FAQ for users: Difference between revisions

From diaspora* project wiki
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=== Help! I need some basic help to get me started! ===
You're in luck. Try the [http://diasporafoundation.org/getting_started/sign_up 'Getting started' tutorial series] on our project site. It will take you step-by-step through the registration process and teach you all the basic things you need to know about using diaspora*.


== Getting help ==
== Getting help ==


==== What if my question is not answered below?  Where else can I get support? ====
==== What if my question is not answered below? ====
 
You can also get support from:


* [http://diasporial.com/tutorials Diasporial] (blog, tutorials, tips)
* the [http://diasporafoundation.org/tutorials tutorials] on our main project site
* [[Special:Search|search this wiki]]
* by [[Special:Search|searching this wiki]]
for the information you want


Or ask your specific question:
Or you can ask your specific question:


* In a public post on Diaspora using the #question hashtag.
* in a public post on diaspora* using the #question tag.  
* On [[How We Communicate#IRC|IRC]] (Live chat)
* on [[How We Communicate#IRC|our IRC channel]] (live chat)  


For more technical questions about maintaining pods or development/coding see the [[FAQ for Pod Maintainers]] and the [[FAQ for Developers]].
For more technical questions about maintaining pods or development/coding see the [[FAQ for pod maintainers]] and the [[FAQ for developers]].  


== Pods ==
== Pods ==
   
   
==== What is a pod? ====
A pod is a server running the diaspora* software and connected to the diaspora* network. "Pod" is a metaphor referring to pods on plants which contain seeds, in the way that a server contains a number of user accounts.  
 
There are many different pods. You can add friends from other pods and communicate with them. (You can think of a diaspora* pod as similar to an email provider: there are public pods, private pods, and with some effort you can even run your own).  
A pod is a server where Diaspora is running. There are lots of different pods. You can add friends from other pods and communicate with them. (You can think of a Diaspora pod as similar to an email provider: there are public pods, private pods, and with some effort you can even run your own). "Pod" is a metaphor referring to pods on plants which contain seeds.


==== Is there a directory that lists public pods (servers) that I can join? ====
==== How can I join diaspora*? ====  


Yes. For a list of community-driven pods/servers, see [http://podupti.me/ Pod Uptime].
If you don't know where to sign up, read our guide to [[Choosing a pod|choosing a pod]]. Any pod on the list at Pod Uptime should be working fine (check ratings by hovering your pointer over the pod's name).
All the servers communicate with each others, so no matter where you sign up, you will always be able to communicate with anyone from any pod.  
If once you've signed up you've got any question, just make a public post and tag it as #question.  


==== How can I join Diaspora? ====
==== Where can I find a list of public pods that I can join? ====  


You can freely sign up on any of the pod in the [http://podupti.me/ Pod Uptime list]. You can choose your pod basing on the ratings data on Pod Uptime, and you can also check which pods are nearest to you by clicking 'Show map view' in the top right-hand corner.
There is a list of open pods at [http://podupti.me/ Pod Uptime].
If you don't know where to sign up, read our guide to [[Choosing a pod|choosing a pod]]. Any pod on the list at Pod Uptime should be working fine (check ratings by hovering your pointer over the pod's name).
You can freely sign up on any of these pods. You can base your choice of pod on the ratings data on give there, and you can also check which pods are nearest to you by clicking 'Show map view' in the top right-hand corner.
All the servers communicate with each others, so no matter where you sign up, you will always be able to communicate with anyone from any pod.         
If once you've signed up you've got any question, just make a public post and tag it as #question.


==== I just joined a pod, how can I find people to share with? ====
==== I just joined a pod, how can I find people to share with? ====


Invite your friends. Follow #tags to discover others who share your interests. Shout out that you're #newhere in a public post.
Invite your friends using the email link in the side-bar.  
Follow #tags to discover others who share your interests, and add those who post things that interest you to an aspect.  
Shout out that you're #newhere in a public post.


==== How do I use the search box to find particular people to share with? ====
==== How do I use the search box to find particular individuals? ====


Search for their full Diaspora ID (e.g. <tt>username@podname.org</tt>). If you are on the same pod you can search for just their username. If a search does not work the first time, try it again. Once you have added someone to one of your aspects, you can search for them using just their username.  (The person you are searching for will need to have "allow people to search for you within Diaspora" checked on the "Edit profile" page).
If you know their full diaspora* ID (e.g. <tt>username@podname.org</tt>), you can find them by searching for it. If you are on the same pod you can search for just their username.  
An alternative is to search for them by their profile name (the name you see on screen).
If a search does not work the first time, try it again.


== Aspects ==
== Aspects ==
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==== What is an aspect? ====
==== What is an aspect? ====
   
   
Aspects are the way you group your contacts on Diaspora. An aspect is one of the faces you show to the world. It might be who you are at work, or who you are to your family, or who you are to your college friends.
Aspects are the way you group your contacts on diaspora*. An aspect is one of the faces you show to the world. It might be who you are at work, or who you are to your family, or who you are to your friends in a club you belong to.


==== When I post to an aspect, who sees it? ====
==== When I post to an aspect, who sees it? ====
 
Only the people you have put in that aspect. Contacts you have that aren't in the aspect have no way of seeing the post, unless you've made it ''public''.
If you make a limited post, it will only be visible the people you have put in that aspect (or those aspects, if it is made to multiple aspects). Contacts you have that aren't in the aspect have no way of seeing the post, unless you've made it ''public''. Only public posts will ever be visible to anyone who you haven't placed into one of your aspects.


==== Can I restrict the posts I see to just those from certain aspects? ====
==== Can I restrict the posts I see to just those from certain aspects? ====
 
Yes. Click on the aspects in the list on the left side of the main page to select or deselect them. Only the posts by people in the selected aspects will appear in your stream.
Yes. Click on My Aspects in the side-bar and then click individual aspects in the list to select or deselect them. Only the posts by people in the selected aspects will appear in your stream.  


