#mewe

anubis2814@friendica.myportal.social

I almost entirely forget that #mewe is a thing. I was heavily using that for about half a year when i learned about meta and myanmar. Then i discovered #Friendica and the #fediverse and never came back once its moderation became just as bad as other social media sites

psych@diasp.org

On MeWe's launching into "the social web", ostensibly in keeping with the notion of "decentralization" and now claiming it will become the world's largest decentralized social platform. [Insert sighs and face-slaps here]

There are a few problems with both #truth and practical realities of 'federation' or decentralizing, for a big walled garden like MeWe.

Disclosure: I have several good friends and some photographers/artists I 'follow' via my small (now) "followers" (nee contacts).
I've written at length about MeWe vs. pora* vs. "other" since the time my beloved #GooglePlus was decimated by #EvilGoogle.
So some of my long-time 'circles' of Google+ refugees divided up, some "here", many to MeWe &/or Facebook. #IIWII

This is what I posted just to my own small MeWe 'followers'/friends group, sharing here for those also watching or 'being there'.

As we know, MeWe has been touting changes, and has imposed a bunch on everyone, ready or not, like it or not.

Article (PR release) about the premise:

Universal Web3 Handles Now Available for New MeWe Users

And MeWe's own press release ("liked" by about 50%) summarizes fuzzily (wonder if Elon Musk wrote this!)

"The Social Web is a collection of apps made by developers that believe in empowering individuals to control their digital experience. Unlike the current web, where big platforms control our data and digital lives, the Social Web puts people first. It provides a transparent technology infrastructure that places people and human connection at the forefront, making it possible for people to take control of how their digital world works. "

[Link: https://support.mewe.com/hc/en-us/articles/14542689640983-What-is-the-Social-Web- ]

I most notice the change to "followers" as opposed to contacts/friends/aspects etc. But their big promotional push is on "social web" with at least two deceptions here:

1) There has never been - since the first explanations/promises - a way to "publicly" post beyond the walled garden, individual posts. And since the forced changes, some are losing some contacts &/or access to groups, or other anomalies. Just know, the 'goal' is fluff.

2) Being part of the larger, "decentralized" social graph.
Again, not happening in the way others on the Web have gone to decentralized (e.g., "Federated") sites. The MeWe version, according to their statement:

The Social Web is a collection of apps made by developers that believe in empowering individuals to control their digital experience. Unlike the current web, where big platforms control our data and digital lives, the Social Web puts people first. It provides a transparent technology infrastructure that places people and human connection at the forefront, making it possible for people to take control of how their digital world works.

Apps? I don't and will never center my online experience around "apps". Just the user interface and the 'app'/software/web page to interact with others, groups, etc. is fine. IF they were to put all the groups onto separate public-facing servers (which may be the plan), that might be good for exposure to the public, photos, art, work, etc....

BUT.. there is now way this blithe bit of promotion "puts people first" is anything but (should be) embarrassing. What does MeWe put first now in the user experience? Antelope? Bots?

Anyway, I've not opted in, as there is no "there there", for me, anyway. I'll believe it when I see it that the "walled garden" has become public-facing with proper privacy/choice controls. I'd welcome any stories/reports about the new world of "apps for everyone" as the MeWe brand of 'open web'.

Meanwhile, I stay "here" for my usual - friends/acquaintances, interesting people and content.
I do like the groups for photography and other interests though I've slacked off in my contributions (time & space).

So... this is for anyone who cares &/or is curious about "what's going on" with all the changes to interface, notices, etc. Cheers!

