Update outdated README (#5262)

README.md

@@ -7,47 +7,63 @@
 [travis]: https://travis-ci.org/tootsuite/mastodon
 [code_climate]: https://codeclimate.com/github/tootsuite/mastodon
 
-Mastodon is a free, open-source social network server. A decentralized solution to commercial platforms, it avoids the risks of a single company monopolizing your communication. Anyone can run Mastodon and participate in the social network seamlessly.
+Mastodon is a **free, open-source social network server** based on **open web protocols** like ActivityPub and OStatus. The social focus of the project is a viable decentralized alternative to commercial social media silos that returns the control of the content distribution channels to the people. The technical focus of the project is a good user interface, a clean REST API for 3rd party apps and robust anti-abuse tools.
 
-An alternative implementation of the GNU social project. Based on [ActivityStreams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activity_Streams_(format)), [Webfinger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebFinger), [WebSub](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebSub) and [Salmon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salmon_(protocol)).
+Click on the screenshot below to watch a demo of the UI:
-
-Click on the screenshot to watch a demo of the UI:
 
 [![Screenshot](https://i.imgur.com/pG3Nnz3.jpg)][youtube_demo]
 
 [youtube_demo]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO1jQ8_rAMU
 
-The project focus is a clean REST API and a good user interface. Ruby on Rails is used for the back-end, while React.js and Redux are used for the dynamic front-end. A static front-end for public resources (profiles and statuses) is also provided.
+**Ruby on Rails** is used for the back-end, while **React.js** and Redux are used for the dynamic front-end. A static front-end for public resources (profiles and statuses) is also provided.
 
 If you would like, you can [support the development of this project on Patreon][patreon]. Alternatively, you can donate to this BTC address: `17j2g7vpgHhLuXhN4bueZFCvdxxieyRVWd`
 
 [patreon]: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=619786
 
+---
+
 ## Resources
 
-- [List of Mastodon instances](https://github.com/tootsuite/documentation/blob/master/Using-Mastodon/List-of-Mastodon-instances.md)
-- [Use this tool to find Twitter friends on Mastodon](https://mastodon-bridge.herokuapp.com)
-- [API overview](https://github.com/tootsuite/documentation/blob/master/Using-the-API/API.md)
 - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://github.com/tootsuite/documentation/blob/master/Using-Mastodon/FAQ.md)
+- [Use this tool to find Twitter friends on Mastodon](https://bridge.joinmastodon.org)
+- [API overview](https://github.com/tootsuite/documentation/blob/master/Using-the-API/API.md)
+- [List of Mastodon instances](https://github.com/tootsuite/documentation/blob/master/Using-Mastodon/List-of-Mastodon-instances.md)
 - [List of apps](https://github.com/tootsuite/documentation/blob/master/Using-Mastodon/Apps.md)
+- [List of sponsors](https://joinmastodon.org/sponsors)
 
 ## Features
 
-- **Fully interoperable with GNU social and any OStatus platform**
+**No vendor lock-in: Fully interoperable with any conforming platform**
-  Whatever implements Atom feeds, ActivityStreams, Salmon, WebSub and Webfinger is part of the network
+
-- **Real-time timeline updates**
+It doesn't have to be Mastodon, whatever implements ActivityPub or OStatus is part of the social network!
-  See the updates of people you're following appear in real-time in the UI via WebSockets
+
-- **Federated thread resolving**
+**Real-time timeline updates**
+
+See the updates of people you're following appear in real-time in the UI via WebSockets. There's a firehose view as well!
+
+**Federated thread resolving**
+
 If someone you follow replies to a user unknown to the server, the server fetches the full thread so you can view it without leaving the UI
-- **Media attachments like images and WebM**
+
-  Upload and view images and WebM videos attached to the updates
+**Media attachments like images and short videos**
-- **OAuth2 and a straightforward REST API**
+
-  Mastodon acts as an OAuth2 provider so 3rd party apps can use the API, which is RESTful and simple
+Upload and view images and WebM/MP4 videos attached to the updates. Videos with no audio track are treated like GIFs; normal videos are looped - like vines!
-- **Background processing for long-running tasks**
+
-  Mastodon tries to be as fast and responsive as possible, so all long-running tasks that can be delegated to background processing, are
+**OAuth2 and a straightforward REST API**
-- **Deployable via Docker**
+
+Mastodon acts as an OAuth2 provider so 3rd party apps can use the API
+
+**Fast response times**
+
+Mastodon tries to be as fast and responsive as possible, so all long-running tasks are delegated to background processing
+
+**Deployable via Docker**
+
 You don't need to mess with dependencies and configuration if you want to try Mastodon, if you have Docker and Docker Compose the deployment is extremely easy
 
+---
+
 ## Development
 
 Please follow the [development guide](https://github.com/tootsuite/documentation/blob/master/Running-Mastodon/Development-guide.md) from the documentation repository.
@@ -62,9 +78,8 @@ You can open issues for bugs you've found or features you think are missing. You
 
 **IRC channel**: #mastodon on irc.freenode.net
 
-## Extra credits
+---
 
-- The [Emoji One](https://github.com/Ranks/emojione) pack has been used for the emojis
+## Extra credits
-- The error page image courtesy of [Dopatwo](https://www.youtube.com/user/dopatwo)
 
-![Mastodon error image](https://mastodon.social/oops.png)
+The elephant friend illustrations are created by [Dopatwo](https://mastodon.social/@dopatwo)