Is your Mastodon timeline too empty or too full?
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Many servers have a translation service in your Home feed, and if your server has it you'll see "translate" below posts in other languages.
However, the admin has to pay the translation service provider a monthly fee to have such a service. Not all admins can afford this, so they don't activate the translation feature. (The reason translations are "free" on commercial platforms is they're paying for the translations by selling your data etc).
I understand this
My instance use LibreTranslate
My issue is remote instances that throw an httpd 404 or httpd 503 at any attempt to translate a post from one of their posters, even when I go to their profile feed and try to translate directly from their home instance, or where posts in my Home feed don't even offer Translate at all
It's really an inexcusable weak point
I remember on Github (where I follow Mastodon development) where quite some time ago Gargron himself blew off the entire auto-translate issue as too marginal to bother addressing programmatically in the distribution itself
His attitude was basically "Meh... they should all be able to read European (meaning German) anyway..."
So here we are: Mastodon as a Tower of Babel
cc @klu9
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Weird! Is it doing the "read more" when it goes over a certain length, or is it just random?
If you don't mind me asking, what are you using to view Mastodon?
Re Read more, maybe it depends on source platform (Mastodon with high limit, Sharkey, Piefed etc.)
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If you read the guide I linked to, it addresses exactly this discussion of definitions.
What you say is not what most people mean by "algorithm". I'm using the word in its common meaning of an opaque mechanism that messes around with your timeline.
I have to disagree with you, Fedi...
The most common definition of an algorithm is: a finite, step-by-step sequence of precise instructions for solving a problem or accomplishing a specific task.
You use a very small subset of "most people" and take that as your definition of most people and then couple that to what you think most people mean when using the word.
Are you spreading misinformation?
It depends: if you are deliberately creating or spreading it in order to deceive people, to influence opinion or cause harm, the answer would be yes.
If that is not the case, then at the very least, your information is incomplete, even in the context of Mastodon.
If your intention is to convince people about how and why Mastodon is better than other platforms, you have to be precise.
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I understand this
My instance use LibreTranslate
My issue is remote instances that throw an httpd 404 or httpd 503 at any attempt to translate a post from one of their posters, even when I go to their profile feed and try to translate directly from their home instance, or where posts in my Home feed don't even offer Translate at all
It's really an inexcusable weak point
I remember on Github (where I follow Mastodon development) where quite some time ago Gargron himself blew off the entire auto-translate issue as too marginal to bother addressing programmatically in the distribution itself
His attitude was basically "Meh... they should all be able to read European (meaning German) anyway..."
So here we are: Mastodon as a Tower of Babel
cc @klu9
Are you attempting to use translate on a different server's website?
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I have to disagree with you, Fedi...
The most common definition of an algorithm is: a finite, step-by-step sequence of precise instructions for solving a problem or accomplishing a specific task.
You use a very small subset of "most people" and take that as your definition of most people and then couple that to what you think most people mean when using the word.
Are you spreading misinformation?
It depends: if you are deliberately creating or spreading it in order to deceive people, to influence opinion or cause harm, the answer would be yes.
If that is not the case, then at the very least, your information is incomplete, even in the context of Mastodon.
If your intention is to convince people about how and why Mastodon is better than other platforms, you have to be precise.
"The most common definition of an algorithm is: a finite, step-by-step sequence of precise instructions"
I'm not talking about a technical dictionary definition, I mean the way non-technical people actually use that word in the real world.
They'll typically say something like "the algorithm is showing me stuff" or "the algorithm has hidden my post".
My accounts and websites are largely aimed at non-technical people, so I try to use non-technical meanings and words.
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Are you attempting to use translate on a different server's website?
I am attemting to translate using the Translate text at the bottom of given post
Again my instance uses LibreTranslate
Sometimes I'll click through to the post on the origin instance and try there
Sometimes (when I have a lot of time to waste and I'm in a better mood) I'll open up the instances
/public/local
and see
1) if they have any posts in anything other than their native language, and
2) do they seem to offer any translation at all
And here's the core point:
how much effort should I be expected to expand, to translate a foreign / European/ German post just to read something that ends up being extremely mundane
And how much finite screen space am I expected to give to posts / posters I'll never be able to translate and read?
