MARL Utility and Features

MARL (Mastodon Archive Reader Lite) is a single-page app designed to help users explore the content of their Mastodon archive file. It offers a user-friendly way to view account data, posts, attachments, and more.

Here are some of MARL's functionalities:

• Direct Support for Archive Files: Users can simply drag and drop their archive file into the MARL window. The app unpacks the archive in the browser's memory without altering the original file or writing anything to the user's disk.

• Data Display: MARL displays various types of data from the archive, including basic profile information with pictures, full profile JSON data, posts with attachments, boosts, and full JSON data for each post or boost. It also provides an overview of hashtags, mentions, and users boosted in the user's posts.

• Filters: MARL offers numerous filters to help users refine their search within the archive. These include options to search full text or specific elements like hashtags, mentions, content warnings, or links. Users can also filter posts based on language, visibility, and the presence of media like images, videos, or sounds.

• Media Viewer: MARL allows users to view or play media attachments directly within the app, though there might be limitations based on file size, browser, and device capabilities.

• Accessibility: MARL prioritizes accessibility for all users, featuring optimizations for keyboard navigation, Forced Colors mode, and screen readers.

• Responsiveness: MARL is designed to function on various screen sizes, ensuring usability even on displays as small as 300 pixels wide.

While MARL offers comprehensive access to the Mastodon archive, it's important to note some limitations:

• Data Exclusions: The Mastodon archive file doesn't contain information about followed/follower accounts, blocked/muted accounts, user lists, or pinned posts. This information won't be displayed in MARL.

• Heavy Attachment Issues: Very large images or videos might fail to load in MARL due to browser/OS memory constraints. However, MARL provides the file path for each attachment within the archive, allowing users to access them directly.

• Limited Boost, Favorite, and Bookmark Data: Content originating from other Mastodon instances (boosted, liked, or bookmarked by the user) might not be fully included in the archive. This is due to instance-specific cache limitations, potentially leading to discrepancies between the displayed content and the user's Mastodon profile.

Overall, MARL provides a valuable tool for exploring and analyzing your Mastodon archive. However, it's crucial to be aware of the limitations and potential data gaps stemming from the archive file's structure and content.