## 🔑🔒 Account Creation > [!tip] > If you’d rather skip the setup, just email [email protected] and we’ll get everything set up for ya. Let us know your preferred username and we’ll send back everything you need. Plus we’ll make sure you’re already dropped into the right rooms so that all you'll have to do is sign in and you're good to go! If you'd rather read a bit about Matrix and Element first before creating an account, [[#🔰 General|click here]] to skip ahead, otherwise we can dive right in. In total, it should, this should only take ~2 minutes to complete. ### 1. Register an Account To get started, go to the following website. It's easier on a desktop but will work on a phone: https://element.50501pgh.org/#/register Type in a **username** and **password** and make sure to save them in whichever password manager you use (we recommend Bitwarden). You don't **need** to enter an email address but it helps when/if you need to reset your password. > [!info] > Just an FYI, you will only have to sign in **once** per device. You **will not** have to sign in each time you want to use the app. ### 2. Registration Token After the username and password, you will be prompted for a "token", which basically just gives you *permission* to make an account with 50501 PGH. You **will not** need to save, remember, or use this again after you're done making your account. You can just copy and paste this below as the token: ``` 50501token ``` Once you create your account you will be automatically signed into the web version of Element. While fully functional on desktop/laptop, it's not meant for mobile at all but will work to finish up the last step we need to do. ### 3. Making Keys Keys are just a string of random letters, that are essentially like a second password but are specifically used to authorize a new device. This makes it so that even if someone were to gain access to your account somehow, they couldn't authorize their new device without this key. After you've completed your basic registration, you'll be met with the screen below where you'll just have to briefly go into the settings by clicking your (default) profile icon in the top left then `All settings` <div style="text-align:center;"> <img src="https://publish-01.obsidian.md/access/b355bc5890838593d4ae083c2e32b12e/Resources/Public%20Resources/-attachments-/Screenshot_20250814_001922.jpg" alt="Image" style="max-width:100%; max-height:80vh; height:auto; width:auto; display:inline-block; object-fit:contain;" /> </div> Once in the settings you'll just have to go to the `Encryption` section (🔑 icon) then click `Continue` in order to make your keys. <div style="text-align:center;"> <img src="https://publish-01.obsidian.md/access/b355bc5890838593d4ae083c2e32b12e/Resources/Public%20Resources/-attachments-/Screenshot_20250814_002058.jpg" alt="Image" style="max-width:100%; max-height:80vh; height:auto; width:auto; display:inline-block; object-fit:contain;" /> </div> That's it, you've made your keys! Once you're presented with the random string of characters (key), you can hit the little copy button to the right of them and then paste your new key into whatever password manager you're using and then you're done with registration! <div style="height:80vh; display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center;"> <img src="https://publish-01.obsidian.md/access/b355bc5890838593d4ae083c2e32b12e/Resources/Public%20Resources/-attachments-/Screenshot_20250814_002136%201.jpg" alt="Image" style="max-height:80vh; max-width:100%; height:auto; width:auto; display:block;" /> </div> > [!Important] This is not meant to *replace* your password. Most password managers have an extra spot, like a "notes" area, for something other than a username and password. ### 4. Download the app Once registration is done, make sure you get the Element Classic mobile app, it's advised to **not** get the Element “X” version. It will work but is not ideal. Many of the beneficial features have been stripped out of the Element X version in order to, what they call “streamline" the platform, but it ends up being more of a detriment for our purposes. | Mobile | Computer | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | [iPhone](https://apps.apple.com/app/vector/id1083446067) | [Mac](https://packages.element.io/desktop/install/macos/Element.dmg) | | [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=im.vector.app) | [Windows](https://packages.element.io/desktop/install/win32/x64/Element%20Setup.exe) | When logging in via the mobile app or computer, you will first see something about logging in via `matrix.org` . This will need to be changed to the following "account provider” since your account is physically hosted with 50501 PGH and not any giant corporation: ``` 50501pgh.org ``` From there, it's just entering your: 1. Username 2. Password 3. Key After that you will stay logged in on that device until you log out. ### 5. All Done! > [!important] > If you created your account the way mentioned in this guide, as in using `50501pgh.org` as your "home server", the public rooms should automatically be added so you can just sign in and you're done. You **will not** have to do anything else and can skip anything else after this point. > If you created your account some other way or already had an account of your own, you can find our rooms by pressing the button in the lower right then `Explore Rooms`: ![[Screenshot_20250814_003150.jpg]] Copy and paste the room address below: ``` #public:50501pgh.org ``` Once you get all set and are in the public room, you're completely good to go! Thanks for sticking it through and we hope to see you on the other side! **If you have any issues, and again if you'd rather us set it up for you, you can send us an email at:** [email protected] --- ## 🔰 General **Q: What is Matrix?