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presentation: trim all slides to fit one screen

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- Max ~8 content lines per slide, tables max 5-7 rows
- Split Signal pros/cons to use bold instead of ### subheadings
- Split "Two More Worth Knowing" into separate XMPP and Briar slides
- Trim bridges table (drop duplicate IRC row)
- Trim resources table to 7 essential links
- Tighten participation slides

Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
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docs/møder/2026-05-11_messaging-presentation.md
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@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ paginate: true
### Free & Open Alternatives to WhatsApp and Messenger
MakerFLOSS · April 2026
MakerFLOSS · May 2026
---
@ -17,18 +17,16 @@ MakerFLOSS · April 2026
Most people use WhatsApp, Messenger, or iMessage.
**What's the problem?**
- **WhatsApp** — owned by Meta; metadata harvested; backup encryption only added under pressure
- **Messenger** — no E2EE by default in groups; extensive ad tracking
- **Telegram** — _not_ E2EE by default; groups are server-side; closed server
- **iMessage** — Apple lock-in; not available on Android or Linux
- **WhatsApp** — owned by Meta; metadata harvested
- **Messenger** — no E2EE by default in groups; ad tracking
- **Telegram** — _not_ E2EE by default; closed server
- **iMessage** — Apple lock-in; no Android or Linux
These apps are _convenient_ — but the cost is your data.
---
## Whish-list
## Wish-list
| Property | Why it matters |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
@ -50,29 +48,22 @@ These apps are _convenient_ — but the cost is your data.
| **XMPP + OMEMO** | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Briar** | ✓ | ✓ | N/A | ✓ | N/A |
| **Session** | ✓ | ✓ | Partial | ✓ | Partial |
| **Threema** | ✓ | ✓ | Partial | Optional | ✗ |
---
## Signal — The Gold Standard for E2EE
**Created by** Moxie Marlinspike (2013), now run by the non-profit Signal Foundation.
Non-profit Signal Foundation. The Signal Protocol powers WhatsApp, Google RCS, and Messenger secret chats.
**The Signal Protocol** is the encryption layer also used by:
WhatsApp, Google Messages (RCS), Skype, Facebook Messenger (secret chats)
**Pros**
- Simplest UX — works like a normal messaging app
- Audited, battle-tested cryptography; no ads, no tracking
### Pros
- Extremely simple UX — works like a normal messaging app
- Calls, groups, disappearing messages, Stories, Note to Self
- Audited, battle-tested cryptography
- No ads, no tracking, no data sold
### Cons
- Phone number required — links your identity to your account
**Cons**
- Phone number required — links identity to account
- Centralized — Signal's servers, Signal's rules
- Server source code published but community forks are blocked
**Best for:** journalists, activists, everyday secure messaging
---
@ -81,20 +72,18 @@ WhatsApp, Google Messages (RCS), Skype, Facebook Messenger (secret chats)
```
Alice's phone Signal Server Bob's phone
───────────── ───────────── ──────────
[message] ──encrypt(Bob's key)──▶ [stores ciphertext] ──────▶ decrypt ──▶ [message]
[message] ──encrypt(Bob)───▶ [stores ciphertext] ──────▶ decrypt ──▶ [message]
```
- The server sees: _who_ talks to _whom_, _when_, and _how often_
- The server does **not** see: message content
- This metadata is still significant — [read the Signal subpoena responses](https://signal.org/bigbrother/)
**Best for:** journalists, activists, family group chats, anyone who wants simple + secure
- Server sees: _who_ talks to _whom_, _when_, _how often_
- Server does **not** see: message content
- Metadata still matters — [Signal subpoena responses](https://signal.org/bigbrother/)
---
## Matrix — The Federated Open Standard
Matrix is a **protocol**, not an app — like email, but for real-time chat.
Matrix is a **protocol**, not an app — like email for real-time chat.
```
[your homeserver] ←──federation──▶ [another homeserver]
@ -102,101 +91,129 @@ Matrix is a **protocol**, not an app — like email, but for real-time chat.
Element client FluffyChat client
```
- **Standard**: matrix.org (open spec, anyone can implement)
- **Server software**: Synapse (Python), Conduit (Rust), Dendrite (Go)
- **Clients**: Element, FluffyChat, Cinny, Fractal (GNOME), Nheko
- **Bridges**: WhatsApp, Signal, Slack, Discord, IRC, XMPP — all bridgeable
- **Servers**: Synapse (Python), Conduit (Rust), Dendrite (Go)
- **Clients**: Element, FluffyChat, Cinny, Fractal, Nheko
- **Bridges**: WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, IRC, Discord…
---
## Matrix — Pros and Cons
### Pros
**Pros**
- Fully open source, top to bottom
- Self-host your own homeserver — you own your data
- Self-host your server — you own your data
- Federated — no single company controls the network
- Bridges let you consolidate all your chats in one place
- Persistent rooms, Spaces (like Discord servers), threads
- Bridges consolidate all your chats in one place
### Cons
- E2EE key management is still clunky (cross-signing, key backup)
- Synapse is resource-hungry (~1 GB RAM for a small server)
- Message history sync across federation is slow
**Cons**
- E2EE key management is clunky (cross-signing, key backup)
- Synapse is resource-hungry (~1 GB RAM)
- The UX of Element is still maturing
---
## Matrix — Why It's Interesting for MakerFLOSS
We could run our own homeserver at `matrix.makerfloss.eu`.