==== Do my contacts know what aspects I have put them in? ====
==== Do my contacts know which aspects I have put them in? ====
   
   
No. They cannot see the name of the aspect under any circumstances.  
No. They cannot see the name of the aspect under any circumstances.  


==== What does "make contacts in this aspect visible to each other" mean? ====
==== What does "make contacts in this aspect visible to each other" mean? ====
 
If you check this option then contacts from that aspect will be able to see who else joins it in "similar contacts", on your profile page under your pic. They still won't be able to see what the aspect is called.
If you check this option then contacts from that aspect will be able to see who else is in it, on your profile page under your picture. It's best to select this option only if the contacts in that aspect all know each other. They still won't be able to see what the aspect is called.


==== If I remove someone from an aspect, or all of my aspects, are they notified of this? ====
==== If I remove someone from an aspect, or all of my aspects, are they notified of this? ====


No.
No.  


==== Can I rename an aspect? ====
==== Can I rename an aspect? ====


Yes. In your list of aspects on the left side of the main page, point your mouse at the aspect you want to rename. Click the little 'edit' pencil that appears to the right. Click ''rename'' in the box that appears.  
Yes. In your list of aspects on the left side of the main page, point your mouse at the aspect you want to rename. Click the little 'edit' pencil that appears to the right. Click ''rename'' in the box that appears.  


==== Once I have posted something, can I change the aspect(s) that can see it? ====
==== Once I have posted something, can I change the aspect(s) that can see it? ====
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==== Can I post content to multiple aspects at once? ====
==== Can I post content to multiple aspects at once? ====
 
Yes. When you are making a post, use the aspects menu to select or deselect aspects. Your post will be visible to all the selected aspects. Also, the aspect(s) that you have selected in the list on the left will automatically be selected in the aspects menu when you start to make a new post.  
Yes. When you are making a post, use the aspect selector button to select or deselect aspects. Your post will be visible to all the aspects you select. You could also select the aspects you want to post to in the side-bar. When you post, the aspect(s) that you have selected in the list on the left will automatically be selected in the aspect selector when you start to make a new post.  


==== Can I add a person to multiple aspects? ====
==== Can I add a person to multiple aspects? ====
 
Yes. Go to your ''contacts'' page and click ''my contacts''. For each contact you can use the menu on the right to add them to (or remove them from) as many aspects as you want.
Yes. Go to your ''contacts'' page and click ''my contacts''. For each contact you can use the menu on the right to add them to (or remove them from) as many aspects as you want. Or you can add them to a new aspect (or remove them from an aspect) by clicking the aspect selector button on their profile page. Or you can even just move the pointer over their name where you see it in the stream, and a 'hover-card' will appear. You can change the aspects they are in right there.


==== How do I delete an aspect? ====
==== How do I delete an aspect? ====
   
   
In your list of aspects on the left side of the main page, point your mouse at the aspect you want to delete. Click the little 'edit' pencil that appears on the right. Click the ''delete'' button in the box that appears.
In your list of aspects on the left side of the main page, point your mouse at the aspect you want to delete. Click the little 'edit' pencil that appears on the right. Click the ''delete'' button in the box that appears.  


== Public posts ==
== Public posts ==


==== When I post something publicly, who can see it? ====
==== When I post something publicly, who can see it? ====
 
Both logged-in Diaspora users and the Internet at large can see a post you mark public.
Anyone using the internet can potentially see a post you mark public, so make sure you really do want your post to be public. It's a great way of reaching out to the world.


==== How can other people find my public post? ====
==== How can other people find my public post? ====
   
   
Public posts are visible to anyone on your pod's tag pages and your profile page. Every public post also has a special public URL that anyone can view, even if they're not logged in - thus public posts may be linked to directly from twitter, hn, etc. Public posts may also be indexed by search engines.
Your public posts will appear in the streams of anyone following you. If you included #tags in your public post, anyone following those tags will find your post in their streams. Every public post also has a specific URL that anyone can view, even if they're not logged in - thus public posts may be linked to directly from Twitter, blogs, etc. Public posts may also be indexed by search engines.


==== Who can comment on, reshare, or like my public post? ====
==== Who can comment on, reshare, or like my public post? ====


Any logged-in Diaspora user can comment on, reshare, or like your public post.
Any logged-in diaspora* user can comment on, reshare, or like your public post.


==== When I comment on, reshare, or like a public post, who can see it? ====
==== When I comment on, reshare, or like a public post, who can see it? ====
   
   
Any logged-in Diaspora user and anyone else on the internet. Comments, likes, and reshares of public posts are also public.
Any logged-in diaspora* user and anyone else on the internet. Comments, likes, and reshares of public posts are also public.  


==== What happens when I deselect one or more aspects when making a public post? ====
==== What happens when I deselect one or more aspects when making a public post? ====


Deselecting aspects does not affect a public post. It will still appear in the streams of all of your contacts.
Deselecting aspects does not affect a public post. It will still appear in the streams of all of your contacts.
To make a post visible only to specific aspects, you need to select those aspects from the button under the publisher.


== Private posts ==
== Private posts ==


==== When I post a message to an aspect (i.e., a private post), who can see it? ====
==== When I post a message to an aspect (i.e., a private post), who can see it? ====
 
Only logged-in Diaspora users you have placed in that aspect can see your private post.
Only logged-in diaspora* users you have placed in that aspect can see your private post.


==== Who can comment on or like my private post? ====
==== Who can comment on or like my private post? ====
 
Only logged-in Diaspora users you have placed in that aspect can comment on or like your private post.
Only logged-in diaspora* users you have placed in that aspect can comment on or like your private post.


==== Who can reshare my private post? ====
==== Who can reshare my private post? ====


Nobody. Private posts are not resharable. Logged-in Diaspora users in that aspect can always copy & paste it, though...
Nobody. Private posts are not resharable. Logged-in diaspora* users in that aspect can potentially copy and paste it, however.


==== When I comment on or like a private post, who can see it? ====
==== When I comment on or like a private post, who can see it? ====
   
   
Only the people that the post was shared with can see its comments and likes (the people who are in the aspects that were selected by the original poster).
Only the people that the post was shared with (the people who are in the aspects selected by the original poster) can see its comments and likes.