** > The most simple answer is, it's similar to Signal but geared for groups and with more features. It's not affiliated with Signal in any capacity, but it looks, feels, and operates, on the user's end, very much the same. What's happening “under the hood” though is different but will not really matter to anyone using it. > > The real answer though is that Matrix is an open standard for decentralized, secure, real-time communication. It supports messaging, voice/video calls, and file sharing across connected groups. <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://publish-01.obsidian.md/access/b355bc5890838593d4ae083c2e32b12e/Resources/Public%20Resources/-attachments-/ex-image-1.png" style="width: 90%;" alt="Centered image"> </div> **Q: Why not just continue to use Signal then if it's pretty much the same thing?** > Signal is a great platform to use as it’s very accessible, quick and easy to use and we’ll continue using it for interfacing with other groups as it is the most widely used privacy focused app, but It’s just not designed for larger scale collaborative groups and lacks many of the organization features necessary to make groups function smoothly. **Q: What is Element?** > Element is just *one* of clients (apps) available for using the Matrix network. With apps like Signal, Discord or WhatsApp, there's only one official “client” app per platform, so this term isn't really used that often. In this case, there are multiple options depending on your preference. It's best just to use the classic Element app as many of these other “client apps” don't fully support all of the features available which can lead to an incomplete experience. > > Element is to Matrix, what Gmail/Outlook is to email. Just like how there are different ways to *use* email, there are different ways to access Matrix. **Q: Do I really have to learn about all this computer stuff to use it?** > Nope! You can just download the app, make a username, and you're ready to message. Most user’s experience will, for the most part, be pretty on par with everything else they've ever used, just with some extra bells and whistles. **Q: Is it difficult to get started with Matrix?** > Not any more difficult than signing up on any other platform. Completely free (for users) and just need an email, username and password, and you’re good to go! Even if you wanted to start your own rooms, you could do so, absolutely free, on the default Matrix platform. **Q: How do I get it?** > By simply clicking here the appropriate link. | Mobile | Computer | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | [iPhone](https://apps.apple.com/app/vector/id1083446067) | [Mac](https://packages.element.io/desktop/install/macos/Element.dmg) | | [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=im.vector.app) | [Windows](https://packages.element.io/desktop/install/win32/x64/Element%20Setup.exe) | > Also, if on a computer, you can use the web/browser version without installing **anything**, but may require you to sign in for each use for that reason. It is **fully** **featured** and completely usable though, and good for just poking around and getting a feel for things. [Click here to check out the web browser version.](https://app.element.io/) > Sometimes it will be recommended to get the Element “X” version, which is advertised as a “streamlined mobile version” but there are many useful features that have been stripped out, so the default Element Classic app should be sought out instead. **Q: How do I join the 50501 PGH Group?** > After you create an account and you're logged in, [click here](element://room/!wiFDgigosQanPknAUk%3A50501pgh.org?via=50501pgh.org&via=matrix.org&via=matrix.fiftyfifty.one). You do not need to create an account with 50501pgh.org, you may create one with the default matrix.org if you wish, this is just a bonus level of security that we offer. > > If that link doesn't work, since some devices act weirdly, you can instead, while in Element, hit the button on the bottom right → “explore rooms” → copy and paste the text below to find the room, then join. ``` #public:50501pgh.org ``` > Message the main Admin in there (@50501PGH) and let them know what other chats/channels you'd like to be added to and what your corresponding Signal name was, and they'll help you get sorted as best as they can! --- ## ✨ Features **Q: So what other things make Matrix worth switching for?