#SocialMedia #SocialWeb #MeWe #Federation #Decentralization

psych@diasp.org

Meanwhile... my current take on #socialmedia / #media

Twitter on Fire (lies, #Muskvirus etc.. and holding fire sale' today!) ..."to help pay the rent" (Bloomberg)

TwitterDog

#1, #Twitter is in flames (literally having a "fire sale" today) but in terms of tone, crowded exits, and big debates among "regulars" about the morality/business sense of staying with a platform actively courting #racism, #misogyny & promoting #GQP/ #TrumpVirus
fueled hate and #conspiracy . As its owner has fun with his toy, indifferent to appearances or even a cash drain. (He has lots more)

#2 - "Other"

Mastodon- We are now seeing a very active & vibrant #Mastodon and related Federation sites, including some instances (pods) set up by news organizations. At first there was limited 'fresh content' and some were just Twitter mirrors, "in case" Twitter implodes. &/or to test the waters. In the first weeks of this year, it's gotten to the point where one can choose from various feeds (local, Fediverse etc) and see it regularly updating. A wide variety of talents being offered (George Takei memes, researchers' findings, a huge #Caturday showing ("CatsOfMastodon"), some diplomats. many journalists (as individuals. off the company site), lots of music, photos, art....

So, given its huge growth, constant improvements, and generally very good "vibe" reflecting the pleasant community... it works!
That said, it's not the mythical (wished for) "Twitter replacement:. On some levels, it is - an interesting mixture of ordinary people and public or entertainment figures (small now but growing), and a friendliness typical of pioneers settling a newly found, hospitable place.
But it is not Twitter's identical twin - it's ad free and not algorithm-driven. I've yet to see a single trolling or spam, though my time has been limited and mostly focused on the feature set and finding news/information sources. The cats, photos & music are icing on the cake for me, and may be core value for many. It's not as long-form or 'conversational' as 'here', but OTOH there are new acquaintances and resources awaiting 'out there' in large number, for those who want to immerse. Note that you can easily repost, tags work very well (and you can follow them) and the interface allows for seeing/liking//contacting content on other instances, so if you're on a small one, you can connect via a search and connect, and that pod becomes connected. If you're on a huge pod, same, people can find you. Anyway, it's viable. One disappointment/debate for some - users cannot "quote tweet" easily. OTOH, it's as easy as on FB or MeWe to post articles, music vids, etc, by just typing the url. No editor necessary. But not as much formatting options as "here" (image insertion, e.g.). But then, most of the new users are coming from Twitter, not escaping from 'here'. Here is fine! (Comfy/friendly)

Post.news

I'm sad to break the news but this is definitely not "the next Twitter"! It's just come out of Beta and wait-list only and people can join. (See for yourself! I'd love to hear your findings/experience). Briefly, it has lovely formatting, a dream for bloggers, with a fill-in slug for "title" and easy description or text, plus thumbnail/photo. It looks professional and many of the early adopters are journalists, novelist, etc. For them, it may be nice, but as a publicists' destination more than "social media". It is difficult to 'share/repost' without adding a story, and active moderation prevents instant posting or posting at all (for me, about 1/3 of the time). Function-wise, mostly now I cannot 'like' or even post (was I bad?) as in trying, I click on the star, it increases one number, then goes back. I took time to carefully compose a post and tapped the "publish" button 100 times, nothing happening.... So much for the 'experience'.

One more general experience: the feed looks polished, and long posts will have a "read" button to continue. But also, many articles require points to read. Some orgs are 'charging' tokens for nearly everything, some are lighter (learning/economics curve?). Most personal posts, except some "influencers" trying to grow big audiences, also are charging points. Users have been getting 50 points to use for purchasing reads or for "tips". (Don't ask? Tough to explain). Sort of like "Brave" browser sharing points for seeing ads.

Again, I can see potential as an auxiliary publicity method for authors, publicists, journalists, and news orgs. But "social"? Not so much, to tell #truth. Some comments, yes, but the whole thing seems super clunky to actually use. I've gotten some followers and likes, have yet to get a single notice via the 'bell'. And as I said, recently I seem almost to be blocked from posting or liking.

🤷‍♂️

Now I did connect with a few journalists and social scientists I might not have on Twitter, interesting, solid experts and talented writers. But then that's it. I can follow my connections or "explore" (Ack! Shades of Twitter now turning TikTok blended with Fox!)

