#Starterpack

RE: fediscience.org/@hweimer/11596

With this important and hopefully impactful article by Mario Birkholz of @neuSoM and @hweimer out in the upcoming Physik Journal 25 (2026) Nr. 2 published by @DPGPhysik, here's a very much work-in-progress starter pack for physics fedidevs.com/s/ODg2/

as well as the related astrophysics one fedidevs.com/s/NjA2/

Want in (or off?) Let me know!

#Physics #Physik #DPGPhysik #StarterPack #Science

@faraiwe

Dear god, do you do anything but constantly bitch?! Why are you even on social media if you hate it so fucking much?!

A little bit about me. I am a Computer Scientist and I have recently had contracts for developing apps for both the AT protocol and The Activitypub protocol. I am saying this to get ahead of the annoying nerd culture of the fediverse.

I am going to be honest. I am tired of the bitching about Mastodon. You guys act as if you don’t have other options.

In 2023-2024, Zuck decided he would pull a google and subsume the fediverse. So he “federated” (but not really) with fediverse, allowing Threads users to READ what mastodon.social (ugh) server would show. Can’t TALK to fediverse users, just see their posts AND CONTENT (must… feed… LLM…). That was followed by a bunch of idiots following Dorsey, and his VC techbro funded “BlueSky” twitter-reborn. Sod as “DeCentrAliZed aND fReE”, it is centralized as fuck, EVERYTHING passes through their ONE cluster of servers, controlled by their choices. Even if you pay them tubes (no, seriously), and run a “hard” PSD server, you are still controlled (account, permissions) by central BS server. That douchebaggery also tried to subsume the fediverse, by “bridging” it. Same deal as Threads.

Now, the users of those are seeing the nazifying of both, and eyeballing the fediverse they can mostly read but not interact with, and getting buyer’s regret. BUT, they want to bring the bullshit they are used to along.

So we see “Starter Packs” talk, basically a large file containing thousands of accounts that are either available for download OR THAT THE INSTANCE PUSHES TO YOUR ACCOUNT AUTOMATICALLY. TL;DR they control the start of what you see and who you can read from and talk to… exactly like xitter, threads, linkedin, facebook, bluesky… all the Big Corp controlled platforms.

As an aside, I think it is duplicitous and disingenuous to post the above text I extracted as an image without a CW. First, it circumvents people’s filters. Second, it makes it harder to quote the text. So, I tacitly believe you’re operating in bad faith, and part of me thinks you are purposefully conflating Mastodon with the ActivityPub protocol in the same way it is common to conflate the Bluesky app view with ATmosphere. It kinda sounds like left-wing accelerationism to me, though I admit I might be reaching with that.

But yeah, this is exactly why I am self-hosting. Since this is my site, I can choose to defederate or federate with any other instance, provided they don’t defederate from me first. In my opinion, Mastodon consumes way too much of the fediverse, so for anyone who doesn’t like starter packs, I would recommend just not using Mastodon. I have been developing stuff on the AT Protocol for the last year, so I am a bit rusty on what’s going on the Starter Packs for Mastodon, but to my knowledge, it is not going to be protocol-specific. I could be wrong, so if I am, correct me and cite the technical documentation.

I am blunt because, like I said, I am tired of the constant bitching. If you don’t like starter packs, don’t use Mastodon. If you disagree with the federation decisions of an ActivityPub instance, find another one. And if you can’t find any run how you want, run your own. The issue is that you don’t want certain people here, so you can run your own instance and determine who you want there. I’m not the pot calling the kettle black because I own this, lol.

Edit:

I just looked into it. The “Fedipacks” are conceptually a directory, not a record. See here:

https://fedidevs.com/starter-packs

When you create a Starter Pack on Bluesky, the system writes a new record into the app.bsky.graph.starterpack field of a user’s repo, which is the decentralized data layer Bluesky is built on. This record lives inside a user’s personal AT Proto repository, just like posts, likes, follows, and lists. app.bsky.graph.starterpack represents the metadata for that Starter Pack: its name, description, included accounts, feeds, and other configuration details. Once created, it is addressable via an at:// URI and identified by a CID (content identifier), just like other AT Proto records. Here is an example:

The proposed “starter packs” for the fediverse and the starter packs for the AT Protocol would be implemented in totally different ways. From a very quick look at how Starter Packs in ActivityPub are supposed to work, the starter packs app is given permission to act as an actor on your behalf and follow accounts, which is entirely different from what happens with Bluesky. Y’all really need to cool it with the insane insular culture. All of that is besides the point: you just don’t want a particular group of people in the same networks as you. That’s fine. Spin up your own instance.

