In case you have missed it: there is quite a hype going on right now about Mastodon, which apparently — according to Motherboard — “is like Twitter without Nazis”.

In fact, Mastodon is a new (open-source) implementation of an OStatus server software. This means it can federate with the existing GNUsocial universe out there (which never took off to the same degree) but is a completely new implementation with its own client API and a web interface looks similar to the original TweetDeck, the Twitter client. Gargron (Eugen Rochko), its lead developer, focusses on Mastodon being easy to install (Mastodon provides Docker packages) and its interface being easy-to-use. This has lead to a proliferation of public instances. And these are also badly needed - the sudden mainstream interest has led many instance operators (including Gargron himself on the mastodon.social flagship instance) to temporarily close their doors to new user registrations.

As Mastodon has its own API, GNUsocial mobile apps won’t work on Mastodon instances. However, with Tusky for Android and Amaroq for iOS there exist already two very capable mobile apps. This Mastodon 101 has some more information to get started.

Let’s see how this sudden interest will continue in the coming weeks. PCMag believes Mastodon will go the route of all the other forgotten social networks out there. Maybe. On the other hand, even Jack Dorsey has now (implicitly) tweeted about the new kid on the block:

Thank you. ❤️ you too https://t.co/iZNruLx3Ml

— jack (@jack) April 6, 2017

I will take this as a good sign: Maybe this time really will be different and an open, decentralised social network will finally push into the mainstream. If you want to try it out, you can follow me on GNUsocial as @arx@gnusocial.de from your favourite Mastodon instance.