I've already Muted and Blocked two in the last 15 minutes...
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I am attemting to translate using the Translate text at the bottom of given post
Again my instance uses LibreTranslate
Sometimes I'll click through to the post on the origin instance and try there
Sometimes (when I have a lot of time to waste and I'm in a better mood) I'll open up the instances
/public/local
and see
1) if they have any posts in anything other than their native language, and
2) do they seem to offer any translation at all
And here's the core point:
how much effort should I be expected to expand, to translate a foreign / European/ German post just to read something that ends up being extremely mundane
And how much finite screen space am I expected to give to posts / posters I'll never be able to translate and read?
I've already Muted and Blocked two in the last 15 minutes...
Are you seeing a "translate" button below remote posts you are viewing within your own instance's website?
If you are, what happens when you click it? (Not on the origin instance but when viewed within your own instance's interface.)
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Are you seeing a "translate" button below remote posts you are viewing within your own instance's website?
If you are, what happens when you click it? (Not on the origin instance but when viewed within your own instance's interface.)
JFC...
I have four tabs open, Firefox web browser on Ubuntu, to my home instance
/home
/public/local
my Lists
and my Profile home
I'm on my /home tab viewing posts
I am looking for and using the Translate tag at the lower left of a given post
Do you need a screenshot to understand what I'm saying?
Or do you think I don't know what I'm talking about?
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"The most common definition of an algorithm is: a finite, step-by-step sequence of precise instructions"
I'm not talking about a technical dictionary definition, I mean the way non-technical people actually use that word in the real world.
They'll typically say something like "the algorithm is showing me stuff" or "the algorithm has hidden my post".
My accounts and websites are largely aimed at non-technical people, so I try to use non-technical meanings and words.
I agree with Fritz... You are not even willing to consider you could do better.
So be it. I have better things to do than trying to convince someone he is writing like an AI.
Cheers.
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JFC...
I have four tabs open, Firefox web browser on Ubuntu, to my home instance
/home
/public/local
my Lists
and my Profile home
I'm on my /home tab viewing posts
I am looking for and using the Translate tag at the lower left of a given post
Do you need a screenshot to understand what I'm saying?
Or do you think I don't know what I'm talking about?
"Or do you think I don't know what I'm talking about?"
Absolutely not! I am the one who doesn't understand, I am trying to get a better picture of what is going on by asking for details 🙂
I'm trying to help.
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Is your Mastodon timeline too empty or too full? Are you seeing stuff you don't want to, and missing stuff you do want to see? Is your timeline overwhelmed by someone who shares too many posts?
These and lots more timeline problems are solved in the "How to customise your Mastodon timeline" guide:
p.s. Good grief. I'm trying to help people use this place and just got accused of "disinformation" and "causing harm" because they didn't like the way I used the word algorithm in the guide.
Can we please chill out and be a bit more friendly? The Fedi relies on volunteers helping each other and making suggestions in a constructive way.
If I've done something wrong it is brilliant if you point it out, most of the guides rely on people correcting me. But there is no need for personal attacks.
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p.s. Good grief. I'm trying to help people use this place and just got accused of "disinformation" and "causing harm" because they didn't like the way I used the word algorithm in the guide.
Can we please chill out and be a bit more friendly? The Fedi relies on volunteers helping each other and making suggestions in a constructive way.
If I've done something wrong it is brilliant if you point it out, most of the guides rely on people correcting me. But there is no need for personal attacks.
@FediTips there is no pleasing those both humorless and in terminal thrall of Dunning Kruger. Just block, move on.
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p.s. Good grief. I'm trying to help people use this place and just got accused of "disinformation" and "causing harm" because they didn't like the way I used the word algorithm in the guide.
Can we please chill out and be a bit more friendly? The Fedi relies on volunteers helping each other and making suggestions in a constructive way.
If I've done something wrong it is brilliant if you point it out, most of the guides rely on people correcting me. But there is no need for personal attacks.
@FediTips that sounds exactly like mastodon
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p.s. Good grief. I'm trying to help people use this place and just got accused of "disinformation" and "causing harm" because they didn't like the way I used the word algorithm in the guide.
