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Is Matrix simple enough now that I can invite my grandpa/grandma and they will be able to join? How does ease up sign up and use compare to discord? Assume th

Is Matrix simple enough now that I can invite my grandpa/grandma and they will be able to join? How does ease up sign up and use compare to discord? Assume that I make the choice of which client to direct them to.

masfuerte 3y ago
My octogenarian mother uses it.
- airstrike 3y ago
  Did she set it up herself?
  - masfuerte 3y ago
    No, but that's true of all the software she uses.
Arathorn 3y ago
Matrix itself is a protocol, so is as hard or easy to use as the client that you use to access it. Matrix 2.0 is all about demonstrating that a really really fast, mainstream-grade app can be built on Matrix, in the form of Element X: https://element.io/blog/element-x-ignition/ https://element.io/blog/element-x-ignition/. However, right now Element X is intended for existing Matrix users - so unless you have a bleeding edge homeserver, sign-up doesn't work yet. So it's not quite in grandma/grandpa territory yet... but once you're in, it most certainly is.
soupbowl 3y ago
It is less simple than discord and I does not have good audio rooms. I setup family accounts and store their security key for them. Then I help them setup their app in a few minutes and paste them their security key once they are on my matrix server. In the past I left sign up and setup to family and the element app and it has never worked smoothly. They don't understand the security key purpose or verifying clients. So to answer your first question, yeah you can invite grandma and grandpa but they probably will need some hand holding at the start. Once they are in, it just works™**. YMMV
jwrallie 3y ago
It may not be easier than other proprietary stuff, but it is easy enough and probably the easiest you can get from the free software side. Just install Element on iPhone or Android and make a matrix account from there, then add each other by the selected username. You will only have to help your grandpa when you start to add secondary devices that need to be authenticated the first time with a QR code (for decryption purposes). I have been using Element to text my wife for around 6 months (Android to iOS). I took the opportunity when she was getting notification issues with a proprietary app to convince her to use it. She loves it now. Clean interface, no ads, and voice call works just fine for us.

masfuerte 3y ago

My octogenarian mother uses it.

airstrike 3y ago
Did she set it up herself?
- masfuerte 3y ago
  No, but that's true of all the software she uses.

Arathorn 3y ago

Matrix itself is a protocol, so is as hard or easy to use as the client that you use to access it. Matrix 2.0 is all about demonstrating that a really really fast, mainstream-grade app can be built on Matrix, in the form of Element X: https://element.io/blog/element-x-ignition/ https://element.io/blog/element-x-ignition/. However, right now Element X is intended for existing Matrix users - so unless you have a bleeding edge homeserver, sign-up doesn't work yet. So it's not quite in grandma/grandpa territory yet... but once you're in, it most certainly is.

soupbowl 3y ago

It is less simple than discord and I does not have good audio rooms. I setup family accounts and store their security key for them. Then I help them setup their app in a few minutes and paste them their security key once they are on my matrix server. In the past I left sign up and setup to family and the element app and it has never worked smoothly. They don't understand the security key purpose or verifying clients. So to answer your first question, yeah you can invite grandma and grandpa but they probably will need some hand holding at the start. Once they are in, it just works™**. YMMV

jwrallie 3y ago

It may not be easier than other proprietary stuff, but it is easy enough and probably the easiest you can get from the free software side. Just install Element on iPhone or Android and make a matrix account from there, then add each other by the selected username. You will only have to help your grandpa when you start to add secondary devices that need to be authenticated the first time with a QR code (for decryption purposes). I have been using Element to text my wife for around 6 months (Android to iOS). I took the opportunity when she was getting notification issues with a proprietary app to convince her to use it. She loves it now. Clean interface, no ads, and voice call works just fine for us.