/online store/moderators.
Tags: #Pixelfed #Fediverse #SocialWeb #OpenSocial #SocMed #SNS #moderation
In gaming, it is common for spammers to report legit accounts if they echoed back their own spam. We suspend them first to minimize the spam, go back to review it, and issue warnings if needed.
It's the same in social media. Please refrain from echoing or "revenge spamming" a spammer. The spammers—and potentially non-spammers—will report you for spamming.
We then have to suspend your account to avoid further spams, and then go back later to review if you are indeed a spammer or engaging in "revenge spamming".
- It is a hassle for you.
- It will be stressful once you receive a suspension email.
- It is also increasing our workload.
- It will paint your instance/community as "bad" or lacking moderation.
The only ones enjoying it are the spammers. They know they'll get banned so they wreak havoc by confusing and stressing everyone.
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I just so happen to be the type of moderator/GM in social media and the gaming industry who is reasonable, and takes the time to actually investigate. At least half in my line-of-work—voluntary or paid—are by-the-book. No investigation. If there's evidence = ban hammer. Forget the context.
So, please do not engage in "revenge spamming". Report the spammers and add them to your ignore list. We will get to your reports as soon as possible and suspend their accounts.
Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation.
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I believe I can say this is on behalf of all modertaors, admins, GMs, employees, and volunteers. 🖖🏽
Tags: #moderation #Fediverse #socmed #SocialMedia #SNS #SocialWeb #OpenSocial
We’re kicking off season 3 of Dot Social with a conversation between our CEO, @mike, and @rileytestut and @shanegillio of @altstore. Watch the episode here, or listen wherever you get your podcasts:
https://flipboard.video/videos/watch/c0dfea13-7f2a-402c-b47c-50ccd151554b
#DotSocial #Podcast #OpenSocial #AltStore #Federation #Fediverse
When TikTok’s future felt uncertain, Tori White saw an opportunity.
On the latest Dot Social, @mike sits down with Skylight Social's CEO to talk about building a creator-first video platform on the AT Protocol. Watch the episode here, or find it wherever you get your podcasts.
https://flipboard.video/w/c9tgxs6U6WonWJwAXYh9vH
#DotSocial #Podcast #OpenSocial #ATProto #ATmosphereConf #Skylight #TikTok
🌊 🌊 🌊
Today, we’re launching social websites, a new kind of online destination. These blend posts from Bluesky, Threads, Mastodon and more, plus YouTube, podcasts and your favorite publications to create community sites based around the things that matter to you.
https://about.surf.social/surf-launches-surf-social-websites/
Something no one addressed yet: #ATmosphere posts are not indexable by search engines. It should be as it will help increase exposure of the network.
The same can be said with #Fediverse posts. I only see #Threads indexed.
#Bluesky #Mastodon #SocialWeb #OpenSocial
Funding #quest...
Despite support from our NOAW #unconference attendees sponsors and partnership with the criticalinfralab.net (#uva, #uu), our #ScaleDem Piloting 2026 (#EUhorizon) #application #call got rejected…
;(
—Suggestions of #grant #fund to drop our #proposal? Check out #blueprint, #plan, etc here: https://www.fedivariety.org/blog/scaling-open-social-media
Please boost!
Thanks!
#jugglingthefediverse #fedivariety #opensocialweb #socials #activitypub #Fediverse #CivicTech #DigitalDemocracy #OpenWeb #OpenSocial #bummer
Watch @mike give a live demo of Surf at SXSW. Learn what Surf is for, how it brings together content and communities across platforms, and how to make your own custom feed. Audience questions at the end are also 👌.
https://flipboard.video/w/rFyohvCiuPMm5ad7MyHy6h
Want to join the waitlist? Sign up here with the referral code DEMO: https://waitlist.surf.social/
#Fediverse #FediverseHouse #SXSW #OnlineCommunities #SocialNetworks #OpenSocial #OpenSocialWeb #socialmedia #customfeeds
We're excited to share the results from Mastodon's first #DiscoveryWeek!
In case you missed it, earlier this year our Head of Design @imanijoy arranged a week of workshops and surveys to get to know you, learn about your needs and wants, and discover how you're using (and want to use) Mastodon.
This week was tremendously helpful for us, and we're grateful to everyone who participated.
Here's what we learned:
https://blog.joinmastodon.org/2026/08/discovery-week-2026-what-we-learned-and-what-were-doing-next/