Author: Darren Di Lieto · Editor: Morgan Di Lieto · 12th July 2023
Don’t worry, this is only a 2-minute read, and the main points are listed here.
- Mastodon is software, not a social network.
- The Fediverse is a social network.
- Anyone with a server can install Mastodon.
- An installation of Mastodon is called an instance.
- An instance is usually a group with specific interests.
- Users can connect with users of other instances.
- An instance can be considered a social network itself.
- The Fediverse can be considered a network of networks.
- The Fediverse doesn’t tend to attract advertisers.
- The Fediverse doesn’t collect identifiable users’ data.
- The Fediverse isn’t just about consuming content.
Welcome to the Fediverse! / Mastodon, an Introduction.
Mastodon is not a social network. It’s the name of the software that allows you to connect to the Fediverse. The Fediverse is the network!
Mastodon is not the only software that allows access to the Fediverse, but it is generally the one that most people have heard of. Any software that uses the ActivityPub protocol can connect you to the Fediverse. A protocol is a system of rules that allows two or more entities to communicate. Email uses a protocol called SMTP, allowing someone using Gmail to email someone who uses Outlook and vice-versa.
Anyone from a corporation to a government to an individual like yourself can install the Mastodon software on a server if they have the technical know-how.
If a copy of Mastodon is installed on a server, you can access it like any other website. An installation is called an “instance”, and users can register to join an instance (community). Once users have an account, they can connect with other users on the same or other instances. This is possible because of the ActivityPub protocols that allow the instances to communicate. Other users don’t need to use Mastodon; as long as their instance uses the ActivityPub protocol, you can connect with them.
Now, if “centralised” social networks like Twitter and Facebook worked this way, someone on Twitter could connect with someone on Facebook without needing an account on Facebook – this is also why the Fediverse is called a decentralised network.
So if you’re interested in joining the Fediverse, you may want to seek out an instance with a user base with interests that are common to your own. You can then look at your instance’s local feed and connect with kindred spirits, naturally expanding your network of online friends or those you follow. You may also want to consider a general instance run by an admin you trust or administer an instance yourself.
You can find various directories of Fediverse users by searching the internet. Then connect with users on instances different from your own by copying their username into the search bar on your instance or by using a browser add-on like Graze to simplify the process. It’s also easy enough to look at who your connections are following, or followed by, to expand your network. StreetPass is another browser add-on that creates a list of Mastodon users to follow, as it finds links to user accounts based on the websites you visit on your internet travels.
The thing is, with the Fediverse, you get out what you put in. Big corporate social media has gamified content creation and spoon-fed their users simplicity to please their advertisers and create big data models, as that’s where the money is, for a very long time – for so long in fact, it’s become normal. You should be able to own your data and content without question. With software like Mastodon, that’s how it is. You’re in control.
The Fediverse awaits you!
If you’re already part of the Fediverse, you can follow us at @hireillo@illo.social and if you’re a Hireillo member and would like to join our beta server, give Darren a shout.
Other Resources
- I Was Wrong About Mastodon – I thought Mastodon wouldn’t scale due to moderation issues
- What is Mastodon? – Official introduction video
- Fedi.Tips – An unofficial non-technical guide to using Mastodon
- Fedi.Directory – A human-curated selection of interesting accounts
- booktoot.social – An instance run by our friend Beach
- mastodon.art – You’ll find a lot of artists here
- iOS App – Metatext – An iOS app to access your Mastodon account
- Graze for Mastodon – A Chrome add-on that lets you easily follow accounts on other instances
- StreetPass – This add-on makes a list of users based on your ongoing internet usage
- Trunk – This is another directory of users that’s worth checking out to get you started
An Artist’s Intro to… Mastodon
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