Redeeming features? It looks pretty. It has an intuitive 'form' (rather than editor) which for example instantly turns a word bracketed by asterisks (* .. ) into *italicized font, but like Mastodon, no way to insert images, that I've found. (Maybe a url to an image?)

And now there are posts I've seen decrying the new policies/features of Post which are seen as limiting, many expressing sadness that "Post will never be 'the next Twitter'". I concur, but had to check it out, and did so.

Have I forgotten anything? Well, #facebook is the same as ever, stealing/re-selling user data as its model and dictating what people "like". Of course the worst aspects get borrowed now by Musk, who steals from TikTok too. And #MeWe is the same, apparently thriving and a comfy spot for Facebook-like posting of selfies and music vids, no editors (but can edit), but definitely of no value to many Twitter users (the huge group currently in flux) if public posts are the goal. (It is, despite its initial claims, still a walled garden.) Some of the many Twitter users who actually do interact, and enjoy that aspect, may be seen 'here' or on MeWe, just as the Google+ crowd dispersed across options when Google lost its "Don't be evil" motto and changed it seemingly to #GoogleIsEvil

Speaking of, I know there is a whole slice of Internet (Not the #Truth network, #Fox, NewsMax, Rumble, Gutter, etc.) considered "social media" too, but the hate, delusions and division seem so central to that realm I'm not sure it there is not one big social media #cult . With its large presence across people's online bubbles. Mm, profits!

FB profits

Well, "different strokes for different folks". Google+ was 'the best' in its day and way, as was Twitter.

~~

So, my take as of 18 Jan 2023

Twitter is flaming out, some holding on, some encouraging rapid exit, many hedging bets, others not wanting to be associated now, with conspiracy-spreading, anti-vax anti- #truth and anti-social elements. (Suddenly I'm getting followers - not ones I'd want!)

Mastodon has exploded in users, and handled it well. It has many beloved features, diverse users (both celebs/orgs and everyday people), and everything from #Caturday to fine art (photos/drawing/digital) to cartoons and political memes. (Without trolling and with options to mask images which might be deemed 'sensitive', plus captions). One can also chat, like, forward (though not "quote tweet", re-sending with comment or title for example). Features may evolve as they actively hire and follow through on enhancements which users want. It's not clear who/how/if corporate entities will benefit (as opposed to say, Twitter), but big instances like the original one ask for support via Patreon or local server hosts. No direct advertising in the feed.

Post - "pretty". Some good content and impressive posters, many literary & journalistic professionals.
Interface is either a gem or G-d-awful depending on one's comfort zone and/or goal. Not possible to post "live" now in many cases, and difficult to simply re-share something (or in my case for a few days, to even "like" a Post post. Has for-token reads and "tips".
All a bit thorny amid the roses IMM. Agreeing with some of its fans here: As it looks now, definitely NOT "the next Twitter".
Nothing is. Maybe that's good. Or not. Centralized town square vs. Federated Town Squares.... "We'll see what happens."

And meanwhile, @ diaspora * "here" - all is well. (Well, most!)

Other than the stagnant feature set that long-time users accept and/or deal with and/or embrace - no big mass-exodus to or from "here". Still can enjoy what we enjoy, be it cats, politics, photography, wordplay, whatever...

So I say again to 'my regular circles [aspects here] - I'm not leaving, see no reason, but as a social scientist and long-time user of (mostly) social media, I feel the need to follow a huge sea-change as it's happening, now fueled by Twitter rather than Google+.

I see and feel the anxiety, anger, confusion among so many on Planet Twitter now looking at a safe home for when it hits the fan...

#cyberpsychology

psych@diasp.org

Ya think?

#Media / #SocialMedia note -

I've decided to pretty much "let it be" on Post.news, other than a casual visit from time to time.}
I follow enough of a sample (mostly journalists, authors, and a few political scientists &/or commenters) so I have a feed.
I've posted a few things so I've seen the very nice formatting, (If you type within asterisks it automatically italicizes, for example, and there's an option for headlines with each post, etc.) You can "like" but not re-share as-is.

