this post was submitted on 15 Dec 2023
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I did the emoji thing and even though I went through it correctly it did not proceed reliably. A problem with the client? Network issue? Who knows. Sometimes it works after a few attempts and other times not.
Encryption keys didn't work because my password manager ended up with several keys all associated with the same account but I didn't know what each one was for. (And did the keys each also have another password too? I might be thinking of something else.) They were for the account or the device or the conversation or the client or the session? And my friends were having similar issues; even when I get it set up someone else is having a problem.
I guess with all these things, it gets easier once you get going and stable. You can't do the emoji thing without having a logged in client available. If everyone is bouncing around clients it's a mess. There is nothing stable for any of us to join onto. I have used the occasional established matrix community and I don't have these issues in that case. A lot of the complications come from the fact that we are trying to move together.
I mean the other other option would be to take care of each other and struggle collectively. I do not really think we get freedom one by one. I believe that to be in alignment with FLOSS.
Philosophically it's kind of regressive to say that lost autonomy is deserved by people who fail to learn to the standards you think are reasonable in the areas you think they should know about. There is way too many things in the world we can't all know about all of them.
Oh. That's not how it's supposed to be. I self-host my own (Synapse) matrix server. So I wouldn't know if there are issues with the network or something like that with the established, big servers.
Yeah, That's too many details. It should be: you sign up for a new account, keys are generated and you are requested to back up your master key. Maybe that backup can be protected with an additional password, I don't really know. From that point cross signing and all cryptography should kick in automatically. Everything should be handled without the user needing to worry about additional keys. And in my oppinion the additional inner workings should be hidden from the user. At that point you're set and once you log in with a different device or add a friend, a popup should open telling you to verify the other user/device with the emojis.
That is the most annoying thing with Matrix. I've also had this happen. Some time ago I had clients not support emoji verification. Or I try to write a bot in python and it runs on a server with no means of displaying emojis. I think Matrix isn't strict enough to handle the diversity of clients. In theory diversity is a good thing, but for Matrix... I've also had some issues with that exact thing.
That is especially true for messengers and social media. There is the network effect. A platform has little to no benefit if it doesn't connect people and it's just you ;-)
I agree. I have compared this to the Age of Enlightenment before. There is some basis we need to agree on. Everyone has to agree they want freedom and be ready to put in some work and face the struggles. But not everyone needs to become a computer expert and have this as their primary hobby. Just being a follower should be alright, the only thing is you can't be annoyed by change and experiencing a dry spell every now and then. I think this is consensus and also how it works with parts of the FLOSS ecosystem. There are clubs and individuals who operate the servers and handle all the difficult and tedious parts of hosting. Not everybody can, or wants to do this. As a user it is your obligation to know how to operate your computer and smartphone. But it shouldn't be overly complex. That takes away from the spirit and makes it inaccessible for some people. And we want the opposite of that, spread the freedom amongst everyone who is willing to participate.
I really don't know what to recommend to you. Don't resign and let the technical difficulties keep you from getting what you want. It's the right choice. Maybe you find something better than Matrix for your use-case. I'm kind of in another situation, so my experience doesn't necessarily apply to your situation. Maybe have one person do the work, try out a few servers and Apps/clients and pave the way for the rest of the group. It definitely doesn't work if it's an uncoordinated effort and there are sub-optimal choices and traps out there. And it will scare some people off (rightfully) if they have to start over for the third time.
With our group, we have tested matrix for some months with two people, then a third and then a friend of mine invited all the other people. Most of them use matrix.org as their Homeserver. And we keep the room unencrypted for maximum compatibility. We don't give admin rights to everyone, that would lead to confusion. One person manages the room and they put in the effort to learn how to manage the room and help people get the app installed on their phones and join the room.