== Public profiles ==  
== Public profiles ==  
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==== Who sees my public profile? ====
==== Who sees my public profile? ====


Any logged-in Diaspora user, as well as the wider Internet, can see it. Each profile has a direct URL, so it may be linked to directly from outside sites. It may be indexed by search engines.
Any logged-in diaspora* user, as well as the wider internet, can see it. Each profile has a direct URL, so it may be linked to directly from outside sites. It may be indexed by search engines.


==== What's in my public profile? ====
==== What's in my public profile? ====


Your name, your 5 tags, and your photo. It's the stuff in the top section of the edit profile page. Your profile page also shows any public posts you have made.
Your name, the five tags you chose to describe yourself, and your photo. It's the stuff in the top section of the edit profile page. You can make this profile information as identifiable or anonymous as you like. Your profile page also shows any public posts you have made.


==== Who sees updates to my public profile? ====
==== Who sees updates to my public profile? ====


Anyone can see changes if they visit your profile page on your pod. Public profile updates also propagate to the pods of people you are following, and the pods of people who are following you.  
Anyone can see changes if they visit your profile page.


==== What do the tags on my public profile do? ====
==== What do the tags on my public profile do? ====


They help people get to know you. Your profile picture will also appear on the left hand side of those particular tag pages, along with anyone else who has them in their public profile.
They help people get to know you. Your profile picture will also appear on the left-hand side of those particular tag pages, along with anyone else who has them in their public profile.  


== Private profiles ==
== Private profiles ==
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==== Who sees my private profile? ====
==== Who sees my private profile? ====


Any logged-in user that you are following (meaning, you have added them to one of your aspects). However, people following you, but whom you do '''NOT''' follow, will see only your public information.
Any logged-in user that you are sharing with (meaning, you have added them to one of your aspects). However, people following you, but whom you do '''not''' follow, will see only your public information.


==== What's in my private profile? ====
==== What's in my private profile? ====


Bio, location, gender, and birthday. It's the stuff in the bottom section of the edit profile page. Logged-in users who can see your private profile will also see the private posts that they are allowed to see, mixed in with your public posts, when they visit your profile page.
Biography, location, gender, and birthday. It's the stuff in the bottom section of the edit profile page. All this information is optional – it's up to you whether you fill it in. Logged-in users who you have added to your aspects are the only people who can see your private profile. They will also see the private posts that made to the aspect(s) they are in, mixed in with your public posts, when they visit your profile page.


==== Who sees updates to my private profile? ====
==== Who sees updates to my private profile? ====


Any logged-in user that you are following sees changes to your private profile. Changes are propagated to the pods of everyone you follow.
Anyone in your aspects sees changes to your private profile.


== Sharing ==
== Sharing ==


==== What happens when I add someone to one of my aspects? Or when someone adds me to one of their aspects? ====
==== What happens when I add someone to one of my aspects? Or when someone adds me to one of their aspects? ====
 
Let's say that Amy adds Ben to an aspect, but Ben has not (yet) added Amy to an aspect:
Let's say that Amy adds Ben to an aspect, but Ben has not (yet) added Amy to an aspect:


* Ben will receive a notification that Amy has "started sharing" with Ben.
* Ben will receive a notification that Amy has "started sharing" with Ben.
* Amy will start to see Ben's ''public'' posts in her stream.
* Amy will start to see Ben's ''public'' posts in her stream.  
* Amy will ''not'' see any of Ben's ''private'' posts.
* Amy will ''not'' see any of Ben's ''private'' posts.
* Ben will ''not'' see Amy's ''public'' or ''private'' posts in his stream.
* Ben will ''not'' see Amy's ''public'' or ''private'' posts in his stream.
* But if Ben goes to Amy's profile page, then he will see Amy's ''private'' posts that she makes to her aspect that has him in it (as well as her ''public'' posts which anyone can see there).
* But if Ben goes to Amy's profile page, then he will see Amy's ''private'' posts that she makes to her aspect that has him in it (as well as her ''public'' posts which anyone can see there).
* Ben will be able to see Amy's private profile (bio, location, gender, birthday).
* Ben will be able to see Amy's private profile (bio, location, gender, birthday).
* Amy will appear under "''Only sharing with me''" on Ben's contacts page.
* Amy will appear under "''Only sharing with me''" on Ben's contacts page.  


This is known as asymmetrical sharing. If and when Ben also adds Amy to an aspect then it would become symmetrical, bi-directional sharing, with both Amy's and Ben's public posts and relevant private posts appearing in each other's streams, etc.  
This is known as asymmetrical sharing. If and when Ben also adds Amy to an aspect then it would become mutual sharing, with both Amy's and Ben's public posts and relevant private posts appearing in each other's streams, etc.  


==== Who are the people listed in "Only sharing with me" on my contacts page? ====
==== Who are the people listed in "Only sharing with me" on my contacts page? ====
 
These are people that have added you to one of their aspects, but whom you have not (yet) added to one of your aspects. In other words, they are sharing with you, but you are not sharing with them (asymmetrical sharing). If you add them to an aspect, they will then appear under that aspect and not under "only sharing with you". See above.
These are people that have added you to one of their aspects, but who are not (yet) in any of your aspects. In other words, they are sharing with you, but you are not sharing with them (asymmetrical sharing). If you add them to an aspect, they will then appear under that aspect and not under "only sharing with you". See above.


==== Is there a list of people whom I have added to one of my aspects, but who have not added me to one of theirs? ====
==== Is there a list of people whom I have added to one of my aspects, but who have not added me to one of theirs? ====


No, in the interest of helping to keep each person's own aspects private to them. However, you should get a one-time notification that someone has started sharing with you when they add you to an aspect.
No, but you can see whether or not someone is sharing with you by visiting their profile page. If they are, the bar under their profile picture will be green; if not, it'll be grey.
You should get a notification each time someone starts sharing with you.