Unique sorts of things: You cannot just 're-post' / tweet / toot whatever, without adding to it, title, intro, whatever.
If there is a working notifications system/function it's quite oblique to me. I've never seen a notice even on the few posts I got reactions to, although in the beginning I did get email notices of a comment or 'like'. Lately I've seen nothing, though that might reflect my dearth of posts and followers. (I do use tags). I'm now seeing most of the news org feeds I follow, placing a price (nominal but there) on reading full articles. Some are only a few sentences long, some complain. Others full-length reads from expensive sites.

This one (graphic) is by one of the more prolific posters, an author who promotes his book and blog, but also posts freebies (always a surprise if hitting the "read more" button leads to a lengthy article or the end of one sentence). As you can see, the 'hot topic' capturing so much 'news' today is Biden's (false-equivalent) having left a few papers in his office when he left as VP. #GQP pouncing.

Pretty much I've been looking at the same few people's posts in my "following feed", including this very active fellow (author, mega-poster, and booster of the platform). And the media feeds I see are basically mirrors of Twitter accounts (Reuters, etc.)
I'm a bit wary of what seems like a trend (on my timeline at least) of mostly for-pay reads on the news org sites. So it's double-edged, the news orgs are 'landing' on #Post - mostly mirroring Twitter feeds now - and finding a new for-pay potential. Right now Post.news is still in Beta, and it may change massively yet, interface etc., and the pay-to-appreciate model (sort of like Brave browser!) is now fueled by the free tokens one gets at sign-up (50) plus one can buy more. Maybe a good "deal" for those who want to sample otherwise paywalled sites (like WSJ, WAPO, NYT, etc.)

So for the moment, my impression is of a nice interface for writers/bloggers, but a bit "one way" as opposed to encouraging a lot of interaction, comments, re-shares. I'm guessing some of the big celebs (George Takei for example) are also just branching out as a cushion for Twitter's losing many followers and accounts, &/or trying it out (many saying they like it.... but again, I see it more as a presenting platform than interactive, though that may reflect my limited immersion.

So that's that. I still see huge energy growing numbers in #Mastodon, more so than #MeWe or "here" in diaspora* land ...

Thing is, #Twitter is like a huge blimp with many holes. Lots of people saying "time to jump" and/or 'the fumes are toxic, just leave", as others wait it out. Lots and lots of bots - and #MuskVirus - #disinformation and #trolling.

Choice is good. It's nice to have some comfy spots to hang and share/discover, or just take in the view, or shoot the breeze....
Seems "all quiet here" other than some annoying glitch whereby constant notifications are sent about old posts, particularly on private rather than public posts, it seems.... Ah well, #IIWII , tech, interfaces, people....

leshoshin@pod.dapor.net

#invitation #mewe #groupe #antietatisme

Antietatisme - Francophone

L'antiétatisme est un terme décrivant l'opposition à l'étatisme, c'est-à-dire à l'intervention de l'État dans les affaires personnelles, sociales et économiques.

Rejoignez nous si vous voulez discuter des théories / promouvoir des actions légales / voir simplement jaser sur le sujet

Rejoindre mewe : https://mewe.com/
Rejoindre ce groupe : https://mewe.com/join/antietatisme-francophone

psych@diasp.org

In the world of #SocialMedia... The CEO of MeWe wrote an op-ed for Rolling Stone about keeping the "social" in social media.

Is Social Media Really ‘Social’ Anymore?

To his credit, he didn't use the space to promote MeWe (but spoke to his past lessons from MySpace).
At the same time, I find it interesting that #MeWe is now pitching a move to become "decentralized" in the name of privacy & control. Eh?

isaackuo@pluspora.com

Multi-Column Streams in diaspora, Tumblr, Mastodon, Facebook, and MeWe

I've now added a new MeWe Multi-Column userstyle, and refined Mastodon to support non-advanced web interface mode.

