Confused : Element : chat client or chat server ?

[timconsidine]

Looking at the App Store and considering using Element
But everything describes it as a chat app, from which I infer ... possibly wrongly ... that it is a chat client and it needs to connect to a chat server.
Is this correct interpretation ?

Personally I see no gain in a self-hosted chat client if the chat content is going to a 3rd party server. Or does the encrypted chat mean this is a redundant concern ?

[luckow]

This works for me:

Element = Frontend for Matrix Synapse (you can use your own or a third party instance)

Matrix Synapse = Server/Backend. Without a frontend, it doesn't make sense.

[timconsidine]

@luckow perfect, thank you

[luckow]

And since everything is federated, you can join rooms on third-party instances with your user account on your own Matrix Synapse instance (they call it homeserver) via your installed Element front-end or via a third-party front-end. Or you host rooms on your own Matrix Synapse instance and invite others to join your room. They join the same way you do. Via your frontend or that of another provider.

[luckow]

Last addition for today.
Encryption first. This brings problems in the first time. You have to store recovery codes, learn how to authorize different clients. Some communication partners tell you "I can't see your content because of encryption" and you have no idea how to deal with it
Hint: use more than 1 authorized Client.

[timconsidine]

@luckow Thank you. Exploring now.

[scooke]

@timconsidine If you search for similar terms, a bunch of users posted their Matrix/Elements accounts for ppl to connect with, sort of verifying that it's all working. This is about 6+ months ago. I'm @scooke:incroyable.net, but I don't really have anything posted nor any chats!

[timconsidine]

@scooke good idea, thanks