Mastodon Follow Pack FAQ 1.0
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Mastodon Follow Pack FAQ 1.0
What are Follow Packs?
They are just packaged lists of accounts you can follow from your Mastodon or other Fediverse account. You can follow the entire pack by importing a file. You can also just browse for accounts you might want to follow individually.
So, they’re like Bluesky Starter Packs?
Yes, but not quite as convenient. It’s not hard, but because Mastodon does not have a one-click way to do this, you need to download the follow pack file and then use Mastodon’s import facility. Instructions are provided in the directory and also below.
What Follow Packs are there?
Packs are being added all the time. Right now there are packs for Astronomy and Space, Climate, US Politics and Miscellany. For a current directory check out the Mastodon Migration FediBlog at: https://mastodonmigration.wordpress.com/2024/11/20/mastodon-follow-pack-directory-nov-20-2024/
How do I do do it?
Check out the latest directory at https://mastodonmigration.wordpress.com/2024/11/20/mastodon-follow-pack-directory-nov-20-2024/ . Basically determine which pack you want to follow and download the .csv then import the pack. Instructions are provided. Follows are loaded into a list in your account.
OK, but I don’t want to mess up my lists. What happens if I already follow an account in the pack?
That’s fine. The follow will just be added to the new list and if you already had that account in a list, it will now just be in both lists.
Can I then add more accounts to the list?
Sure! That’s the idea. Many of these accounts boost other great accounts in their topic area. You will quickly find additional accounts you will want to follow. When you do follow a new account add it immediately to the list by clicking the “…” button at the top of the profile and selecting “Add or Remove from lists”
What if I don’t like your pack list title?
Simply change it. Click on the list, then the gear icon and you can edit the list name and contents. Also, you can determine you’d if you want to “Hide these posts from home” so they don’t clutter up your home feed.
What if I’ve been added to a list and I don’t want to be in it?
Every follow pack has a listed administrator. Message them to ask to be removed.
How do I know if my account is in a Follow Pack?
You can search through the directory. Also, whenever a new directory is posted all members of every pack are notified by being copied on the post.
What if I don’t want to follow accounts from Threads or Bluesky?
Any pack that contains Threads or Bluesky bridged accounts will have a special notice. Just don’t import one of them.
#FollowPack #StarterPack #MastodonMigration #MastoTips #Help #Directory #Guides #Mastodon #Fediverse #FediBlog
Follow Pack Notices
OPT-OUT NOTICE: If your account is listed in any Follow Pack and you do not want it to be, please message the pack administrator and refer to the pack from which you would like your account removed.
BRIDGE ACCOUNT NOTICE: Packs that include accounts that bridge outside the Fediverse will be identified with a special notice.
REPLIES ON MASTODON NOTICE: Replies include all named accounts. Please edit any replies to remove addresses you do not intend to send the reply.
Follow Pack Instructions
Download the pack .csv file and import into Mastodon to follow all accounts:
– Click on a FollowPack .csv file link to download
– Click on Preferences (gear) icon on bottom right
– On mobile or narrow desktop click top right “hamburger” button
– Click Import and Export >>> Import
– Import type dropdown: Select “Lists” (NOT “Following list”)
– Verify that ‘Merge’ is selected (IMPORTANT)
– Click Browse… button >>> Select “[file name] – list.csv”
– Upload >>> Confirm______________________________
This post comes from the WordPress Mastodon Migration Blog: https://mastodonmigration.wordpress.com/
You can receive all new posts to this WordPress Blog on Mastodon by following Mastodon account:
https://mastodonmigration.wordpress.com/@mastodonmigration.wordpress.com
(Copy and paste above address into search to find and follow)
Important: Replies on Mastodon to this WordPress post by default include all named accounts. Please edit your reply to remove all addresses you do not intend to send the reply. Thank you.
#accountlist #activitypub #astronomy #Astrophysics #bluesky #Booster #Climate #ClimateScience #Dire #Directory #FediBlog #fediverse #followpack #followpackdirectory #GlobalWarming #guide #Guides #Help #mastodon #mastodonmigration #MastoTips #Media #Miscellany #mmfp #Politics #Random #socialMedia #Space #StarterPack #Threads #twitter #USPol #USPolitics #USPoliticsBoos #USPoliticsMedi #USPoliticsMedia #USPoliticsThreads
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FinchHavenreplied to Mastodon Migration Blog last edited by
@mastodonmigration.wordpress.com
"What if I’ve been added to a list and I don’t want to be in it?
Every follow pack has a listed administrator. Message them to ask to be removed."
But what if the pack admin refuses? Or ignores our "message"?
I have read that if I #Block the #StarterPack admin, that will remove me from any pack they create
True?
But the larger point is: here we go again
Bright-eyed young coder bros adding people to their Starter Packs without our permission
We have to manually #OptOut
Not good
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Regarding Opt-In vs. Opt-Out. This is not some big automated thing. So far no one has objected to being in a pack. Misidentified one person for a topic and they asked to be removed. 100% opt-in is very laborious to do, and would effectively kill any such implementation. If we want to have these things which help build community, we can't impose so many impediments that they become useless. Trying to be very clear about the opt-out policy, and responsive. Let's see how this goes.
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Mastodon Migrationreplied to Mastodon Migration last edited by
Also, feel like the absolutely critical thing is that people are notified when a pack is published and given the clear opportunity and method to object. This effort is experimenting with how to do this and so far there has been no problem communicating with pack members. All so far are very pleased.
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Mastodon Migrationreplied to Mastodon Migration last edited by
Also, very important IMO, is pack size. In order to manage these things it is critical that the number of accounts in a pack be capped. Finding 25 to be ideal because it is enough to 'prime the pump', but not too many to stay on top of. Also 25 accounts fit in a 500 char post if you need to message all of them with some room left over for the message.
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Yeah
"MaxiMastodon, here we come, and we don't care if y'all don't like it"
Ban hammer at the ready
Give me a target
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Mastodon Migrationreplied to FinchHaven last edited by [email protected]
Sorry you are so put off by this issue. Trying to be responsive to the community, keep the size down, and communicate with everyone. If it doesn't work and there are objections we can adjust the policy, but again, so far people listed seem appreciative of the effort.
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So are you a primary creator?
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Yes. It is just creating publishing lists which can be uploaded using the Mastodon import facility.
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There is no we other than the people who have collaborated in sending in suggestions. But, others could do this just as easily. It's part of Mastodon.
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Mastodon Migrationreplied to Mastodon Migration last edited by [email protected]
Given that these things are coming, trying to do it in a way that is responsible and may serve as a model for future more automated things. Agree that we do not want a runaway train like is going on on Bluesky. If this careful opt-out with notification doesn't work we can switch to opt-in, but that will certainly make it a big impediment to usage.
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That's not true. In this experience so far the most appreciation has come from the astronomy community. This is a good community building tool.
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Mastodon Migrationreplied to Mastodon Migration last edited by
Gotta go now, but will check back for more of your comments later.
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@mastodonmigration.wordpress.com I raided your climate pack for more scientist for my list and am very pleased.
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Please feel free to recommend more. Building a Climate2 pack and a Science and Nature pack now and would welcome good suggestions.
