This article explains how to install GNU social on a "wall wart" plug server in order to free yourself from the control of proprietary social networking software running on other people's servers.

People's freedom is affected by the Web 2.0 software they use online. Eben Moglen's talk "Freedom in the cloud" explains both the dangers of using software in this way and how to avoid falling into its trap:

In short, rather than relying on servers owned and spied on by third parties, we can use our own dedicated network computing resources to create miniature servers that we control.

We're going to walk you through setting up your own miniature GNU social system.

Let's get started!