==== When I add someone to an aspect, can they see older posts that I have already posted to that aspect? ====
==== When I add someone to an aspect, can they see older posts that I have already posted to that aspect? ====
   
   
No. They will only be able to see new posts to that aspect. They (and everyone else) can see your older ''public'' posts on your profile page, but they ''may'' also see them in their stream if you are both on the same pod, or if you are on different pods but someone on their pod is already following you.  (Posts from the past are not shared between pods retroactively, but they may have already been shared between them when they were first posted).
No. They will only be able to see new posts to that aspect. They (and everyone else) can see your older ''public'' posts on your profile page, and they ''may'' also see them in their stream.


== Posts and posting ==
== Posts and posting ==
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==== How do I hide a post? / How do I stop getting notifications about a post that I commented on? ====
==== How do I hide a post? / How do I stop getting notifications about a post that I commented on? ====


If you point your mouse at the top of a post, an X appears on the right. Click it to hide the post and mute notifications about it. There is a temporary "undo" option, and you can still see the post if you visit the profile page of the person who posted it.
If you point your mouse at the top of a post, an X appears on the right. Click it to hide the post and mute notifications about it. You can still see the post if you visit the profile page of the person who posted it.  


==== How can I format the text in my posts (bold, italics, etc.)? ====
==== How can I format the text in my posts (bold, italics, etc.)? ====
 
By using [http://diasporial.com/tutorials/formatting-text Markdown]. [http://daringfireball.net/projects/markdown/dingus Give it a try], or check out the full-blown [http://daringfireball.net/projects/markdown/syntax Markdown Syntax].
By using a simplified system called [http://diasporafoundation.org/formatting Markdown]. You can find the full Markdown syntax [http://daringfireball.net/projects/markdown/syntax here]. The ''preview'' button is really helpful here, as you can see how your message will look ''before'' you share it.


==== How do I insert images into posts? ====
==== How do I insert images into posts? ====
 
Click the little photo icon to insert an image into a post. Press the photo icon again to add another photo, or you can press the control key to select multiple photos to upload.
Click the little camera icon to insert an image into a post. Press the photo icon again to add another photo, or you can select multiple photos to upload in one go.  


==== Can I insert images into comments? ====
==== Can I insert images into comments? ====
 
The following Markdown code <pre>![image text](image url)</pre> can be used to insert images into comments as well as posts.  It also allows more control over embedding images into the text of posts.  
The following Markdown code <pre>![image text](image url)</pre> can be used to insert images from the web into comments as well as posts.


==== Can I customize the size of images in posts or comments? ====
==== Can I customize the size of images in posts or comments? ====


No. Images are resized automatically to fit the stream. (And MarkDown does not allow specifying the size of an image).
No. Images are resized automatically to fit the stream. Markdown does not have a code for specifying the size of an image.


==== How do I embed a video, audio, or other multimedia content into a post? ====
==== How do I embed a video, audio, or other multimedia content into a post? ====


You can usually just paste the URL (e.g. <tt><nowiki>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ</nowiki></tt> ) into your post and the video or audio will be embedded automatically. These are some websites that are supported: [http://youtube.com YouTube], [http://vimeo.com/ Vimeo], [http://soundcloud.com/ SoundCloud], [http://www.flickr.com/ Flickr] and a few more. (Diaspora uses [http://www.oembed.com oEmbed] for this feature).  
You can usually just paste the URL (e.g. <tt><nowiki>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnnnnnnnnnn</nowiki></tt> ) into your post and the video or audio will be embedded automatically. Some of the sites that are supported are: [http://youtube.com YouTube], [http://vimeo.com/ Vimeo], [http://soundcloud.com/ SoundCloud], [http://www.flickr.com/ Flickr] and a few more. diaspora* uses [http://www.oembed.com oEmbed] for this feature. We're supporting new sites all the time.
Remember to always post simple, full links: no shortened links, no https; and give it a little time before you refresh the page after posting for seeing the preview.
Remember to always post simple, full links: no shortened links; no operators after the base URL; and give it a little time before you refresh the page after posting for seeing the preview.


==== What is the character limit for posts? ====  
==== What is the character limit for posts? ====  
   
   
65,535 characters. That's 65,395 more characters than you get on Twitter! ;)
65,535 characters. That's 65,395 more characters than you get on Twitter! ;)  


==== What is the character limit for posts shared through a connected service with a smaller character count? ====
==== What is the character limit for posts shared through a connected service with a smaller character count? ====


In that case your post is limited to the smaller character count (140 in the case of Twitter; 1000 in the case of Tumblr), and the number of characters you have left to use is displayed. You can still post to these services if your post is longer than their limit, but the text is truncated on those services.
In that case your post is limited to the smaller character count (140 in the case of Twitter; 1000 in the case of Tumblr), and the number of characters you have left to use is displayed when that service's icon is highlighted. You can still post to these services if your post is longer than their limit, but the text is truncated on those services.


==== Why is my stream is full of posts from people I don't know and don't share with? ====
==== Why is my stream is full of posts from people I don't know and don't share with? ====
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Your stream is made up of three types of posts:
Your stream is made up of three types of posts:


# Posts by people you are sharing with, which come in two types: public posts and limited posts to an aspect that have been shared with you<br>To remove them from your stream, simply stop sharing with the person.  
# Posts by people you are sharing with, which come in two types: public posts and limited posts shared with an aspect that you are part of. To remove these posts from your stream, simply stop sharing with the person.  
# Public posts containing one of the tags that you follow.<br>To remove these, stop following the tag.
# Public posts containing one of the tags that you follow. To remove these, stop following the tag.
# Public posts by people listed in the Community Spotlight.<br>These can be removed by unchecking the “Show Community Spotlight in Stream?” option listed under “Stream Preferences” in the Account tab of your Settings.
# Public posts by people listed in the Community Spotlight. These can be removed by unchecking the “Show Community Spotlight in Stream?” option in the Account tab of your Settings.


== Tags ==
== Tags ==


==== What are tags for? ====
==== What are tags for? ====
 
Tags are a way to categorize a post, usually by topic. Searching for a tag shows all posts with that tag that you can see (both public and private posts). This lets people who are interested in a given topic find public posts about it.
Tags are a way to categorize a post, usually by topic. Searching for a tag shows all posts with that tag that you can see (both public and private posts). This lets people who are interested in a given topic find public posts about it.  


