Both #Bluesky and #T2 provide users with the option of not including "link previews" (which may include attached images) with posts. This avoids the need to include (for example) cat photos to supersede random link target page images. (While I realize Leela is much loved, photos do use bandwidth and other resources, and link previews to a large number of followers can effectively be a denial of service attack on the target site due to so many instances trying to fetch at the same time).
While #Twitter has never provided this useful option, Google+ did.
#Mastodon should be user and site/instance friendly, and provide this option. -L
@bory Since you already have a Mastodon account, there's no need to create another one (unless you just really want pebble.social for your account name - which IS pretty cool!).
It looks like you haven't posted much yet so you could just move your current account over there if you want. (Let me know I can help with that process)
If you want to keep in touch with the Pebble community, you can follow/search for these hashtags:
Final thoughts from one of the founders of Pebble. Pebble was full of kind people. The hobbit shire of social media. And it wasn't enough. A good read.
"Being kinder and safer is not enough of a differentiator, because kindness and safety by themselves aren’t interesting enough. There was not enough interesting content on the platform for the experience to become a daily habit."
Upon observing #Threads, it seems that the individuals at #BlueSky might be growing increasingly apprehensive about it, closely followed by #Twitter. This development renders #Substack Notes, #T2, #Nostr, and #Spill seemingly obsolete.
In my humble opinion, #Mastodon is less threatened by this, as Threads is said to be federated into the #Fediverse.
Apparently there's a social media site founded by ex-Twitter-employees called Pebble (formerly T2), and they say it's "the kinder, safer, more fun public square, enriched with AI."
They also say, "We look at your past social history to be sure you will enjoy Pebble, and then invite you in."
You have to have a Twitter account to request an invite. If you're not active enough for them, they'll reassign your username.
Sociotechnically, new networks like #t2 and #Bluesky are ridiculously interesting to watch. You see evolving cultures that are negotiated on a daily basis. When the first bad apples arrive, new platforms face their acid test. Will it be for the good or for the bad? Either way, it's fascinating to be at the outset of something new-ish. Let's enjoy the fun of those innocent early stages!
I'm currently trialling two other social media platforms - #t2 and #BlueSky. So far, t2 is by far the most interactive, I can actually have conversations on there, whereas on BlueSky I'm currently just being ignored.
I should say, I have no interest in moving away from Masto, I like it here, but I want something to replace Twitter, and these two platforms seem like likely candidates.
@cbw My #Pebble story is an inverted version of this. A friend on mastodon kindly shared a #t2 invitation in the (relatively) early days. I loved the vibe, but I’ve been on mastodon for a long time & have been quite happy here — so I never spent much time on t2/pebble, and barely interacted at all.
But fast forward! The Pebble -> Mastodon migration is happening, and the community is bringing those marvelous vibes over to mastodon — a good match, I think.
LOL I just got mail from “T2” (Twitter 2, not the terminator Ruby) telling me that my handle, Wraithe is a “premium” handle, and that it will be taken away from me if I haven’t posted in the next seven days.
so I went on there to post, and it looks like a ton of other people got that message, and so many have gone on to post that you can’t actually post on the site. #T2
😂😂😂
For [mainline] #Mastodon users who want to be able to follow the “Local” and/or “Federated” timeline(s) of a different instance without creating yet another account can use the #Phanpy frontend.
More info:
There are 3 different layouts. In my screenshots, I used the multi-column layout to demonstrate how I'm seeing the different instances' “Local” and “Federated” timelines.
In addition to the above, you can also see the following features:
Auto-translate
Highlights
Threads
CW
Click to refresh (or scroll to top to refresh) -- a setting
Dark mode
Following 5 hashtags in one column (similar to Mastodon's default frontend)
If you are new to the #Fediverse network (inaccurately called #Mastodon network) and looking for end-user apps for mobile and desktop, check this #PublicDomain list:
If you haven't been paying attention, It has been only barely 3 days since #Pebble closed its doors and many are moving to the #Fediverse and settling in over at https://pebble.social.
However, prior to that, when the announcement of the shutdown was first made, the first thing that happened was the creation and marketing of the hashtag #T2pub. The purpose of the hashtag was to make it easier to discover content from former #PebbleIs users, regardless of where in the fediverse you are located.
A few days later, the @t2pub was born. It is a fediverse #group. Anyone who is following the group is guaranteed to receive the latest T2pub group content shared by other users. As compared to the hashtag, it relies heavily on if the user was already discovered by an account's local instance.
Finally, pebble.social was born; and former Pebble users who migrated earlier to the Fediverse are moving to it.
Now, this is interesting because there is now a growing sub-community within the Fediverse network. Former #T2social users who primarily wish to interact with fellow former #T2 users; while, at the same time, keeping the lines open for interaction with the wider fediverse.
If we look at it from a #SciFi or #Fantasy or #ScienceFantasy perspective, if different star systems (for example Sol System) are the software, and the different planets (for example Planet Mars) are the instances; we've just witnessed migrants from the “Pebble Universe” after it collapsed.
These migrants found a planet of their own and called is Pebble.Social which is located in the Mastodon star system.
And those who landed on other planets are relocating to the Pebble.social Planet; however, as they are still settling in this new world and new universe, they are still primarily concerned on their own planet. Building it up. Setting up their communities.
#Streams galaxy
-- note 1: communication with the Fediverse is standard practice in this universe.
#Hubzilla galaxy
-- note 1: developed a way to communicate across the Mycelial Web (a.k.a. the multiverse). Can also communicate with BlueSky and diaspora.
#Friendica galaxy
-- note 1: developed a way to communicate across the Mycelial Web (a.k.a. the multiverse). Can also communicate with BlueSky and diaspora.
#X#Twitter Mycelium (closed borders; isolated; have not discovered there are other mycelium/universes besides their own)
#Tumblr Mycelium (closed borders; isolated; rumours has it their government decided against connecting with the other mycelium/universes, but they are aware)
#Flickr Mycelium (closed borders; isolated; aware of other mycelium/universes)