CHANGE LOG: #### What is an instance? The simplest analogy is that instances are similar to email providers. For example, from your Gmail account alice@gmail.com you can email your friend Bob over on bob@yahoo.com. Some instances choose not to accept posts from others, though. For example, claire@hotmail.com's server might refuse bob@yahoo.com's email. #### How should I choose which instance to use? Many instances exist for almost every interest. It's okay to try a couple of public ones while looking for one that feels right. Talking about your interests on a public instance like Mastodon.Social may help you get invited to other instances. A list of public instances can be found HERE. #### What is decentralization? Simply put, decentralization is the concept of storing data in different locations. No instance has a monopoly on your data, and you are free and encouraged to start your own instance. #### What is federation? Federation is how instances interact with each other. Public posts on an instance will be shared with other instances and appear on their public timelines. Additionally, you can follow people from other instances that your home instance federates with. #### I see lots of other instances, what are they? A current list of popular public instances can be found HERE. There are hundreds of instances and not all are listed. #### Are there instances that my instance doesn't federate with? How do I know? It is likely that your instance does not federate with every other instance. Some instances are private and will not federate with your instance. You can ask the admin of your instance to find out more about federation. #### Why can't I see someone's toots? This could occur for several reasons. A person's posts may be private. You must be a follower of a private account to see their non-public posts. Additionally, if someone has blocked you, you will no longer see their non-public posts. #### What does local timeline mean? What is the federated timeline? The Local Timeline shows you public posts by people on the same instance as you. You can select this by clicking on the icon above the text-input box. The federated timeline shows you public posts from all instances that your instance federates with. If your instance does not federate with another instance, you will not see their public posts, nor they yours. #### How do Content Warnings work? Underneath the text-input box is an icon for Content Warning [CW]. This will open a small text field which allows you to hide the text of your post behind a warning, such as SPOILERS for a movie, or MEDICAL for someone discussing their recent health concerns. This text will count towards the 500 character limit. #### How does the Mark Image as Sensitive feature work? When you add a picture to your post using the camera icon, an additional toggle will appear [typically as "NSFW"]. Toggling this will hide your image behind a "Sensitive Content" warning, allowing people to avoid seeing your images until they click on them. #### Is Mastodon moderated? Each instance handles moderation differently, and each has their own moderators. Rules on one instance for content and behavior may differ from another instance.It's okay to ask what the rules are for the instance you are on. #### How do I report offensive content? Beneath each post, you will see three dots. Clicking on those will allow you to expand a post or report the content. When reporting content, select all posts that need moderator attention. #### How do I handle harassment? Harassment is taken seriously by the admins and moderators of instances and should be reported through the post-reporting system which can be found via the three dots under every post or writing your admin/mod directly. #### Do my Private Messages get to people on other instances? They should, yes. However, because of different privacy settings and other factors, your post might not remain private under certain circumstances. #### What does adjust status privacy mean and how does it work? The globe icon under the text-input box adjusts your status privacy by changing who can see your posts. - Public: this setting will show your post to the GLOBAL PUBLIC TIMELINE. People on other instances may see it. - Unlisted: this setting will show your post to the LOCAL PUBLIC TIMELINE. It can be boosted and seen on other instances. - Private: this setting will show your post ONLY TO YOUR FOLLOWERS. It can not be boosted. - Direct: this setting will show your post only to the person(s) you list in the post. #### Can I use hashtags? Should I? You are encouraged to tag your content. Hashtags are tracked and are often fun, but some tags help people avoid triggering posts. This is especially appreciated on public posts of #POLITICS, #HEALTH, #DEPRESSION, or #LEWD OR #NSFW topics. Such posts are also what the Content Warning system was designed for. #### If I delete a post, does it get deleted everywhere? Deleting a post will delete it from the local timeline. However, if it has already been boosted, it may still be seen and may federate. #### I made my account private, how do I approve followers? To see a list of follow requests, see [mastodon.social]/web/follow_requests #### How do I enable Two Factor Authentication? If your instance supports it, the option will be in Preferences under Two-factor Authentication. Mastodon's 2FA uses both a QR code and plain-text secrets. #### I want to use mastodon on my phone. What apps are there? There are several apps for various platforms and you can find them HERE. #### Can I switch instances or be on more than one? Of course! If you find another instance you would like to join, perhaps one that suits your interests better, sign up on their site. Do note that not all instances are open to new registrations and it's possible for someone on another instance to have already chosen the username you prefer. #### Can I import my followers to another instance? Yes. This may take time depending on factors with the instance you move to. Talk to the admin of your new instance if you have difficulties. If your new instance does not federate with instances your followers use, you may lose those contacts. #### Can I have more than one account? Can I use the same email on different instances? Yes and yes! #### How come mastodon doesn't have XYZ? You can suggest additions or help make Mastodon better through GitHub. #### Who is the admin? @Gargron@mastodon.social is the admin on mastodon.social. The instance you are on may have a different admin. #### How do I start my own? See the Hosting documentation here #### What If my instance shuts down? ***good question*** #### How do I prevent people from impersonating me? Because anyone can create a username on any instance, it is impossible to prevent others from using the same username on another instance. Some people have taken to running their own single-user instance to verify themselves. #### I don't see any ads, how is mastodon supported? Mastodon.social is entirely supported by users via Patreon. #### I see "Awoo" a lot, what does that mean? Try saying it out loud. It's fun! #### I made a mistake in my toot! Can I edit it? Unfortunately, no. But you can delete your toot and re-post it! #### I blocked someone, why can I still see their posts? Blocking doesn't catch when toots are boosted. #### This looks a lot like twitter, what's the difference? Mastodon is a decentralized social network with no in-line ads.