==== Can I put tags in comments or just in posts? ====
==== Can I put tags in comments or just in posts? ====
 
A tag added to a comment will still appear as a link to that tag's page, but it will not make that post (or comment) appear on that tag page. This only works for tags in posts.
A tag added to a comment will still appear as a link to that tag's page, but it will not make that post (or comment) appear on that tag page. This only works for tags in posts.


==== What are "Followed Tags" and how do I follow a tag? ====
==== What are "Followed Tags" and how do I follow a tag? ====


After searching for a tag you can click the button at the top of the tag's page to "follow" that tag. It will then appear in your list of "Followed Tags" on the left. Clicking on one of your followed tags takes you to that tag's page so you can see recent posts containing that tag. Click on "Followed Tags" to see a stream that contains posts that contain one of any of your followed tags.
After searching for a tag you can click the button at the top of the tag's page to "follow" that tag. It will then appear in your list of "Followed Tags" on the left. Clicking on one of your followed tags takes you to that tag's page so you can see recent posts containing that tag. Click on "Followed Tags" to see a stream that contains posts that contain one of any of your followed tags.  


==== Who are the people on the left hand side of a tag page? ====
==== Who are the people on the left hand side of a tag page? ====
   
   
They are people who have listed that tag in their public profile.
They are people who have listed that tag in their public profile.  


==== How can I filter/exclude some tags (eg #newhere or #nsfw) from my stream? ====
==== How can I filter/exclude some tags (eg #newhere or #nsfw) from my stream? ====


This is not (yet) available directly through Dispora, but some [[Tools to use with Diaspora|Third party tools]] have been written that might provide this.
This is not (yet) available directly through diaspora*, but some [[Tools to use with diaspora*|third-party tools]] have been written that might provide this.


== Mentions ==
== Mentions ==  


==== What is a "mention"? ====
==== What is a "mention"? ====


A mention is a link to a person's profile page that appears in a post. When someone is mentioned they receive a notification that calls their attention to the post.
A mention is a link to a person's profile page that appears in a post. When someone is mentioned they receive a notification that calls their attention to the post.  


==== How do I mention someone when making a post? ====
==== How do I mention someone when making a post? ====


Type the "@" sign and start typing their name. A drop down menu should appear to let you select them more easily.
Type the "@" sign and start typing their name. A drop down menu should appear to let you select them more easily.  
However, adding mentions only works for people you have added to an aspect.
However, adding mentions only works for people you have added to an aspect.  


==== Can I mention someone in a comment? ====
==== Can I mention someone in a comment? ====
 
No, not currently, but there is no harm in using the "@username" convention in comments anyway.
No, not currently, but there is no harm in using the "@username" convention in comments anyway.
 
==== Is there a way to see the posts in which I have been mentioned? ====
==== Is there a way to see the posts in which I have been mentioned? ====
 
Yes, click "''Mentions''" in the left hand column on your home page.
Yes, click "''Mentions''" in the left hand column on your home page.  


== Resharing posts ==
== Resharing posts ==
Line 274: Line 286:
==== Can I reshare a public post with only certain aspects? ====
==== Can I reshare a public post with only certain aspects? ====
   
   
No, when you reshare a public post it automatically becomes one of your public posts. To share it with certain aspects, copy and paste the contents of the post into a new post.
No, when you reshare a public post it automatically becomes one of your public posts. To share it with certain aspects, copy and paste the contents of the post into a new post.


==== Can I reshare a private post with only certain aspects? ====
==== Can I reshare a private post with only certain aspects? ====
 
No, it is not possible to reshare a private post. This is to respect the intentions of the original poster who only shared it with a particular group of people.
No, it is not possible to reshare a private post. This is to respect the intentions of the original poster who only shared it with a particular group of people.  


== Account and data Management ==
== Account and data Management ==
Line 284: Line 296:
==== How do I move my seed (account) from one pod to another? ====
==== How do I move my seed (account) from one pod to another? ====
   
   
In the future you will be able to export your seed from a pod and import it on another, but this is not currently possible. You could always open a new account and ask your contacts to search for it and add you again.
In the future you will be able to export your seed from a pod and import it on another, but this is not currently possible. You could always open a new account and ask your contacts to search for it and add you again.  


==== Can I download a copy of all of my data contained in my seed (account)? ====
==== Can I download a copy of all of my data contained in my seed (account)? ====


Yes. At the bottom of your settings page there are two buttons for downloading your data.
Yes. At the bottom of your settings page there are two buttons for downloading your data.  


==== How do I delete my seed (account)? ====
==== How do I delete my seed (account)? ====


Go to the bottom of your settings page and click the close account button.
Go to the bottom of your settings page and click the close account button.  


==== How much of my information can my pod administrator see? ====
==== How much of my information can my pod administrator see? ====


Communication *between* pods is always encrypted (using [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_Layer_Security SSL] and Diaspora's own transport encryption), but the storage of data on pods is not encrypted. If they wanted to, the database administrator for your pod (usually the person running the pod) could access all your profile data and everything that you post (as is the case for most every website that stores user data). Running your own pod provides more privacy since you would control access to the database.
Communication *between* pods is always encrypted (using [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_Layer_Security SSL] and diaspora*'s own transport encryption), but the storage of data on pods is not encrypted. If they wanted to, the database administrator for your pod (usually the person running the pod) could access all your profile data and everything that you post (as is the case for most every website that stores user data). Running your own pod provides more privacy since you would control access to the database.  