I don’t care either way about starter packs, because they are just explicit models of the implicit social connections people already have. It is not the starter packs that you have an issue with; it is the relationships and the culture that you have an issue with. You do not want people with social connections to other platforms here. Just say that. Again, I’m not a fan of Mastodon, so I am not using it to speak to you.

For example, I am not posting from Mastodon, lol. Mastodon is to ActivityPub as Bluesky is to the AT Protocol. ActivityPub and the AT Protocol were made for more than just microblogging, but because people have a tacit expectation that everything should plug into microblogging, here we are. Your points are valid, which is why I don’t use Mastodon and have my own instance. You’re not chained to Mastodon. See all the cool formatting tricks I’m able to do in this post and my unlimited character length. Yeah—that’s not Mastodon.

Your larger point is that you don’t want people of a particular type or culture over there, and you are not fond of Starter Packs because you believe they are a bridge. That is valid. So what you do is spin up your own instance, pick which servers you do or don’t federate with, and choose software that doesn’t implement those features. You’re essentially, tacitly telling administrators what to do in their own space when you can make your own space and invite or disinvite who you want.

For example, the Bluesky bridge and Threads are blocked for my site, so it doesn’t matter if another instance is federated with them. I’m not disagreeing with your main point. I’m saying you keep expecting people to conform to your judgments instead of setting up a space that fits your values, which is just wild to me.

↬mstdn.social/@faraiwe/115973230331414299

2026-01-29

@anno1540.bsky.social Thank you for the add to this great #StarterPack!! Come on y'all, it ain't too late to answer the call and #FollowAll then #Repost!! Boop boop 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻

RE: https://bsky.brid.gy/convert/ap/at://did:plc:dy4mk6ej5d7hlqgfeqjft3hd/app.bsky.graph.starterpack/3mcskde7qat2d

2026-01-28

@bluefacts.app Keeps this #StarterPack hanging around. Great it is, and not just cuz #MissKitty, with your help, is beating down the door and she in here. Check it out. Lots of action with these accounts. #FollowAll #Repost

RE: https://bsky.brid.gy/convert/ap/at://did:plc:j3qij7oqe6gie2x56gk5s6tx/app.bsky.graph.starterpack/3lfinx3d2te2m

2026-01-28

@coolsprings.bsky.social You have some of the best #StarterPack names! You already know I am RATM locked DNA! Let's go y'all. Times a wastin'. Get in here and get that #FollowAll #Repost. We do matter for each other. Some connections made here do translate to meaning. Leverage that. 🤜🏻💥🤛🏻💙💙

RE: https://bsky.brid.gy/convert/ap/at://did:plc:432rnrbenueqjtxif7azozrw/app.bsky.graph.starterpack/3mdhqsz45tc2t

Petra van CronenburgNatureMC@mastodon.online
2026-01-28

Did you know that you can follow these people here? (choosen accidentally from my timeline today)

The wonderful witty Guardian cartoonist @firstdogonthemoon

Two Japanese teahouses giving you insights in culture & country: @camelliakyoto

One of my favourite places for clever/respectful discussions: @Remittancegirl

19th century biodiversity by @biodiversitypix

Nature in arts & culture: @arthistoryanimalia

Gorgeous archeology photos: @ninawillburger

#FediFollow #FollowFriday #Starterpack

2026-01-26

@coolsprings.bsky.social you already know I am down with the go! But #Bluesky or somebody put on the whoa. And I don't know yet what the antidote is. But I'm reading report that tells me. I'm still going to call it out, give it a shout for everybody to #FollowAll & #Repost this amazing #StarterPack!

