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1. Embed this notice
   Brendan Jones (brendanjones@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Apr-2024 01:30:27 JST Brendan Jones

   Now that quote posts are coming (confirmed by Renaud https://oisaur.com/@renchap/112299860209222424 ), I think it important that we have agreed upon acceptable usage.

   Quote posts can be an amazing tool – there's a good reason they're so requested – but they also have the potential to add massive amounts of toxicity.

   Gargron recognised this years ago: https://mastodon.social/@Gargron/99662106175542726

   So here's my proposal for the Do's and Dont's of quote posting on Mastodon. Please boost!

   🧵 Thread time:

   • Embed this notice
     Brendan Jones (brendanjones@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Apr-2024 01:30:21 JST Brendan Jones

     in reply to

     • Petra van Cronenburg
     • Amandine

     @eco_amandine @NatureMC reply restrictions are on their roadmap as 'exploring': https://joinmastodon.org/roadmap

     It's the third-most upvoted feature on Github so you'd think it'd have fairly high priority: https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/issues/8565

   • Embed this notice
     Sean Bala (seanbala@mas.to)'s status on Sunday, 21-Apr-2024 01:30:21 JST Sean Bala

     in reply to

     • Petra van Cronenburg
     • Amandine

     @Brendanjones @eco_amandine @NatureMC I think I'm okay with these sort of guidelines because they are an open letter to all. What I don't think is good is someone going out of their way to "tone police" an individual account. Talking about the importance of alt text and content warnings is fine but going after people for not doing them is bad.

     A general (yet respectful) discussion of etiquette is not a bad thing. :)

   • Embed this notice
     Petra van Cronenburg (naturemc@mastodon.online)'s status on Sunday, 21-Apr-2024 01:30:23 JST Petra van Cronenburg

     in reply to

     @Brendanjones You've done a lot of work here. But honestly, I'm tired of all these "how to behave on Mastodon" guides (and it drives a lot of people away to other platforms).
     There is no technology that is not abused. Even now you can quote post-links (you did it above 😎 ) or people make screenshots.

     More important are security implementations: they are planned as Renaud writes in his comments! So easy.

   • Embed this notice
     Amandine (eco_amandine@mastodon.cr)'s status on Sunday, 21-Apr-2024 01:30:23 JST Amandine

     in reply to

     • Petra van Cronenburg

     @NatureMC I feel this might be the new "What to put behind a CW". I love Cw and I use it sometimes, but I don't appreciate people coming to lecture me on how to use it. @Brendanjones Do you know if mastodon will add the possibility to limit who replies to a post? For example in a public post you could decide that only mutuals can reply.

   • Embed this notice
     Brendan Jones (brendanjones@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Apr-2024 01:30:24 JST Brendan Jones

     in reply to

     How to use Quote Posts (cont.)

     DO NOT:
     3. Add a low-value comment.

     Just boost the post instead. Of course, if you are so bursting with enthusiasm for a post that you want to announce your love for it to your followers then do so, but this should be the exception not the rule.

     4. Spread negativity unnecessarily.

     Are you sharing something people need to know about or are you just venting outrage? Negative events do happen and need talking about, but not all negative things need sharing.

   • Embed this notice
     Brendan Jones (brendanjones@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Apr-2024 01:30:24 JST Brendan Jones

     in reply to

     How to use Quote Posts (cont.)

     ABSOLUTELY DO NOT

     This behaviour should earn you a block & report anyway, but absolutely do not use quote posts to:

     1. Dunk on the author.
     2. Prompt your followers to dunk on the author.
     3. Prompt followers of a hashtag you add to dunk on the author.

   • Embed this notice
     Brendan Jones (brendanjones@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Apr-2024 01:30:24 JST Brendan Jones

     in reply to

     I hope this thread is useful and something people can link to when they see someone abusing quote posts.

     I welcome additions to and discussion of this list - please fire away!

   • Embed this notice
     Brendan Jones (brendanjones@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Apr-2024 01:30:25 JST Brendan Jones

     in reply to

     How to use Quote Posts (cont.)

     DO NOT use a quote post to:
     1. Reply to the author of the quoted post.

     This is rude. You’re bringing their conversation into your house. You’re probably doing it because you disagree.

     2. Add information to a post.

     You don't need to make yourself the centre of a conversation. Instead, boost the post and add your reply. If your addition is really that brilliant then see "DO: 2. Use a post as a jumping off point for a new conversation."

   • Embed this notice
     Brendan Jones (brendanjones@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Apr-2024 01:30:26 JST Brendan Jones

     in reply to

     How to use Quote Posts.

     DO:
     1. Share with a hashtag.

     If the original post missed one and you think that hashtag’s followers would like to see the post. (Alternatively, suggest to the author that they edit their post to include the hashtag)

     2. Use a post as a jumping off point for a new conversation.

     Especially if you think it might be spammy or off-topic if you comment it on the original post.

   • Embed this notice
     Brendan Jones (brendanjones@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Apr-2024 01:30:26 JST Brendan Jones

     in reply to

     How to use Quote Posts (cont.)

     DO:
     3. Add info or context to a post when the poster is not a person.

     For example, quote-posting news articles posted by news outlets or bots.

   • Embed this notice
     Brendan Jones (brendanjones@fosstodon.org)'s status on Sunday, 21-Apr-2024 01:30:27 JST Brendan Jones

     in reply to

     First a quick guide:

     Ask yourself: does my QP add value? Is it kind?

     If not, consider a) commenting on or boosting the post instead, or b) not doing anything.

     Let's explore specific examples: