It may or may not be possible right now to join thonk.space now by putting the address
https://matrix.thonk.space
in the 'other server' field in element's registration form. Or sign up using the web client
What Is Matrix?
Matrix like Discord and slack, but federated like email and xmpp.
An account on any Matrix homeserver, like thonk.space or matrix.org, can be used to communicate with matrix users on any homeserver in the matrix network. Matrix is mainly designed to be like slack or discord: providing large group conversations, with the addition of full markdown support and end to end encryption (so the admin has zero knowledge of the contents of your encrypted conversations). Unencrypted matrix groups can even be bridged to telegram, irc, slack and more.
Currently matrix is the only messaging system that provides all the following features:
- Full secure end-to-end encryption in large group chats
- Synch encrypted message history between multiple devices.
- Open source server, client, and protocol specification
- Nice features like: markdown formatting, stickers, voice calls, link preview, bridges to IRC, telegram and many more, bots et cetera.
Just like there are many email clients, there are many matrix clients, but the recommended one is element.io. Element is developed by the Matrix core team, and has the best encryption support and most polish. There are element apps for iOS, android, Linux, Mac and Windows. There is a list of alternative clients here, though they have varying featuresets and levels of stability. I have found FluffyChat to be quite good.
Because it works like email, Matrix usernames look like email addresses with a ':' instead of an '@' @username:homeserver.tld. It does not matter which homeserver you choose, but it is best to choose one close to you with the best latency.
I am running this server because I found that the matrix.org servers are too heavily loaded, and too geographically far from me to provide a good low-latency experience.
More information... (matrix.org)