RE: https://bsky.brid.gy/convert/ap/at://did:plc:432rnrbenueqjtxif7azozrw/app.bsky.graph.starterpack/3mdduy4xldh2l

Jack Drago - Vast Country Hypnosisvasthypno.bsky.social@bsky.brid.gy
2026-01-26
Tom :damnified:thomas@metalhead.club
2026-01-26

Hey Fediverse,

I've created a Fediverse Starter Pack for metal musicians and bands on metalhead.club:

bands.metalhead.club

If you're a metal fan: Don't miss to follow them! 🤘

(the pack will be updated as more and more bands agree to participate 😄 )

#metal #music #fediverse #starterPack #metalheadclub

2026-01-26

Es ist erstaunlich, wie viele Institutionen gerade auch aus der sich doch an breitestmögliches Publikum richtenden #vhs-Welt unter "Datenschutz und Reichweite" auf "not discoverable" gesetzt und daher nicht zu #Starterpack​s hinzufügbar sind.
(Looking at You, @vhskoeln, @halle, @crailsheim, @suedost, @weimar, @bingen, @elw, @LandkreisFulda, @vhs_burgenlandkreis ...)

Screenshot Masto-Einstellungen:

Groß und fett: Datenschutz und Reichweite

Fett: Reichweite
Bestimme, ob Profile dich entdecken und dir folgen dürfen. Möchtest du, dass deine Beiträge unter „Entdecken“ erscheinen? Möchtest du, dass andere dich in ihren Follower-Empfehlungen sehen? Möchtest du alle neuen Follower automatisch akzeptieren oder jeden einzelnen genehmigen?

Checkbox, dahinter fett: Profil und Beiträge in Suchalgorithmen berücksichtigen (Empfohlen)

Deine öffentlichen Beiträge und dein Profil können in verschiedenen Bereichen auf Mastodon vorgestellt oder empfohlen werden, ebenso kann dein Profil anderen vorgeschlagen werden.
VHS Marzahn-Hellersdorfmarzahn_hellersdorf@vhs.social
2026-01-26

@karlsruhe Warum ist die VHS Marzahn-Hellersdorf nicht im #Starterpack dabei? Wir würden uns jedenfalls freuen, dort bei euch auch zu erscheinen.

2026-01-26

Temo che il profilo di #PrivacyTools, che non scrive nulla da quasi 3 anni ma proposto negli #starterPack , sia la rappresentazione plastica del #fediverso
Persone e gruppi con le giuste competenze tecniche e mentali che entrano, forse con le migliori intenzioni, ma abbandonano per "inedia". Se non ci credono nemmeno loro, come si può pensare che creda la casalinga di Voghera?

Gruppo #privacytools non scrive post da quasi 3 anni
2026-01-26

Come on @coolsprings.bsky.social@bsky.brid.gy you know you got it going on!! Let's get it let's go people I'm not up for nothing!! Get in with this great #StarterPack and do the needful! #FollowAll and #Repost and I will be grateful!! 💃💃💃

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:432rnrbenueqjtxif7azozrw/post/3mdc7vihr4s2w

2026-01-25

#SidewalkFriends: Friend or Foe

I like to keep an eye out for cool shapes during my walks and use them as inspiration for my #SidewalkFriends drawings. It’s like my version of hunting for Pokémon.

Today’s Sidewalk Friends sketch is a guy in a tuxedo peaking from around a corner. Inspired by some moss and cracks in the asphalt.

https://youtube.com/shorts/1JpHXQawOmM?feature=share

#SidewalkFriends #StarterPack #StarterPackNoAI
A drawing of a man in a tuxedo standing behind a corner. He is lowering his glasses as if to slyly peak around the corner at someone out of view. The man has dark skin and an Afro with red hair pick in it.A photo of some cracks in the asphalt. There is some green moss between the cracks.
2026-01-25

RE: libori.social/@alex/1159565809

Es gibt sogar ein #altkatholisch|es #StarterPack. (Noch) klein, aber fein.

Luis Quintanillalqdev@lqdev.me
2026-01-25

Indieweb.Social Top Accounts - Mastodon Starter Pack

https://fedidevs.com/s/ODQ3/

A listing of some of the top accounts that make Indieweb.social their social home.

2026-01-24

🔵 🟠 🔴 Das WebMontag-Kiel-Starterpack!

Fast 40 Accounts von netten Menschen, die Du beim WebMontag treffen könntest:

:mastodance: fedidevs.com/s/ODgz/

#Kiel #WebMontag #wmki #Starterpack

Client Info

Server: https://mastodon.social
Version: 2025.07
Repository: https://github.com/cyevgeniy/lmst