My recommendation is that CS try to mimic Twitter as much as possible, to make it easier and more comfortable for twitter users to migrate over and be 100% engaged - esp since Elon is erratic and trigger-happy. Make it a smooth transition, then implement changes/improvements later. Tell everyone to create a CS account using the EXACT twitter handle, bio, etc. MAKE THIS EASY. Trust me on this:)
@CheriJacobus used my same handle, didn’t see a reason to make a new one :)
@CheriJacobus totally agree. I want so much for CoSo to succeed. I followed you over at that other space, and I’m happy you’re here now.
@CheriJacobus This, I think, is where the app wins over the desktop as it's a lot cleaner (as it has to be, to fit on a phone screen)
@CheriJacobus Oh, spot on. I also want GIFs, lol.
Ok; later on.....
@CheriJacobus Nah. Sorry. Stick about a bit. You'll see it differently, I think.
@CheriJacobus It pretty much is that way, if, like me - you were used to using tweet deck. Instead of a heart you have a star, and it's not all about the follows and likes here - it's much more a community conversation.
@PirateWench I never used the tweet deck, so this is new and intimidating
@CheriJacobus Ahh. When I first got here a couple months ago, I was totally lost, but loved the column set up I was used to. I hope you adjust quickly and get some feedback.
@CheriJacobus @PirateWench I use CoSo on my phone so it does feel similar to Twitter to me.
@CheriJacobus @PirateWench It gets easier.
@CheriJacobus Cheri if you haven't totally left Twitter yet give Tweetdeck a try just so you can get a feel for how powerful it is
I used to more regularly participate in Twitter chats & being able to devote a hashtag to them in a column was great.
Same for following individual accounts. Because the Twitter algorithm would interfere.
What I need to do is play with columns here more to see what all they can do.
@CheriJacobus @PirateWench
Just take it slow and easy. You can slow down the firehose by scrolling.
The My Friends column is for your followers and is a lot easier to keep up with.
You can also do the ostrich setting which I haven't tried yet.
Most of all, feel free to reach out and ask questions.
Good luck and WELCOME!
@IrisDallen @CheriJacobus @PirateWench
Ostrich is great!
@CheriJacobus @PirateWench Cheri, I’m 100% confident you will get the hang of this interface; it just takes a few cumulative hours to get used to it!
You might even find yourself switching to TweetDeck when you are on the bird network!
@CheriJacobus I think if it started in Ostrich Mode and allowed people to add things to their screen as they need or want it, that would be a good compromise.
I could see how the layout could be overwhelming, especially for those who aren't too tech savvy.
@BullDawg @CheriJacobus
CoSo does have Ostrich mode, BullDawg.
@okika_hilo @CheriJacobus Yup, I was trying to say it should be enabled by default
@CheriJacobus Maybe a little, but honestly I think many of us could benefit from a clean break and something completely different. It's not that hard, I was overwhelmed for a couple days, now I'm fine.
@foxtrax1 they need a massive number of twitter users to migrate over. That is paramount. "Something different" is not how to make that happen.
@CheriJacobus @foxtrax1 Why do they "need" a massive number of Twitter users to migrate over?
@Razdawg22 @CheriJacobus @foxtrax1
I had 29K followers and block list of 15K over there. The vast majority were lurkers. That competitive need for huge numbers is ludicrous. Who can interact with 29K people? I’m thrilled when former followers trickle into CoSo. The LAST thing I want is high numbers. This isn’t high school. Please don’t turn it into one.
@LnzyHou @Razdawg22 @CheriJacobus @foxtrax1
And WHY do you think we need massive numbers to migrate over? Massive numbers already have, and it has changed the vibe in here.
Sometimes not for the better, either.
The emphasis here is not on the number of followers. It's about conversations and talking to people. There is no algorithm. No trending topics. We like it like that. Most of us don't care about the # of followers.
@okika_hilo @Razdawg22 @CheriJacobus @foxtrax1
Some still do. They don’t realize they are giving themselves away.
"they need a massive number of twitter users to migrate over. That is paramount. "
That isn't going to happen. It takes a ton of money and a bunch of staff to handle that kind of load. People need to be realistic.
