What is Mastodon? Is it a Twitter Substitute? Here is a Guide for Newcomers
After the declaration of the new owner of Twitter, which is Elon Musk, many users are fretting in search of new directions and masses of users looking forward to the Mastodon platform, which is also regarded as the open-source alternative of Twitter.
However Mastodon came into existence in 2016 but it came to the limelight after the finalization came on 27 October 2022, when the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX is taking over Twitter. Since then, almost 5 hundred thousand users have been gained by Mastodon which is almost double than its previous users.
Many users gather the same feeling from Mastodon as they get from Twitter along with extra options and user control. But if you are a purist of Twitter and likes to use basic functionalities like quote-tweeting, private DMing and user-friendly onboarding then sorry to say, you have to quit these features, as it was absent in it.
But yes! If you’re willing to do a new experiment with your social media life, then this is the perfect platform.
This is the perfect guide for beginners who are willing to use the Mastodon platform and if you are also from those, then you are at the correct place. Just read this article carefully and till the end.
Introduction to Mastodon
Mastodon came into existence in March 2016 by the discovery of a German software developer named Eugen Rochko. It is different from other social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc. as it is an open-source software where the Mastodon server can be created by anyone on their own which is decentralized and not controlled by any individual or a single company.
It is also a non-profit platform which means that it benefits the user rather than benefiting the shareholder only.
Many people misunderstood Mastodon as a clone of Twitter, however, the underlying system of Mastodon is far more complex behind this microblogging platform.
The Mastodon platform lets the users develop their posts which maximally contain 500 characters only. It allows users to follow each other.
When you are involved in the creation of your Mastodon account, you have to choose a server from Mastodon’s server lists. User can choose their desired server. It is just similar, when you open an email account on Gmail, Yahoo, etc. it generates the address of your profile.
Is Mastodon an Open-source Platform? What does Open-source Means?
Yes! Mastodon is an open-source platform that can be downloaded, modified, and installed by anyone on their own server. The plus point of being open-source is that its copyrights are not owned by the developers of the platform.
But being open-source doesn’t mean that anyone can grab the code of Mastodon without the acknowledgment of the source.
Guide to Creating Mastodon Account
- Search for the official website of Mastodon and open it.
- Click on the button which reads, ‘Create account’.
- Then you have to choose the server. You have to choose one of them. They can also be filtered, depending upon the language, topic, religion, speed, and more.
- This just completes your account and you can then start to find people you want to follow.
After creating an account, if anyone is willing to change their server then it is also possible and one can easily change it with their interested server by going to the settings.
Is the Conversation Between Different Server Users Possible?
Yes, it is possible and totally allowed. Users with any kind of server can follow, chat, see, and like your posts easily. But some servers block some particular servers and if you interact with one of those kinds of blockers then, you can connect or chat with them. Firstly you have to send them a request then if they allow you to follow them, then only you can connect with them.
What are Home, Federated, and Local Timelines?
The home timeline shows the posts of users, followed by you.
The local timeline exposes you to the posts of every user of a similar server used by you.
The federated timeline shows you the posts of every individual followed by the people you follow.
Moderation Policy of Mastodon
Every server present in Mastodon has its admin who has set its moderation policies. Every user has to read the policies present on that server that match their values or not and select carefully.
Security Features of Mastodon
It is a decentralized platform which makes it an extra-controlled online platform. The rules and regulations are stringent against harassment. It has strong and powerful security features.
Images and videos can be added to this platform but in a described value as suggested by the platform’s regulations.
Only four images can be posted with a single post which can be just 8MB in size.
Video and audio can be uploaded without any length foundation with the size of the file not exceeding 40MB.
Does anyone get the Verified ID tag on Mastodon?
No! Until now, there is no system of being a verified user on Mastodon till now.
Pros of Mastordon Over Twitter
The first and foremost thing, which became the reason for millions to switch Twitter with Mastodon is- Elon Musk! Don’t worry, he is not present here.
After the declaration of the new owner of Twitter, which is Elon Musk, many users are fretting in search of new directions, and masses of users looking forward to the Mastodon platform, which is also regarded as the open-source alternative to Twitter.
However Mastodon came into existence in 2016 but it came to the limelight after the finalization came on 27 October 2022, when the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX is taking over Twitter. Since then, almost 5 hundred thousand users have been gained by Mastodon which is almost double that its previous users.
Many users gather the same feeling from Mastodon as they get from Twitter along with extra options and user control. But if you are a purist of Twitter and likes to use the basic functionalities like quote-tweeting, private DMing and user-friendly onboarding then sorry to say, you have to quit these features, as it was absent in it.
But yes! If you’re willing to do a new experiment with your social media life, then this is the perfect platform.
This is the perfect guide for the beginners who are willing to use the Mastodon platform and if you are also from those, then you are at the correct place. Just read this article carefully and till the end.
