Ask HN: How did you convince family and friends to join your XMPP/Matrix server?

Re:Ask HN: How did you convince family and friends to join y... by bluebarbet on Saturday November 07, 2026 @02:57PM (#50407500)

In my mental model, Matrix (specifically Element) is decentralized Signal. In other words: a modern encrypted messenger that is protocol-based and so allows users to control their data if they so wish.

If this picture is accurate, then the promised land is only two steps away: (1) make available a reliable default Matrix server for normies who don't care about privacy; (2) polish up the UX of Element.

What am I getting wrong?

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Re:Ask HN: How did you convince family and friends to join y... by d0liver on Saturday November 07, 2026 @03:32PM (#50407786)

#1 and #2 are easy to conceptualize but very difficult to build and maintain. Basically, the problem is that people don't fund open source unless they can monetize it.

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Re:Ask HN: How did you convince family and friends to join y... by radical_halogen on Saturday November 07, 2026 @07:39PM (#50409453)

Simplex.chat is decentralized signal

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Re:Ask HN: How did you convince family and friends to join y... by amomchilov on Sunday November 08, 2026 @08:07AM (#50412950)

I’m afraid this approach to UI as an after thought is what leads to them being so shit in the first place.

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