@CheriJacobus I dunno, they’ve been going 5 years. Don’t really need to grow that quickly if it ruins the ambiance.
@CheriJacobus
umm, respectfully, CS isn’t a brand new site that just popped up to be twitter 2.0. While I’m new to it since early summer, from what I’ve seen, lots of folks seem to appreciate that it does NOT “mimic twitter”…
But if you don’t, that’s ok!
@CheriJacobus I've been here for the past few years in large part *because* it's quite a bit different from Twitter.
The community is what shines here - I like to see the focus there rather than on the window dressing. :)
I do hope you'll get used to the layout over time! I really like it after having time to get used to it.
@evistre @CheriJacobus wholeheartedly. i love the vibe here because it is not an outrage engine.
let’s have a social network that is actually sociable.
@CheriJacobus
Great idea.
I hope CS is listening.
This could be a good thing!
@CheriJacobus I agree. The multi column on desktop is a bit off-putting. even if you could easily toggle certain features from view or choose different layouts.
@CheriJacobus
I agree.. I think it can be familiar but different. It’s much too hard to figure out. I don’t want exactly.. but navigation is just too confusing
"It’s much too hard to figure out."
It took me less than 1/2 hour to figure out most of the UI, without reading the guide. If there's something you don't understand, post (toot) it with a #help hashtag.
@jibal @CheriJacobus
Well you’re much smarter than me.. obviously. I tried this site 2 years ago & gave up. Trying to not do same this time. I’m also not on a computer but using my phone so I suppose that’s part of it. Thanks anyway
@CheriJacobus Um, yes...similar to TweetDeck in format, but instead of snark and follow driven posts there are real people having conversations and they are kind. So not similar at all, actually.
@CheriJacobus Right now I’m having difficulty figuring out how to share my CS profile with my Twitter followers (all 1.7 of them).
@Bald_Guy_With_Bike @CheriJacobus You have to have a Pro account and then you activate your PLP personal landing page.
@Bald_Guy_With_Bike @CheriJacobus
Click on your name and copy the resulting URL (https://counter.social/web/accounts/147271)
@CheriJacobus
Was on Twitter as just Raoul and loved following you, so glad I found you on here.
Easier said than done. CoSo is based on Mastadon (only much much cooler) which was originally written for Linux and the users are pretty attached to its format.
Tribel has a look and feel that is similar to Twitter and is growing exponentially.
BlueSky will be released soon and will likely dominate because of the way it puts personal data in the hands of the user. And if you prefer ease of use and eye candy you can use Vero. Prettiest social platform out there but sorelly lacking users and has questionable privacy.
Point is; none of these alternatives want to be Twitter because that platform already exists.
My advice: Learn the platform and consider using several alternative. Theres a learning curve and cross posting can be a little tedious but between the several that I use I hit a broader and larger audience than I could ever get on the bird.
CoSo users are a particular bunch. They love what they have and don't want to see it be anything but what it is.
I'm happy to see you here :)
Also, CoSo isn't exactly a newcomer. Theyve been fine tuning for at least five years and Mastodon itself is much older. It's a proven format.
@CheriJacobus Honestly, this site is a nightmare to navigate. I have no idea what is where.
@CheriJacobus I got to go back in Twitter time and get my original handle back!! Good to see ya!
@CheriJacobus followed you here from Twitter
@CheriJacobus I would rather undermine birdland and the other sites.
@CheriJacobus I think there's a happy medium between the 5 years of culture the original CoSo users created & what we relative newbies from Twitter are bringing (I am glad I signed up here back in April though I wish I dipped in here more before the last week)
The trick is finding it without pissing off too many people.
Well there are some fundamental differences though, like here likes and follows don't count for much, and we'd like it to stay that way.
Keep it about the people and the conversations. and relationships.
I agree about making it easy though. Easy, but not necessarily the same ;)
How about our all-hands-on-deck welcome and help approach? Isn't that unique and amazing?
@CheriJacobus Agreed. This platform not as easy to navigate as Twitter. I'm sticking around though.
@CheriJacobus I get where you are coming from but many of us don't want another Twitter. Different can be good too.