“Surf”ing with Flipboard’s New and Exciting Platform

Image Licensed By Adobe Stock. This rendering is only a suggestion and does not represent the app.

Anyone who knows me knows I have been a “professional” Flipboard evangelist for the past 12 years.

Yes, I saw it, tried it, and was sold on it! Flipboard can accomplish many functions, not to mention drive traffic to your website.

What could be better? Flipboard recently introduced its newest addition, Surf, and I was invited to beta-test it. You can also get on the waiting list here https://flip.it/JyB1oI.

Surf rolls in everything you ever published into one efficient stream that sits on the Fediverse.

What Is the Fediverse?

The Fediverse is a decentralized network of servers (also called “instances”) that communicate with each other. These servers host different platforms, like Mastodon, Pixelfed, or PeerTube. They all “talk” to one another using a protocol called ActivityPub.

Here’s an Analogy:

• On enclosed platforms like X or Facebook, you can only share content within their ecosystems. Your audience is limited to users of that specific platform.
• Sharing is open and cross-platform on the Fediverse. If you post on a Mastodon server, users on other Fediverse-compatible platforms (like Pixelfed) can see, comment on, or interact with your content.

But Keep in Mind…

• It’s still early days for the Fediverse, so the user experience isn’t as seamless as on mainstream platforms. There are occasional quirks and compatibility issues as the ecosystem grows and evolves.
• This open, federated model sets the Fediverse apart, offering more freedom and interoperability than closed, proprietary platforms.

What Is “Surf” — According to Flipboard:

Surf is a new app built to explore the open social web. It lets you discover, create, and share personalized feeds by pulling in content from multiple sources like ActivityPub, AT Protocol, and RSS feeds. They already had me with this alone.

Surf Positives:

• Read and follow Mastodon, Bluesky, blogs, podcasts, and YouTube feeds.
• Curate content from different sources to create custom feeds that reflect your topics.
• Use filters and moderation tools to fine-tune what you see and organize your message.
• Brand your publication with your unique voice.
• All your content is in one place. Easy to find, easy to share and portable

My Initial Experience:

My experience using Surf has been pretty straightforward. So far, I have had no hurdles in launching or creating feeds. It feels reminiscent of making a Flipboard magazine.

I got my Beta test as an email invitation. Once I downloaded the app, I used my mobile iOS and signed in with my Flipboard.social mastodon account. Then, the fun and the discovery began.

I opened the app. First, I see a section of people I can follow. Then, My Custom Feeds, all tidily organized in little collapsable banners. Lastly, Featured, Trending, Expert Voices, Hobbies, and Interests sections. In other words, it’s very much like a Flipboard account.

Here Are The Test Drive Results:

Your Content Is in One Feed: Surf combines content from diverse, decentralized platforms, RSS feeds, podcasts, YouTube, and, of course, Flipboard. Please do not abandon your magazines once you use Surf. They are an essential part of this equation.

I poked around and found that the search function helps me find my Flipboard federated magazines. My friends who aren’t federated were not visible, but I solved the problem by adding the Flipboard magazine URL then .RSS after the link. Another option was to search for their Mastodon account.

There are other ways to create feeds. For example, you can use the “Create A New Feed” button with a”+”, like Flipboard.

The first thing I did was build a stream for my Flipboard User Group, and I added magazines, a YouTube channel, a Mastodon feed, and a blog RSS feed. I found all these items in the search bar using different combinations of the name until it appeared.

Once you build and select your feed, the platform has a very neat menu; you can choose the following:

• Sources: Here, you will see all your content creators by profile neatly organized in little squares.
• All: This is every piece of content running in a long stream.
• Discuss: This feed mostly pulls from the Fediverse platforms. Yes, you can follow, like, reply and discuss.
• Watch: For all your video watching in one place.
• Read: Read RSS feeds & publications (at least that’s what it looks like.)
• Listen: For podcast content or music.
• Look: At first glance, it looks like Bluesky bridged the content, but I am not sure.

Flip-Tip: When you curate a feed, you have content in every category.

• More Visibility For Creators and Publishers: After curating a few feeds, I can already sense the huge potential Surf offers users to spread their wings across the Fediverse. Once everyone has access and the platform goes mainstream, Surf will provide curators and multimedia creators with new ways to amplify their content.
  You’ll reach audiences beyond traditional platforms once you curate and share custom feeds. It’s enjoyable and easy. It seems like it’s far less work than Flipboard curation (Not that I mind curating, mind you!).
• Supporting the Fediverse and Open Social Browsing: Surf supports the decentralized social movement by bridging different protocols (e.g., ActivityPub, AT Protocol). We are slowly discovering opportunities emerge when you adopt the new social web. Users can now move away from walled gardens like X or Facebook. We are discovering its power by being on Bluesky and Threads.
  Surf’s integration with the Fediverse could help drive growth and exposure.

Final Words:

The downside right now is that Flipboard is still fine-tuning the app, so it’s a bit of a work in progress. But once more people join and share content across the Fediverse, it will be a game-changer. I’m excited to see how this evolves.

If enough people jump on board, Surf could become a key player in the open web movement, especially if it adapts to users’ needs.

As one of the first apps built for the open social web, Surf has the potential to shape how we interact with decentralized platforms in the future.

Happy Flipping and Surfing!

• Please follow my Flipboard profile. The surf profile is coming soon!
• Join our Facebook user community for #Fliptips and tricks.
• Follow me on Mastodon or Threads.
• To learn how to use Flipboard, follow my 40-second Flipboard tutorials on YouTube

Flipboard is a powerful and versatile tool. Ask me about consulting services to learn how to use your profile for countless benefits. I’m here to help.
Full disclosure: I do not work for Flipboard.