Also the first barrier of picking a server (how it works, the rules of every instance, checking who they federate with) and an app (the will to test multiple apps, learning that to login you have to input the server url manually since most aren't listed in the apps), to the people who read all the things it's tedious but doable, for the rest it's "Which one is the RIGHT choice?" and just stay at the door.

Also servers with poorly written rules don't help (example: mstdn.mx says porn and politics are forbidden, but in reality they allow them as long as you tag then properly).

These kind of posts don't help either, because it makes people feel like they are too stupid to join and rather stick to the known services, but omit all the actual process that someone has to go through.

[–] blivet@kbin.social 20 points 2 years ago (2 children)

to the people who read all the things it’s tedious but doable, for the rest it’s “Which one is the RIGHT choice?” and just stay at the door

Exactly. I'm a programmer and I do server administration on a small scale, but when I went to sign up for Mastodon my first reaction was, "How the hell am I supposed to know what instance I want my account to be on?" and I left. After a couple of weeks of absorbing random bits of information about how federation works I went back and completed the account creation process, but I really doubt that the average user who just wants to sign up for a service and use it is going to get past that step.

[–] OtakuAltair@lemm.ee 12 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Apps need to automatically assign users randomly to one of the non-controversial general instances, and letting them change it if they want.

Lemmy and other fediverse clients need to do this too imo

[–] blivet@kbin.social 9 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I agree. The information should be easily available if they are interested, but end users shouldn't be required to know about the underlying mechanics of the fediverse simply in order to create an account and browse.

[–] OtakuAltair@lemm.ee 5 points 2 years ago

Great thing about lemmy and most of the apps being open source is we users can add those features in ourselves. I'm sure they will be later, the fediverse is only now starting to grow after all.

[–] Jimbo@yiffit.net 1 points 2 years ago

I really don't understand what's so difficult about picking an instance you like. Find an instance- Like the content? Rules look okay to you? Boom, done.

[–] echo@sopuli.xyz 6 points 2 years ago (1 children)

the will to test multiple apps, learning that to login you have to input the server url manually since most aren’t listed in the apps

I don't get why everything needs to be an app. Mastodon's (and Lemmy's) web UI works perfectly well in a mobile browser.

[–] Shdwdrgn@mander.xyz 3 points 2 years ago

I find it hilarious to watch people struggling with doing things on their phone... while sitting in front of their desktop computer. My phone is for taking calls, sending texts, and playing solitaire. Anything else can wait until I have a real screen available to read it on.