Matrix#

GNOME uses Matrix as its instant messaging platform. This page contains information on how to use it.

Accounts#

To chat in GNOME Matrix rooms, you first need to have a Matrix account. There are two ways to get one:

  1. If you’re not a GNOME Foundation member, you can register for a free account at app.element.io.

  2. GNOME Foundation members can register for a GNOME account at gnome.element.io. To do this, register using an @gnome.org email address.

Once you have a Matrix account, you can login using a Matrix app, such as the Element web app.

Rooms#

Once you are logged into Matrix, you can browse GNOME rooms and join the ones that are of interest to you. Some good ones to start with are:

Room

Topic

#gnome:gnome.org

General GNOME chat

#gnome-hackers:gnome.org

GNOME development discussion

#newcomers:gnome.org

Help for newcomers to the GNOME project

Staying Safe#

GNOME makes every effort to ensure that its Matrix rooms are a safe space to be. However, due to the open nature of our community, it is unfortunately not possible for us to guarantee that offensive or upsetting content will never get posted to our rooms.

We therefore encourage all users of GNOME’s Matrix rooms follow the following guidelines, in order to ensure their safety.

Hide images and videos by default#

This is possible with some Matrix clients, and is recommended to avoid seeing unwelcome content by accident.

To hide images by default in Element Web:

  • Click the gear at the bottom left

  • Click on All Settings

  • Go to the “Preferences” tab

  • Scroll down to the “Images, GIFs and videos” section

  • Disable “Enable inline URL previews by default”

  • Disable “Show previews/thumbnails for images”

To hide images by default in Element X iOS:

  • Tap on your profile at the top left

  • Scroll to the bottom, and tap the version number 7 times to make developer options appear

  • Go to developer options

  • Enable “Hide image & video previews”

Check for the “moderation” account#

“moderation” should be listed as the first user account in each room. If access to a room is not set to private, and “moderation” is not present, we recommend that you leave or ask the room’s moderators to add it.

Note that “moderation” is a bot. Pinging or messaging it will have no effect.

What to do if you see a problem#

If you see unpleasant or inappropriate posts:

  • Prioritize your own safety:

    • Do not take action against the poster, such as by sending messages that are addressed to them.

    • If you feel that it is best for you, leave the room, or close Matrix until the problem is resolved.

    • Use the Ignore feature to hide posts from that account.

  • Report one of the problem messages, using Matrix’s built-in Report feature.

    • Due to technical limitations, you need to have an :gnome.org Matrix address for this to work effectively.

    • When writing the report, a very short summary is usually sufficient, such as a two or three word description.

  • Be assured that our team will work to swiftly resolve the situation.