@Grimericano Yup, a name is specific to an instamce, to toot to another instance you have to include the instance name, like an email.

Follow a few admins for a while if you want your own instance, it's not outrageously hard for a competent programmer, but not to be undertaken lightly.

Try looking for an instance that matches your mindset, generally.

Maybe try searching a few hashtags and see what happens.