What is Matrix?
Matrix is an open standard for modern, decentralized real-time communication. Unlike commercial platforms, Matrix is not owned by a single corporation. The principle is similar to email: independent servers can communicate with each other without a central company having control over all accounts and data.
With our self-hosted server, your data remains on our infrastructure and is subject to strict European data protection standards. Private direct messages and closed group rooms are protected by strong end-to-end encryption (E2EE) by default, no one but the chat participants can read them.
Get started in 3 steps
- Select a client: Download a Matrix app or use the web version. We recommend Element (available for desktop, iOS, Android, and in the browser at element.mtrx4itd.at).
-
Adjust homeserver & register:
- During registration/login, click on "Edit homeserver" (by default it says matrix.org).
- Change the server address to: mtrx4itd.at
- Create your account using your student email.
-
Save your security key & join rooms:
- Element will prompt you to set up a recovery key. Save this securely (e.g., in a password manager, it decrypts your messages on new devices.
- Since our Matrix server is exclusively for our department, we use Spaces for clear structuring (e.g., by degree program, semester, or topic). Simply browse through the available Spaces and public rooms to find and join the channels relevant to you.
Matrix vs. Discord at a glance
In everyday use, Matrix feels very familiar: there are Spaces (like Discord servers), channels (rooms) for different courses, as well as text, voice, and video chats. The main difference lies in data protection and independence:
| Area | Our Matrix Server | Discord |
|---|---|---|
| Structure & Terms | Homeserver > Spaces > Rooms | Server > Categories > Channels |
| Room Creation |
Public Rooms: Easily requested via Ticket-Bot. Private Rooms: Can be created by yourself at any time. |
Depends on server permissions (often confusing) |
| Server & Data Sovereignty | Operated locally by your ÖH; your data stays with us | US corporation; data is processed centrally in the US |
| Encryption | Private chats & rooms are protected with true E2EE | No end-to-end encryption in chats |
| Account & Access | Free choice of app (e.g., Element, FluffyChat, Cinny) | Forced to use the official, closed Discord app |
| Features & Costs | Generous limits, completely free and ad-free | Artificial limits on uploads & emojis ("Nitro" subscription) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
I lost my recovery key. What now?
Because Matrix uses true end-to-end encryption (E2EE) in private rooms, we as server admins have no access to your chat histories. If you lose the key and log in on a new device, you will no longer be able to read your old messages in encrypted rooms. However, your account will remain intact and new messages will be visible as usual. Tip: It is best to save the key or passphrase directly in a password manager when creating it.
Why am I not receiving notifications?
To protect you from spam, notifications in larger rooms are often set to "Mentions only" by default. You can adjust the notification level (e.g., to "All messages") at any time globally in your account settings or individually for each room. On Android devices, you should also check whether the operating system's aggressive battery optimization is blocking the app in the background.
Is there a smartphone app?
Yes! Most students use the free Element X app (available for iOS and Android). The most important thing when opening the app for the first time: Before logging in, make sure to tap on "Edit homeserver" and replace matrix.org with our server address (mtrx4itd.at).
Am I allowed to create my own rooms for study groups?
Yes, you can create private rooms for yourself and your study groups at any time. These are closed, encrypted by default, and you can easily add your fellow students via their username or an invitation link.
Please note: To keep our server organized, Spaces (categories for structuring our department) and public rooms (which appear in the server's general room directory) can exclusively be created by administrators. If you are missing a public room for a specific course or a larger project, simply contact us via our Ticket-Bot Honoroit. Just write a direct message to @bot.honoroit, we will gladly create the room for you and assign it to the appropriate Space!
How can I reach support or the ÖH if I have questions about the server?
For all matters concerning the Matrix server (e.g., questions, technical problems, or requests for new public rooms), we use our Ticket-Bot Honoroit. Simply start a direct chat with the ID @bot.honoroit in Element and write your request. The bot will automatically create a ticket for our admin team, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.