So how does this whole thing work exactly? I made an account here on beehaw, but then when I view other lemmy instances, I see some of the same posts that are here on beehaw.
For example, I commented on this thread: https://beehaw.org/comment/121048
And then I get a reply from this site instead, where I can’t comment because I need to log in, but it doesn’t allow me to? https://lemmy.ca/comment/190838
Wildly confused.
Based on my experiments, being new to this as well, it feels like each site offers the ability to create credentials, but gives you access, via their particular interface to the whole network of lemmy sites that are sharing with one another. I’m on via lemmy.world and using the Jerboa app, so I think If you can find the post on beehaw again you should be able to comment from there.
In googling around a bit I found someone made a nice analogy to email where everyone can be on different sites, but still communicate between them.
Another thing I learned from this is that apparently not all sites are necessarily connected, but that feels like it defeats the purpose.
Some servers can choose not to interact with other servers. For example a lot of the bigger instances on mastodon block the nasty far right servers.
Here is a link to thread that provides some basic instructions: https://lemmy.ml/post/1160417
On the point of servers not being connected - by default an instance will federate with all other instances. Admins have the ability to add a whitelist (only connect to these instances) or blacklist (connect to everything except these).
There are some unsavoury instances out there that don’t mesh with the Beehaw philosophy so they’re blocked.
The nice thing is you can run your own instance and federate with everyone if you don’t like the idea of blocking instances. You might find others will block you if they don’t agree with your content but that’s their choice.
So to respond to your comment, I have to click on the “Show context” button to open up Beehaw’s interface.
If I click on “Show Context”, it takes me to lemmy.world where I can’t respond because I need to comment. Is it bad if I’ve tried logging in to other instances with my credentials?
No, it isn’t bad - it just won’t work. Instead you need to copy the link provided in the sidebar of the community telling you to log in (it starts with a ! for Lemmy communities), click on Communities at the top of the page, paste the ! link into the search bar, and press “Enter.” That should bring up the community icon with a “Follow” underneath. Click “Follow” and you are in - you can comment on threads for that community!
Good tip. I’ll have to try this.
I’m using Jerboa and I just tapped the little text icon and now I’m replying. Maybe it’s an instance setting?