Mastodon has been my go-to platform for decentralized social networking. Now, with Bluesky making waves, I find myself exploring its potential as well. Like Mastodon, Bluesky is a decentralized platform, though it operates on a different protocol. Critics might point out the centralized role of the company behind Bluesky, but I suspect its ecosystem will become more decentralized over time. The rapid adoption by communities suggests there’s something there.
One thing Bluesky does well is making onboarding easy. The platform is less complicated than Mastodon, with a polished and intuitive client. The concept of “starter packs,” where anyone can curate and share a list of accounts to follow, further lowers the barrier for new users. It’s a simple but effective way to help people get started without overthinking the platform.
That simplicity is likely why I’ve noticed a larger migration of communities from Twitter to Bluesky compared to Mastodon. Developers especially seem to be moving over in greater numbers. While I still enjoy Mastodon’s freeform and almost anarchistic feel, Bluesky offers a structure that reminds me of early Twitter days. Of course, everyone will have their own take on this.
For now, I’ll treat Bluesky and Mastodon equally, posting updates and content to both. I’ve also tried Threads, but it hasn’t impressed me much so far. Between Bluesky and Mastodon, I think the future of decentralized platforms might lie somewhere in the combination of the two.
Managing multiple platforms is always a bit tricky. A tool called OpenVibe was recommended to me recently, and it’s been working well for crossposting between Bluesky and Mastodon. Adjusting mentions for each platform takes a little effort, but it streamlines content reading and posting across both.
For scheduling, I’ve been experimenting with Buffer, which supports Bluesky and Mastodon. It’s not my preferred way to post, as I generally prefer direct engagement, but it’s been useful for a new project I’m working on: posting daily quotes about the intersection of Zen and programming. Having Buffer handle the schedule has been helpful for that.
Bluesky’s starter packs are worth exploring, especially for developers. Here are a few I’ve found interesting:
I’ve also created a personal feed, and I’m considering making one for Log4j-related topics.
Bluesky is still in its early days, but the momentum it’s building—with entire communities making the leap—suggests a promising future. For now, I’ll keep building my presence on both Bluesky and Mastodon. If you’d like to connect, you can find me here: