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tl;dr
Its easy to help make Mastodon and the apps you use better. First go sign up for a Github account (that is where most developers keep their code).
Next find the app you use from the list below. Select "bug" or "feature", fill in a title and give details. Anything you can provide will help, remember you are the one using these services and the developers want to know what will make you use them more. If that sounds too scary, there are details below on what to write but here is an example.
Title: Clicking "follow user" doesn't change the follow icon Details: When I click "follow user" the icon stays the same, when it should change to the "unfollow" icon. I've tried to follow multiple accounts and I get the same results. Steps to reproduce: 1. Open app 2. Click local timeline 3. Click the avatar of someone you don't follow 4. Click the + next to their name 5. The icon doesn't change I'm running Tusky 19.0 on Android 13. I noticed the bug on 2022-11-22 when I connected to mastodon.sdf.org, version 4.0.2
Just like the community you find in the service, there is a community of developers who create the apps and services you use. The nice thing about open source is you the user have a direct line to the developers. You can provide bug reports. You can provide feature requests. If the documentation is lacking, you can easily provide support by making it better. And of course, you can toss them a few bucks to thank them and help keep their lights on. Below I've compiled a list of links to many of the projects so that you can easily let the developers know what is broken and what can be done better.
The following is a list of the apps I know of. If there are more please toot me so I can find where you can report a bug or feature.
The main Mastodon project is both a web service run on your instance and a web page UI you most likely signed up on. The documentation is also stored in Github so if you find a typo, or instructions that are no longer applicable please leave a ticket.
To find the version go to the main page on your instance and as scroll down to the bottom. The version is listed in the footer next to the link "View source code". As of the writing of this post the latest version is 4.0.2.
The official Mastodon project has its own mobile apps. But like most good open source projects, there are many third party apps created by independent developers. You'll want to submit a ticket to the appropriate app team if you believe the bug is a problem uniquely to the app. The developers may inform you that the issue is server side, and ask you to create a ticket with the main project listed above.
For iPhones, the method of identifying the version for an app is as follows:
1. Open the Settings app
2. Select General > iPhone Storage
3. Tap the app in the list to reveal the version information
Looks likme Amaroq is no longer supported.
For Android:
1. Open Settings
2. Select Apps > All Apps
3. Click on the app name
4. Version located at the bottom of the page
Desktop apps exist for Mastodon too. Versions on Windows can be found in the "Programs and Features" section of Control Panel, while on OSX you can get the version from iTunes. If you're on Linux or a BSD, check your package manager.
One of the best ways to help make an open source project better is to provide useful feedback to the developers. The better the details the easier it is to fix a bug or implement a feature. Here are a few tips.
When reporting a bug give a description of what you noticed and what you're expecting to happen. Doesn't have to be too long, but should point out what you see that you didn't expect, and what you tried to do to verify the issue is really a bug. A little investigation on your side will help speed the process up.
Along with the description give a step by step process to reproduce. Try to start from opening the app to the point it fails. Once you've written the steps try following them to make sure you aren't forgetting anything. Many times bugs are very specific to what you are doing, others may not be seeing the same problem. You want to give give them the process for duplication.
Be sure to report the versions and dates of when you ran into the issue, along with the instance your account is on. It's often the case that a bug exhibits itself in a unique way depending on the environment. Your app has a version, the instance you're on is running a version of the Mastodon server. Updates happen all the time so knowing how to reproduce the problem requires to know exactly what was running.
Features should be done the same way. Give details as to when and how the feature would be available. You are the one who would be using the feature, you're the best give a user experience. Let them know why you think the feature is a good idea, they have valuable time so you need to sell it.
Lastly, if you can make a screen shot, that is awesome. If you can mark up the screen shot, even better. If not, just be descriptive.
Most of these projects are hosted on a site called GitHub. Sign up an account and follow the link below for the project you're providing support. Bugs and Features all fall under "Issues". Be sure to check back in case the developers have questions. You'll receive an email when the status of your report changes.
Remember that all these apps are created and maintained by independent developers. Some charge up front for their projects but most are given away for free (as in beer). If you like them and use them please send send them a tip if you can. If I'm missing an app please send me a message and I'll add them to the list.
Please boost this page and if you see anyone suggesting features or having an issue, please send them to the right place. You can make open source better by providing developers with useful information.
$ published: 2022-11-22 23:15 $
$ updated: 2022-11-23 10:05 $
$ tags: mastodon, fediverse $
-- CC-BY-4.0 jecxjo 2022-11-22
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