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How does this system handle unique usernames? It seems like a flaw in the system if other people can take unique-seeming usernames on other servers. Will this network be overrun with impersonators?

@mathowie Poorly, I'm guessing. I suspect they assume that's a feature allowing much more scaling.

@tomcoates @mathowie Having only just arrived… is the idea that each federated instance is used someone randomly/indiscriminately, or does running an instance imply a closer community within?

Tom Coates @tomcoates

@benward @mathowie I think you go with someone you trust, first of all. And different companies could run different instances - like email. But sure, I imagine there would be niche and cliquey instances with fun urls.