US (PT) – Late last year, I was scrolling through twitter and realized that I was not seeing anything from The Pontiac Tribune Twitter feed. I navigated to the page and was met with a screen that simply told me that the account had been suspended. It’s still that way, but rather than fight Twitter. There are some sites out there that are up-and-coming that I’d like to highlight further. Maybe join me, and the Pontiac Tribune there?

INTRO

For the record, I don’t want to highlight sites that are well known. With this article I would like to highlight some of them you may already be familiar with, some maybe not. My purpose is less to highlight the company behind the website, and hopefully pull attention towards some lesser known but alternative networks. Disclaimer; I am not affiliated with, or getting paid by any of the websites mentioned in this article. Any issues you may have related to these websites, I will not be inheriting.

You must have undoubtedly read a headline recently that went the tune; Facebook Censoring Social Media, Contribute Here?

I have too, and it’s because Facebook (FB) did openly change the news feed algorithm to reduce your feed, of news. It would seem that the Administration at FB is bent on making your FB news feed a little more like the old MySpace pages… Remember those? But here, I’ll let you hear it from Zuck himself;

I’m changing the goal I give our product teams from focusing on helping you find relevant content to helping you have more meaningful social interactions.

We started making changes in this direction last year, but it will take months for this new focus to make its way through all our products. The first changes you’ll see will be in News Feed, where you can expect to see more from your friends, family and groups.

As we roll this out, you’ll see less public content like posts from businesses, brands, and media. And the public content you see more will be held to the same standard — it should encourage meaningful interactions between people. – Mark Zuckerberg Co-Founder at Facebook

With regard to Twitter, PT is back on with a fresh page that you should go follow.

As the editor though, I’m going to start making a stronger emphasis on the following websites. Meaning there will be exclusive things on these websites, not just auto-shared from our WordPress. If you want to see this content, follow PT on your profile, or create one? Here’s my top five.

1) STEEMIT

This is my favorite beta thus far. The users are interesting, and Steem is also a traded cryptocurrency that is not too far off from any wallet, and gaining popularity. The user interface is simple to use, and not at all unlike WordPress. The trend is the same, build a profile, add posts, follow people, and up-vote others posts and content. The up-votes, however, are what determine what amount of cryptocurrency you get for performing on the network. If getting paid cryptocurrency to play around on social media interests you? This is the first one I’d set up, and follow PT here. This is the description from the Steemit FAQ;

How does Steemit differ from other social media websites? Most social media sites extract value from their user base for the benefit of shareholders alone. Steemit is different, it’s a new kind of attention economy. By connecting with the Steem blockchain (which is decentralized and controlled by the crowd), Steemit users receive all the benefits and rewards for their attention.

Steemit is completely free to set up and again, you can earn there. One thing though, that some users may want to take notice about. You cannot deactivate or delete your information off this blockchain. “Accounts can not be deactivated or deleted. The account along with all of its activity is permanently stored in the blockchain.” For this reason, if you are trying to use steemit as a discretionary tool? It’s not for that, and I doubt that feature will come to fruition.

There are very few rules to Steemit. None of which are overtly unacceptable. You can only have one monetized account. And the posts do not have rules, there is, however, a widely accepted etiquette guide linked here. The biggest ones?

Don’t post nudity or graphic imagery unless you tag it with NSFW (Not Safe For Work)
Don’t be a fake, plagiarise or pass off others’ work as your own
Don’t bribe people for votes, re-steems, follows or ask directly for money

I know I spent a little extra time highlighting that one. If you are into blockchain, want to get into crypto, or are just looking for a place to post your writing and art work? Steemit is the place to start. The last count at amount of users on Steemit was just over 131,000 people. Now for the next money maker.

2) PATREON

Patreon is next on the list because of the amazing communal aspect of the network itself. This is an explanation from the website regarding one of the founders Jack Conte;

In 2013, YouTube musician Jack Conte was looking for a solution to his problem: millions of people loved his videos, but only hundreds of dollars were hitting his bank account. This didn’t add up, so he drafted up an idea (hi, we’re Patreon) and brought it to his college roommate Sam Yam. Now it’s 2017, and Patreon is the solution to this same problem for over 50k creators.

Patreon was created to bridge the gap between creator, and consumer. Artists and writers have the unique ability to be paid what a patron can contribute, and offers monthly recurring contributions to keep funds from the contributor flowing to their favorite artists. It’s no secret that if you want to know something, see something, or understand anything better… You should do an internet search on the subject. Well, that backfired on artists when their work started becoming available free on the web. This allows you to direct some funding fit for your budget, back to your artists of choice. Freeing them from begging for funds, and making time for more of what everyone wants, creation of art.

