What is Mastodon?: Difference between revisions

From Join the Fediverse
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* profile fields (4)
* profile fields (4)
* max number of pinned posts (5)
* max number of pinned posts (5)
Other limitations:
* you can't follow hashtags
* you can't follow hashtags
* you can't edit your posts (only delete and redraft them)


== What are Mastodon forks and why use them? ==
== What are Mastodon forks and why use them? ==

Revision as of 13:34, 10 December 2021

File:Mastodon logo.png
Mastodon logo

Official

Website: joinmastodon

Official instances: mastodon.social
mastodon.online

List of instances: joinmastodon/communities

Forum: discourse joinmastodon

Mastodon is a microblogging platform and one of the Fediverse's replacement for Twitter.

What does Mastodon feel like?

Mastodon is a lot like Twitter.
You can write short messages, add pictures, videos, image/video descriptions, content warnings and polls.
You can @ other people on the Fediverse in your posts and send private messages.
You can use hashtags and find posts based on hashtags.

What are some advantages over Twitter?

Twitter Mastodon
character limit 280 500
feed algorithmic chronological
reach far familiar

What are some limitations?

With all the advantages, like Twitter, Mastodon still has some limitations.

Some things that are fixed and the admins can't change for their instances:

  • character limit (500)
  • poll options (4)
  • profile fields (4)
  • max number of pinned posts (5)

Other limitations:

  • you can't follow hashtags
  • you can't edit your posts (only delete and redraft them)

What are Mastodon forks and why use them?

A fork is a derivative software. So Mastodon forks are software based on Mastodon.
They look and feel mostly like Mastodon, but usually have some extra features that e.g. address some of the limitations mentioned above.

Ecko

Main artilce: What is Ecko?

Ecko is a Mastodon fork that has a lot of cool features.
Admins can change the limits on post characters, poll options & profile fields.
So on an Ecko instance you might e.g. have a 5000 character limit for posts and can create polls with 10 options.

Furthermore local posts are possible. Meaning posts only other users of the same instance can see. This might strengthen the community spirit.

Further Reading

Mastodon - the advanced page on Mastodon

External Links

Guides

What is Mastodon (video)
Getting started with Mastodon
Guide to Mastodon
Mastodon: Friendly Microblogging