1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,720 Happy new year everyone, and welcome back to the deep dive. 2 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:07,060 We're kicking off 2025 with a topic that's been, 3 00:00:07,060 --> 00:00:10,060 well, it's been making waves recently, that's Mastodon. 4 00:00:10,060 --> 00:00:12,560 And we're really looking forward to hearing your thoughts 5 00:00:12,560 --> 00:00:13,560 on this one throughout the year, 6 00:00:13,560 --> 00:00:15,720 so keep those comments coming. 7 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:19,360 But first, a quick shout out to our sponsor, Safe Server. 8 00:00:19,360 --> 00:00:21,360 If you're intrigued by what you hear today 9 00:00:21,360 --> 00:00:24,560 and wanna learn more about hosting your own Mastodon server, 10 00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:26,140 or just need help kind of navigating 11 00:00:26,140 --> 00:00:28,720 that whole world of digital transformation, 12 00:00:28,720 --> 00:00:32,520 check them out at www.saveserver.de. 13 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:36,920 All right, so, no, for those who haven't heard of it, 14 00:00:36,920 --> 00:00:40,080 Mastodon is a free open source social network. 15 00:00:40,080 --> 00:00:41,060 But what does that actually mean? 16 00:00:41,060 --> 00:00:43,600 What makes it different from the social media platforms 17 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:44,520 we're all used to? 18 00:00:44,520 --> 00:00:45,360 That's a great question. 19 00:00:45,360 --> 00:00:47,120 And I think the best way to understand Mastodon 20 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:48,700 is to think about how it's structured. 21 00:00:48,700 --> 00:00:50,860 So instead of one giant platform 22 00:00:50,860 --> 00:00:52,560 controlled by a single company, 23 00:00:52,560 --> 00:00:54,520 imagine a network of interconnected servers, 24 00:00:54,520 --> 00:00:56,980 kind of like a collection of independent villages. 25 00:00:56,980 --> 00:00:58,540 Each server has its own community, 26 00:00:58,540 --> 00:01:00,000 its own focus and rules, 27 00:01:00,000 --> 00:01:02,520 and they're all connected in what's called the Fediverse, 28 00:01:02,520 --> 00:01:04,360 a federated universe of servers. 29 00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:06,880 Okay, so instead of being in one massive city, 30 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:08,320 you get to choose your village. 31 00:01:08,320 --> 00:01:10,100 That's a pretty cool concept. 32 00:01:10,100 --> 00:01:12,120 But how does that actually work in practice? 33 00:01:12,120 --> 00:01:14,120 Well, think about email. 34 00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:17,080 You can send emails to people using different providers, 35 00:01:17,080 --> 00:01:18,760 like Gmail or Yahoo, 36 00:01:18,760 --> 00:01:22,320 because they all adhere to the same underlying protocols. 37 00:01:22,320 --> 00:01:25,000 Mastodon works similarly within the Fediverse. 38 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:27,360 Different servers can communicate with each other, 39 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:29,920 even if they have different rules and moderation policies. 40 00:01:29,920 --> 00:01:32,880 So for example, a server dedicated to book lovers. 41 00:01:32,880 --> 00:01:35,920 They might have stricter rules about off-topic content 42 00:01:35,920 --> 00:01:38,560 than a server for, say, general discussion. 43 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:39,960 So it's like having different neighborhoods 44 00:01:39,960 --> 00:01:41,720 with their own unique character. 45 00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:44,240 But if there's no single company in control, 46 00:01:44,240 --> 00:01:45,520 who makes the rules? 47 00:01:45,520 --> 00:01:47,240 And how's Mastodon even funded? 48 00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:50,000 That's where the open source part comes in. 49 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:52,480 Mastodon's code is open for anyone to inspect, 50 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:54,240 modify, and contribute to. 51 00:01:54,240 --> 00:01:57,180 This transparency not only builds trust, 52 00:01:57,180 --> 00:02:00,040 but it also fosters a community-driven development model. 53 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:01,920 So you have people contributing to the project 54 00:02:01,920 --> 00:02:03,840 because they believe in its mission. 