**What this gives us:**
We could run `matrix.makerfloss.eu` on our existing VPS.
- Full control over our community chat
- Bridges to reach people still on WhatsApp or Messenger
- A playground for learning about self-hosted infrastructure
- Federated — members can also use matrix.org or their personal servers
- A playground for self-hosted infrastructure
- Federated — members can also use matrix.org or personal servers
- ~500 MB RAM with Conduit (lighter than Synapse)
---
## Matrix Bridges — Stay Connected During the Transition
A bridge connects Matrix to another network — messages flow both ways.
```
[WhatsApp contact] ←──── WhatsApp servers ────▶ [mautrix-whatsapp bridge] ←──── Matrix ────▶ [You]
```
**You keep your existing accounts. Your contacts don't need to switch.**
A bridge relays messages between Matrix and another network — both ways.
| Bridge | Network | Notes |
| ----------------------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| `mautrix-whatsapp` | WhatsApp | Puppeting — uses your real WA account |
| ------------------------- | ---------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| `mautrix-whatsapp` | WhatsApp | Puppeting — your real WA account |
| `mautrix-telegram` | Telegram | Puppeting — very stable |
| `mautrix-signal` | Signal | Fragile — Signal actively breaks 3rd-party |
| `matrix-appservice-irc` | IRC | Mature, widely used |
| `heisenbridge` | IRC | Simpler alternative |
| `meshtastic-matrix-relay` | MeshCore / Meshtastic | LoRa mesh ↔ Matrix — off-grid messaging |
| `meshtastic-matrix-relay` | Meshtastic | LoRa mesh ↔ Matrix — off-grid messaging |
**The pitch:** Use Matrix as your single inbox — WhatsApp, Telegram, IRC all in one place.
**The catch:** Puppeting bridges need server access to your account credentials. WhatsApp's ToS prohibits it — occasional bans occur.
**Catch:** Puppeting bridges hold your credentials. WhatsApp's ToS prohibits it — occasional bans occur.
---
## Two More Worth Knowing
### XMPP (Jabber)
## XMPP (Jabber)
The _original_ federated chat standard — 1999. Still alive and kicking.
- Extremely mature and lightweight
- Good clients: **Conversations** (Android), **Monal** (iOS/macOS), **Gajim** (desktop)
- E2EE via OMEMO
- Con: fragmented client quality; setup less beginner-friendly
- Good clients: **Conversations** (Android), **Monal** (iOS/macOS), **Gajim** (desktop)
- Con: fragmented client quality; less beginner-friendly than Signal or Matrix
### Briar
---
## Briar
Peer-to-peer messaging — _no server at all_.
- Works over Tor, local WiFi, or Bluetooth (offline!)
- Censorship-resistant by design
- Con: Android only (iOS in beta); no desktop client; both parties must be online to first connect
- Con: Android-first; no desktop client; both parties must be online to first connect
**For:** activists, disaster scenarios, high-censorship environments
---
## Participation — Let's Talk
**Round 1: Your current situation** _(2 min, pairs)_
- What messenger do you use most, and why?
- Is there anything about it that bothers you?
**Round 2: Barriers** _(group discussion)_
- What's the hardest part of switching or convincing others?
- "But all my friends are on WhatsApp" — how do you handle it?
---
## Participation — Try It Now
**Option A — Signal**
Install Signal, register with your phone number, message the person next to you.
**Option B — Matrix (web)**
Open [app.element.io](https://app.element.io), create an account on matrix.org, join `#makerfloss:matrix.org`.
**Option C — Discussion**
Should MakerFLOSS run a Matrix homeserver?
---
## Resources
| Resource | Link |
| ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Signal | [signal.org](https://signal.org) |
| Matrix spec | [spec.matrix.org](https://spec.matrix.org) |
| Element client | [element.io](https://element.io) |
| FluffyChat | [fluffychat.im](https://fluffychat.im) |
| Matrix spec | [spec.matrix.org](https://spec.matrix.org) |
| Conduit server | [conduit.rs](https://conduit.rs) |
| Briar | [briarproject.org](https://briarproject.org) |
| Privacy Guides (comparison) | [privacyguides.org/…/real-time-communication](https://www.privacyguides.org/en/real-time-communication) |
| EFF Surveillance Self-Defense | [ssd.eff.org](https://ssd.eff.org) |
| Privacy Guides | [privacyguides.org/…/real-time-communication](https://www.privacyguides.org/en/real-time-communication) |
| meshtastic-matrix-relay | [github.com/geoffwhittington/meshtastic-matrix-relay](https://github.com/geoffwhittington/meshtastic-matrix-relay) |
---
## Summary
- **Signal**: easiest switch, best UX, E2EE by default — but centralized, requires phone number
- **Matrix**: most aligned with FLOSS values, self-hostable, federated — but more complex
- **XMPP**: the old guard, still solid for the technically inclined
- **Briar**: for extreme scenarios — no infrastructure needed
**The best alternative is the one people will actually use.**
---
# Questions?
_Slides made with [Marp](https://marp.app) — open source markdown slide tool_