#discoverable — Public Fediverse posts

When I started using Adobe Photoshop in the early 90s, I was happy with the #intuitive and #discoverable user interface. I've now done three projects with WordPress Gutenberg, and the experience is disappointing. I don't think WP developers built on past success. Gutenberg is like a Harappan script.

When I started using Adobe Photoshop in the early 90s, I was happy with the #intuitive and #discoverable user interface. I've now done three projects with WordPress Gutenberg, and the experience is disappointing. I don't think WP developers built on past success. Gutenberg is like a Harappan script.

When I started using Adobe Photoshop in the early 90s, I was happy with the #intuitive and #discoverable user interface. I've now done three projects with WordPress Gutenberg, and the experience is disappointing. I don't think WP developers built on past success. Gutenberg is like a Harappan script.

When I started using Adobe Photoshop in the early 90s, I was happy with the #intuitive and #discoverable user interface. I've now done three projects with WordPress Gutenberg, and the experience is disappointing. I don't think WP developers built on past success. Gutenberg is like a Harappan script.

OpenAI kills “short-lived experiment” where ChatGPT chats could be found on Google https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2025/08/openai-kills-short-lived-experiment-where-chatgpt-chats-could-be-found-on-google #discoverable #Privacy #ChatGPT #OpenAI #News #AI

OpenAI kills “short-lived experiment” where ChatGPT chats could be found on Google https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2025/08/openai-kills-short-lived-experiment-where-chatgpt-chats-could-be-found-on-google #discoverable #Privacy #ChatGPT #OpenAI #News #AI

OpenAI kills “short-lived experiment” where ChatGPT chats could be found on Google https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2025/08/openai-kills-short-lived-experiment-where-chatgpt-chats-could-be-found-on-google #discoverable #Privacy #ChatGPT #OpenAI #News #AI

OpenAI kills “short-lived experiment” where ChatGPT chats could be found on Google https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2025/08/openai-kills-short-lived-experiment-where-chatgpt-chats-could-be-found-on-google #discoverable #Privacy #ChatGPT #OpenAI #News #AI

A problem with the '#discoverable' flag (in Mastodon and any other Fediverse software that added it) is —

There are a HUGE number of people who (unknown to them) have their 'discoverable' flags set to 'false' who —

№1:

Did NOT set their 'discoverable' to 'false' themselves.

Mastodon assigned it for them without ever asking them before hand and getting consent.

63% of my followers are #discoverable, only 34% are #indexable (by #searchengines). Most new followers are still coming from my prev. #mastodon #instance, #fosstodon.org. Might be the local timeline, it was way more interesting/less random than here.

Want to know about your followers, too? Check out this tool I’ve built (hosted on the #IPFS). It’s a non-commercial side project; not collecting any data – simply sharing what I’ve built:

https://fedi--followers-data0-one.ipns.dweb.link

(Last plug for a while, I promise)

63% of my followers are #discoverable, only 34% are #indexable (by #searchengines). Most new followers are still coming from my prev. #mastodon #instance, #fosstodon.org. Might be the local timeline, it was way more interesting/less random than here.

Want to know about your followers, too? Check out this tool I’ve built (hosted on the #IPFS). It’s a non-commercial side project; not collecting any data – simply sharing what I’ve built:

https://fedi--followers-data0-one.ipns.dweb.link

(Last plug for a while, I promise)

63% of my followers are #discoverable, only 34% are #indexable (by #searchengines). Most new followers are still coming from my prev. #mastodon #instance, #fosstodon.org. Might be the local timeline, it was way more interesting/less random than here.

Want to know about your followers, too? Check out this tool I’ve built (hosted on the #IPFS). It’s a non-commercial side project; not collecting any data – simply sharing what I’ve built:

https://fedi--followers-data0-one.ipns.dweb.link

(Last plug for a while, I promise)

63% of my followers are #discoverable, only 34% are #indexable (by #searchengines). Most new followers are still coming from my prev. #mastodon #instance, #fosstodon.org. Might be the local timeline, it was way more interesting/less random than here.

