Javi

I installed it locally using the deb package on their GitHub. They also have apks and I believe a flatpak too (don’t quote me on that though).

The android APK is a little funky (I kept getting the notification “you’ve been invited to a room” for every message I’d receive) so I switched back to using element x for the time being, but commet is now my go to client for my laptop, as I don’t use that machine for VC anyway.

You’re right in the sense that none of it is hosted on app repositories though; they’ve still got some ways to go on that front.

Someone mentioned commet as a discord like matrix client the other day. I’ve trialled it using my matrix setup, and it looks and feels very clean, I definitely prefer it to element.

Unfortunately as the tale always goes, it’s not quite on par with element in features (it claims to have RTC support using livekit, but I couldn’t find the group call option), but it’s definitely one of the more interesting clients to come about recently. I really like the separation of spaces and personal chats, and the multiple accounts feature is useful from a sysadmin perspective.

Once they manage voice channels with RTC, I think matrix will finally have its discord alternative that could see some adoption with everyday users.

I’ve gone the other way with it. I feel galvanised to try and help the laymen break free from our digital prisons; attempting to migrate people to decentralisation as a concept; as in my eyes it’s the only way we’ll ever move out from under this technocratic structure we find ourselves stuck in.

It’s one hell of an uphill battle, but the hardest part (convincing others to try something new) is becoming easier just thanks to the rampant enshittification in every product. My driving force for most of it has been the desire to see my country break free from reliance on American tech; which if you know anything about the UK; it’s an incredibly pie in the sky ambition… But I remain hopeful.

My advice would be to learn (if you’re not already familiar ofc) containerisation as a concept and spin up services that offer real alternatives to what people rely so heavily upon.

The only way the world can escape the likes of Zuckerberg and Musk, is if people like me and you show them how to implement an alternative.