I mean. I’m generally an app snob and prefer them most of the time. But we also can just use the website. Lots of people visit YouTube simply in a browser on mobile, without the app on any platform.

I think the main idea is to look at some hashtags to find people to follow, then eventually wean off those hashtags if you want.

Another key detail is that you can’t read it all. Not hashtags, not people. You’ll go nuts if you try. It’s about following people who are interesting, opening the app every once in a while to check in, then going on with your day.

One tip would be to use email addresses that you actually check for mission critical accounts.

Probably some mix of: it was an unknown and unregulated industry when domains were invented, the idea of ‘property’ doesn’t really work like that IRL (the bank or local government can take your house for myriad reasons), and people aren’t motivated enough to make any significant changes.

These days, I don’t remember the last registrar I’ve seen that does not provide at least some kind of basic hosting. Maybe they want to grow like all businesses, maybe just being a registrar doesn’t keep the lights on anymore. Not sure, but it definitely seems to be the thing most, if not all, do now.

I poked around with Matrix a bit this week but I’m confused as to how it’s being touted as a replacement for Discord. TBC, I’ve been on Mastodon since 2019 and absolutely want these people-powered alternatives to succeed.

I’m not even talking about the onboarding part, I mean the actual function of the app. With Discord you join a community (server, whatever) and there are a bunch of separate channels, usually separated by topics. I joined a few Matrix servers and they all seem to be one single channel; just one big ol’ scrolling chat where everyone is talking about everything.

Unless I’m missing something, I don’t understand how this will work at all for Discord users looking to jump ship.

Apple, laying on a couch, head propped up with a seasonally colorful pillow from IKEA: “They just don’t understand the immense pressure I’m under…”

I don’t have a definitive source, but I’ve heard that was intentional. WB said they were gonna do it with or without the Wachowskis. So they agreed to do it and torpedoed it so WB would stop trying to mess with the franchise.

Probably a good thing I started seriously exploring Ghost today. Seems like a great alternative.

Personally I worry this is sort of a chicken and egg problem. On one hand I get the idea, on paper, of automating a way to post more content to hopefully spark engagement in a small community struggling to grow.

OTOH, as a community visitor, few things will immediately tank my interest in engaging than when I see “bot” in the name of the poster. I’m not talking with a human—literally the entire point of hanging out in a community like you and I are, right now.

I think it’s a similar problem to what I see in r/blogging. People keep asking if they can start a blog and pump it full of AI content, then get admitted to AdSense or other ad networks and thus win the game of capitalism. But virtually zero ad networks will admit you that way. In fact, they all have a bunch of tech now to sniff out AI content and downrank or otherwise block it. The problem is: no one wants to read AI (bot) content because it isn’t genuine content from human beings. Which means no advertiser wants to place their ads next to AI content.

Speaking as a community manager: If you’re trying to build a community, I think the best solution is still to simply put in the time yourself. Find people who share your passion and want to help. Post the links and discussions yourself. Be the human you want to see in the community of humans you hope to build.

I wonder if the danger here is that the iPad already powers the keyboard through the Smart Connector. BUT, since the keyboard has no battery, it can charge the iPad back through that Smart Connector. It’s a strange device relationship.

Seems like a complicated situation. They’re technically two separate devices, one port (iPad) can send power in and out, the other can only send it in (Magic Keyboard). This warning is specifically about connecting a single USB-C cable between the two, which I imagine can create an undesirable loop of power or miscommunication or whatever.

You can charge it via either port—plug a cable into the iPad’s direct port on the bottom, or plug a cable into the C port on the keyboard, and the iPad will charge via the Smart Connector that attaches the keyboard to the iPad.

This warning simply tells us not to create a loop between those two ports with a single cable. My post is just a silly joke about using this method to create infinite power.