@TheVoyageur
> What did they technically do, have servers able to serve and request data in both protocol request formats?
Initially there were distinct networks. Then some of the apps started implementing other protocols, particularly Friendica, Hubzilla, and SocialHome, leading to a hybrid network. Around that time, reps from as many apps as possible were brought together in a W3C process that led to the AP spec. Most apps implemented it.