Can we please chill out and be a bit more friendly? The Fedi relies on volunteers helping each other and making suggestions in a constructive way.
If I've done something wrong it is brilliant if you point it out, most of the guides rely on people correcting me. But there is no need for personal attacks.
@FediTips I am sending more kofi money
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p.s. Good grief. I'm trying to help people use this place and just got accused of "disinformation" and "causing harm" because they didn't like the way I used the word algorithm in the guide.
Can we please chill out and be a bit more friendly? The Fedi relies on volunteers helping each other and making suggestions in a constructive way.
If I've done something wrong it is brilliant if you point it out, most of the guides rely on people correcting me. But there is no need for personal attacks.
@FediTips You are doing an excellent job. Don't let them get to you.
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p.s. Good grief. I'm trying to help people use this place and just got accused of "disinformation" and "causing harm" because they didn't like the way I used the word algorithm in the guide.
Can we please chill out and be a bit more friendly? The Fedi relies on volunteers helping each other and making suggestions in a constructive way.
If I've done something wrong it is brilliant if you point it out, most of the guides rely on people correcting me. But there is no need for personal attacks.
@FediTips asks "Can we please chill out and be a bit more friendly?"
I highly recommend that.
Always.
But also particularly when somebody is trying to help without compensation, just for the sake of the community.
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p.s. Good grief. I'm trying to help people use this place and just got accused of "disinformation" and "causing harm" because they didn't like the way I used the word algorithm in the guide.
Can we please chill out and be a bit more friendly? The Fedi relies on volunteers helping each other and making suggestions in a constructive way.
If I've done something wrong it is brilliant if you point it out, most of the guides rely on people correcting me. But there is no need for personal attacks.
@FediTips Ugh, some people just need to chill. I think you're doing fine.
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@FediTips I am sending more kofi money
@FediTips Perhaps a positive reinforcement will outweigh the negative one you just got
Thank you for what you do.
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p.s. Good grief. I'm trying to help people use this place and just got accused of "disinformation" and "causing harm" because they didn't like the way I used the word algorithm in the guide.
Can we please chill out and be a bit more friendly? The Fedi relies on volunteers helping each other and making suggestions in a constructive way.
If I've done something wrong it is brilliant if you point it out, most of the guides rely on people correcting me. But there is no need for personal attacks.
@FediTips I just glanced through the article to see how you were using the word. You even explained how you were using it and why while acknowledging that other meanings exist. I would give that an A+ for communication. I'm sorry someone decided to be mean to you. I hope one day they learn to chill out and help people instead.
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Gli ultimi otto messaggi ricevuti dalla Federazione
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Andre Kudra (@kudrix.bsky.social) is coming to FediForum, to learn more about:
Open social web current adoption, market potential, technological streams
Join us April 28-30, online? More info and registration: https://fediforum.org/2026-04/
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@Otttoz
E vabbé, me la tiri proprio fuori!
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@halcy I think another part is gratitude. You can curse your luck that you lost your hat, or feel lucky that it was there when you came back.
If you have four walls and a roof, three squares a day, good friends and family, a bit of transcendent joy every so often, that can feel incredibly lucky.
If you are always comparing and judging by what others have, you'll never feel lucky because you'll always find someone who has more or better than you.
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@evan that's what I said
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@halcy another part of being lucky is being the kind of person that people go the extra mile for. A lot of that is privilege, and some of that is attitude. If you leave your hat on the table at the restaurant, a big part of whether it's behind the counter when you come back, or if it went in the dumpster as soon as you left, is how you treated the staff. "Luck" is in part how much other people want good things to happen to you.
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una finestra
se la apro si riempie
di primaveraSantōka Taneda (1882-1940)
#haiku #poetry#equinozio #20Mar2026
#womensart
Jessie Boswel, Le tre finestre, 1924
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@trevorflowers apparently a bunch of electric scooters caught on fire. No casualties fortunately.
https://www.at5.nl/artikelen/237425/liveblog-grote-rookwolk-door-brandende-scooters-op-nieuwe-hemweg
