Since Mastodon saw its initial popularity circa 2017, I've noticed that most users and those reporting on it either don't think about the Fediverse as anything more than Mastodon, or treat its history as beginning with Eugen Rochko and the beginning of Mastodon. In fact, Mastodon is the latest in a long line of federated social networks, going at least back to Identi.ca, and though I wasn't around for all of it,I find this history pretty interesting. (Thread; boosts welcome!)
@f00fc7c8 Thanks for writing this. My first awareness of any kind of federated network was when the Diaspora project began. I donated money because I thought it was a great idea. It's good to learn the history before 2010.
I became active on Diaspora and Mastodon four years ago. I notice that you speak of Diaspora in past tense. Diaspora is going strong with a couple million users, many of them refugees from Google-Plus. I'm on it every day.
@shuttersparks You're right, it's still around, so I've made that small correction.