🧵 #Part6 #generalAdvice #MigratingServers

With all the issues with unattended instances and other problems at the moment, I thought I would share something that I've been considering for a while.

** Keep a second account on a different server as a risk-management strategy **

This will leave you in a good place if recalcitrant admin or other issues occur at your current instance, without a need to scramble as so many have done recently.

Follow the same people, and (I haven't done this but assume that it works) if you use one of the redirection mechanisms of masto, your followers should also show in the second account (see this thread for some pointers). THEN YOU NEED TO CANCEL THE REDIRECTION. Voila, a back-up account.

As this is a risk-mitigation strategy , there is no need to be active in your back-up account unless you want to.

For some reason, I'm unable to follow back more than a few hundred of my followers after #MigratingServers. I'm hoping this is some kind of "daily follow limit" and I will be able to #FollowBack more of you tomorrow.

Thank you all for your patience!

#Migration #NewAccount #Migrating

Honest thoughts on #migratingservers

I switched #instances today from @cupoftea.social to @bookstodon.com

#CupofTea was great, I just wanted a server that better matched my interests and region

A lot of #fediverse users talk about how easy #migration is. While it was easy for me to figure out, I don’t think the average consumer could

It’s also disappointing that my previous posts can’t follow me to this server

Overall, it feels like I just moved some settings, not my full account :(

Honest thoughts on #migratingservers

I switched #instances today from @cupoftea.social to @bookstodon.com

#CupofTea was great, I just wanted a server that better matched my interests and region

A lot of #fediverse users talk about how easy #migration is. While it was easy for me to figure out, I don’t think the average consumer could

It’s also disappointing that my previous posts can’t follow me to this account

It feels like I just moved some settings over to a new account :(

This is probably a very ignorant question, but if I delete my old account on a different server, it won’t delete my new account on babka.social, will it? Just want to be extra cautious before I do something irreversible. Thanks for any advice! #mastodon #help #MigratingServers

#Part4 #MigratingServers

Documenting considerations as I uncover them:

* NOTE that your followed hastags do not move across when you migrate - and there is no listing of them on the web app. Some mobile apps may list them (eg Megalodon on Android) - if your app does, make a copy of your followed hashtags. Follow them again once your have migrated.

#part3 #MigratingServers

* I find that most people don't consider what will happen to the content of the account that they are migrating from. I didn't.

* It is not automatically deleted once you migrate, so your footprint lives on unless you are proactive.

* Consider whether you want your old content to live on, even tho you no longer have control over it?

Or is it best deleted?

* Consider setting up auto-delete (in your preferences). This way you can keep the posts that you want to remain visible, and ensure others are deleted.

* NOTE a couple of things I don't know
- whether auto delete will work once your account is redirected
- what happens if you cancel your redirect - esp whether your followers are removed from your new account.

Fill me in if you have any info and I will update.

#part2 #MigratingServers

I've run into lots of people who have not used the settings/preferences of their account to their fullest advantage.

Once you are in your new account and have it all set up:

* Check out all the settings - yes, all - understand what they do, and set appropriately

* Also find out how to set bookmarks and create lists. These are in the Getting Started menu on the web interface - not sure where they are in your apps.

* If you are using an app, did you know that you can follow hashtags? You may need to go to the web interface to follow your chosen ones, but then those posts will appear in your app.

* If you are using the advanced interface on the web, you can add columns by pinning lists and pinning hashtags

Each column has its own settings (see the menu at the top of each column). Check them out and set them as suits you.

This document came in handy when I was #MigratingServers and I recommend it.

https://blog.djnavarro.net/posts/2022-11-03_what-i-know-about-mastodon/#how-do-i-move-my-account-to-a-new-server

There are a couple of got-ya's as well. I've posted about them here and at the old instance.

A couple of words of advice:

* do your homework. Create temp accounts on servers of interest and have a look around. Some of the differences between instances are surprising. Make sure you find one that looks and feels comfortable for you.

* download copies of everything in your current account - see your preferences. Take screen shots of your settings. Copy the text from your bio and introduction posts and save them. You will need all of this.

* You will have to recreate any lists manually in your new account

* Filters do not automatically move with you - you will have to recreate them (hence the screenshot is handy)

* Lists of Blocked and Muted people can be downloaded in your current account and uploaded to your new account, but I found it was patchy and needed to block some again

Then there are lists - you can download the lists that you've created on the old server and their details, but there doesn't seem to be any way to upload the files on the new instance and automate recreation of the lists.

#migratingServers