My number one recommendation to all new (and old) fediverse server administrators is: make your registrations closed, however your software allows for it. For Mastodon I think "registration with a review step" is the minimum level you should be locked down. Open-registration instances are
1) going to get overwhelmed with computing needs
2) likely to break down socially, you have no guarantee that the people signing up are a good fit for your existing people
3) going to host spammers
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All good points, and I dont disagree. But as a host to an open server I would say if you have the resources it works out (QOTO has none of these problems).
#1 we cover because we have ample hardware and masto isnt all that resource heavy
#2 we address this by having a good community tthat self monitors. We have a very strong foundation of respecting others and accepting difference of opinion. We exert social pressure on new comers to do the same and when you talk to them and engage its easy to keep that spirit alive. Inn the end if someone shows to be contrary to that we can always kick them
#3 Have enough moderators such that one is always active, you get the spam really quickly.. we also have a strong captcha on signup and that eliminates 99% of spam right off the bat anyway.
