Matrix

Matrix is a decentralized, open and encrypted chat platform that allows for group chats and private messages while being able to be self-hosted on an own server. Matrix also allows to connect it with other messengers, so it is possible to chat with Signal, Telegram, Whatsapp etc users inside Matrix, although this requires advanced technical knowledge to set up. With all these features, Matrix has the potential to become a messenger standard that replaces the current messenger chaos, similar to how e-mail is the standard for longer letters.

Register on Matrix

To start using Matrix, you have to pick a provider (called “home server”) and register a Matrix ID with them (similar to when registering an e-mail address). Your Matrix ID will have the format @username:provider, for example @knoedel:ecotopiabiketour.net (if your username is knoedel and your provider is ecotopiabiketour.net). If you don’t have a preference, it is okay to use the default provider (matrix.org). Some providers that we have seen are ecotopiabiketour.net (our own provider), rankenste.in (server of a Biketour participant), eauchat.org (server of another Biketour participant), activism.international, livingutopia.org, immer.chat. There is also a list of providers on https://joinmatrix.org/servers/, maybe you find a local tech collective there.

Matrix can be used with different apps, the most popular is Element. To register a Matrix ID, follow these steps:

1. Install the Element app on your smartphone (through F-Droid or your app store), or install the Element app on your computer (https://element.io/get-started), or open the element app directly in your web browser (for example on https://app.element.io/).
2. Click on “Create Account”
3. If you want to use a different provider than matrix.org, click “Edit” on the provider field
4. Enter a username (this will become part of your Matrix ID), password and enter your e-mail address
5. Click “Register”
6. Check your e-mail account and click the link in the confirmation mail

Now ask someone (for example info@ecotopiabiketour.net) to invite you to the Ecotopia Biketour space by telling them your Matrix ID (@username:provider). Once you receive the invitation, the Ecotopia Biketour space will appear in the top left (on computers) or in the spaces menu when clicking the button with the 3 squares and one circle on the bottom right (on smartphones). Enter the space, accept the invitation and join some of the rooms in the space.

Enable notifications on Android

Sometimes the Element app only shows notifications while it is opened. To enable notifications even while the app is not running, you have to turn off power saving for the app. On most Android systems, follow these steps:

1. Enter the Settings app of Android
2. Go to Apps & notifications
3. Click on the Element app
4. Click on Battery
5. Click on Battery optimization
6. On the top under “Not optimized”, select “All apps”
7. Click on the Element app
8. Select “Don't optimize” and click “Done”

Add (invite) someone to Matrix

Right now the only way for people to join the Ecotopia Biketour space is to get invited. It might become possible to create invite links in the future.

To invite someone to the Ecotopia Biketour space, ask them to register a Matrix account and send you their Matrix ID, then follow the following steps.

On computers:

1. In the Ecotopia Biketour space, click on the + icon on the top left of the screen right of “Ecotopia Biketour”. Then click on “Invite”.
2. Type in their Matrix ID and click “Invite”

On smartphones:

1. In the Ecotopia Biketour space, click on the “Ecotopia Biketour” heading. Then click on “Invite people”.
2. Click on “Invite by username or mail”
3. Type in their Matrix ID and click “Invite”

Create a new room

At the moment, when you add a new room in the Ecotopia Biketour space, you will be the administrator of that room and no one else will be able to modify its settings. Because of this, you have to manually adjust the permissions after creating a room. This will change in the future. To create a new room, follow the following steps.

On computers:

1. In the Ecotopia Biketour space, click on the + icon on the top left of the screen right of “Ecotopia Biketour”. Then click on “Create new room”.
2. Type in a room name, leave the other settings (Visible to space members and encryption enabled) and click “Create room”.
3. Once the room is created, click on the three dots next to the room name and then on “Settings”.
4. Select “Roles and Permissions” on the left
5. Under “Permissions”, select “Admin” for the “Default role”

On smartphones;

1. In the Ecotopia Biketour space, click on the “Ecotopia Biketour” heading. Then click on “Add rooms”.
2. Click on “Create new room”.
3. Type in a room name, leave the other settings (Visible to space members and encryption enabled) and click “Create”.
4. Enter the newly created room, click the three dots icon on the top right and click on “Settings”.
5. At the bottom, click on “Room permissions”
6. Click on “Show advanced”. Then change “Default role” to “Admin”.

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Set up a Matrix/Signal group

The Ecotopia Biketour has some Matrix groups that are “bridged” with Signal. This means that each group exists both on Matrix and on Signal, and messages are copied between the two groups by a bot. This way people who have a Matrix account can join the Matrix group (without having to reveal their phone number), while people who only have Signal can join the Signal group, but both can talk to each other.

Existing Matrix rooms cannot be converted into bridged groups. You have to follow these steps to create a bridged group:

1. Set up the Signal group first. Invite the Matrix bot (ecotopia_matrix.32) to it. Make that user a group admin (if the group is not configured in a way that everyone is an admin).
2. Log in on https://matrix.ecotopiabiketour.net/ as the user bot. This user has the single purpose to administrate the Matrix/Signal connection. You can find the password and security key for the user on the Cloud.
3. A Matrix room has been automatically created for the Signal group and you should see an invitation to it. Accept that invitation.
4. In the Matrix room, send the message !signal set-relay. This will enable the bot to copy the messages between the two groups.
5. In the Matrix room, send the message !signal set-pl 100. This will make the bot user an administrator of the group. This will allow you to adjust the group settings.
6. Enter the Ecotopia Biketour space on the left, click + and then “Add existing room”. There, add the Matrix room.
7. Enter the room settings of the Matrix room, click on “Security” and for “Access” select “Space members”.

Unbridge a Matrix/Signal group

When a room that is currently bridged between Matrix and Signal should be continued on Matrix only, it can be unbridged, causing the Matrix room and the Signal group to become independent of each other again:

1. Log in on https://matrix.ecotopiabiketour.net/ as the user bot. This user has the single purpose to administrate the Matrix/Signal connection. You can find the password and security key for the user on the Cloud.
2. Inside the room that you want to unbridge, send the message !signal unbridge.

If the purpose is to discontinue the Signal group, you can delete that by first removing all members from the group and then leaving the group yourself.