I’ve just joined Mastodon, and I’m a little confused about the effect of joining a particular server. If I understand it correctly, I can join any server, but then I can search or follow users and hashtags across all of Mastodon?
If that’s right, then what difference does it make which server I actually join? Does the server determine what posts/news I see without searching?
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The biggest difference I have noticed is that you can join a big server, and check out their live feeds, localtab
The content is very generalized, a massive scramble of languages and topics
If you look for a smaller server in contrast, but one aligned with your interests and check their live feeds, local section it is much more aligned with a community
The biggest difference I have seen is community. Big general servers feel like noise to me
Smaller servers feel like communities
The biggest difference I have seen is community. Big general servers feel like noise to me Smaller servers feel like communities
Got it, that pretty much answers my question. Thanks.
You’re also trusting the moderation policy of the server you join. Every server is responsible for deciding which content they will accept from other servers and which they won’t. Generally smaller servers do a better job moderating for their small population.
If I understand it correctly, I can join any server
Correct, you can join any server (if they are accepting new members).
but then I can search or follow users and hashtags across all of Mastodon?
Correct.
Does the server determine what posts/news I see without searching?
Your home feed will have the same boosts and posts no matter what server you’re on. You will, however, not see all posts from followed hashtags but rather only the hashtagged posts your server knows about.
So long story short, if you’re new you should probably join a big server because it helps discover more content. Once you’re settle you can move servers if you wish, to a community that’s more specific to your interests.
And if you want to actually be able to follow people and hashtags without 5 clicks and copy pastes, grab my extension Graze for Mastodon
you can follow any user by pasting his name or link into your local search box
searching content is limited to portion of /r/fediverse your server knows. Server knows local content and all content that somebody from your local server follows.
Larger servers know larger portion of /r/fediverse - you can go to them, search there and paste results to your smaller server and follow.
joining a smaller server can give you a more tight-knit community vibe, while larger servers can feel more like a sea of noise. you can follow users by searching locally, and larger servers have a wider reach for searching.