2y ago

Is there any disadvantages in using Matrix.org official server?

I mean, instead of running your own Matrix server?

12 comments

Contributes to centralization. Same reason as for mastodon.social or lemmy.ml.
Disadvantages include (this list is probably not exhaustive):
Presence is disabled (as this uses a fair amount of resources)
It has a tendency to be overloaded occasionally because so many people use it
You have to play by their rules (not a problem for most users, but it bears mentioning)
You could also join other Matrix servers, especially ones that cater to a particular interest of yours.
If you go with self hosting, running a decent personal Matrix server that is capable of joining large rooms like Matrix HQ is likely going to cost you money and/or time.
- Thanks! I'm fairly new to Matrix, so I don't know what “presence” means. Do you mind explaining it?
  
  Presence tracking allows users to see the state (e.g online/offline) of other local and remote users.
- Disabled presence can be an advantage to some privacy-conscious users, so a case for matrix.org can be made for them - especially if they don't chat much anyway.
One advantage I found was the ability to run my own bridges, which allow you to connect Matrix to other services, like Signal, LinkedIn, or Telegram.
- Is there a dependency on the instance, will it be blocked otherwise? I have activated the bridge to Telegram and Discord for my channels in the channel itself.
  
  most bridges are appservices, which must be hardcoded in Synapse(/Dendrite/Conduit/...) config
A lot. Of. Downtimes...
If you want to make a set of private rooms that you want to be available at all times, I certainly don't recommend matrix.org.
Its really slow
Are there any homeservers that offer 2fa?

12 comments