@gawrsh We all started at some point, and are in the journey, there's always more to be learned if we are open to it, so you are on the good path!
I hope you found a good guide to get you started, as I did (via a Bing search) - I only joined the Fediverse on November 9 last Year or so.
You might not need it anymore, but I just recently laid down at did a careful read of the Guide I always recommend here. My conclusion is, that it's still a great one, I haven't found a better guide, and I used to search for them. To complement my knowledge and to have references to recommend to others.
This is the one :
"If you are new to using Mastodon, there's a good guide here: https://lifehacker.com/a-beginner-s-guide-to-mastodon-1828503235 "
I am thrilled that you are taking these recent Blog posts and discovering the wonder of finding new and unknown, unexplored places to see -- as I do love that as well.
Before that, I had been in many other places over time, and even wrote some blog pages telling the stories (I love story telling, and have a good amount of memories to use).
For reference, when you have a quiet time and want to relax, those are informative and related to Fediverse and what came before it.
* The Fediverse Reminds me So much of Fidonet! : https://write.tedomum.net/rgx/the-fediverse-reminds-me-so-much-of-fidonet
* Joining the Internet in the Mid 90's : https://write.tedomum.net/rgx/joining-the-internet-in-the-mid-90s
* Storytime - How I got Started in Computer Networking : https://write.tedomum.net/rgx/story-time-how-i-got-started-in-computer-networking
If you enjoy these, there are other pages with topics that are more recent, like instances being blocked, which instance to choose. I can refer those when you are ready. Well - just one more! 😃
* Is it Important, which Instance you are In? : https://write.tedomum.net/rgx/is-it-important-which-instance-you-are-in
[ in response to a Status here : https://qoto.org/@gawrsh/104287134997540126 ... but posted at the top level for exposure ]
#QotoJournal #KoyuJournal #FediReporter #Networking #Culture #Tech #Cyberpunk
@design_RG As it happens I'm a studious nerd. And I love history.
So reading through your FidoNet blog, hearing of BBS for the first time piqued my curiosity. I have no computer background and it's unfortunate none of this is taught in our schools. It should be. I sure have a lot to learn! I searched for pics of what a BBS looks like and this just opened a can of brain food. 
I'm still reading about Seuss and Christensen. It is fascinating, might need to jot a lot of this information down in my notes.
Thanks for the reading material! it also provides valuable insight into my political studies. A break from all this turmoil too, anyway. I do have a personal goal of learning more about this field and this is a great place to start 👍
@gawrsh I am so happy that you enjoyed the page. Wonderful! 🙂
I included a mention on it and a dedication to Beth, the author of the LifeHack Guide I always recommend, then wrote to her in Twitter DM and linked it.
Knowing that it meant so much to you reassures me that the work I do has value, as I think it has, and is a great morale booster as you can imagine, so Thank You.
If you want to learn more about the BBS era, which was a wonderful time and culture, I really recommend the awesome BBS, the Documentary series.
I mentioned and linked one episode, the one that talks about Fidonet, in the blog page.
But we have all 6 parts of it here, in our Qoto video service.
Here's a Playlist with all parts -- but take you time and appreciate, enjoy at your leisure.
https://video.qoto.org/my-account/video-playlists/e42166e0-2b58-4e04-aa2e-957ba52aca0b
Regarding the Politics, it can be very draining and frustrating, so it does affect our mental health -- be sure to take some time off that, and do something that lets you relax and appreciate there's many good things and beauty in the world.
I haven't been reading the news at all those days - and I am a deep reader and analyzing type, but I just can't at the moment. So I have done and enjoyed other things, and am really glad to be writing once again. 🙂