Mastodon is a decentralized social network based on the open-source ActivityPub platform. This social network has gained some popularity in recent years for its decentralization philosophy and for the possibility of creating smaller and more specialized communities compared to centralized social networks such as Twitter and Facebook. In this article we will explore the functioning, purpose, roles and other relevant aspects of Mastodon.
Mastodon works through a network of instances, or servers, that communicate with each other. Each Mastodon instance has its own user database and timeline, but users can still interact with users of other instances. This means that content can be distributed across a wide range of instances and that information is spread in a more balanced way than centralized social networks. Mastodon users can post messages, known as toots, which can be textual or also contain media such as images, video and audio files. Each toot can be accompanied by hashtags to organize content and help users discover other related content.
Mastodon's purpose is to create an alternative to centralized social networks, providing a safer and more respectful environment for users' privacy. In Mastodon, users are the owners of their data, unlike what happens with traditional social networks. This means that Mastodon users can better control their online experience and have more control over their privacy.
In Mastodon there are several roles that users can take on. The first is the standard user, who can post toots and interact with other users. There are also instance administrators, who manage the instance and make decisions regarding server management and moderation. Finally, there are moderators, who help admins manage the community and ensure a respectful environment.
Mastodon has a number of interesting features, including the ability to create custom user lists, the ability to create user groups, and the ability to choose the user interface theme. Additionally, Mastodon has an advanced notifications feature that allows users to choose which notifications to receive and when to receive them.
In summary, Mastodon is a decentralized social network based on the open-source ActivityPub platform. Its purpose is to provide an alternative to centralized social networks, providing a more secure environment that respects users' privacy. Mastodon works across a network of instances, and users can assume various roles such as standard users, instance administrators, and moderators. With its advanced features and the ability to create specialized communities, Mastodon is gaining more and more users interested in a more decentralized and privacy-friendly online social environment.