55 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:06,280 And because there's no need to please shareholders or chase 56 00:02:06,280 --> 00:02:10,040 profits, Mastodon prioritizes user agency and privacy. 57 00:02:10,040 --> 00:02:12,480 No ads, no data harvesting. 58 00:02:12,480 --> 00:02:14,240 You're not the product. 59 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:16,120 Wow, that's a refreshing change. 60 00:02:16,120 --> 00:02:17,320 But does it actually work? 61 00:02:17,320 --> 00:02:19,840 I mean, do people actually enjoy using Mastodon? 62 00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:22,360 One of the things that's really fascinating about Mastodon 63 00:02:22,360 --> 00:02:23,920 is the feedback from its users. 64 00:02:23,920 --> 00:02:26,760 Many describe it as a much more positive and engaging 65 00:02:26,760 --> 00:02:28,360 social media experience. 66 00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:30,100 They appreciate the lack of algorithms 67 00:02:30,100 --> 00:02:32,480 dictating what they see, the chronological timeline 68 00:02:32,480 --> 00:02:34,680 that prioritizes actual conversations, 69 00:02:34,680 --> 00:02:36,200 and the sense of community fostered 70 00:02:36,200 --> 00:02:37,320 by the server structure. 71 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:39,520 It sounds like a very different kind of online space. 72 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:41,960 One that's focused on genuine interaction rather than just 73 00:02:41,960 --> 00:02:43,560 chasing likes and followers. 74 00:02:43,560 --> 00:02:44,120 Exactly. 75 00:02:44,120 --> 00:02:46,360 And I think that's what's drawing so many people 76 00:02:46,360 --> 00:02:47,160 to Mastodon. 77 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:49,240 It's offering a real alternative 78 00:02:49,240 --> 00:02:52,680 to the mainstream social media landscape, one 79 00:02:52,680 --> 00:02:55,920 that puts user control and community at the forefront. 80 00:02:55,920 --> 00:02:58,000 OK, I'm definitely intrigued. 81 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:01,720 But if Mastodon is so different, how do you actually use it? 82 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:03,720 Is it difficult to get started? 83 00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:05,480 It might seem a bit daunting at first, 84 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:08,160 but it's really not that complicated. 85 00:03:08,160 --> 00:03:11,000 The first step is choosing a server, which, as we discuss, 86 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:13,600 is like finding your niche community within the Fediverse. 87 00:03:13,600 --> 00:03:15,760 Right, choosing your village. 88 00:03:15,760 --> 00:03:17,880 But with so many servers out there, 89 00:03:17,880 --> 00:03:19,760 how do you even begin to find the right one? 90 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:22,040 It's not like you can just search for them on Google. 91 00:03:22,040 --> 00:03:23,840 Actually, there are a number of websites 92 00:03:23,840 --> 00:03:26,760 that act as directories for Mastodon servers. 93 00:03:26,760 --> 00:03:28,920 You can browse by topic language or even 94 00:03:28,920 --> 00:03:31,800 look at the server's rules and moderation policies 95 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:33,520 to get a sense of the community culture. 96 00:03:33,520 --> 00:03:36,640 So for example, if you're really passionate about vintage sci-fi 97 00:03:36,640 --> 00:03:38,600 novels, there's probably a server out there 98 00:03:38,600 --> 00:03:40,160 dedicated to just that. 99 00:03:40,160 --> 00:03:43,520 So it's like finding your tribe, but online. 100 00:03:43,520 --> 00:03:46,000 What happens if you join a server and it's not a good fit? 101 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:46,960 Are you stuck there? 102 00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:47,720 Not at all. 103 00:03:47,720 --> 00:03:50,640 You can follow and interact with people from other servers, 104 00:03:50,640 --> 00:03:53,920 even if you don't have an account on that specific server. 105 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:56,520 And you can always leave a server if you find it's not 106 00:03:56,520 --> 00:03:58,120 the right community for you. 107 00:03:58,120 --> 00:03:59,440 OK, so you've picked your server, 108 00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:00,880 you've created your account. 