While ago i was confused with what is different between “Mastodon” and “Vanilla Mastodon” social media platforms, so in meantime i learned and here is main differences.
“Vanilla Mastodon” refers to the default version of the #Mastodon software that is available to be installed on a server. It includes the basic features that are necessary for a social networking platform, such as the ability to create an account, post messages, follow other users, and interact with their content. Vanilla Mastodon does not include any additional features or modifications beyond the core functionality.
On the other hand, “Mastodon” (without the word “vanilla”) can refer to any instance of the Mastodon software, whether it is the default version or a modified version with additional features or customizations. An instance of Mastodon is a specific installation of the software that is hosted on a server and can be accessed by users through a web browser or a mobile app.
Mastodon is an open-source platform, which means that anyone can download the source code, make changes to it, and create their own customized version of the software. As a result, there are many instances of Mastodon that have additional features or modifications beyond the core functionality of the vanilla version.
Here are some examples of modifications that have been made to Mastodon:
- Custom themes: Some instances of Mastodon allow users to choose from a selection of custom themes that change the appearance of the user interface.
- Custom emojis: Some instances have added additional emojis beyond the default set included with Mastodon.
- Custom functionality: Some instances have added new features to Mastodon, such as the ability to schedule posts in advance or the ability to follow hashtags.
- Integration with other services: Some instances have integrated Mastodon with other services, such as #WordPress or Discord, to allow users to interact with those services from within Mastodon.
As you can see, main difference between Mastodon and vanilla Mastodon is that Mastodon can refer to any instance of the software, while vanilla Mastodon specifically refers to the default version of the software without any modifications.
