Prior versions of Knowledge Commons included social networking features that allowed users to:
- Follow other users
- Send direct messages
- Mention or tag users in posts and discussions
As part of the transition to the new profile and authentication system, these features were removed. The earlier system was difficult to maintain and did not integrate well with newer standards for identity and social interaction.
We are actively exploring ways to reintroduce social and communication features in a more modern, sustainable format in future platform updates.
Using Mastodon with Knowledge Commons
In the meantime, users who would like to connect and communicate socially are encouraged to use hcommons.social, our Mastodon platform.
Knowledge Commons supports integration with Mastodon profiles, including:
- Linking your Mastodon account to your Knowledge Commons profile
- Displaying Mastodon posts on your Knowledge Commons profile page
This allows you to maintain a social presence connected to your scholarly and professional identity while using open, decentralized social networking tools.
Joining the Knowledge Commons Mastodon Server
Users are welcome to join the Knowledge Commons Mastodon server to connect with other community members, share updates, and participate in conversations about research, teaching, and public scholarship.
Looking Ahead
We recognize the importance of community interaction and discovery within Knowledge Commons. Future development work will focus on creating communication and networking tools that better support today’s scholarly communication environment while remaining secure, maintainable, and interoperable with open platforms.