There is https://github.com/element-hq/ess-helm nowadays for a very easy setup. It needs a couple of minutes and you get MAS, Element Call, Synapse and Element Web.
I’ve spun a few matrix servers, most with authentication services which allow the setup of upstream providers (IE: login with GitHub/Microsoft etc) id say the best place to get started is with the Element docker demo .
It’s not perfect, there’s actually a few issues I ran into with the init scripts; but it helped me understand the key components to a server setup, and more importantly, it generates the majority of secrets/API keys etc in the right places, so you don’t have to.
The smallest server I’ve run was on a single core vCPU, 2gb ram, 50gb HDD vps, that server was able to federate and served a group of around 5 of us for about 3 months without any issues (at which point I expanded) we would use it for texting as well as a voice channel replacement for discord.
If someone reads this and wants a cheat sheet for matrix components; here’s a quick start on what each container is used for:
Essential:
Synapse - the matrix homeserver.
Postgres - the database server.Great to have:
Mas - authentication service used to provide upstream identification
Redis - authentication service cache.
Livekit - modern alternative to the inbuilt jitsi video calls
Livekit-jwt - token provider for livekit.Tools:
Element-web: a hosted web client capable of using element call (livekit) or jitsi call (built into synapse)… Most people will likely default to either mobile or desktop apps however, so definitely only host this if your VPS is beefy.Finally; if you’re really just wanting a closed off instance for you and a few friends. You can ultimately just spin up a synapse server, with nothing else. Your server will use an insecure sqlite dB (anyone with access to the VPS can theoretically access the database); but it comes with jitsi call built in, and will handle a small group of people with no issues.
again, as with telegram, the shit I give zero fucks about (the groups, rooms, channels, whathaveyous) are encroaching on the things I give a ton of fucks about - the private, 1-on-1 comms. what are the odds this will be the only thing they’ll freemiumise in the long term?
anyone successfully managed to import chat history from one instance to another? heard it’s possible, don’t know of anyone actually doing it.
While your concern is valid, it is instance specific. They can turn their whole instance paid, make it pay per message. The point of federation and an open standard is exactly that the user doesn’t have to give a f. matrix.org is not the only homeserver and user has the power to make their own homeserver as well.
So easy to host your own instance idk why anyone uses matrix.org
no it is not easy, but there are many open instances so there’s that
then ask a friend or a random person on the street about it. “easy for me” does not mean it is easy for the average person. the average person is lost in the settings of their phone, and they rarely turn on the desktop anymore, if they have one