109 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:02,480 What's next? 110 00:04:02,480 --> 00:04:04,400 How do you actually use Mastodon? 111 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:06,880 Is it similar to other social media platforms? 112 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:08,600 In many ways, yes. 113 00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:12,120 You can write text posts, share images and videos, 114 00:04:12,120 --> 00:04:14,760 and use hashtags to categorize your content. 115 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:16,960 But Mastodon also has some unique features 116 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:18,000 that set it apart. 117 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:20,400 One of those is the content warning feature. 118 00:04:20,400 --> 00:04:21,560 I've heard about that. 119 00:04:21,560 --> 00:04:22,560 How does it work? 120 00:04:22,560 --> 00:04:24,520 Let's say you're sharing something that could be 121 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:27,080 potentially triggering or sensitive, 122 00:04:27,080 --> 00:04:29,560 like a discussion about a difficult news event. 123 00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:32,560 You can use a content warning to hide the post behind a warning 124 00:04:32,560 --> 00:04:34,680 message so people can choose whether or not 125 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:35,900 they want to see it. 126 00:04:35,900 --> 00:04:37,160 That makes a lot of sense. 127 00:04:37,160 --> 00:04:39,280 Not everyone wants to see the same things. 128 00:04:39,280 --> 00:04:40,920 And this gives people more control 129 00:04:40,920 --> 00:04:42,680 over their own experience. 130 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:43,240 Exactly. 131 00:04:43,240 --> 00:04:45,880 It's all about creating a more respectful and inclusive 132 00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:47,040 environment. 133 00:04:47,040 --> 00:04:50,640 Another interesting feature is the ability to create polls. 134 00:04:50,640 --> 00:04:53,000 This allows you to engage with your followers, 135 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:55,560 get their feedback, and spark discussions. 136 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:58,080 That sounds like a great way to interact with your community 137 00:04:58,080 --> 00:04:59,380 and get different perspectives. 138 00:04:59,380 --> 00:05:01,320 Are there any other features that stand out? 139 00:05:01,320 --> 00:05:04,400 Mastodon also supports custom emojis, 140 00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:07,520 which adds a fun and personal touch to the platform. 141 00:05:07,520 --> 00:05:10,540 Each server can have its own set of custom emojis, 142 00:05:10,540 --> 00:05:13,700 reflecting the interests and inside jokes of that community. 143 00:05:13,700 --> 00:05:14,700 Custom emojis. 144 00:05:14,700 --> 00:05:17,480 That definitely sounds like a way to make your server feel unique. 145 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:20,280 And we can't forget about the chronological timeline, 146 00:05:20,280 --> 00:05:23,240 which is something many Mastodon users really appreciate. 147 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:25,600 You're seeing posts in the order they were made, 148 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:28,680 rather than having an algorithm decide what you should see. 149 00:05:28,680 --> 00:05:30,680 So it feels more like a real-time conversation 150 00:05:30,680 --> 00:05:32,800 than a curated feed. 151 00:05:32,800 --> 00:05:35,320 But is there a downside to having all these different servers 152 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:36,200 with their own rules? 153 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:38,260 Does it ever get confusing or chaotic? 154 00:05:38,260 --> 00:05:39,800 It can be a bit challenging at first 155 00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:42,120 to understand the nuances of different servers. 156 00:05:42,120 --> 00:05:43,840 That's why it's important to do your research 157 00:05:43,840 --> 00:05:47,580 and choose a server that aligns with your values and interests. 158 00:05:47,580 --> 00:05:48,680 It's like anything else. 159 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:50,080 There's a bit of a learning curve. 