 So here's the biggest tip I can give you if you're using Mastodon's web interface... Someone sent you a link to a post on an external site and you really wanna fave and boost it but you don't know how? You can copy and paste the URL the search box and it'll show it in your local UI! Most important undocumented feature of Mastodon's web UI IMO. You're welcome. 33 comments
@cwebber I'm struggling with the phrase "You can copy and paste the URL the search box"... but I have a feeling there's something valuable here. Can you clarify? @cjbooker the search box in the upper left @cwebber was gonna rant this is a bug that should be fixed but look here, it's fixed for following, on mastodon.social!   @chriscoreline @joeyh @cwebber but wait! What happened to automatically opening a popup window with an "Enter your instance" box when you click on "Follow"? Both are essentially the same, but that seemed a bit more seamless 𧡠Or is it only seamless to people who always know what their full handle is? π€ Noticed the new layout in mastodon.social, but assuming it's coming to other instances too when they upgrade β¬οΈ   You should clarify that this works for links to ActivityPub posts and not for non-federated external sites. Moreover, I'm not sure this would work in every case and I haven't had time to investigate. Would this work with a post to a blocked site? (I certainly hope not.) How about with a post not already in the DB because it is from a non-affiliated site? (Might, but Mastodon would have to fetch it on the fly and I don't know that is supported.)  Yes, search can import new posts regardless of whether author or instance are known. Oddly, I use this most for authors that *are* known where perhaps you're the among them first remote followers and so (most) posts weren't broadcast here originally. You can browse their profile, and pick a post or two to import and bookmark/fav/boost/reply. Search cannot allocate profiles or posts for blocked accounts or blocked instances. β₯οΈ @cwebber Agreed, used that multiple times, it should be documented more. I feel like the follow on another instance pushing you to copy/paste is hinting at it but still a bit hiddenβ¦ @cwebber Just read this post : How to comment a pixelfed photo from your mastodon account https://kris.talkplus.org/2021/how-to-comment-a-pixelfed-photo-from-your-mastodon-account/   @cwebber I really wish this were automatic. Like M. could prefix the original link with the instance address, while still displaying the link text in its original form.  @cwebber This seems to only work on a PC, but not on the mobile web interface when logged in via a mobile phone (Android) as there is no search box in that case (at least I couldn't find it) π @cwebber I wish it were handled automatically. The instance knows the URLs of other instances it's federated with, so it could convert such links automatically to one that opens in the current instance, no? Following an external link to an instance and having to enter your credentials to boost/follow is really going in the way. Usually I prefer to just close the tab than to try to copy paste the URL again in my client's search bar.   @akien @cwebber There's a Firefox plugin to help with this, though I'm not sure if there's one for Chrome. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/mastodon-simplified-federation/ @tamitha @cwebber Thanks! I saw that linked yesterday too though I haven't tried it yet. While I appreciate having a variety of clients and plugins to improve one's workflow, I'm more concerned about improving the vanilla experience because this is what most laypersons will use, and if the UX is bad by default, it's a deterrent to adoption IMO.  @cwebber also, see the firefox plugin that redirects you automatically https://addons.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/addon/mastodon-simplified-federation/?src=external-mastodon (:  @cwebber there's a big opportunity for people to create browser tools and plugins to make QoL improvements   @cwebber I'm lost haha. First, what am I posting exactly? I understand it's just copying a link to a post on mastodon? I saw this tip and I thought it was some clever joke... But seems like a real thing? |
Gregory's Server
@cwebber might want to clarify you're talking about a link to a post on an external mastodon/fedi site