Want to know about your followers, too? Check out this tool I’ve built (hosted on the #IPFS). It’s a non-commercial side project; not collecting any data – simply sharing what I’ve built:

https://fedi--followers-data0-one.ipns.dweb.link

(Last plug for a while, I promise)

63% of my followers are #discoverable, only 34% are #indexable (by #searchengines). Most new followers are still coming from my prev. #mastodon #instance, #fosstodon.org. Might be the local timeline, it was way more interesting/less random than here.

Want to know about your followers, too? Check out this tool I’ve built (hosted on the #IPFS). It’s a non-commercial side project; not collecting any data – simply sharing what I’ve built:

https://fedi--followers-data0-one.ipns.dweb.link

(Last plug for a while, I promise)

9/

And just for the record —

Just like everyone else I contacted about their 'discoverable' flag being defaulted to 'false' —

He wasn't aware of the 'discoverable' flag existing (just like everyone else I contacted).

He didn't want to be hidden (just like everyone else I contacted).

He changed it to 'true' (just like everyone else I contacted).

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

9/

And just for the record —

Just like everyone else I contacted about their 'discoverable' flag being defaulted to 'false' —

He wasn't aware of the 'discoverable' flag existing (just like everyone else I contacted).

He didn't want to be hidden (just like everyone else I contacted).

He changed it to 'true' (just like everyone else I contacted).

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

9/

And just for the record —

Just like everyone else I contacted about their 'discoverable' flag being defaulted to 'false' —

He wasn't aware of the 'discoverable' flag existing (just like everyone else I contacted).

He didn't want to be hidden (just like everyone else I contacted).

He changed it to 'true' (just like everyone else I contacted).

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

9/

And just for the record —

Just like everyone else I contacted about their 'discoverable' flag being defaulted to 'false' —

He wasn't aware of the 'discoverable' flag existing (just like everyone else I contacted).

He didn't want to be hidden (just like everyone else I contacted).

He changed it to 'true' (just like everyone else I contacted).

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

9/

And just for the record —

Just like everyone else I contacted about their 'discoverable' flag being defaulted to 'false' —

He wasn't aware of the 'discoverable' flag existing (just like everyone else I contacted).

He didn't want to be hidden (just like everyone else I contacted).

He changed it to 'true' (just like everyone else I contacted).

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

8/

As it is now, I think the 'discoverable' flag is broken.

And, I think the whole user-experience (UX) around the 'discoverable' flag is poor.

And, I think Fediverse software treating a 'false' value for 'discoverable' as "not discoverable" (rather than "not discoverable" or "no choice made") has hugely negative consequences for the user-experience (UX) of the Fediverse

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

8/

As it is now, I think the 'discoverable' flag is broken.

And, I think the whole user-experience (UX) around the 'discoverable' flag is poor.

And, I think Fediverse software treating a 'false' value for 'discoverable' as "not discoverable" (rather than "not discoverable" or "no choice made") has hugely negative consequences for the user-experience (UX) of the Fediverse

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

8/

As it is now, I think the 'discoverable' flag is broken.

And, I think the whole user-experience (UX) around the 'discoverable' flag is poor.

And, I think Fediverse software treating a 'false' value for 'discoverable' as "not discoverable" (rather than "not discoverable" or "no choice made") has hugely negative consequences for the user-experience (UX) of the Fediverse

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

8/

As it is now, I think the 'discoverable' flag is broken.

And, I think the whole user-experience (UX) around the 'discoverable' flag is poor.

And, I think Fediverse software treating a 'false' value for 'discoverable' as "not discoverable" (rather than "not discoverable" or "no choice made") has hugely negative consequences for the user-experience (UX) of the Fediverse

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

8/

As it is now, I think the 'discoverable' flag is broken.

And, I think the whole user-experience (UX) around the 'discoverable' flag is poor.

