it’s a network social that everyone is talking about. Finally, especially Twitter users. Mastodon (this is son name) nothing new. This network social created in 2016 uses most of the Twitter codes. But this has nothing to do with the blue bird. In any case, this is what is circulating on the net, while some of the frustrated Twitter users have migrated to Mastodon. So it is inevitable that we, accustomed to using the network recently bought by Elon Musk, wanted to try Mastodon. They took it badly from us.
What is Mastodon?
Screenshot on mastodon.socialserver run by network creator social. © Eugen Rochko Before getting to the heart of our experience, let’s briefly recall what Mastodon is. Like Twitter, this network social a microblogging network created by a German engineer. Therefore, it is expressed in a limited number of characters. On Mastodon, tweets are called “pouets” (toots in English) and are limited to 500 characters (compared to 280 on Twitter). You can link media files to tools (images, videos, gifs, audio, polls, etc.). A priori, Mastodon is nothing but a copy of Twitter. In fact, this network social completely different. First, because it is an open source network, i.e. son the code is available to everyone. First of all, it is decentralized: not all users are going to the same servers, owned by the creator of Mastodon. During registration, on selects a server owned by the person or organization that administers that server. User data is stored on this server. It is this freedom and decentralization that has attracted some Twitter users. Worried that Twitter would end up in the hands of the down-to-earth Elon Musk, some feared for their freedom of expression, others for the chance to see the bluebird turn profitable. So we also migrated to Mastodon for a few days, just to see if it could establish itself as a serious alternative to Elon Musk’s network. Conclusion: Twitter still has a bright future ahead of it.
Ugly and difficult
© Presse-citron No need to follow the four paths, Mastodon’s interface is ugly. The graphic charter dates back to a time not so distant, but still on It feels like I stepped back 10 years. This first bad impression immediately cools down. Ignoring this questionable aesthetic, Mastodon is primarily distinguished by its complexity, which makes it inaccessible to those not hacked to the next level. technologies. And even for those who know a little about it, son the operation is a hilarious mess. From the first use on must choose a server from approximately 3300 servers available worldwide. You can register according to your interests (sports, art, technologies, gaming etc.) or geographic criteria. Next, on creates an account with an ID and password that will be associated with the selected server. And this is where things get complicated. Sticking to one server, on limited in interaction with other servers. In addition, the home page only shows us the tools of the server members. Posts published on other servers remain available, but you must either go through a user search (on therefore must know son identifier) or (more simply) use the hashtags we are interested in (gaming, tech, art, painting, photography, etc.). Whether on understands that the server selected at the start is not interesting in the end, then you will have to choose another server. But be careful, for this you will have to create another account, a completely new one, hosted on a new server. But the old account will still need to be saved at least temporarily. You will need it to transfer data from the old account to the new one. Very intuitive, right?
Is there someone?
This network design complexity has a big problem: it limits the interaction between users. Net Height social. Within two weeks of our test, we nevertheless multiplied the peep to try to achieve a larger goal. Some users have advised us to use hashtags to increase the reach of our posts and encourage other interactions. No matter how hard we tried, nothing happened. If you have chosen a server that is too versatile or poorly targeted, the range of your tools will be even less important. To try and quit a little machine, we tried to find contacts that we already had on other social networks. Finding them was not a picnic. If these friends are not on the same server, the search may be difficult. Indeed, Mastodon is also full of bugs. For example, our rare notifications took forever. Update certain personal information as well. Posting an image also sometimes takes a certain amount of time before it appears. And these errors can be more or less depending on the selected server.
How about moderation?
Catalog of Mastodon servers. © Mastodon If those disillusioned with Twitter leave it for lack of free speech, they will be served on Mastodon. Moreover, certain groups with conspiracy hints were not long in coming – there is almost no moderation on Mastodon. Thus, freedom of expression is complete. Finally, it depends mainly on the person or organization that manages the server you are registered on. Finally, Mastodon may well be piloting 3,300 Elon Musks that no one will know about. Thus, this complete freedom is only smoke and mirrors, since it depends on the mood of the person running the server. If your remarks do not fall within the rules it imposes, your account may switch at any time. At least on this server. Then you will have to try your chance among other 3299 servers. There is no moderation on the mastodon. There is a little of everything and everything, sometimes on one server. In what we have chosen, information from established media such as Mediapart or Les Jours was mixed with sexual and pornographic photographs. And as long as the administrator believes that the content is not a problem, it remains visible to everyone. In a world where it is already difficult to distinguish fakes news real information and where some influencers advertise remedies miracle against cancer (which obviously don’t exist), a platform without any moderation can quickly become dangerous. Thus, Mastodon is a network social with questionable aesthetics, very complex and limited interaction. In any case, this is the experience that we have. So, if you’re thinking about leaving Twitter for Mastodon, you have two options: stay on Twitter anyway and take things a little more lightly. Otherwise, try LinkedIn. It seems that the network social Professional may end up being the best alternative to Twitter. Especially if you like the crazy posts of some entrepreneurs. But let’s not get lost, this topic will be the subject of another article.
