We are excited to share that we are beginning work on a new onboarding experiment for #Mastodon: Default Server Recommendations.
Our intent for this experiment is to recommend the closest server geographically that is in the correct language during the sign-up flow. We will be running this experiment on our iOS and Android apps only to start.
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(The reason we’re starting with the apps and not the web is because the necessary data to run this experiment is already provided through the app store. It is more complicated to do this right for the web, and we want to think carefully about how to do this in a way that respects privacy.)
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The experiment will be designed to ensure that server admins remain in control: meaning they will have the power opt-in and opt-out as needed, or reduce the percentage of sign-ups flowing their way.
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Starting now, we’re recruiting general purpose servers with open sign-ups. To be eligible, servers must:
- Run default Mastodon (for now)
- Agree to the Server Covenant
- Have existed for 1+ year
- Have shut-down & disaster plans
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If you’re interested in participating in this experiment, please let us know by filling out the form that this QR code points too.
(sorry it’s in Google docs)
https://forms.gle/7uRui5VnMPfEYAgq8
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The Default Server Recommendations experiment is a first step in reimagining how Mastodon onboarding & server discovery work.
Our team’s intent is to work with the community to build new onboarding pathways that support the entire network.
We can’t wait to get started 💜
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@Mastodon Excellente idée
@Mastodon Really great news 😍
@Mastodon Seems like a good idea.
@Mastodon
Cool that you crowdsource.
But no need to use g forms and then apologize for it.
I like to use https://framaforms.org/
@Mastodon do you mean entirely open sign-ups (i.e. prone to spam accounts) or accepting sign-ups that get manually approved by a human? 
@Mastodon
Interesting experiment!
Before I fill in the form:
Is there anything in particular that should be done or followed-up server/admin side for this?
@NoOnesRival
Yes I am talking to them about this right now at #fosdem #mastodon
@Mastodon
@Mastodon why is geography important?
@Mastodon good idea!
"Correct language": Does it mean the favourite language that people choose individually in their preferences (but for which they need an instance) or official language of a country/region? Asking for all the multi-language migrants, bilingual regions, and foreign-language prefering people.
@Mastodon The bad news: i ended up on the server of some power-hungry warlord everyone in the know woulda told me not to join
The good news: they live only 200 kilometers away from me
@FediTips you should boost this to the admins of servers you have recommended on http://fedi.garden
