There are several reasons for sticking with X for now, having to edit my posts promoting petitions to fit the character limited isn’t one of them. I’ll retain my blue tick for 6 months, or until I deactivate my account, as I’ve already paid for it. I’m not getting any benefits that aren’t available with a standard account and, even if I continue paying, I can no longer have a private conversation with a group of friends as I did on Twitter.

Two things that are currently lacking in Bluesky are the ability to bookmark posts (I’ll have to get used to not calling them “tweets”) or save them as drafts. Some websites are providing a share button to post directly to Bluesky, no doubt others will do so as the trend continues but, at present, it’s often easier to post to X first then copy and paste to Bluesky.

The main reason I’ll be going through a long transition period is that I have several groups of friends with whom I share stuff of mutual interest – some, but not all, follow each other on both platforms and I don’t want to split them up. This is especially true of my #SocialistSunday lists.

I’m finding that I can’t respond to a post on X if ONE of the people tagged has unfollowed or blocked another account, even if I untag that account in my reply! Chances of a conversation where we might disagree is reduced to zero, but I don’t see much room for disagreement on Bluesky when so many of us are of one mind. I’ld welcome a healthy debate among comrades, with the presumption being that we take opposing points of view in hopes we’ll come to a conclusion we can agree on. There are no winners or losers in the kind of debate I envisage, only people seeking a deeper understanding of the topic under discussion.

I’ve discovered two comrades on Bluesky whose accounts have been blocked on X while others have not, to the best of my knowledge, opened accounts on Bluesky. Sooner or later I will need to build new lists using Bluesky usernames, but I don’t want a 2-tier plan if I can help it.

For the time being I’m posting more to Bluesky than X, not following back ALL new followers on Bluesky or ANY new followers on X. When I quit smoking 10 years ago I didn’t do it all at once and needed help, it’s the same here.

I promised to help comrades find each other Bluesky an will update and post my starter kit every #SocialistSunday until I see my way forward.

I’m in a difficult position when decided to follow back someone from Gaza. I want to help but there are questions that need answering:

• Are they genuine? It’s strange that they manage to maintain an internet access when all other means of communication have been cut. Off if we donate to these accounts, they have nothing to spend it on!
• Assuming they are genuine, I prefer to donate to a charity that has some prospect of getting relief to where it’s needed despite the blockade. More below.
• I’m a pensioner who qualifies for Winter Fuel Allowance, part of which I’ve already donated to help people who need it more than I do.

At this time of year I’m inundated with requests for donations to causes I support. Anyone who knows me is aware that I won’t ask anyone to donate to a a cause without putting my money where my mouth is and I’m frankly surprised that I’m able to do as much while paying off my own debt! When I take my blog to Substack next year I may include an option to buy me a coffee if you like my work.

I have a few birthdays to celebrate this month, including my own, but will not be rarely posting to X from 1 January 2025 although I will monitor it for 6 months before closing it.

Here’s a starter pack with suggested accounts to follow https://go.bsky.app/PNyNcDW