==== Can the administrators of other pods see my information? ====
==== Can the administrators of other pods see my information? ====


Once you are sharing with someone on another pod, any posts you share with them and a copy of your profile data are stored (cached) on their pod, and are accessible to that pod's database administrator. (There are plans to implement a system of privacy badges for pods so that you can easily understand to what degree the policies of someone else's pod would safeguard the privacy of your information, before you add them to one of your aspects). When you delete a post or profile data it is deleted from your pod and any other pods where it had previously been stored.
Once you are sharing with someone on another pod, any posts you share with them and a copy of your profile data are stored (cached) on their pod, and are accessible to that pod's database administrator. (There are plans to implement a system of privacy badges for pods so that you can easily understand to what degree the policies of someone else's pod would safeguard the privacy of your information, before you add them to one of your aspects). When you delete a post or profile data it is deleted from your pod and any other pods where it had previously been stored.


== Miscellaneous ==
== Miscellaneous ==
Line 306: Line 318:
==== Is there a quick way to go back to the top of a page after I scroll down? ====
==== Is there a quick way to go back to the top of a page after I scroll down? ====


Yes. After scrolling down a page, click on the grey arrow that appears in the bottom right corner of your browser window.
Yes. After scrolling down a page, click on the grey arrow that appears in the bottom right corner of your browser window.


==== Are there photo or video albums? ====
==== Are there photo or video albums? ====


No, not currently. However by clicking a users picture on their "profile" or "user page" you can view a stream of their uploaded pictures.
No, not currently. However by clicking a users picture on their "profile" or "user page" you can view a stream of their uploaded pictures.  


==== Can I subscribe to someone's public posts with a feed reader? ====
==== Can I subscribe to someone's public posts with a feed reader? ====


Yes, but this is still not a polished feature and the formatting of the results is still pretty rough. If you want to try it anyway, go to someone's profile page and click the feed button in your browser, or you can copy the profile URL (i.e. <tt><nowiki>https://joindiaspora.com/people/somenumber</nowiki></tt>), and paste it into a feed reader. The resulting feed address looks like this: <tt><nowiki>https://joindiaspora.com/public/username.atom</nowiki></tt> Diaspora uses Atom rather than RSS.
Yes, but this is still not a polished feature and the formatting of the results is still pretty rough. If you want to try it anyway, go to someone's profile page and click the feed button in your browser, or you can copy the profile URL (i.e. <tt><nowiki>https://joindiaspora.com/people/somenumber</nowiki></tt>), and paste it into a feed reader. The resulting feed address looks like this: <tt><nowiki>https://joindiaspora.com/public/username.atom</nowiki></tt> diaspora* uses Atom rather than RSS.


==== Is there a Diaspora Android app? ====
==== Is there a diaspora* Android app? ====


You can find an alpha version of it [https://market.android.com/details?id=com.voidcode.diasporawebclient here]. It still under development, you can find [https://groups.google.com/group/diaspora-android/ here] some infos about it and [https://github.com/geraspora/diaspora-android here] the code. You can help developing it simply joining the google group. This app just opens the mobile version of Diaspora, so why don't you try to visit your pod on your phone directly?
You can find an alpha version of it [https://market.android.com/details?id=com.voidcode.diasporawebclient here]. It still under development, you can find [https://groups.google.com/group/diaspora-android/ here] some infos about it and [https://github.com/geraspora/diaspora-android here] the code. You can help developing it simply joining the google group. This app just opens the mobile version of diaspora*, so why don't you try to visit your pod on your phone directly?




[[Category:Community]]
[[Category:Community]]
[[Category:Github transfer done]]
[[Category:Github transfer done]]

Revision as of 11:07, 26 August 2013


Help! I need some basic help to get me started!

You're in luck. Try the 'Getting started' tutorial series on our project site. It will take you step-by-step through the registration process and teach you all the basic things you need to know about using diaspora*.

Getting help

What if my question is not answered below?

You can also get support from:

for the information you want

Or you can ask your specific question:

  • in a public post on diaspora* using the #question tag.
  • on our IRC channel (live chat)

For more technical questions about maintaining pods or development/coding see the FAQ for pod maintainers and the FAQ for developers.

Pods

A pod is a server running the diaspora* software and connected to the diaspora* network. "Pod" is a metaphor referring to pods on plants which contain seeds, in the way that a server contains a number of user accounts. There are many different pods. You can add friends from other pods and communicate with them. (You can think of a diaspora* pod as similar to an email provider: there are public pods, private pods, and with some effort you can even run your own).

How can I join diaspora*?

If you don't know where to sign up, read our guide to choosing a pod. Any pod on the list at Pod Uptime should be working fine (check ratings by hovering your pointer over the pod's name). All the servers communicate with each others, so no matter where you sign up, you will always be able to communicate with anyone from any pod. If once you've signed up you've got any question, just make a public post and tag it as #question.

Where can I find a list of public pods that I can join?

There is a list of open pods at Pod Uptime. You can freely sign up on any of these pods. You can base your choice of pod on the ratings data on give there, and you can also check which pods are nearest to you by clicking 'Show map view' in the top right-hand corner.

I just joined a pod, how can I find people to share with?

Invite your friends using the email link in the side-bar. Follow #tags to discover others who share your interests, and add those who post things that interest you to an aspect. Shout out that you're #newhere in a public post.

How do I use the search box to find particular individuals?

If you know their full diaspora* ID (e.g. username@podname.org), you can find them by searching for it. If you are on the same pod you can search for just their username. An alternative is to search for them by their profile name (the name you see on screen). If a search does not work the first time, try it again.

Aspects

What is an aspect?

Aspects are the way you group your contacts on diaspora*. An aspect is one of the faces you show to the world. It might be who you are at work, or who you are to your family, or who you are to your friends in a club you belong to.

When I post to an aspect, who sees it?

If you make a limited post, it will only be visible the people you have put in that aspect (or those aspects, if it is made to multiple aspects). Contacts you have that aren't in the aspect have no way of seeing the post, unless you've made it public. Only public posts will ever be visible to anyone who you haven't placed into one of your aspects.

Can I restrict the posts I see to just those from certain aspects?

Yes. Click on My Aspects in the side-bar and then click individual aspects in the list to select or deselect them. Only the posts by people in the selected aspects will appear in your stream.

Do my contacts know which aspects I have put them in?

No. They cannot see the name of the aspect under any circumstances.

What does "make contacts in this aspect visible to each other" mean?

