From 0f868669cb2f29b61d2d350df3bdc74637b6c589 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Bob Mottram Date: Sun, 16 Oct 2022 19:40:56 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] Good defaults --- manual/manual.md | 5 +++++ 1 file changed, 5 insertions(+) diff --git a/manual/manual.md b/manual/manual.md index 9ec8cbee0..adedfafc3 100644 --- a/manual/manual.md +++ b/manual/manual.md @@ -236,6 +236,11 @@ You will notice that within the systemd daemon the *registration* option is set To avoid spam signups, or overloading the system, there is a maximum number of accounts for the instance which by default is set to 10. +# The importance of good defaults +Many social network systems have bad defaults, and that is for the purpose of maximizing the number of users and their level of engagement. Bad defaults usually create a combination of *addiction patterns* and *involuntary oversharing* and hence a viral network effect of escalating outrage and dependency. On small fediverse servers we can avoid having bad defaults, because there is no profit motive or drive for massive notoriety. + +Good defaults tend to be a little more private and avoid the addiction to making numbers go up or achieving *notoriety at any social cost*. This puts fediverse instances like Epicyon at a slight disadvantage compared to ruthlessly commercial systems, but it's an explicit trade-off in order to minimize the harms which can arise within social networks. + # Logging in In a browser if you navigate to the URL of your instance and enter the username and password that you previously registered. The first time that you log in it will show a series of introduction screens which prompt you to add a profile picture, name and bio description.