Not sure how long this will last but I’m at @tibius. I‘m figuring out how to run an instance but I think I have it mostly groked now?

I am amazed that my instance seems to work. If you want an invite please just ask.

So here is what setting up a new instance is like. You set up the software (hard/easy depending on your skills/hosting) and then Mastodon is running but nothing works. Then you follow people and slowly federating happens. After about a half hour some connections somewhere are made and it Just Works.

Okay, after about a half hour my first toot on my new instance has appeared. I guess that's how long it takes.

I feel like there's a box somewhere I should be checking that isn't checked but documentation is hard to find...

Hrm, still not sure, but I think federating takes time maybe to read feeds somewhere? hrm...

I'm in.

If you have a brand new instance, is it normal for absolutely nothing to be showing up in the federated timeline for a while? I don't seem to be able to follow anyone...