** > Due to the large number of people attempting to collaborate with one another, there are many things included in how Matrix operates that make this process *easier*. ### 👥 Separate Rooms/Contacts Very often in apps such as Signal, rooms/channels can become lost and difficult to find again under the constant shuffling of contacts and other rooms. Having people and rooms separated out into different areas can make finding your desired destination much easier. ### 🧵 Threads One such feature available, only available with the Element Desktop and Mobile apps, is the ability to reply directly to a message and start a “mini” chatroom, called a *thread*, directly within that person’s message. <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://publish-01.obsidian.md/access/b355bc5890838593d4ae083c2e32b12e/Resources/Public%20Resources/-attachments-/Desktop---Reply-in-thread.png" style="width: 90%;" alt="Centered image"> </div> It’s very common for just a few people to end up accidentally dominating and derailing the topic of conversation in a room, essentially grinding group progress to a halt. It can be confusing to know when the right time to switch to another room would be, or if it's actually worth it. Threads allow those who wish to discuss niche aspects or subjects to do so, without ruining theirs or the rest of the room’s momentum. These threads are also viewable to anyone else and stay within the room they were started in, so anyone can jump in at any time if they wish. <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://publish-01.obsidian.md/access/b355bc5890838593d4ae083c2e32b12e/Resources/Public%20Resources/-attachments-/Mobile---Thread-list.png" style="width: 90%;" alt="Centered image"> </div> [More information about this feature can be seen here](https://element.io/blog/introducing-threads-in-beta/) --- ### 🎁 Spaces Some other features that make it easier to find things is the ability to group multiple rooms together in a sort of folder, called [Spaces](https://element.io/blog/spaces-blast-out-of-beta/). This allows related rooms to stay together without the risk of them being lost in the shuffle, as is true with many other platforms. This can be something as simple as grouping multiple rooms together for a singular event, or even just all public rooms in one space and all private ones in another, or any other way that works best for those involved. <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://publish-01.obsidian.md/access/b355bc5890838593d4ae083c2e32b12e/Resources/Public%20Resources/-attachments-/spaces-add-existing-02-min.gif" style="width: 90%;" alt="Centered image"> </div> --- ### 🗳 Polls [Polls](https://element.io/blog/element-welcomes-polls/) are natively included as a part of each room. In other messaging apps, it can be difficult to keep track of specific messages that some use to “react” to as a way to gather consensus. Polls provide a way to notify everyone of an ongoing vote while also tracking the history for future use. <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://publish-01.obsidian.md/access/b355bc5890838593d4ae083c2e32b12e/Resources/Public%20Resources/-attachments-/image-4.png" style="width: 90%;" alt="Centered image"> </div> --- ### 📢 Announcements Along with polls, each room also has their own dedicated announcements area in which any message (by a designated member) can be pinned so that it can remain at the top of the room until otherwise removed. Multiple messages can also be pinned, which can be accessed by clicking the same area at the top of the room. This can allow important information to remain visible to all members and cuts down on the amount of extra separate channels needed to stay updated. --- ### 🔗 Message Linking Very often, when someone is trying to explain what someone else has said, they will often resort to screenshotting. In Element, specific messages can be linked to and shared via... well, a link, that can be clicked which allows others to see for themselves what has been shared or to jump right into the conversation as well (assuming they're authorized to be in that room). --- ## 🛠️ Server & Accounts **Q: I saw that you can make accounts on a specific “home server”. What is that about?** > Since matrix is not managed by a giant corporation, that means individual groups can make their own areas on their own servers. For most people, this doesn't really matter, but a “home server” is a specific place that accounts and rooms can be registered to as a way to not encounter censorship from some outside force. There is no “Matrix” company that can come into a particular groups home server and tell them what they can or can't talk about. **Q: If someone makes an account on a specific home server, can they join rooms on other servers?** > To put it simply, yes! There is nothing special or complicated that needs to be done to go to anyone else’s rooms, similar to how it would be on any other platform. Those with accounts on their own home servers will just have some special abilities that reflect a certain level of assumed trust. But for all intents and purposes, everything else will be completely normal! **Q: Do I need to run my own server to use Matrix?