And, I think Fediverse software treating a 'false' value for 'discoverable' as "not discoverable" (rather than "not discoverable" or "no choice made") has hugely negative consequences for the user-experience (UX) of the Fediverse

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

7/

So now I have to DM Ben to tell him that his 'discoverable' flag is set to false

He (just like everyone else I contacted) will likely not even be aware that the 'discoverable' flag exists

And (just like everyone else I contacted) wished it wasn't set to false

And then (just like everyone else I contacted) struggle to find where he can set it to true

And then set it

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

7/

So now I have to DM Ben to tell him that his 'discoverable' flag is set to false

He (just like everyone else I contacted) will likely not even be aware that the 'discoverable' flag exists

And (just like everyone else I contacted) wished it wasn't set to false

And then (just like everyone else I contacted) struggle to find where he can set it to true

And then set it

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

7/

So now I have to DM Ben to tell him that his 'discoverable' flag is set to false

He (just like everyone else I contacted) will likely not even be aware that the 'discoverable' flag exists

And (just like everyone else I contacted) wished it wasn't set to false

And then (just like everyone else I contacted) struggle to find where he can set it to true

And then set it

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

7/

So now I have to DM Ben to tell him that his 'discoverable' flag is set to false

He (just like everyone else I contacted) will likely not even be aware that the 'discoverable' flag exists

And (just like everyone else I contacted) wished it wasn't set to false

And then (just like everyone else I contacted) struggle to find where he can set it to true

And then set it

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

7/

So now I have to DM Ben to tell him that his 'discoverable' flag is set to false

He (just like everyone else I contacted) will likely not even be aware that the 'discoverable' flag exists

And (just like everyone else I contacted) wished it wasn't set to false

And then (just like everyone else I contacted) struggle to find where he can set it to true

And then set it

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

6/

As it is now, the 'discoverable' flag seems broken to me.

Because 'false' doesn't actually mean 'false'.

'false' (in practice) means both "not discoverable" and "no choice made". And this is a very unfortunate situation —

Because the idea of a 'discoverable' flag is a good idea — but this problem with the meaning of 'false' and the UX consequences a big deal.

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

6/

As it is now, the 'discoverable' flag seems broken to me.

Because 'false' doesn't actually mean 'false'.

'false' (in practice) means both "not discoverable" and "no choice made". And this is a very unfortunate situation —

Because the idea of a 'discoverable' flag is a good idea — but this problem with the meaning of 'false' and the UX consequences a big deal.

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

6/

As it is now, the 'discoverable' flag seems broken to me.

Because 'false' doesn't actually mean 'false'.

'false' (in practice) means both "not discoverable" and "no choice made". And this is a very unfortunate situation —

Because the idea of a 'discoverable' flag is a good idea — but this problem with the meaning of 'false' and the UX consequences a big deal.

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

6/

As it is now, the 'discoverable' flag seems broken to me.

Because 'false' doesn't actually mean 'false'.

'false' (in practice) means both "not discoverable" and "no choice made". And this is a very unfortunate situation —

Because the idea of a 'discoverable' flag is a good idea — but this problem with the meaning of 'false' and the UX consequences a big deal.

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

6/

As it is now, the 'discoverable' flag seems broken to me.

Because 'false' doesn't actually mean 'false'.

'false' (in practice) means both "not discoverable" and "no choice made". And this is a very unfortunate situation —

Because the idea of a 'discoverable' flag is a good idea — but this problem with the meaning of 'false' and the UX consequences a big deal.

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

5/

JSON and has a 'null'. That could have been used for the 'discoverable' flag.

We could have had so that:

'discoverable' set to 'true' meant that the user explicitly chose to be discoverable.

'discoverable' set to 'false' meant that the user explicitly chose to not be discoverable.

And 'discoverable' set to 'null' meant that the user has not explicitly made a choice.

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

5/

JSON and has a 'null'. That could have been used for the 'discoverable' flag.

We could have had so that:

'discoverable' set to 'true' meant that the user explicitly chose to be discoverable.

'discoverable' set to 'false' meant that the user explicitly chose to not be discoverable.

And 'discoverable' set to 'null' meant that the user has not explicitly made a choice.

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

5/

JSON and has a 'null'. That could have been used for the 'discoverable' flag.

