I have replaced Hangouts, WhatsApp and Messenger front-ends on my phone and laptop with Element. I have been running the Matrix bridges for each[1] and am donating monthly to the creator. It's worth it.
So far the "network effects" have been coincidental: one small group of colleagues registered on matrix.org after one more colleague from our small circle turned out to have a home server. There are 7-ish of us now, 2 with their home servers (myself and the "other colleague"), and 5 with accounts on matrix.org.
To go "native", I see one lacking point with discoverability: I don't know of a way to discover my "contacts" whether they use Matrix without asking them first. Which is not true in any other messaging apps I have tried: Signal and WhatsApp use my address book and their phone numbers, Messenger is tied to my "friends". However, although Matrix allows entering phone and e-mail identifiers, I haven't seen an easy way to "find" them. Any pointers?
Overall, Synapse is easy to install and run. Took about two evenings to configure synapse + 3 bridges (whatsapp, messenger, hangouts).
I just installed element messenger on mobile and it asked for my contact list to find other matrix users, so it appears there is progress on that front.
(I said no, because for my current needs I don't wanna share any contacts with anyone.
Identity servers are currently not federated so everyone needs to use the same one if they want to be able to find each other. That's why no one is talking about hosting their own.
So far the "network effects" have been coincidental: one small group of colleagues registered on matrix.org after one more colleague from our small circle turned out to have a home server. There are 7-ish of us now, 2 with their home servers (myself and the "other colleague"), and 5 with accounts on matrix.org.
To go "native", I see one lacking point with discoverability: I don't know of a way to discover my "contacts" whether they use Matrix without asking them first. Which is not true in any other messaging apps I have tried: Signal and WhatsApp use my address book and their phone numbers, Messenger is tied to my "friends". However, although Matrix allows entering phone and e-mail identifiers, I haven't seen an easy way to "find" them. Any pointers?
Overall, Synapse is easy to install and run. Took about two evenings to configure synapse + 3 bridges (whatsapp, messenger, hangouts).
[1]: https://matrix.org/bridges/