#mastown - server updates tonight, which will require a reboot. Most won’t even notice - but @ me with any issues.

With the uptick in community members, a quick recommendation: #hashtag your posts with key #topics or ideas. The quickest way to have your content found (outside chain reposting by others), is to make it easily #searchable with #keywords

Some hashtag keywords right in the post, others hashtag a block at the end (I just did both). Either way, they make your content much more #discoverable to the #fediverse.

#mastotips #welcome #mastown #nowyouknow

#mastown - doing some underlying server/OS updates. There may be very brief periods of downtime over the next 30 minutes.

#mastown - doing some server updates tonight - there should be intermittent (but very little) downtime while services are brought down/back up. Theses are security updates to the underlying software - not #mastodon updates (we are running the latest stable release).

Any issues, @ me.

I got rid of FB/TW/IG years ago because it was so draining. I’m hoping #mastown can be a good tool for social connection in a way that aligns with my values of respect and privacy.

#mastown - we are upgraded to v4.1.2 (security updates). Any issues, please @ me!

Welcome to some of the recent sign-ups. A few quick notes:

This is an ad-free, commercial free server. We’ve had a recent influx of commercial users - who have posted commercial content - which is not allowed. We are fully supported by a few users - and me - to avoid dealing with ads.

This server is moderated - consistent with the terms posted at time of sign-up. Feel free to review the server rules if you have questions on what is/is not allowed.

Welcome!

#mastown #welcome

Sorry for the downtime - looking into why the server was down for a period of time. After reboot - all resources now look good - but not yet sure on root cause.

Will continue to investigate on this end!

#mastown

#mastown users - upgrade complete. We are now running v.4.1.0. If you have any issues, @me!

#mastown users - I am preparing to upgrade the mas.town server to the latest stable release: 4.1.0 (likely tonight).

In line with our hosting perspective (promoting security and privacy) - the goal is to ensure only tested/stable releases are deployed.

There are minor updates/feature additions, which you can read the release notes here:

https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/releases

The mastodon network is wholly reliant on the success of individual servers. At mas.town - we are committed to the security/resiliency of user data through U.S. based AWS infrastructure (application, database, storage) promoting robust dialogue, and moderating harmful content. With no billionaire or advertising support, we rely on the good will of our users. IF you would like to support, here is how!

Monthly: https://patreon.com/user?u=82983268

One time or as able: https://paypal.me/mastown22

#mastown

The server is experiencing tremendous load - and I am currently troubleshooting. There will be downtime today as a result - but I’m hoping to straighten it out soon.

Sorry for the inconvenience. @me with any questions!

#mastown

Quick #mastown community reminder:

We support free speech. While you may not agree with someone, that disagreement should not automatically result in reporting their post.

Where speech infringes on someone else’s fundamental rights (to be free from discrimination/hate, pushing false/harmful narratives/conspiracies) - please report.

Where commercial posts take advantage of my or the mastown supporter’s financial resources (or clog our feed) - those will be removed (please report)!

Continued #twittermigration growth! I believe user supported environments like #mastodon are the way forward. It removes control from a few massive tech companies and billionaires. We will continue to support the migration - but for now we have to close registrations to preserve the experience for our existing user base.

#ThankYou to our monthly and one time supporters for allowing us to support 1,500 users, and to promote user empowered social media!!

#mastown #welcome #fediveese

If you would like to support the growth of the mas.town community - and the growth of big tech, billionaire, and ad/algorithm free social media - there are several ways to do so below.

Donations are never required, but for those who would like to help with infrastructure costs, here is how:

Recurring Donations:

https://patreon.com/user?u=82983268

One Time/Infrequent:

https://paypal.me/mastown22

https://venmo.com/u/brettleath

And, thank you to our existing supporters!

#mastown #support

This platform is meant to be a productive place to engage in and enjoy dialogue. There has been an expected increase in reports violating both the letter & spirit of our intent, resulting in post deletion/account suspension. This has impact beyond mas.town.

Recent examples:

- hate speech, to include homophobic posts
- accounts only selling products
- accounts posting nonsense, w no desire to follow others/engage in conversation

These will continue to be moderated.

#moderation #mastown

After a few days on both #mastown and Twitter, the difference is clear. Just deactivated my Twitter and deleted the app.

Twitter would spend too much time "engaging" (manipulating) me into doom scrolling or, at best, just plain wasting time.

Plus it just felt like being one small piece of a billionaire's new toy.

#TwitterMigration

Well…that escalated quickly.

Welcome (and Merry Christmas) to all the new #mastown community members! Feel free to introduce yourself and get acquainted with your neighbors, and the greater fediverse!

Please @brett with any questions!

#twittermigration #welcome

Important tip for new users:

Mastodon search doesn’t NOT search the text in posts. Hashtags are key to finding posts and topics that you want.

This means hash-tagging your posts will make them visible to the fediverse. Some members tag posts in the text of the post itself, and some include a hashtag block (like below). Either way, the use of hashtags will help your posts get noticed!

#tips #twittermigration #mastodontricks #mastown #hashtag #mastotips #welcome

* We will be scaling the server up in the coming weeks - but will try to do that with as little down time as possible.
* Thank you for supporting the #mastown platform and Mastodon network. It truly removes big tech (and billionaires) from controlling online discourse!

Welcome and happy holidays!

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