Open source, Mastodon is a decentralized social network offering an alternative to Elon Musk’s X and Meta threads, rolling out many updates with the release of Mastodon 4.4 on Tuesday.
Most notably, this app takes the first step towards implementing changes that bring about changes that are comparable to other networks, but it can also affect user behavior. Preparing to integrate quoted posts, or Twitter will call quote tweets.
This type of repost allows users to quote other people’s posts and add a commentary on them. Now on Twitter, called X, the addition of features leads to a culture of “dunk” where users ride others by quoting posts and responding with snarky and shaming humor. While Dunking made Twitter interesting, he claimed it had connected more negatively on the platform rather than encouraging conversations or healthy discussions.
However, the implementation of Mastodon’s quoted posts is intended to implement the feature in a way that limits the ability to be used for hatred and harassment.
As the company explained earlier this year, we accomplish this by allowing users to control whether or not they can quote their content, allowing users to withdraw posts from the cited context at any time. Additionally, users will get notified when someone quotes their post.
However, the quoted posts are not fully expanded in Mastodon 4.4.
Instead, organizations are releasing codes that support viewing quote posts. This allows users to view quotes from compatible Fediverse platforms, including future Mastodon releases.
Users will not be able to actually quote posts until Mastodon version 4.5 is released later this year.
The 4.4 version brings more changes designed to improve other areas, such as profiles, navigation, lists, media controls, and management features.
The new “Profile Features” option allows you to showcase what you want to promote, as well as all posts using a specific hashtag or other account. Think of a profile you find interesting, or an account you will run for your business, brand, or side projects.
Mastodon also displays pinned posts at the top of the carousel profile. With the app, users pin five posts, so previously you had to scroll a lot if you wanted to see recent content on someone’s profile.
There is also a new profile widget. This shows how many people follow the profile you are watching.
You can also add and remove users and list them directly from both your profile and your list of followers.
Version 4.4 updates Mastodon’s media player with a new design. The Play and Pause buttons are more centrally located and easier to click.
On mobile, you can double-tap or pinch a photo to zoom in and out, and swipe just like the native Photos app to close the zoom in image. There is also a new reminder to add an alt-text to the image. This will help people with vision impairment to use the app better.
Meanwhile, mobile websites are more closely mimicking native mobile apps with action buttons on the bottom toolbar, with more consistent navigation across the platform.
Elsewhere, the “Explore” section has been renamed “Trends” and the sidebar navigation controls are organized into three sections. One is for the main navigation buttons, the other is three sections: curated content (lists, bookmarks, favorites, etc.), and other elements.
Onboarding has been reduced from the previous four-stage process to a two-stage process, in hopes of addressing concerns that it’s too complicated for new users to start a Mastodon.
Server administrators have access to new legal compliance features, including managing terms of use, providing translations of server rules in various languages, and the option to set new age requirements.
user.
This change follows many other updates to social networks this year. This includes the decision to create a new nonprofit in Europe, move away from apps run by one individual, and other expansions to the team. More recently, Mastodon announced plans to provide additional services in the form of commercial goods to increase revenue. The company hosted the European Commission’s Mastodon instance for the first time last year.
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