@Gargron whenever people use the argument that mastodon is somehow "too complicated" I like to encourage them to do a web search for "how to use facebook." there's like a gazillion tutorials, videos, online classes, training seminars, etc. the alternatives aren't inherently less complicated—it's just that tech folks have come to accept the way they work as the "default" and so that complication is invisible to them.
The thing to remember is that at some point in recent past nobody knew what e-mail was and people had to learn about. And before that personal computers were new and folks had to learn how to use them.
Not everything can be reduced to what you already know! Mastodon requires a tiny bit of extra knowledge because it differs from other social media platforms.
Here's an article about fun bot makers leaving Twitter. Both @aparrish and I are interested in it. https://slate.com/technology/2018/08/twitters-new-developer-guidelines-might-end-fun-bot-accounts.html
If you ever find I boost your toot then immediately unboost it, it's because Mastodon refreshed the stream just as I was trying to open up a CW. 🤦♂️
God I hate the dynamic web. It's like opening up your refrigerator, reaching in to grab a bottle of orange juice, then just as your hand is about to grab it the bottle disappears and you smash your hand into half a dozen eggs instead.
I think the idea that a new Mastodon user is supposed to pick an instance based on affinity/interest is the number one thing that prevents people from joining. I think there needs to be a retooling of the messaging to make it about trust.
People don't join email services because of affinity. They do because they trust. They trust Google will be around for a long time. Or that hushmail won't sell their data. Or that Hotmail is easy to use. Etc etc.