Add "Unlisted" visibility option for posts

[sk22]

Fixes #37

[Gargron]

This option has been omitted on purpose since it overlaps with public in almost all ways. We keep the dropdown simple, with all other options being very intuitive to understand.

[afheisleycook]

gargon you dont listne your users @Gargron you should revoke as creator and replaced

[mxamber]

it overlaps with public in almost all ways

...hardly true? Having public posts that can be boosted and shared around but aren't visibly to any, pardon my French, any random jerk browsing public/fed for users to harrass, is vital to anyone who's worried about this sorta thing. Which isn't that few people.

[afheisleycook]

step down some one who cna do better job @Gargron

[afheisleycook]

you dont deserver to work on mastadon

[sk22]

I agree that it gets more complicated with the "Unlisted" option being available (as new users might not understand what this even means) – but it's also an essential part of Mastodon, if you ask me.

I suspect that users coming from Twitter would rather expect Unlisted-like behavior as there's no such thing as public timelines on Twitter. And since the Community timeline isn't displayed prominently either, chances are new users don't even realize it exists – possibly unknowingly exposing themselves to trolls who find posts on public timelines.

In my opinion, users should at least have the option to post unlisted, as

1. it's a feature Mastodon (thankfully) supports
2. it makes sense for the way the Android app endorses people to use Mastodon (considering the Community timeline is quite hidden in the app and the Federated timeline doesn't even exist)
3. is something that can increase users' safety.

[n0toose]

any random jerk browsing public/fed for users to harrass, is vital to anyone who's worried about this sorta thing. Which isn't that few people.

Ignoring the flat out embarrassing conduct of a specific person here, I can attest to the fact that I have seen waves of people going out of their way to use the federated timeline to harass minorities. The thing I like about Mastodon is that it's not an "Everything has to be necessarily be screamed to anyone, or get isolated."

[sk22]

Oh, btw: The distinction between "Unlisted" and "Public" is pretty complicated to wrap one's head around and I think that those options could use some clearer naming. I've created an issue regarding this: #114

[retiolus]

What about adding an "Advanced" category in the settings that would enable this kind of option?

The "Unlisted" option would only appear in the drop-down menu if it is enabled in the advanced settings.

[FromtonRouge]

Hello, as a basic user, I don't understand why the "unlisted" option is available on the web client only. I had to install the Tusky app to have this option. It's a Mastodon feature, it should be in the app too

[MattByName]

Hi @Gargron , what if the "unlisted" option was not visible by default, but there was a setting to expose it. That way things are simple, in the way you describe, by default, but users who use unlisted posts due to instance rules or personal preference can enable it.

I'm thinking of how usually the option to hibernate is disabled in windows, but can be enabled in control panel.

[hedgefield]

I agree, this can’t possibly be presented as the official app if it purposefully leaves out features that exist in the platform. Put it behind a feature toggle if you must, but please add it.

[ShadowJonathan]

@Gargron if you dont agree with this change, simply close the PR, don't let it hang in limbo and become a complaint sinkhole. Stand behind your opinions, if you have them.

[SamStephens]

@Gargron

This option has been omitted on purpose since it overlaps with public in almost all ways. We keep the dropdown simple, with all other options being very intuitive to understand.

If Unlisted is not intuitive, why is it available in the web application? Are Android users considered to be somehow less capable than web users?

[Mattis142]

Also currently you could easily fork the feature from other clients based on this mastodon app, like sk22@583325d

[SamStephens]

@MKCOOL142

Also currently you could easily fork the feature from other clients based on this mastodon app, like sk22@583325d

Of course I could. I've actually stopped using this client and started using Tusky now I've been told:

This app is for new users. There are more advanced apps for more advanced users.
[...]
This app is for new users. The minimal feature set is purposeful.

But I think that the official Mastodon applications having missing features is bad for the experience users have of Mastodon, and bad for Mastodon's reputation (based on actual comments I've seen from upset users). My take is that either the Mastodon applications should be feature complete, or they should make it clear to end users they provide a deliberately limited experience. #396 and mastodon/mastodon-ios#698

[Mattis142]

@MKCOOL142

Also currently you could easily fork the feature from other clients based on this mastodon app, like sk22@583325d

Of course I could. I've actually stopped using this client and started using Tusky now I've been told:

This app is for new users. There are more advanced apps for more advanced users.
[...]
This app is for new users. The minimal feature set is purposeful.

But I think that the official Mastodon applications having missing features is bad for the experience users have of Mastodon, and bad for Mastodon's reputation (based on actual comments I've seen from upset users). My take is that either the Mastodon applications should be feature complete, or they should make it clear to end users they provide a deliberately limited experience. #396 and mastodon/mastodon-ios#698

Yeah I think this app should be Feature complete, and if they don't want to confuse new users than why not have a section in the settings titled "advanced" where all these features for advanced users can get thrown into, with essentially no downsides

[Lastorder-DC]

Why this PR is still opened? If this is not going to accepted, just attach wontfix label and close.

[moertel]

It's so odd to be at the mercy of a single person deciding that an official platform feature should be missing from the official app.

Going silent on the constructive suggestions of balancing UI/UX with an "Advanced Features" toggle is not really encouraging either. People have already invested time in opening a PR, so clearly demonstrated willingness to take on the work.

@Gargron what's a suitable process to continue the discussion? Do you need use cases? Votes? Anything else?

[shibotto]

@Gargron please reconsider this. There are instances specifically requiring to post on topic contents only on the public timeline, but allowing whatever else unlisted. This is especially dangerous since Mastodon let's you set the default privacy level for your posts, but this apps also ignores that. It's very easy to not notice it and risk to be banned.

[Lastorder-DC]

@Gargron Reconsider, or close this.
It's not that hard. right?

[YJSoft]

@Gargron After mastodon/mastodon#26344, all public toot of discoverable accounts can be searched, unless write as unlisted, which is still missing from app. Still no plans for merging above? Then, close this.

[DraconicNEO]

@grishka Does f888091 also allow for unlisted in replies, because that's been a big issue ever since they removed the feature, any replies you make in the app are forced public and pollute the timeline.

[grishka]

Yes, the visibility is set to unlisted by default when you reply to an unlisted post.

[DraconicNEO]

Yes, the visibility is set to unlisted by default when you reply to an unlisted post.

I meant any post in general, not just top posts already marked unlisted. In most cases it makes sense for replies even to public posts to be unlisted because the original is public and having your replies be public causes them to clutter the timeline, as they appear as posts on the timeline due to being set as public when they probably shouldn't be.