If you check this option then contacts from that aspect will be able to see who else is in it, on your profile page under your picture. It's best to select this option only if the contacts in that aspect all know each other. They still won't be able to see what the aspect is called.

If I remove someone from an aspect, or all of my aspects, are they notified of this?

No.

Can I rename an aspect?

Yes. In your list of aspects on the left side of the main page, point your mouse at the aspect you want to rename. Click the little 'edit' pencil that appears to the right. Click rename in the box that appears.

Once I have posted something, can I change the aspect(s) that can see it?

No, but you can always make a new post with the same content and post it to a different aspect.

Can I post content to multiple aspects at once?

Yes. When you are making a post, use the aspect selector button to select or deselect aspects. Your post will be visible to all the aspects you select. You could also select the aspects you want to post to in the side-bar. When you post, the aspect(s) that you have selected in the list on the left will automatically be selected in the aspect selector when you start to make a new post.

Can I add a person to multiple aspects?

Yes. Go to your contacts page and click my contacts. For each contact you can use the menu on the right to add them to (or remove them from) as many aspects as you want. Or you can add them to a new aspect (or remove them from an aspect) by clicking the aspect selector button on their profile page. Or you can even just move the pointer over their name where you see it in the stream, and a 'hover-card' will appear. You can change the aspects they are in right there.

How do I delete an aspect?

In your list of aspects on the left side of the main page, point your mouse at the aspect you want to delete. Click the little 'edit' pencil that appears on the right. Click the delete button in the box that appears.

Public posts

When I post something publicly, who can see it?

Anyone using the internet can potentially see a post you mark public, so make sure you really do want your post to be public. It's a great way of reaching out to the world.

How can other people find my public post?

Your public posts will appear in the streams of anyone following you. If you included #tags in your public post, anyone following those tags will find your post in their streams. Every public post also has a specific URL that anyone can view, even if they're not logged in - thus public posts may be linked to directly from Twitter, blogs, etc. Public posts may also be indexed by search engines.

Who can comment on, reshare, or like my public post?

Any logged-in diaspora* user can comment on, reshare, or like your public post.

When I comment on, reshare, or like a public post, who can see it?

Any logged-in diaspora* user and anyone else on the internet. Comments, likes, and reshares of public posts are also public.

What happens when I deselect one or more aspects when making a public post?

Deselecting aspects does not affect a public post. It will still appear in the streams of all of your contacts. To make a post visible only to specific aspects, you need to select those aspects from the button under the publisher.

Private posts

When I post a message to an aspect (i.e., a private post), who can see it?

Only logged-in diaspora* users you have placed in that aspect can see your private post.

Who can comment on or like my private post?

Only logged-in diaspora* users you have placed in that aspect can comment on or like your private post.

Who can reshare my private post?

Nobody. Private posts are not resharable. Logged-in diaspora* users in that aspect can potentially copy and paste it, however.

When I comment on or like a private post, who can see it?

Only the people that the post was shared with (the people who are in the aspects selected by the original poster) can see its comments and likes.

Public profiles

Who sees my public profile?

Any logged-in diaspora* user, as well as the wider internet, can see it. Each profile has a direct URL, so it may be linked to directly from outside sites. It may be indexed by search engines.

What's in my public profile?

Your name, the five tags you chose to describe yourself, and your photo. It's the stuff in the top section of the edit profile page. You can make this profile information as identifiable or anonymous as you like. Your profile page also shows any public posts you have made.

Who sees updates to my public profile?

Anyone can see changes if they visit your profile page.

What do the tags on my public profile do?

They help people get to know you. Your profile picture will also appear on the left-hand side of those particular tag pages, along with anyone else who has them in their public profile.

Private profiles

Who sees my private profile?

Any logged-in user that you are sharing with (meaning, you have added them to one of your aspects). However, people following you, but whom you do not follow, will see only your public information.

What's in my private profile?

Biography, location, gender, and birthday. It's the stuff in the bottom section of the edit profile page. All this information is optional – it's up to you whether you fill it in. Logged-in users who you have added to your aspects are the only people who can see your private profile. They will also see the private posts that made to the aspect(s) they are in, mixed in with your public posts, when they visit your profile page.

Who sees updates to my private profile?

Anyone in your aspects sees changes to your private profile.

Sharing

What happens when I add someone to one of my aspects? Or when someone adds me to one of their aspects?

Let's say that Amy adds Ben to an aspect, but Ben has not (yet) added Amy to an aspect:

  • Ben will receive a notification that Amy has "started sharing" with Ben.
  • Amy will start to see Ben's public posts in her stream.
  • Amy will not see any of Ben's private posts.
  • Ben will not see Amy's public or private posts in his stream.
  • But if Ben goes to Amy's profile page, then he will see Amy's private posts that she makes to her aspect that has him in it (as well as her public posts which anyone can see there).
  • Ben will be able to see Amy's private profile (bio, location, gender, birthday).
  • Amy will appear under "Only sharing with me" on Ben's contacts page.

This is known as asymmetrical sharing. If and when Ben also adds Amy to an aspect then it would become mutual sharing, with both Amy's and Ben's public posts and relevant private posts appearing in each other's streams, etc.

Who are the people listed in "Only sharing with me" on my contacts page?

These are people that have added you to one of their aspects, but who are not (yet) in any of your aspects. In other words, they are sharing with you, but you are not sharing with them (asymmetrical sharing). If you add them to an aspect, they will then appear under that aspect and not under "only sharing with you". See above.

Is there a list of people whom I have added to one of my aspects, but who have not added me to one of theirs?

No, but you can see whether or not someone is sharing with you by visiting their profile page. If they are, the bar under their profile picture will be green; if not, it'll be grey. You should get a notification each time someone starts sharing with you.

When I add someone to an aspect, can they see older posts that I have already posted to that aspect?

No. They will only be able to see new posts to that aspect. They (and everyone else) can see your older public posts on your profile page, and they may also see them in their stream.

Posts and posting

How do I hide a post? / How do I stop getting notifications about a post that I commented on?

