About Matrix Matrix is an open protocol for decentralised, secure communications.
Matrix Manifesto We believe:
People should have full control over their own communication. People should not be locked into centralised communication silos, but instead be free to pick who they choose to host their communication without limiting who they can reach. The ability to converse securely and privately is a basic human right. Communication should be available to everyone as a free and open, unencumbered, standard and global network.
If you want to use a paid service from the developers, there’s Element One: https://element.io/element-one
hmm, I wonder if there’s a way for me to host my own matrix server and do the bridging myself, like a docker container or something.
They actually link to a guide right on their website: https://github.com/beeper/self-host
The beeper client only works with the official beeper services, but you can use other apps like Element and FluffyChat with your own server.
There’s an Ansible playbook that allows you to install everything easily, but I don’t know how difficult the maintenance is. It’s definitely possible to self-host Matrix with bridges.