Matrix guides

The Réseau Libre project encourages the use of Matrix instead of proprietary platforms like Discord, Telegram or Facebook. This page explains how to get onboard and use Matrix to run bridges with the mesh.

You can read the rationale behind that choice in the "Why Matrix?" FAQ.

How do I join the Matrix room?

So how do you actually join Matrix?

There are many guides for this, but the joinmatrix.org guide is pretty good. Essentially, it is:

1. Register on a home server
2. Download a client, app, or use a web client
3. Join the room

Picking a home server

Here are home servers we recommend:

• Matrix.org: even though they do not recommend you create an account there because their server is busy, it's still possible to create a matrix.org account on app.element.io

• Mozilla.org: the people who make the Firefox web browser. Go to chat.mozilla.org (which also serves as web client) and click on "Continue with...", you can sign up with an already existing Mozilla Accounts, GitHub, or Google account

• FSFE: the European Free Software Foundation runs a Matrix server for its members, requires a donation, see chat.fsfe.org

• Linux distributions:

• Debian: people with an account on the Debian GitLab server ("salsa") can access the debian.social home server

• Ubuntu: members can use register on the ubuntu.com home server

• Fedora: people with a Fedora account can use the fedora.im home server

• Arch: team members can use the archlinux.org home server

• Other servers:

• Unredacted - privacy focused, based in the United States

• tchncs.de - based in Germany, also offers other federated services

There is also this list of home servers accepting registration from the public.

Picking an app

We recommend those:

• Element X: flagship mobile app
• Element: flagship desktop app
• FluffyChat: good mobile, desktop app
• Cinny: good desktop, minimalist, desktop app

If you want to use the web interface, your home server provider likely provides one (above), otherwise use the official instance at app.element.io.

Joining the room

Normally, clicking the #reseaulibre:matrix.org Matrix room from your browser should work, by opening the desktop client.

If not, you can type /join #reseaulibre:matrix.org in any chat window, or enter the #reseaulibre:matrix.org URL in the "join" (in element it's "Search") interface of your client.

This is the main room, but there are other rooms in the space, #reseaulibre-space:matrix.org Matrix room.