# Welcome to Debbie's Unofficial Guide To Bluesky
Greetings to those finding me via the [Vox post about Bluesky](https://www.vox.com/technology/385433/what-is-bluesky-twitter-social-media-use-future). You may already be familiar with my [Bluesky tips blog post](https://debbieohi.com/2024/03/bluesky-tips/), [Bluesky article in School Library Journal](https://www.slj.com/story/getting-up-to-speed-on-bluesky-librarians-libraries--social-media), and/or [posts from my account on Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/debbieohi.com). I began this Guide in late Oct/2024 as a replacement for my "Tips for Bluesky Newcomers" blog post.
I also hope to establish a basic "How-To" categorized collection of community resources, mainly pointing to OTHER people's resources on the platform.
> [!NOTE] This is NOT an official Bluesky resource!
> Be aware that this is a living vault, very much a work-in-progress. It is NOT meant to be a 100% accurate and finished resource. You will find many placeholder pages.
>
> Note: These tips are just based on my own experience; what works for me may not work for you. Feel free to share the shortcut link https://debbieohi.link/BlueSkyGuide but be aware internal links may change during this initial phase. [Follow me on Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/debbieohi.com) for updates. Feel free to send me feedback via [[Contact Debbie]]. Thank you!
>
## For official Bluesky updates/info
Follow the [official Bluesky](https://publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/bluesky#For+official+Bluesky+updates%2Finfo) account and [Bluesky Safety](https://bsky.app/profile/safety.bsky.app) account.
## How to navigate this Unofficial Guide To Bluesky
You can use the search field to look for a particular topic, or browse the list of topic pages in "An Official Bluesky Wiki" folder in the lefthand navigation bar (desktop) or access the menu via the icon with three stacked lines in the top left corner (mobile).
If you're looking for Starter Packs, try one of these Bluesky Directories:
[Bluesky Directory > Starter Packs](https://blueskydirectory.com/starter-packs/all) - by [@mubashariqbal.com](https://bsky.app/profile/mubashariqbal.com)
[Bluesky Starter Pack directory](https://blueskystarterpack.com/) - by [@il.ly](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:g754bse5354tgxhsod4vttus)
Those mainly interested in my **KidLit Community** tips, please look under the Community-Specific section: [[For KidLit Community]].
![[SLJ-Art-Bluesky-DebbieRidpathOhi-Copyright-v3-800.jpg]]
## Recent updates
See [[Updates to this Unofficial Guide]] for a full log, but here are a few of the recent updates:
- Updated [[Bluesky Events]] and [[For Educators & Librarians]].
- Added [[Cautions and Scams]].
- Created a short how-to-video to help explain how to add Bluesky feeds, added to the [[Feeds]] page.
- Massively updated my [[Feeds]] primer page with lots of screenshots and explanations.
- Added a [For Academics](https://publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/for-academics) community page, just beginning.
- Created a new info page about [[Impersonator or Imposter Accounts]].
- Updated [[b. Settings|Settings]] to include the new Thread Preferences.
- Adding social media preview images so it's easier to promote specific topics like How To Block users, etc. Beefed up [[b. Quickstart Guide|Quickstart Guide]] and [[e. Control What You Do (& Don't) See|Control What You Do (& Don't) See]]. Added more content to a bunch of Community-Focused pages.
- Updated [[For Board Gamers]], [[For KidLit Community]], [[Tips - Seeking More Engagement|Tips For Finding More Engagement]], [[e. Control What You Do (& Don't) See|Control What You Do (& Don't) See]]
## Why I created the Unofficial Guide To Bluesky
With Bluesky add new features and improving all the time, I’ve been finding it a (happy) challenge trying to keep my online resources and posts updated. Rather than attempt to update [my already-too-long Bluesky blog post](https://debbieohi.com/2024/03/bluesky-tips/) yet again, I figure it makes more sense to create a wiki-like resource instead, via Obsidian Publish.
Instead of having one long blog post that users need to scroll through to find the info they need, they can just use the search tool, or find the section/sub-section they need.
This format is also far easier for me to maintain as well.
## Why I'm using Obsidian Publish
I already use [Obsidian](https://obsidian.md/) for the bulk of my note-taking and project management, including my book projects, speaking engagements, travel plans, etc. I have one main vault of info, with separate vaults for picture book illustration projects. Different people using Obsidian in different ways, and I've been grateful to those on the Obsidian Discord for all their help!
## Where are your usual fun graphics?
I'm focusing first on establishing a solid bare-bones framework with essential tips for Bluesky newcomers. Once that is in place, THEN I'll gradually be prettifying with graphics.
## Want to help? Here's how.
Information in this Guide will always be FREE. I am currently paying USD $8/month for Obsidian Publish so I can have a public vault for my Unofficial Guide To Bluesky. I don't mind doing this for now; it's my way of giving back to the community. I've heard that [Bluesky plans to make it easier](https://bsky.app/profile/rose.bsky.team/post/3l7biyxcycs2t) for users to support creators directly. 🤞🏼 Or I may opt for a tip jar.
If you find this Guide useful, here are some ways you can show your thanks:
- Point Bluesky newcomers to this Guide. I also have the link in my [Bluesky profile bio](https://bsky.app/profile/debbieohi.com).
- Pass it forward. Welcome newcomers, help answer their questions (feel free to point them to individual pages in the Guide).
- I write and illustrate children's books for a living, and would VERY much appreciate you reading my books, talking about my books, buying or borrowing my books. [You can find out more about me and my work here](https://debbieohi.com/). Even if you can't afford to buy, there are MANY WAYS to support an author's or illustrator's book. [Here are just a few](https://debbieohi.link/HowToSupport).
### To those offering to help contribute content to this Unofficial Guide
Please my community-sourced threads to suggest resources instead of DMs, or see my [[Contact Debbie]] page. See examples on the [KidLit Community Page](https://publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/for-kidlit) under various topics (e.g. "Reply to this thread if you have resources for picture book authors, etc."); these usually have a phrase like "suggestions from the Bluesky community."
Although there IS a way to collaborate via Obsidian, it requires some tech-savvy know-how and careful sync coordination. It would require much more of my time to figure out and inevitable troubleshooting, plus too much potential for problems (someone accidentally wiping out part of the Guide, for instance).
***Update Sun. Nov. 24, 2024***: I am currently focusing on building up the basic "how-to" essentials of the Guide. I have set up the framework for a bunch of Community pages, but am relying heavily on Community Reply Resource threads for pointing people to resources I don't already have in my Guide. Earlier this year, I found it a challenge to get people to contribute content. In recent weeks, there has been a HUGE influx of new users, and I'm finding that I simply can't keep up with all the requests to be put on the many Lists, Starter Packs, Feeds and Guide pages I've set up. What I've been doing, to help protect my own creative time (I have already spent many, many hours helping to build community on Bluesky): methodically go through the Community Reply posts and gradually add some of those resources to the Guide. Thanks for your patience and understanding!
## Please pass it forward
If you found my Unofficial Guide To Bluesky helpful at all, what I would most appreciate: Pass it forward.
When I first joined Bluesky, I was grateful to those who helped me figure things out - it made a HUGE difference in how I perceived the platform, and my interest in sticking around.
So please, especially once you get settled on Bluesky and are able to start fully enjoying it - if you see a newcomer posting, make them feel welcome, help guide them.
Thank you for reading this far, and I'll see you on Bluesky!