Why YSK: This is a new platform and it seems many new users are missing out on key Lemmy features.
If you are accessing Lemmy via web browser these are probably obvious to you, but many apps obfuscate this info or have it hidden in a menu and aren’t immediately obvious.
- Sidebars
Many users are using various Lemmy app clients to access content, you should be aware that every community has a side bar, and it can be accessed in various ways depending on what app you are on.
PLEASE read sidebars and acquaint yourselves with community rules!
- Messages
In your notifications area, where ever that may be on the app you are using, there is a tab for Messages. I have noticed several apps do not tell you that you have a message.
BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR MESSAGES as this is most likely the way in which a moderator will contact you in case of issues with rules.
Remember that messages are not private and can be read by admins! This is an important flaw of ActivityPub!
Why, in this day and age, would anyone assume that your messages sent on any social media platform are private?
Sad but true. Still, I think it’s important that this is well known.
So it’s not a flaw.
Any message sent in any platform can be read by the admins of that service unless the service has implemented encryption in a way that the message can only be viewed by the sender and recipient.
As an alternative to Lemmy DMs folks should consider putting their matrix chat in their profile. I believe it is available as a fillable form in settings on most instances.