AfterNET Matrix Server

We are experimenting with a new chat system called Matrix, and you can join us! Matrix is a next-gen open chat protocol designed to improve on IRC using modern tools.

AfterNET now runs an afternet.org matrix server, and it is bridged with IRC so you can join many AfterNET channels on matrix. We are now federated (connected with the rest of the matrix servers on the internet) so you can use an existing matrix account, or login with your afternet username/password.

Choose a client.. Matrix really shines on mobile platforms, where it isn't subject to disconnects and battery drain the way mobile IRC clients are.

• iPhone users: Check out Element's app in the app store
• Android users: Check out Element in google play or f-droid
• Desktop users: Get a copy from The Element Download page
• In-Browser: You can also just use your browser: AfterNET Element Web App

• On the initial screen, choose “Log In”
• Click the box next to “Custom server options”
• Enter the server url: https://matrix.afternet.org
• For username and password, use your existing AfterNET account

Channels from IRC show up as #channelname:afternet.org so to join a channel you can enter

/join #mychannel:afternet.org

Or, just find it in the list. Your matrix user will show up on IRC with a [m] after their nick, and if you grant ops to this user, the riot client will have access to manage the corisponding matrix room.

Matrix is federated, meaning you can communicate with it across networks/servers. So if you already have a mozilla or matrix.org account, you can participate in AfterNET from there (and vice versa)

From our (or any) matrix server, you can also join bridged irc channels from other places

• /join #_oftc_#linux:matrix.org #joins you to the #linux channel on OFTC via matrix.orgs public irc bridge
• /join #libera:libera.chat #joins you to the #libera channel on the libera.chat irc network

After you join a bridged irc channel, you will get a message from the bridge management bot, sometimes called @appservice-irc. Using this bot you can control your IRC doppleganger, including setup its username and password for services (nickserv) on the network.

Keep in mind this is all very new, and a little fresh, so it is not perfect!

You can trick your IRC side self into being logged in, to get access to restricted channels or whatever:

Start a new direct message with @_afternet_authserv:afternet.org (sometimes shows up as authserv[i]) send the normal AUTH login command to it:

AUTH yourafternetusername yourafternetpassword

You may have to repeat that later, if the bridge gets restarted, however.

It is possible, due to the federated nature of Matrix, to also use other people's IRC bridges, such as Freenode:

/join #freenode_#channelname:matrix.org

Many freenode channels require registration, so you may need to direct-message @freenode_NickServ:matrix.org to AUTH.