Create account
To be able to use Hubzilla, you have to register with a Hubzilla hub (these are the servers on which the Hubzilla software is installed).
You can find out why this is the case and how advantageous it is at Join the fediverse.
Finding a suitable server is not that difficult. A total of 70 instances are listed on FediDB (as of 28 Oct. 2023). Most of them allow registration.
Or you can take a look at the Fediverse Observer. There is also a filter option.
The number of users is also interesting. It is not necessarily advisable to choose one of the largest (highest number of users) instances. A properly operated smaller server is not a disadvantage at all and is usually very well integrated into the Fediverse.
Once you have decided on a server, all you need is an idea for a user name (name for a channel that represents your identity in the Fediverse) and a password, as well as a working e-mail address (so that you can receive the activation e-mail).
On the start page of an instance, you will find the so-called ‘App menu’ (⋮) at the top right and the menu item ‘Help’ in this menu. The last item in the help is ‘About this hub’. This point leads (hopefully, depending on the operator and is a good indication of seriousness) to an imprint, further information about the hub and the terms of use.
Now click on ‘Register’ at the top left of the start page.
A registration form will appear in which you must enter your working e-mail address and the password you have chosen. You also have to confirm that you have reached the ‘registration age’ (usually 13 years) and accept the terms of use.
Click on the Register button to send the entered data.
You must now verify the registration (and therefore the e-mail address entered).
You will receive an email with a verification code that must be entered in the field. If you have not received an email, you can request the code again by clicking on the ‘Resend email’ button. Once you have entered it, send it by clicking on ‘Submit’.
Next, a form will appear asking you to create your first channel (most hubs allow multiple channels per account). You can also import an existing channel (on another hub) here (for more information: Nomadic identity / cloning), but usually you don't have one as a beginner. So you enter the desired name here, from which the form also generates a suggestion for the nickname (this is the part that is used in the Fediverse handle, e.g. ‘exampleuser’ for ‘exampleuser@hub.pericles.hu’).
Then click on the ‘Create’ button and the channel is created. Welcome to Hubzilla, welcome to Fediverse!
Once the channel has been created, you will be logged in immediately and the form for the profile details will be displayed.
You should then make a few basic settings and establish your first contacts.