So if I understand this right. Say a friend of mine has a profile in another instance, I need to make an account in that instance and hope that the registration is open and i'm allowed in all so I can connect with my friend on the instance they're in?

I'm still trying to grasp masto which is why I haven't used it as much since I got it.

@KeareCryos No, you don't need an account on that other instance.

You simply search for their full name "@ user @ instance.name" in your search box and you can interact with them as if you were on the same instance.

@Oric aah thank you. that's a relief to hear honestly. Then so long as I know their name and instance then I should be fine.
@KeareCryos @Oric yus! That's the beauty with the federated/networked nature :3

@KeareCryos Correct, for example your full username is "@ KeareCryos @ meow.social" (added spaces so it's not a ping)

If you send that to a friend they can simply search for it and they will find you right away!

But other instances aren't always a search away, for example, I saw your post on my public timeline despite you being on meow.social, but me being on macrofurs.social.

The posts are shared between the two.

@Oric ahh alright. I think I got that. I'll admit my brains been fried a bit after today's events. Let's just say that bluebird isn't the only thing i'm moving away from today.

@KeareCryos It certainly is different and something to get used to. But if you have any questions, usually people will be happy to answer them for you!

You can also just always @ me if you have any and I'd be glad to help.

@Oric Much appreciated, thank you very much ^^
@KeareCryos nope! Should just be able to follow and interact with your existing account unless their instance is blocked for some reason
@KeareCryos for instance you're on meow.social and I'm following and replying from wobbl.xyz
@KeareCryos nope, you can just to look up their username with your current account and follow them across instances.