I'm currently trying to start a group chat. I don't want to use discord, but maybe something with similar features could be useful. So I hear [matrix] is probably the best alternative to that???? At least it's one I've heard about from being in the fediverse (which is annoying and at times complicated to use tbh, even after having cleared the biggest hurdle of getting started).
So then matrix.org tells me that the easiest way to start is to just join their big group. Which seems to defeat the purpose of being federated???
I have questions like: What are the pro's and con's of using the biggest instance/provider/whatever the heck it's called?
Is it going to be slower for being in a different country?
Will the privacy laws of different countries between provider and me and group members affect us?
Do I have to pay for making a group happen? Am I planning on "hosting" a group? Or does "hosting" mean something coding/programming related and not the social thing of "I'm the host and invite people over to my house as guests for a dinner party (except virtually)"? I DONT KNOW
Would using the biggest provider be free but other providers cost money? (What exactly are they charging for? Using discord doesn't cost money, do these alternatives?)
Will people on matrix.org SEE my public group when they search for groups?
It's not impossible to find these things out despite not being a programmer, but like. Really fucking hard.
Why is it always so hard 
#matrix #MatrixMessenger #fediverse