We could have had so that:

'discoverable' set to 'true' meant that the user explicitly chose to be discoverable.

'discoverable' set to 'false' meant that the user explicitly chose to not be discoverable.

And 'discoverable' set to 'null' meant that the user has not explicitly made a choice.

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

5/

JSON and has a 'null'. That could have been used for the 'discoverable' flag.

We could have had so that:

'discoverable' set to 'true' meant that the user explicitly chose to be discoverable.

'discoverable' set to 'false' meant that the user explicitly chose to not be discoverable.

And 'discoverable' set to 'null' meant that the user has not explicitly made a choice.

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

5/

JSON and has a 'null'. That could have been used for the 'discoverable' flag.

We could have had so that:

'discoverable' set to 'true' meant that the user explicitly chose to be discoverable.

'discoverable' set to 'false' meant that the user explicitly chose to not be discoverable.

And 'discoverable' set to 'null' meant that the user has not explicitly made a choice.

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

4/

With other conceptions, this lack of choice — this lack of setting a value — isn't as muddled.

With optional-types (which are also called "option-types" and "maybe-types") when something isn't assigned a value it is represented as 'nothing' / 'none'.

In relation-databases, this is represented as 'null'.

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

4/

With other conceptions, this lack of choice — this lack of setting a value — isn't as muddled.

With optional-types (which are also called "option-types" and "maybe-types") when something isn't assigned a value it is represented as 'nothing' / 'none'.

In relation-databases, this is represented as 'null'.

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

4/

With other conceptions, this lack of choice — this lack of setting a value — isn't as muddled.

With optional-types (which are also called "option-types" and "maybe-types") when something isn't assigned a value it is represented as 'nothing' / 'none'.

In relation-databases, this is represented as 'null'.

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

4/

With other conceptions, this lack of choice — this lack of setting a value — isn't as muddled.

With optional-types (which are also called "option-types" and "maybe-types") when something isn't assigned a value it is represented as 'nothing' / 'none'.

In relation-databases, this is represented as 'null'.

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

4/

With other conceptions, this lack of choice — this lack of setting a value — isn't as muddled.

With optional-types (which are also called "option-types" and "maybe-types") when something isn't assigned a value it is represented as 'nothing' / 'none'.

In relation-databases, this is represented as 'null'.

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

3/

As it is right now, the 'discoverable' flag does not communicate whether the user actually made a 'true' or 'false' choice.

If it is 'true' we know they made a choice.

But if it is 'false' it either means the user chose 'false' or the user didn't make a choice. BUT WE CANNOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE.

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

3/

As it is right now, the 'discoverable' flag does not communicate whether the user actually made a 'true' or 'false' choice.

If it is 'true' we know they made a choice.

But if it is 'false' it either means the user chose 'false' or the user didn't make a choice. BUT WE CANNOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE.

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

3/

As it is right now, the 'discoverable' flag does not communicate whether the user actually made a 'true' or 'false' choice.

If it is 'true' we know they made a choice.

But if it is 'false' it either means the user chose 'false' or the user didn't make a choice. BUT WE CANNOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE.

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

3/

As it is right now, the 'discoverable' flag does not communicate whether the user actually made a 'true' or 'false' choice.

If it is 'true' we know they made a choice.

But if it is 'false' it either means the user chose 'false' or the user didn't make a choice. BUT WE CANNOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE.

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

3/

As it is right now, the 'discoverable' flag does not communicate whether the user actually made a 'true' or 'false' choice.

If it is 'true' we know they made a choice.

But if it is 'false' it either means the user chose 'false' or the user didn't make a choice. BUT WE CANNOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE.

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb

2/

There are a HUGE number of people who (unknown to them) have their 'discoverable' flags set to 'false' who —

№2:

Do NOT know that they have a 'discoverable' flag —

And do NOT know that their 'discoverable' flag was automagically set to 'false' —

And do not understand the consequence of having their 'discoverable' flag set to false.

#ActivityPub #ActivityStreams #DeSo #Discoverable #FediDev #FediDevs #Fediverse #FediverseUX #JSONLD #Mastodon #SocialWeb