If you point your mouse at the top of a post, an X appears on the right. Click it to hide the post and mute notifications about it. You can still see the post if you visit the profile page of the person who posted it.

How can I format the text in my posts (bold, italics, etc.)?

By using a simplified system called Markdown. You can find the full Markdown syntax here. The preview button is really helpful here, as you can see how your message will look before you share it.

How do I insert images into posts?

Click the little camera icon to insert an image into a post. Press the photo icon again to add another photo, or you can select multiple photos to upload in one go.

Can I insert images into comments?

The following Markdown code

![image text](image url)

can be used to insert images from the web into comments as well as posts.

Can I customize the size of images in posts or comments?

No. Images are resized automatically to fit the stream. Markdown does not have a code for specifying the size of an image.

How do I embed a video, audio, or other multimedia content into a post?

You can usually just paste the URL (e.g. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnnnnnnnnnn ) into your post and the video or audio will be embedded automatically. Some of the sites that are supported are: YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, Flickr and a few more. diaspora* uses oEmbed for this feature. We're supporting new sites all the time. Remember to always post simple, full links: no shortened links; no operators after the base URL; and give it a little time before you refresh the page after posting for seeing the preview.

What is the character limit for posts?

65,535 characters. That's 65,395 more characters than you get on Twitter! ;)

What is the character limit for posts shared through a connected service with a smaller character count?

In that case your post is limited to the smaller character count (140 in the case of Twitter; 1000 in the case of Tumblr), and the number of characters you have left to use is displayed when that service's icon is highlighted. You can still post to these services if your post is longer than their limit, but the text is truncated on those services.

Why is my stream is full of posts from people I don't know and don't share with?

Your stream is made up of three types of posts:

  1. Posts by people you are sharing with, which come in two types: public posts and limited posts shared with an aspect that you are part of. To remove these posts from your stream, simply stop sharing with the person.
  2. Public posts containing one of the tags that you follow. To remove these, stop following the tag.
  3. Public posts by people listed in the Community Spotlight. These can be removed by unchecking the “Show Community Spotlight in Stream?” option in the Account tab of your Settings.

Tags

What are tags for?

Tags are a way to categorize a post, usually by topic. Searching for a tag shows all posts with that tag that you can see (both public and private posts). This lets people who are interested in a given topic find public posts about it.

Can I put tags in comments or just in posts?

A tag added to a comment will still appear as a link to that tag's page, but it will not make that post (or comment) appear on that tag page. This only works for tags in posts.

What are "Followed Tags" and how do I follow a tag?

After searching for a tag you can click the button at the top of the tag's page to "follow" that tag. It will then appear in your list of "Followed Tags" on the left. Clicking on one of your followed tags takes you to that tag's page so you can see recent posts containing that tag. Click on "Followed Tags" to see a stream that contains posts that contain one of any of your followed tags.

Who are the people on the left hand side of a tag page?

They are people who have listed that tag in their public profile.

How can I filter/exclude some tags (eg #newhere or #nsfw) from my stream?

This is not (yet) available directly through diaspora*, but some third-party tools have been written that might provide this.

Mentions

What is a "mention"?

A mention is a link to a person's profile page that appears in a post. When someone is mentioned they receive a notification that calls their attention to the post.

How do I mention someone when making a post?

Type the "@" sign and start typing their name. A drop down menu should appear to let you select them more easily. However, adding mentions only works for people you have added to an aspect.

Can I mention someone in a comment?

No, not currently, but there is no harm in using the "@username" convention in comments anyway.

Is there a way to see the posts in which I have been mentioned?

Yes, click "Mentions" in the left hand column on your home page.

Resharing posts

Can I reshare a public post with only certain aspects?

No, when you reshare a public post it automatically becomes one of your public posts. To share it with certain aspects, copy and paste the contents of the post into a new post.

Can I reshare a private post with only certain aspects?

No, it is not possible to reshare a private post. This is to respect the intentions of the original poster who only shared it with a particular group of people.

Account and data Management

How do I move my seed (account) from one pod to another?

In the future you will be able to export your seed from a pod and import it on another, but this is not currently possible. You could always open a new account and ask your contacts to search for it and add you again.

Can I download a copy of all of my data contained in my seed (account)?

Yes. At the bottom of your settings page there are two buttons for downloading your data.

How do I delete my seed (account)?

Go to the bottom of your settings page and click the close account button.

How much of my information can my pod administrator see?

Communication *between* pods is always encrypted (using SSL and diaspora*'s own transport encryption), but the storage of data on pods is not encrypted. If they wanted to, the database administrator for your pod (usually the person running the pod) could access all your profile data and everything that you post (as is the case for most every website that stores user data). Running your own pod provides more privacy since you would control access to the database.

Can the administrators of other pods see my information?

Once you are sharing with someone on another pod, any posts you share with them and a copy of your profile data are stored (cached) on their pod, and are accessible to that pod's database administrator. (There are plans to implement a system of privacy badges for pods so that you can easily understand to what degree the policies of someone else's pod would safeguard the privacy of your information, before you add them to one of your aspects). When you delete a post or profile data it is deleted from your pod and any other pods where it had previously been stored.

Miscellaneous

Is there a quick way to go back to the top of a page after I scroll down?

Yes. After scrolling down a page, click on the grey arrow that appears in the bottom right corner of your browser window.

Are there photo or video albums?

No, not currently. However by clicking a users picture on their "profile" or "user page" you can view a stream of their uploaded pictures.

Can I subscribe to someone's public posts with a feed reader?

Yes, but this is still not a polished feature and the formatting of the results is still pretty rough. If you want to try it anyway, go to someone's profile page and click the feed button in your browser, or you can copy the profile URL (i.e. https://joindiaspora.com/people/somenumber), and paste it into a feed reader. The resulting feed address looks like this: https://joindiaspora.com/public/username.atom diaspora* uses Atom rather than RSS.

Is there a diaspora* Android app?

You can find an alpha version of it here. It still under development, you can find here some infos about it and here the code. You can help developing it simply joining the google group. This app just opens the mobile version of diaspora*, so why don't you try to visit your pod on your phone directly?