@dr_zooks
Welcome!
I have 6 columns up: 5 pinned (friends, notifications, #cosomusic, #cososcience, #cosomutualaid), and the firehose.
I read everything in the pinned columns and scan the firehose as I'm able.
Unless you restrict it, your posts appear in the firehose for all to see, and also in the friends column of anyone following you. Replies and references to you show up in the notifications column.
Feel free to ask if you have questions or get confused.
@dr_zooks
As do we all at this point. Here at coso we try to help each other through. At least we'll all be lost together. :)