** > Nope! Just like how you don’t need to make a website to visit other websites, same concept here. **Q: What happens if I lose my account info?** > If you used an email address, just send a password reset request to that email. If you made it on a particular home server, the people there can help you reacquire it. **Q: What does centralized or decentralized mean?** > When you make a page/account/subreddit on a platform like Facebook/Instagram/Reddit, all the influence and control is still *technically* retained by the owners of those platforms. That is what’s considered *centralized*. > *Decentralized* means that each space is completely independent of one another, like separate islands, and there is no central authority or jurisdiction over all of them, despite them all being connected. They all just agree to “speak the same computer language (protocol)” much like how different websites can be wildly different from one to the next yet still interact with one another. <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://publish-01.obsidian.md/access/b355bc5890838593d4ae083c2e32b12e/Resources/Public%20Resources/-attachments-/image.png" style="width: 90%;" alt="Centered image"> </div> --- ## 🔐 Security & Privacy **Q: Can I use Matrix without giving out my phone number or personal info?** > Yes. Unlike apps like Signal or WhatsApp, Matrix does **not** require a phone number or name. You can create accounts with just a username and password, no personal identifying info is necessary unless you choose to add it. **Q: Doesn't that mean bad actors could make accounts?** > This is true of any platform, but the fact that each space is run completely independently gives groups a much greater level of control over their own space to assess and deal with bad actors. **Q: What is “end-to-end encryption”? Why is it important, and does Matrix have it?** > End-to-end encryption just means that any messages or data that you send out from one device or “end”, is scrambled or encrypted, *before* it even leaves your device. Think of this as locking your mail in a secure lockbox before it even leaves your house and *only* gets opened once it's inside the house of the recipient. <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://publish-01.obsidian.md/access/b355bc5890838593d4ae083c2e32b12e/Resources/Public%20Resources/-attachments-/image-1.png" style="width: 90%;" alt="Centered image"> </div> In this case, this feature is turned on by default unless particular groups have turned that feature off for their rooms, which can be easily verified one way or the other. **Q: What does “open source” mean?** > Matrix as a standard is open source, which simply means that the actual code used to create the product is openly viewable so that any problems or issues can be addressed and fixed. > > Without being familiar with this sort of stuff, at first glance, it can *seem* like an issue, like you're “giving your cards away” but think about it this way. People who know how to build skyscrapers, fast cars, or secure safes are not scared to show off how good their work is. It’s better to buy a safe from a salesman who’s *confidently* willing to show you how strong their safes are, rather than expecting you to just “*take their word for it*”. **Q: Can some rooms be private and some public?** > Yes. You can configure rooms to be invite-only, restricted to certain areas, or open to anyone. **Q: Does Matrix support disappearing messages?** > Yup! As long as the group who made the space set it up that way. Not only that, but because the platform is housed on specific group's platforms, there is no risk of some sort of third-party company in the middle “retaining” that data. Once it's gone, it's gone, in a good way. --- ## 📲 Clients & Apps **Q: What is a client app?** > A client app is simply the term used for any bit of software used to access something. In the case of Signal/Discord/etc., it’s the actual *app* you use to actually message people. **Q: Is Matrix only available on phones?** > Nope! It’s available on all platforms. There are even versions of it that run completely on a web browser (on desktop/laptop), requiring no installation of any kind! This is nice for one off check ups and not necessarily meant for long term use as it requires a sign in each time, but it is a nice option to have! > Element for a desktop and Element Classic on mobile is a good place to start if you’re not sure. Refrain from using “Element X” for now as it's an overly stripped down and barebones version that is touted as a “mobile version” but is simply lacking the features necessary for groups. **Q: Do I have to make a new username for each one of these different apps to try them out??** > Nope! The same username and password can be used for all of them as they all access the same information. **Q: Does it support voice/video calls?** > Yes. > - **1-on-1 calls** use directly. > - **Group calls** use Jitsi (or Element Call, depending on setup). --- To try out Element/Matrix for yourself, head on over to www.element.io