Introduction to Mastodon
Mastodon came to existence in March 2016 by the discovery of a German software developer named Eugen Rochko. It is different from other social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc. as it is an open-source software where the Mastodon server can be created by anyone on their own which is decentralized and not controlled by any individual or a single company.
It is also a non-profit platform which means that it benefits the user rather than benefiting the shareholder only.
Many people misunderstood Mastodon as a clone of Twitter, however the underlying system of Mastodon is far more complex behind this microblogging platform.
Mastodon platform lets the users develop their posts which maximally contain 500 characters only. It allows users to follow each other.
When you are involved in the creation of your Mastodon account, you have to choose a server from the Mastodon’s server lists. User can choose their desired server. It is just similar, when you open an email account on Gmail, Yahoo, etc. it generates the address of your profile.
Is Mastodon Open-source Platform? What does Open-source Means?
Yes! Mastodon is an open-source platform due to which it can be downloaded, modified and installed by anyone on their own server. The plus point of being an open-source is that its copyrights are not owned by the developers of the platform.
But being open-source doesn’t mean that anyone can grab the code of mastodon without the acknowledgement of the source.
Guide to Create Mastodon Account
- Search for the official website of Mastodon and open it.
- Click on the button which reads, ‘create account’.
- Then you have to choose the server. You have to choose one of them. They can also be filtered, depending upon the language, topic, religion, speed and more.
- This just completes your account and you can then start to find people you want to follow.
After creating an account, if anyone is willing to change their server then it is also possible and one can easily change it with their interested server by going to the settings.
Is the Conversation Between Different Server Users Possible?
Yes, it is possible and totally allowed. Users with any kind of server can follow, chat, see and like your posts easily. But some servers block some particular servers and if you interact with one of those kinds of blockers then, you can connect or chat with them. Firstly you have to send them a request then if they allow you to follow them, then only you can connect with them.
What are Home, Federated, and Local Timelines?
The home timeline shows the posts of users, followed by you.
The local timeline exposes you with the posts of every user of a similar server used by you.
The federated timeline shows you the posts of every individual followed by the people you follow.
Moderation Policy of Mastodon
Every server present in Mastodon has its admin who has set its moderation policies. Every user has to read those policies present on that server that match your values or not and select carefully.
Security Features of Mastodon
It is a decentralized platform which makes it an extra controlled online platform. The rules and regulations are stringent against harassment. It has strong and powerful security features.
Images and videos can be added to this platform but in a described value as suggested by the platform’s regulations.
Only four images can be posted with a single post which can be just 8MB in size.
Video and audio can be uploaded without any length boundation with the size of file not exceeding 40MB.
Does anyone get the Verified ID tag on Mastodon?
No! Until now, there is no system of being a verified user on Mastodon till now.
Pros of Mastordon Over Twitter
The first and foremost thing, which became the reason for millions to switch Twitter with Mastodon is- Elon Musk! Don’t worry, he is not present here.
Now let’s start to discuss the various benefits of Mastodon over Twitter, although there are not enough pros at this time, as it is not easy to replicate the vibe Twitter has left behind on its users.
- It is more customizable and innovative than Twitter.
- It has different and unique content guidelines for individual communities which is the newest addition in any social media app. It gives a variety of distinct user experiences.
- One can do an extra personal and direct conversation here because of the lower user base.
Cons of Mastodon Over Twitter
- Mastodon has a very small user mass till now when compared to Twitter.
- Not well resourced as Twitter is.
- Working quality is also less than Twitter.
- Sometimes the service becomes sluggish.
Conclusion
In this article, you’ll get the key details needed by the person who wants to start Mastodon’s journey. Mastodon is open-source software that is non-profited. It resembles Twitter in many ways but we have to accept that any new app cannot get the vibe of the watercooler of the world as Twitter is. But still, if you want a change in your social media life, then must go for it.
Now let’s start to discuss the various benefits of Mastodon over Twitter, although there are not enough pros at this time, as it is not easy to replicate the vibe Twitter has left behind on its users.
- It is more customizable and innovative than Twitter.
- It has different and unique content guidelines for individual communities which is the newest addition in any social media app. It gives a variety of distinct user experiences.
- One can do an extra personal and direct conversation here because of the lower user base.
Cons of Mastodon Over Twitter
- Mastodon has a very small user mass till now when compared to Twitter.
- Not well resourced as Twitter is.
- Working quality is also less than Twitter.
- Sometimes the service becomes sluggish.
Conclusion
In this article, you’ll get the key details needed by the person who wants to start Mastodon’s journey. Mastodon is open-source software that is non-profited. It resembles Twitter in many ways but we have to accept that any new app cannot get the vibe of the watercooler of the world as Twitter is. But still, if you want a change in your social media life, then must go for it.
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