1) click userstyle here: https://userstyles.world/user/isaackuo

2) click on green GET STYLUS button to install Stylus plugin

3) click on blue INSTALL button to install the userstyle

For diaspora and Mastodon, edit the userstyle to add your pod to the URL domains it applies to (click on S plugin icon, select Manage ... )

For Mastodon, try "advanced web interface" to see if it works better for you.

#diaspora #tumblr #mastodon #facebook #mewe #pluspora #tips #tip #diasporatips

If you have already used my Multi-Column userstyles, consider re-installing them from https://userstyles.world/user/isaackuo because that way you'll get automatic updates when I update them. For a while, I hadn't figured out how to get my updates to propagate properly, but I've figured it out now. I have to manually alter the version number before publishing the update.

billy_wild@diasp.org

I'm not exactly #newhere but I lost my password on another pod and can't recover it.
I follow some tags but few that I'm interested in have any content. It's mostly that politics stuff that makes one sick if you read enough of it.
At least I can speak my mind here, but that's not going to win me many followers.
I like #linux and things to do with #computers. Was into classic #mopar for a while but there isn't much about #cars or #automobiles or #honda on here.
My favorite source of information about things I like is youtube, but that's one of the tech giants I try to avoid.
#mewe has a lot of heritate and history groups that I like.
I enjoyed Quora a lot for a while but the politics turned me away.
I like #photoediting of maps in particular using #kolourpaint. I wish I knew #gimp but that's just too much to learn.
I play #dominoes and could use some tips on how to win.
I have a bluebird #birdhouse that I built and it has turned out a lot of bluebird chicks.
I have used #linux for over 10 years now and have not really made any friends in that community.
Well, thanks for reading. More to come.

dredmorbius@joindiaspora.com

MeWe: A trip report

The alt-right darling moderation-free online site #MeWe is back in the news, along with neonazi Gab and #RebekahMercer funded Parler, it's emerged as a Facebook/Twitter alternative, again.

I'd done an exploration of the site two years ago as #GooglePlus was shutting down

https://old.reddit.com/r/plexodus/comments/a1jqsy/mewe_a_trip_report/

Among other highlights:

Advisors

  • Sir Tim Berners-Lee: Inventor of the World Wide Web.
  • Cullen Hoback: Director, Terms and Conditions May Apply.
  • Sherry Turkle: Professor, MIT; author Alone Together.

Groups

Partial category listing, top-listed groups within each.
(Members in parenthesis)

  • Activism: QAnon+++ (2,572), PATRIOT PREPPERS USA (2,430), Deplorables Republic (2,48), The War Drummer (1,898), Patriots for a United America. (1894), Anonymous (1,700).

  • Education: Q-Anon Patriots (1,616), InfoWars.com (1,217), Constitutional Liberty for All (907), Prepping, Homesteads skills and Community (887), Shamanic Community (756), Truther Talk (665).

  • Fraternities: Freemasonry (1072), Brotherhood of the Blade (313), Proud Boys Canada (74).

  • History: 9/11, False Flags, & NWO Truth (1,872), The American Cowboy (1,065), "This Day in History" by Tara Ross (590).

  • News: Judge Jeanine Pirro has Fans (7,808), Qanon News (3,466), Unfiltered News (2,913).

  • Politics: Donald J. Trump 2016 - Present (11,486), The Conservative's Hangout (8,345), Qanon Follow The White Rabbit (5,600), Drain The Swamp (4,978), Libertarians (4,528), United We Stand Trump2020 (4,216).

  • Recreation: Everything Reloading (3,252), Redeye Reloading (1,980), Fishing (1,549).

  • Self-Directed Learning: @ Exposing the Matrix of Lies (997), WAKE THE FUCK UP (474), Wake the Fuck Up. The Next Dimension (287). WTFU when SHTF (126).

  • Social Change: Armed with Truth and Knowledge (1,986), VEGANS UNITE (766), ACTIVISM universal headlines ~❉~ (729), Meet Earth's Cosmic Neighbors (MECN) (663).

This is only a partial sampling.