Just got on Mastodon. Nuking my FB account. Looking for old friends here.
@Linda_Arbuckle so excited you are here!!! Welcome!!!
@kenSwinson Thanks. Trying it out. Nuked my Facebook account yesterday. I'm NOT making money for Zuckerberg and voting with my feet. Onward. Thanks for the welcome!
@Linda_Arbuckle Good for you! I was stupid and built a lot of my business contacts on his platform, and haven't been able to nuke it, but I'm limited to one hour per week, and plan get out ASAP.
Have you found @potterybyosa yet? She's here after deactiviting her instagram. I am so excited you both are here! Red clay was my first love, and you have indirectly been a big influence.
@kenSwinson Thanks, Ken. It's been a bit slow getting started, and I'd like to find more makers.
@Linda_Arbuckle it takes a little getting used to--and can be a little chaotic- because the network is decentralized--but that's also what makes my platform of choice.
in my experience, hash tags (#) are your best tool for finding interesting people and posts to follow. use them, and follow them.
@FediTips is a great account to follow and they are super generous with answering questions if you have any.
I'll try not to fanboy too much, but I'm a big fan, and really happy you are here!!
@kenSwinson @Linda_Arbuckle Linda, welcome, I encourage you to go ahead and start posting to Mastodon. People will look at your profile and posts to see what they might expect to see if they follow.
And, yes, hashtags, and alt-text for photos, it can be simple, but alt-text is a positive characteristic on here.
And don't be shy to ask questions.
@bosquebill @kenSwinson
thanks! Still trying to figure out the controls a bit. I appreciate the warm welcome and the tips. Bill, sorry to hear about your thumb arthritis. I've had both my thumb joints rebuilt with very good results. Happy to talk about it if you're interested.
Hey, welcome Linda! 
And yes, please feel free to ask if you have any questions 
There is lots of help for new people on the website at https://fedi.tips (especially "Quick Start" at the top).
If you're looking for accounts to follow there are lots of tips here: https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-find-accounts-to-follow-on-mastodon-and-the-fediverse-how-do-i-find-my-friends
If you want to make your own account and posts more discoverable, there is a guide to doing that here: https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-get-more-followers-on-mastodon-and-the-fediverse
@kenSwinson @Linda_Arbuckle Thanks for connecting us, Ken. We both live in FL but have somehow yet to meet. One of these days! Linda, I've loved your work for years, used your majolica recipes when I worked with earthenware, and often think about your Terracotta Manifesto lecture. Glad to see you here.
@Linda_Arbuckle Welcome! I fill my feed with art and artists so that I have more beauty than anything when I check Mastodon. So, thank you for sharing your work and I look forward to learning about you and your art.
My only tip is to follow the hashtags of your interests and it takes about 400-500 follows before it feels like a full timeline. 
Welcome again!
@MiriShuli Miriam, thanks so much for the advice! So kind and helpful.
’s Pace @Linda_Arbuckle Welcome! You will like it here. Just boost and follow people who look interesting and you will be rewarded with some new friends. 
@Linda_Arbuckle Hello and welcome! Beautiful work. Just a wee tip - a lot of folks don’t boost images without alt-txt, which allows people with visual impairment to join in. You’ll get way more exposure for your lovely pottery if you add alt-txt to your pictures.
@thebaywindowgirl Thank you so much for the helpful info. As I said, just got started and need to learn things. I appreciate your input!
@Linda_Arbuckle You’re welcome! It’s tough to get started here, so you need the biggest audience you can reach.
@thebaywindowgirl @Linda_Arbuckle
When you upload a photo, there's an option to add a description for users who are visually impaired. Here's a link explaining how to add alt tags.
https://edtechfactotum.com/adding-alt-text-and-more-to-images-in-mastodon/
The culture of Mastodon is very mindful of people with all kinds of abilities, (which is part of why I LOVE this platform) so if you forget to add alt tags, you will probably get a gentle reminder to include them.
@Linda_Arbuckle Welcome to the fediverse!
@Linda_Arbuckle welcome! Because there is no algorithm here, you need to follow hashtags & as many people as possible to fill up your feed.
Feel free to browse your follow feeds for more new friends 
@Linda_Arbuckle welcome to the fediverse! I hope you'll find your community here. Can't wait to see your work 
@Linda_Arbuckle Welcome Linda, nice to see you (r) cup! 
@Linda_Arbuckle
Glad you're here, we may not be old friends from Facebook, but if you'd like, we could be new friends here
@Linda_Arbuckle hashtag the hell out of your post! All the subjects you like, city you live in, etc. and add #Introduction Meanwhile, welcome aboard!
@Linda_Arbuckle Not an old friend, but that mug is magnificent.
@Linda_Arbuckle Welcome!! Looking forward to your posts! Hope you love it here like we do.
@Linda_Arbuckle that’s an awesome mug, Linda I would drink my morning coffee outta that. Welcome to #Mastodon!
Welcome! I hope you find your people and meet new friends too.
@Linda_Arbuckle Welcome! I'm not an old friend — but just looking at your bio and your first post I'm very glad to see you here.
@Linda_Arbuckle
Hello & welcome.
@Linda_Arbuckle Welcome to the Fediverse. Hope you enjoy your stay!
@Linda_Arbuckle Hi Linda, welcome to #Mastodon.
I think you'll like it here, it's a friendlier place.
@Linda_Arbuckle welcome!
@Linda_Arbuckle I'm old but I don't think we've met. 
@Linda_Arbuckle Hope you enjoy Mastodon. We are happy you are here!
@Linda_Arbuckle @SecularJeffrey We don’t know each other, but welcome.
@Linda_Arbuckle lots of interesting, funny, friendly people here. Welcome!
@Linda_Arbuckle I had to make an account to rescue the neighborhood cat from the pound. Cat was rescued and I haven't used it since. Everyone, including the cat, is happy.
@Linda_Arbuckle
Welcome to the sanctuary of Mastodon. Relax. We are all friendly here.
We’ve never met but I am old and I can be a friend.
@Linda_Arbuckle Welcome. Hope you find some new friends too...
@Linda_Arbuckle I used to make pots in HS and College and I still go to the Oregon Pottery convention every year. Welcome!
@Linda_Arbuckle Welcome to the Fediverse 
@Linda_Arbuckle Welcome! Follow your interests with hashtags and show off the great things you create
@Linda_Arbuckle Welcome Linda, I love that mug.
@Linda_Arbuckle Welcome to the neighbourhood!
@Linda_Arbuckle not an old friend but a SA+AH alum and GNV resident who has always loved your work! Glad I randomly found you here!
@Linda_Arbuckle welcome to Mastodon, Linda!
@johncormier Thanks for the welcome. Being Canadian must seem like living next to a meth lab these days.
@Linda_Arbuckle haha don’t mind us, we just like to keep the blinds down so the crazies below us don’t see we’re home 
@Linda_Arbuckle up here in #Canada being blue is for the Conservatives who are the Maple MAGAs. But I am assuming you mean you’re Democratic.
@Bwacton Yes. Democratic blue. Thanks for the Canadian perspective.
@Linda_Arbuckle
Lots of potential new friends here. Just follow some hashtags of interest to meet like minded people.