16 votes

Introducing the Mastodon Server Covenant

2 comments

  1. [3]
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    1. unknown user
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      This is more about to whom they give publicity, rather than who they let use their stuff. So not really imposing their will, but refusing to collaborate. Their criteria is quite sensible: You...

      This is more about to whom they give publicity, rather than who they let use their stuff. So not really imposing their will, but refusing to collaborate. Their criteria is quite sensible:

      Any server that we link to from joinmastodon.org commits to actively moderating against racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia. Additionally, servers listed on joinmastodon.org are those that have committed to having daily backups, more than one person with emergency access (“bus factor”) and promise to give people a 3 month warning in case of potential closure.

      You wouldn't want them to link to the mastodon version of Gab or Voat, that would mean the premature death of the platform. If I had a say I'd also disallow hate groups from using their branding too (e.g. maybe using MPL). You don't want that shit around your name.

      9 votes
    2. mrnd
      Link Parent
      While I get your point, this terminology might be slightly confusing: "joinmastodon.org" (where the server picker is) is the website for the project, and not an instance. "Founding instance" makes...

      While I get your point, this terminology might be slightly confusing:

      using its status as the founding instance

      "joinmastodon.org" (where the server picker is) is the website for the project, and not an instance. "Founding instance" makes me think of "mastodon.social", which is the large instance run by the lead dev. So this Covenant is more like the project itself endorsing certain high-quality instances. Which might be somewhat weird like you said, but definitely highly useful!

      Personally I feel like this might be good for further decentralizing the network, as making it easier to pick an instance makes it less likely that a new user decides to start on mastodon.social.

      3 votes