Decentralized social networking platforms like Mastodon have gained popularity in recent years. Although similar to Twitter, this open-source platform is not hosted in one place. Each individual Mastodon dedicated server is an access point to a different community, also called an “instance”. With this tutorial, we are going to install Mastodon on Ubuntu, a Linux distribution.  If you plan to host a Mastodon dedicated server and create a community of your own, you will need to install Mastodon and also register a domain to get started. Mastodon is mainly written in Ruby and Javascript, which is what you will see in the steps below. This social platform offers some exciting features and is designed to provide a more user-controlled and community-driven experience. Let's get started! Install Mastodon on Ubuntu Let's dive into the steps to download and install Mastodon on an Ubuntu server. Installing Dependencies Our first step is installing dependencies, but before

Feeling overwhelmed in your search for the right operating system? Perhaps you're unhappy with your current Linux distro. Maybe you're thinking about making the switch from Windows or MacOS, but are feeling intimidated by the Linux platform. Regardless of where you're at in your search for the right operating system, Zorin OS may be worth a look. More About Zorin OS Specifically, Zorin OS is a distribution available for the open-source Linux operating system. As of May 2022, it is among the top 10 most popular Linux distros available. For those who are new to Linux or are hesitant about making the switch, Zorin OS can be a great starting point due to its user-friendly and familiar design. Based on Ubuntu, this distro offers an interface that is reminiscent of Windows but offers the unrivaled customization and enhanced security of the Linux platform. There are three versions of Zorin OS

As much as you'd like to believe that your passwords are totally reliable, the reality is that passwords are less secure now than ever before. Across the web, hackers are using tools to crack passwords in a matter of seconds. From there, personal data, financial information, and other sensitive data are being compromised. If you're looking for a way to increase password security, one of the best things you can do is to conduct a password audit. This is something you can do on your own or as a company-wide practice to protect your data. Not sure where to start? We've got you covered. The Importance of Password Audits For starters, it's important to understand what a password audit is, what it entails, and why this practice is so important. Specifically, a password audit refers to a practice where specialized software is used to "test" your passwords against a variety

WordPress is a popular site-building platform with more than 455 million sites across the globe. It offers a wide range of free and paid features, including "plugins" that can add new functions to an existing site. However, if you use WordPress and are experiencing site slowdowns or other technical issues, one of the first things you'll want to check on is your plugin use. This is because with too many plugins (or the wrong ones) installed, your site can suffer. What makes excessive plugins an issue on WordPress sites — and what can you do to cut back on plugins to enhance site performance? Continue reading to find out. The Problem With Excess WordPress Plugins The main thing to remember with WordPress plugins is that they're all open-source; anybody can develop and publish a plugin. This is great in many ways, but it can also create some compatibility issues because

There are many different terms that tend to come to mind when thinking about website performance. Page-loading times and speed are a couple of metrics that are often focused on as a reflection of a site's overall performance and usability. What many people don't realize, however, is that these metrics are directly influenced by something known as the critical rendering path (CRP). By honing your understanding of the CRP and why it matters, you can take the steps necessary to optimize your site's performance. What is the Critical Rendering Path? Specifically, CRP refers to the exact sequence of steps that a browser follows to convert a site's coding into actual pixels on the screen. And while there can be some variation from one browser to the next, the basic CRP is as follows: Document Object Model (DOM) - Coding is scanned and bytes are converted into characters. Tokens are identified

Whether you enjoy online gaming or simply use your computer for work-related purposes, of course you want to keep it running as quickly and smoothly as possible. A big part of optimizing your computer's performance is installing updates and making upgrades as they become available. One part of a computer that many people don't realize they can update is its BIOS. By better understanding what a computer's BIOS is and what to consider when updating it, you can make a better-informed decision. What is BIOS on a Computer? Specifically, BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System. This system is stored on every computer's motherboard and is the very first system to run as soon as you turn your computer on. This chip plays an important role not only in powering your computer but in protecting it against security threats as well. Should You Update Your Computer's BIOS? A few years

If you use a Linux dedicated server, you probably enjoy the greater sense of control and freedom that comes along with this type of hosting plan. However, with more freedom comes an inherent responsibility to secure your server and follow some basic security best practices to keep your data and account safe. One of the most important things you can do to protect your hosting account and its associated data is to disable external root login. By better understanding what external root login is and why it should be avoided, you can make more confident decisions to secure your account. What Is External Root Login? On Linux servers, a "root" refers to the superuser account on the operating system itself. This account has the highest access rights on the system because it is designed for administrative purposes. Root users on a Linux operating system (OS) can do things that other

Keeping your files and information safe is a must, regardless of the size and scope of your organization. Of course, one of the most effective ways to protect your data is to have a backup strategy in place. With a data backup plan, you can ensure that there are copies of your most important files saved, allowing you to avoid total data loss in the event of a data breach or another disaster. If you don't already have a backup strategy in place, now is the time to decide on one that's right for your organization. One of the more popular data backup strategies is known as 3-2-1 backup. Below, we’re discussing this method and whether or not it could work for you. Let’s take a look! What Is the 3-2-1 Backup Strategy? The 3-2-1 backup strategy involves saving (at least) three copies of each file across two different locations

There is no overstating the importance of having a data backup plan. This remains true whether you're trying to keep your personal information safe or run an organization that deals with sensitive customer and employee data. The good news is that you can always have a copy of your most important files saved with regular backups. That way, if you fall victim to a data breach or another security threat, you can rest assured that your data will not be lost entirely. This gives you some much-needed peace of mind and protection. Still, many people struggle to figure out the best way to back up their data and how often they should be doing it. While everyone’s needs and budgets are different, some general guidelines are worth keeping in mind when deciding on a backup schedule. How Often to Back Up Your Data When determining how often you should back

In many ways, your website serves as the face of your business, providing visitors with all the information they need about your offerings in one convenient place. Unfortunately, this also means that a bad website can also leave a negative impression on visitors and potential customers. So, how can you make sure your website is serving your clients? There are a few characteristics your site should demonstrate to meet and exceed your audience's expectations. 1. Comprehensive Security With so many threats lurking around the web, having a secure website is more important than ever. This is especially vital, though, if your site collects any personal or sensitive information from its visitors. Data can include anything from email addresses to credit card numbers and billing addresses. Making sure you’ve taken every step to secure your website will give your visitors greater peace of mind and protect your business from the devastating