As Elon Musk continues to stampede around Twitter HQ like a bull in a china shop, would-be rival to the micro-blogging site, Mastodon, has been enjoying an uptick in new users.
Mastodon is a free and open-source software for running self-hosted social networking services. It has microblogging features similar to Twitter. The former is serviced by independently run servers known as instances. Each is governed by its own code of conduct, terms of service, privacy options, and moderation rules.
You could call Mastodon a decentralized open-source alternative to Twitter. Anyone can can set up a server and run a community here. So whether you're just interested in tech news or a social media community that's not powered by intense debate on political ideologies you can find your niche or make a space for like-minded people here.
Of course, there are a few steps to learn if setting up a community on Mastodon is what you're after. But it's definitely a quickly growing network currently Musk's purchase of Twitter and the way he's been handling its day-to-day affairs has been a media spectacle of gigantic proportions since day one of his takeover.
So there's little need to cover why people are looking for an alternative to Twitter. Reports have been saying that the Mastodon servers have been straining under the stress of so many new users signing up. Long wait times before an email confirmation arrives appears to be the norm at present.
On Mastodon, "tweets" are called posts. When you share someone else’s post, you’ve reblogged or boosted it. There are hashtags and lists as well. Anyone used to Twitter and Tumblr should get it fairly quickly.
A user's Mastodon handle includes their full identity, complete with the server name.
Those who want a check mark alongside their name (similar to Twitter's verification badge) to prove their identity can add the link to a website that’s under their control. No need to pay a $8 fee.
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