As a writer, I’ve been conflicted by this for some time. I didn’t realize that there were those out there willing to contribute a small amount to make sure that I keep up my work. When I signed up and got that first Patron right away. It breathed some life back into my lungs. I felt a little more cared about by the universe, and it has boosted my drive, and sincerely made what seemed unfathomable, a reality.

Added plus, aside from having another place to dump your content. It provides a platform to effectively crowdsource what you may have considered an out-of-pocket expense. Need more paint brushes? Add a reasonable goal for what that would cost, and ask your patrons.

If you just read that and are already on Patreon in another tab? Use this referral link please?https://patreon.com/invite/xmropg

Patreon boasts more than 1,000,000 active patrons a month. Their community guidelines follow with just about any site that solicits funding. No plagiarism, bullying, hate speech, doxxing, or harassment. The link to the guidelines is here, and now on to Number 3.

3) TUMBLR

Perhaps third on this list only because of the lack of time I’ve placed on the site. Also, in 2013, Tumblr was acquired by Yahoo for $1.1Billion. If the list was built based off user interface, and aesthetics? I’d have placed Tumblr in number two. The only thing that I find a tad annoying about Tumblr, is the overall size and complexity of the site. It looks good, and users have a wide array of mediums to utilize for their posts. However, in order to just visit a tumblr page of another person, it opens a whole new browser window.

So what is Tumblr, and the purpose behind the site? The same as any other social media platform; Tumblr celebrates creativity. We want you to express yourself freely and use Tumblr to reflect who you are, and what you love, think, and stand for.

This is not unlike any of the other sites, in that, the guidelines are just about the same as all the others. The only difference from Tumblr and the latter 2 is that Tumblr is not okay with users uploading sexually explicit video.

Estimates on the amount of users on Tumblr are unclear, but are thought to be between 30-50 million users monthly, as of 2013.

4) MINDS

Minds is a lesser known beta that was launched in 2015. Again, just like most others, but they added a points value for their users and content. According to the wiki; “Elements of the global hacktivist collective Anonymous showed initial support for Minds, based on its foundation of transparency and privacy.”

Minds is more like Steemit, in that, the user interface in their beta is rewarding points to those that visit the site hourly, or post a lot of content. The points can be used to boost content, or shared with other users. Minds admins recently released a statement officially making their points system, an actual cryptocurrency. See the trend? Social media sites are already paying you to use them. Move over Facebook, or get with the times.

The Pontiac Tribune has had a Minds account for some time now, and you might be wondering… Why is this number 4 on the list? This site seems to have collected the utmost of the deplorables. Let me put it this way; If you want to know where the fascists are conglomerating? Look no further than Minds. It’s for that reason, that I am weary of sending your readership in that direction. If you’re into triggering fascists? It’s just saturated with people convinced that The German Holocaust was invented by Jews.

Aside from being a white trash breeding ground… Which is why, if you are keen to calling them out? Minds is interesting, and hosts 2 Million+ users on it’s platform. It’s supported by any web browser, and has apps for Android, and Apple devices. Plus, it’s a very anonymous platform. “The Minds social network includes full end-to-end encryption and asymmetrically encrypted chat messaging with private passwords.” Anything goes on that site.

Don’t skip past number five without sharing, and reading further for some honorable mentions.

5) INSTAGRAM

Yeah, I said instagram. That more used than Twitter platform, for sharing photography and memes? Pontiac Tribune just created one. We will be posting exclusive photos, from memes, to the best photo of the day at a crazy protest. Take a look at this chart:

Top most popular social networking sites as of November 2017.

Instagram is huge, which is why I expect you have one, and to follow Pontiac Tribune. If you don’t understand instagram, it’s easy. Share photos, any photo, anytime… Except:

We want Instagram to continue to be an authentic and safe place for inspiration and expression. Help us foster this community. Post only your own photos and videos and always follow the law. Respect everyone on Instagram, don’t spam people or post nudity.

Exhausted yet?

Some honorable mentions:
Linkedin

Reddit

StumbleUpon

CONCLUSION

As a writer, an editor, and an activist… I’m going to make it a point to continue boycotting corporations that show their true colors when they are on top. Looking at you Facebook team! Also, this post will not make it to Facebook or Twitter, two sites that will become increasingly included in my very real plight to put my money and time, where it’s deserved.

This article will be exclusive to the social media platforms mentioned above. – James Job Editor

Please follow The Pontiac Tribune for quality news articles, and don't forget to up-vote please? Thanks for reading!