What is Mastodon?
Mastodon is free and open-source software for running self-hosted social networking services. It has microblogging features similar to Twitter, which are offered by a large number of independently run nodes, known as instances, each with its own code of conduct, terms of service, privacy policy, privacy options, and content moderation policies.
I would argue it is better that Twitter primarily because it is not owned by Elon, but also because there is no algorithm choosing what you see, there are also no ads.
Why Change Servers?
Since each server is like it’s own community, you want to find like minded people on your server. Since I have been so absorbed in cybersecurity I initially chose to join ico.exchange. They had an instant join policy at the time, which means, no one had to manually review my application to join the server.
However, since joining I’ve followed more and more of what is going on at infosec.exchange. I follow more people there as well. So I finally decided to switch over. Which is not hard.
How I did it
I followed these step-by-step directions, which worked without issue for me. Since I hardly had anything on the server, I’ve only been on for a few months and I don’t post as much as many others, I don’t really find the downloading archive step necessarily, although it was nice to have a copy of my avatar image for the new server. What was necessary was the CSV of the followers, so I could follow the same people at the new server I was at the old server. Your followers are automatically notified that you have moved and follow you on the new server. There is nothing more you have to do. One big caveat is that you lose all your old post. They do not make the move over with you. So if you are thinking of moving servers do it before you have to many post or at least post you care about. Good luck!