What is special about bluesky is that you don't have to host the service yoursel...

rglullis · on Aug 5, 2023

Someone, somehow is paying for bluesky's servers and data. TANSTAAFL.

Google was running my email server with custom domain for years, free of charge. I think that it is still grandfathered in for those that signed for Google Apps early on. IT doesn't mean that the "email is free".

Timshel · on Aug 5, 2023

But can you host it ? (Can't find much on federation).

I use fastmail and a custom domain for my email. If I'm unhappy with the service I can migrate or host it.

If you can't leave having your own domain is not much help.

Note: I believe webfinger are supported by Mastodon too, so not so special of a feature.