60 lines
No EOL
2.4 KiB
Markdown
60 lines
No EOL
2.4 KiB
Markdown
---
|
|
title: 'Matrix'
|
|
date: 2024-02-25T11:24:58+01:00
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
[Matrix](https://matrix.org/) aims to be a secure but simple standard featuring
|
|
end-to-end encrypted (E2EE)[^1] messaging, Voice over IP (VoIP), Video calls
|
|
and bridging to other communication protocols while providing decentralization
|
|
and preserving privacy. This can be done by self-hosting a federated[^2]
|
|
homeserver like [Synapse](synapse/). To connect with me, register at another
|
|
[public server](public-server-list/) and join my Matrix room found at the
|
|
[about](/about/#contact) page.
|
|
|
|
{{< figure src="img/matrix-logo.svg" alt="Matrix logo" width="25%" >}}
|
|
|
|
## Basic concepts
|
|
|
|
The [Matrix Specification](https://spec.matrix.org/latest/) defines the parts of
|
|
the protocol and is rather overwhelming for new users. For this reason some of
|
|
the main characteristics are condensed in the following.
|
|
|
|
### User ID
|
|
|
|
In Matrix, a [user ID](https://spec.matrix.org/latest/#users) begins with an at
|
|
(`@`) character followed by the username and domain name, which are separated by
|
|
a colon (`:`). For example:
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
@username:example.org
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
### Room
|
|
|
|
The same way IRC[^3] is organised Matrix uses the concept of [public rooms](https://matrix.org/docs/chat_basics/public-rooms/)
|
|
to represent conversations. Rooms have a random unique identifier that is set at
|
|
creation time and can be referred to using an alias. To distinguish [room aliases](https://spec.matrix.org/latest/#room-aliases) from users at a matrix server
|
|
rooms are identified by a hashtag (`#`) instead of an `@` character leading to
|
|
the following syntax for a room alias:
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
#room_alias:exmaple.org
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
There's a web service at https://matrix.to/ provided by the Matrix.org
|
|
Foundation for linking users, rooms and messages, which can ease onboarding.
|
|
Additionally, https://view.matrix.org lists rooms that can be joined without
|
|
invitation and provides information such as member count and topic. Following
|
|
their links displays a history of messages in this room.
|
|
|
|
## Guides
|
|
|
|
{{< cards >}}
|
|
{{< card link="public-server-list" title="Public server list" icon="login" >}}
|
|
{{< card link="synapse" title="Synapse" icon="server" >}}
|
|
{{< /cards >}}
|
|
|
|
[^1]: [End-to-end encryption](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/End-to-end_encryption)
|
|
in the Wikipedia
|
|
[^2]: [Federation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation_(information_technology)) in the Wikipedia
|
|
[^3]: [Internet Relay Chat (IRC)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intenet_Relay_Chat) in the Wikipedia |