Matrix

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/27749197

I've been trying to use Matrix to replace sites like Discord or Slack. But it seems that if a user creates an invitation-only room in a server, then invited users who are registered on other servers get errors when trying to join. Not very useful error messages either: "Failed to join room". (In my case, I tried creating accounts and rooms at nitro.chat and then at converser.eu, but friends registered at matrix.org don't manage to join).

Quite a let-down. Anyone who's facing the same problem and has maybe managed to solve it?

So I'll keep this brief. I really like Matrix's idea of a decentralized messaging platform, and after thr Telegram CEO got arrested in France, some friends are feeling iffy about staying there.

The main point of friction I'm encountering, however, is that whenever anyone goes and looks at Matrix and looks through available public servers to join, they're pretty quickly coming across some very undesirable rooms, to put it tactfully. Are there any ways that I could limit their visibility or ability to interact with those rooms? Server listing sites that make an effort to avoid listing those kinds of rooms, ways to block a room from showing up when you search within the client, etc? Currently we're running matrix.org accounts and using Element for PC/Android, to keep things simple.

It used to be extremely flimsy and unstable but more recently it actually runs pretty well. I can actually use my self hosted server now. It doesn't crash when I join a larger room.

I am part of a network of local groups spread across the world. We would like to set up a private Matrix space for the members of the network. Since the local groups are the only ones who have an overview over who their members are, they should be able to add and delete their members as needed.

Does Matrix allow such a federated permission model? The closest thing that I could think if so far would be that each local group creates their own space and manages their members there. The network space would be configured to be accessible for members of all those spaces. The problem with this approach is that as far as I understand, once a member has joined the network space and some of its rooms, they will remain a member of those even if they are removed from their local group space.

Are there any suggestions how such a system could be implemented? Surely this is something that many decentralized networks and organizations are facing.

I use the desktop app frequently and it would be great to have a modern, fast(er) app

Does it work well? Which one to choose? The official Matrix site shows 3 that seem maintained:

• matrix-appservice-discord
• mautrix-discord
• out-of-your-element

Does anyone have some insight? I don't want to try all of them.

Edit: I don't need anything super fancy like double puppeting. I just want the data from the several Discord communities I joined available through my Matrix server. And it's just me using it. But it should bridge the rooms properly and include the popular media formats, reactions etc.

Element has been working with Meta since the end of last year to help test their DMA interoperability (given we’re probably the world leader in interoperable end-to-end-encrypted communication) - and Matrix announced last month at FOSDEM that Element has successfully integrated 1:1 chats between Matrix and WhatsApp via the DMA APIs, while maintaining end-to-end encryption (having implemented full Signal compatibility in vodozemac). We’ve also formally requested interoperability with WhatsApp, as of yesterday.

Question: Are there any cross-platform matrix clients which prevents any messages from being sent/received that are not end-to-end encrypted?

I really like the idea of Matrix, but--as a general rule--I don't use communication platforms that allow for unencrypted messages to be sent. The risk for accidental user-error is too great, especially if rolled-out to non-technical users. IMHO, it's just better to have users install apps that cannot, under any circumstances, transmit messages that are not end-to-end encrypted.

So, I'm wondering if there is an app for Matrix available that simply doesn't allow users to send or receive messages that are not end-to-end encrypted. Note: I'm not looking for a user-configurable option to enable/disable this. I want it to entirely block the possibility for messages to be sent or received if they are not going to be end-to-end encrypted.

Do any such apps exist? Ideally ones for all of Linux, Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone?

I'm writing this post on behalf of my friend, a non-technical user who had the chance to use Matrix for about a week. I'd like to share his experience with you and ask what you think about it.

Matrix clients are incredibly challenging for the average user and seem unfriendly towards non-technical users. Unlike Discord, a non-technical person won't grasp most things without thoroughly reading the Matrix specifications. Many can't afford to do so for various reasons: lack of technical knowledge, limited time, or simply not wanting to, preferring a functional communicator like Discord or Facebook Messenger.

Discord's registration is straightforward, with a refined user interface that just works. You register, invite friends, and you can chat and voice call seamlessly.

Now, Matrix registration. You choose a client like Element, widely promoted as the flagship Matrix client. After registration, you face the user interface, with unclear options tucked away where you wouldn't expect. They are cryptically named, making it hard to figure things out.

After googling how to invite a friend, your friend joins, and a decryption error appears. Another 10 minutes spent reading how to fix it. Okay, problem solved.

Your friend calls, you want to answer, and... darn! You can't click anything because "the voice call is in an unknown state," and the dreadful ringing sound reminiscent of a '90s phone puts you in a gloomy mood.

This isn't something a new user should encounter right after registration. Element may be open source, but it's developed by a for-profit company with a team of programmers. The issue isn't exclusive to Element but extends to almost every Matrix client.

This way, the Matrix network won't attract new users. If users face such issues, they'll quickly flee to a stable, popular platform like Discord.

Hi all. I'm currently looking into alternatives to our current Saas chat solution and was wondering if it is viable to self host Matrix, or should I just go with a hosted solution from one of the ones listed on the Matrix page.

What have your experiences been so far? What would your recommendations be?

I'm looking for a way to create new stickers since I'm moving from Telegram and I'd like to move the stickers I created there to Matrix. One thing I discovered is StickerPicker but I don't know if there is a simpler way

Exciting news about Matrix 2.0. A bit of a long post but really interesting read.