160 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:50,960 Exactly. 161 00:05:50,960 --> 00:05:53,640 But one of the great things about the Mastodon community 162 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:56,720 is that people are generally very helpful and welcoming. 163 00:05:56,720 --> 00:05:59,960 If you have questions or need help navigating the platform, 164 00:05:59,960 --> 00:06:01,940 there are tons of resources and forums 165 00:06:01,940 --> 00:06:04,080 where you can find support. 166 00:06:04,080 --> 00:06:05,840 Welcome back to the Deep Dive. 167 00:06:05,840 --> 00:06:09,120 So far, we've explored the whole decentralized structure 168 00:06:09,120 --> 00:06:12,640 of Mastodon, the importance of server selection, 169 00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:15,320 and some of the unique features that set it apart. 170 00:06:15,320 --> 00:06:18,320 But before we wrap up, I'd love to hear some practical tips 171 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:20,280 for actually using the platform. 172 00:06:20,280 --> 00:06:23,280 So let's say I found my server, created my account, 173 00:06:23,280 --> 00:06:25,120 and I'm ready to jump into the Fediverse. 174 00:06:25,120 --> 00:06:26,360 What should I keep in mind? 175 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:28,560 Well, the first thing to remember is that on Mastodon, 176 00:06:28,560 --> 00:06:29,960 you share your thoughts and ideas 177 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:32,820 in what are called toots, not posts or tweets. 178 00:06:32,820 --> 00:06:34,280 And unlike some other platforms, 179 00:06:34,280 --> 00:06:37,760 Mastodon has a 500-character limit for each toot. 180 00:06:37,760 --> 00:06:40,880 So it encourages more brevity, a little more thoughtfulness. 181 00:06:40,880 --> 00:06:41,680 Exactly. 182 00:06:41,680 --> 00:06:43,840 You have to be a bit more concise with your words, 183 00:06:43,840 --> 00:06:45,960 which many users actually appreciate. 184 00:06:45,960 --> 00:06:47,120 OK, 500 characters. 185 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:47,680 Got it. 186 00:06:47,680 --> 00:06:48,760 What about hashtags? 187 00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:50,840 Are they still a thing on Mastodon? 188 00:06:50,840 --> 00:06:51,440 Absolutely. 189 00:06:51,440 --> 00:06:53,400 Hashtags are essential for helping 190 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:55,240 people discover your toots. 191 00:06:55,240 --> 00:06:57,080 So think about what keywords people 192 00:06:57,080 --> 00:06:59,720 might use to find content like yours 193 00:06:59,720 --> 00:07:01,400 and include those in your toot. 194 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:03,760 So my hashtag game still needs to be strong. 195 00:07:03,760 --> 00:07:05,280 It never hurts. 196 00:07:05,280 --> 00:07:06,960 And just like we discussed earlier, 197 00:07:06,960 --> 00:07:09,120 don't forget about content warnings. 198 00:07:09,120 --> 00:07:11,400 If you're sharing something potentially sensitive, 199 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:13,360 a content warning is a sign of respect 200 00:07:13,360 --> 00:07:15,160 for your fellow Mastodon users. 201 00:07:15,160 --> 00:07:17,920 Right, because not everyone wants to see the same things. 202 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:20,800 It's all about creating a safe and inclusive environment. 203 00:07:20,800 --> 00:07:22,480 What about interacting with other users? 204 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:25,800 Are there any unspoken rules of like Fediverse etiquette 205 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:26,800 I should be aware of? 206 00:07:26,800 --> 00:07:28,520 One of the great things about Mastodon 207 00:07:28,520 --> 00:07:29,880 is that the community is generally 208 00:07:29,880 --> 00:07:31,680 very welcoming and supportive. 209 00:07:31,680 --> 00:07:35,240 People are often eager to help newcomers answer questions 210 00:07:35,240 --> 00:07:36,360 and share their knowledge. 211 00:07:36,360 --> 00:07:38,360 So I shouldn't be afraid to reach out and ask 212 00:07:38,360 --> 00:07:39,600 for help if I need it. 213 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:40,320 Not at all. 214 00:07:40,320 --> 00:07:42,840 In fact, if you see someone new on your server, 215 00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:45,520 consider reaching out and welcoming them to the community. 