The release of the free platform for deploying decentralized social networks — Mastodon 3.5 — has taken place, allowing users to create services on their own infrastructure that are independent of specific providers. If a user cannot run their own node, they can choose a trusted public service to connect to. Mastodon is part of a federated network category, which uses a set of protocols, ActivityPub, to form a unified structure of connections.
The server-side code of the project is written in Ruby using Ruby on Rails, while the client interface is developed in JavaScript using React.js and Redux libraries. The source code is distributed under the AGPLv3 license. There is also a static frontend for publishing public resources, such as profiles and statuses. Data storage is organized using PostgreSQL and Redis. An open API is provided for developing plugins and connecting external applications (clients are available for Android, iOS, and Windows, and bots can be created).
In the new release:
- The ability to edit already sent posts has been added. Both the original and edited versions of posts are saved and remain accessible for analysis in the operation history. Users who shared a post with others receive a notification about changes made to the original post and can cancel the sharing of the message they shared. This feature is currently disabled by default in the web application and will be activated after a sufficient number of users. servers transition to version 3.5.
- The order of attachments in a message is no longer dependent on the order of file uploads.
- A new page has been added featuring a selection of popular posts, trending hashtags, recommended subscriptions, and news entries shared by the highest number of participants. The selections are formed taking into account the user's language. All materials that make it to the popular posts list undergo manual moderation before being displayed as recommendations.
- A new multi-stage process for reviewing violation warnings with the option for appeals has been proposed for moderators. Any actions taken by moderators, such as message deletions or the suspension of publications, will now be displayed in user settings and will, by default, be accompanied by an email notification to the violator, providing an opportunity to contest the actions taken, including through personal correspondence with the moderator.
- A new summary page with overall metrics for moderators and additional statistics has been proposed, including data on where new users come from, what languages they speak, and how many of them remain on. server. The complaints page has been updated, streamlining the warning processing procedures and enhancing tools for bulk removal of spam and bot activity.
Source: opennet.ru