216 00:07:45,520 --> 00:07:47,880 It's a small gesture, but it can go a long way 217 00:07:47,880 --> 00:07:50,120 in making someone feel more comfortable in a new online 218 00:07:50,120 --> 00:07:51,080 space. 219 00:07:51,080 --> 00:07:51,960 That's a great tip. 220 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:52,460 Yeah. 221 00:07:52,460 --> 00:07:54,280 Anything else I should keep in mind? 222 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:56,000 Boosting someone's toot is a great way 223 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:59,240 to amplify their voice and show your appreciation. 224 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:01,400 It's similar to retweeting on other platforms. 225 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:03,040 OK, so boost liberally. 226 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:04,560 What about private conversations? 227 00:08:04,560 --> 00:08:06,400 Is there a way to do that on Mastodon? 228 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:09,680 Yes, you can send direct messages to other users. 229 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:12,640 For private conversations, it's a good way to connect one-on-one 230 00:08:12,640 --> 00:08:14,640 or have a more focused discussion. 231 00:08:14,640 --> 00:08:15,360 Got it. 232 00:08:15,360 --> 00:08:17,720 Direct messages for those private chats. 233 00:08:17,720 --> 00:08:20,600 So to wrap things up, any final words of wisdom 234 00:08:20,600 --> 00:08:22,880 for navigating Mastodon? 235 00:08:22,880 --> 00:08:26,480 The most important thing is to be curious and open to learning. 236 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:29,000 Don't be afraid to explore different servers, 237 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:32,280 try out new features, and find what works best for you. 238 00:08:32,280 --> 00:08:34,240 It's all about making the Fediverse your own. 239 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:34,920 Exactly. 240 00:08:34,920 --> 00:08:36,640 And remember, the Mastodon community 241 00:08:36,640 --> 00:08:38,480 is constantly growing and evolving, 242 00:08:38,480 --> 00:08:40,480 so there's always something new to discover. 243 00:08:40,480 --> 00:08:42,800 Well, this has been a really insightful deep dive. 244 00:08:42,800 --> 00:08:45,660 I'm feeling a lot more confident about exploring Mastodon, 245 00:08:45,660 --> 00:08:48,120 and I appreciate you taking the time to walk us through it all. 246 00:08:48,120 --> 00:08:48,960 You're very welcome. 247 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:49,920 It's been my pleasure. 248 00:08:49,920 --> 00:08:52,040 I have to say, it's really refreshing 249 00:08:52,040 --> 00:08:55,000 to see a social media platform that prioritizes 250 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:57,680 user control, privacy, and community building. 251 00:08:57,680 --> 00:08:59,340 It feels like a genuine alternative 252 00:08:59,340 --> 00:09:01,600 to the mainstream social media landscape. 253 00:09:01,600 --> 00:09:03,280 It certainly is, and who knows, maybe it's 254 00:09:03,280 --> 00:09:05,940 a glimpse into the future of online social spaces. 255 00:09:05,940 --> 00:09:08,800 Maybe so, and speaking of the future, 256 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:11,160 if you're intrigued by what you've heard today 257 00:09:11,160 --> 00:09:13,400 and want to learn more about hosting your own Mastodon 258 00:09:13,400 --> 00:09:16,320 server or just need help with your digital transformation 259 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:20,000 journey, be sure to check out our sponsor, Safe Server. 260 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:24,280 That's at www.safeserver.d. 261 00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:26,360 They're experts in helping organizations navigate 262 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:29,440 the ever-changing digital world. 263 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:32,520 Well, that brings us to the end of our deep dive into Mastodon. 264 00:09:32,520 --> 00:09:35,880 We hope you've enjoyed exploring this unique and exciting 265 00:09:35,880 --> 00:09:37,120 social network with us. 266 00:09:37,120 --> 00:09:39,800 What do you think your ideal online space would look like? 267 00:09:39,800 --> 00:09:41,880 That's a great question to ponder. 268 00:09:41,880 --> 00:09:45,000 Until next time, happy tooting.